Multi-Exposure Image Synthesis for Flicker and Motion Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image processing devices face challenges in synthesizing images with flicker or moving objects, leading to distortion and color inconsistencies due to varying exposure times and light sources.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that determines the presence of flicker or moving objects based on luminance values, adjusts weights for image synthesis, and corrects color using white balance coefficients to prevent distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple images with different exposure times are synthesized to improve image quality, then image detail and brightness are improved, but distortion and color inconsistency occur due to flicker and moving objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting flicker and moving objects in the images before performing synthesis. The system identifies regions affected by flicker (temporal luminance fluctuation) and moving objects, then excludes or adjusts these regions before combining images, preventing distortion from propagating into the final synthesized image
2Illumination intensity
If images captured at different exposure times are combined to enhance brightness, then luminance is improved, but color distortion occurs due to white balance inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing white balance correction on a per-region basis rather than globally. Different white balance coefficients are applied to different regions of the image depending on local lighting conditions, allowing the system to maintain color accuracy in regions with varying illumination while still combining images for luminance enhancement
3Device complexity
If all images are given equal weight in synthesis to maintain simplicity, then processing complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to flicker and motion artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using adaptive weighting where the weight assigned to each image varies dynamically based on local image characteristics. The system calculates weights based on metrics such as luminance variance, gradient magnitude, and detected flicker/motion regions, allowing high-quality regions to contribute more to the synthesis while minimizing the impact of degraded regions
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, an image processing device includes a determiner and an image synthesizer. The determiner is configured to detect an image difference between a plurality of images including a first image captured during a first exposure time and a second image captured during a second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time, and to determine whether the image difference corresponds to a flicker or a moving object. Upon determining that the image difference corresponds to the flicker, the image synthesizer synthesizes the plurality of images by assigning a highest weight to the first image among a plurality of weights respectively assigned to the plurality of images. Upon determining that the image difference corresponds to the moving object, the image synthesizer synthesizes the plurality of images by assigning the highest weight to the second image among the plurality of weights respectively assigned to the plurality of images.