Image-taking apparatus exposure control using external brightness data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-taking systems, such as lens-style cameras and smartphones, face challenges in accurately controlling exposure, particularly when used together, as they rely on internal brightness information alone, which can lead to suboptimal image quality due to insufficient external brightness data.
Innovation Solution
An image-taking apparatus and information processing apparatus system that detects brightness both internally and externally, allowing for the selection and application of exposure values based on combined internal and external brightness information to enhance exposure control accuracy, with the ability to output and receive brightness information wirelessly for improved image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If exposure control is based only on internal brightness information, then the device structure remains simple, but exposure accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines internal brightness detection (from the image-taking apparatus's own brightness sensor) with external brightness detection (from an external apparatus such as a smartphone) to determine exposure values. This merging of detection sources improves exposure accuracy by utilizing both internal and external brightness information, while avoiding the need for complex additional hardware within the image-taking apparatus itself.
2Measurement precision
If multiple brightness information sources are integrated, then exposure control accuracy improves, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the brightness detection function into separate components: the image-taking apparatus handles internal brightness detection and basic exposure control, while an external apparatus handles external brightness detection. The exposure value determination is segmented into multiple steps, comparing internal and external brightness information to select appropriate exposure values, thereby distributing processing complexity across different devices rather than concentrating it all in one system.
3Reliability
If exposure control uses only internal brightness data, then system functionality remains simple, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where external brightness information from an external apparatus is continuously received and compared with internal brightness information. Based on this comparison, the exposure value is dynamically adjusted and corrected. This feedback loop ensures that exposure control adapts to external lighting conditions, improving image quality while maintaining the simplicity of the image-taking apparatus's own functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image-taking system including an information processing apparatus and an image-taking apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a detector configured to detect brightness of an object image, and to output external brightness information, a determining unit configured to determine if an external image-taking apparatus exists or not, and an output unit configured to output the external brightness information to the image-taking apparatus if the image-taking apparatus exists. The image-taking apparatus includes a detector configured to detect brightness of an object image, and to output internal brightness information, and a controller configured to control exposure based on an exposure value, the exposure value being based on the internal brightness information detected by the detector and external brightness information received from an external apparatus.