Imaging Apparatus Synchronization with First Light Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging apparatuses struggle to capture images under flickering light sources without experiencing exposure unevenness and color non-uniformity, while also maintaining frame speed during consecutive image capturing, as existing solutions like synchronizing with peak light intensity lead to release time lag and decreased frame speed.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with an acquisition unit for monitoring light intensity changes and a control unit that synchronizes exposure timing with the light intensity at a specific first intensity, which is shorter than the light intensity change period, allowing for synchronized exposure without significant release time lag, and optionally adjusting for sine wave or triangular wave light intensity patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If exposure timing is synchronized with peak light intensity timing, then exposure uniformity is improved, but release time lag occurs and frame speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the synchronization parameter from peak light intensity timing to a specific light intensity value (first light intensity) that occurs multiple times within the flicker period. This parameter change allows the exposure timing to be synchronized with flicker rhythm while minimizing release time lag, thus improving exposure uniformity without significantly decreasing frame speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts exposure timing based on the detected flicker period and the position of the first light intensity within the flicker period. By making the exposure timing flexible and adaptive to the specific flicker characteristics, the system achieves good exposure uniformity while maintaining high frame speed during consecutive image capturing.
2Illumination intensity
If high shutter speed is used to capture images in dark environments, then image brightness is improved, but exposure unevenness occurs under flickering light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a feedback mechanism where the acquisition unit detects the flicker period and light intensity characteristics, and the control unit adjusts exposure timing based on this detected information. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to flickering light conditions and achieve uniform exposure even when using high shutter speeds in dark environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of flicker characteristics before image capturing. By detecting the flicker period and identifying the timing of the first light intensity in advance, the system can pre-calculate the optimal exposure timing, ensuring uniform exposure when high shutter speed capturing is performed in dark environments.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an imaging apparatus that can obtain a satisfactory image under a flickering light source while preventing lowering of a frame speed during consecutive image capturing. The imaging apparatus includes an image capturing unit, an acquisition unit to acquire information about a periodic change in light intensity from a subject, and a control unit to control exposure timing of the image capturing unit to the light. The control unit may control the exposure timing so that the image capturing unit is exposed in synchronization with a timing at which the light intensity from the subject becomes a first light intensity based on the acquired information. A period at or during which the light intensity from the subject becomes the first light intensity may be shorter than a change period of the light intensity from the subject based on the acquired information.