Imaging Element Flicker Avoidance Timing Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging technologies face challenges in effectively avoiding the effects of flicker, particularly in rolling shutter methods, where line flickers appear in captured images, making it difficult to specify the timing for avoiding these flickers.
Innovation Solution
An imaging element with a processing portion that determines a higher frame rate based on the occurrence cycle of flicker, detects flicker effect avoidance timing by measuring brightness differences between frames, and adjusts the imaging timing to minimize the effect of flicker, thereby outputting images that avoid flicker effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a rolling shutter method is used for imaging, then imaging can be performed with simpler structure and lower cost, but line flickers appear in captured images making it difficult to specify timing for avoiding flicker effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting flicker patterns in advance through brightness comparison between different frames, identifying the timing characteristics of flicker effects before actual imaging occurs. This allows the system to pre-determine optimal imaging timing that avoids line flickers, resolving the contradiction by preparing the necessary information beforehand rather than attempting to detect it during imaging.
2Measurement precision
If frame rate is increased to capture more brightness variations for flicker detection, then flicker avoidance timing can be detected more accurately, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing brightness comparisons only on specific regions or selected pixels rather than processing the entire image data at high frame rates. The system compares brightness values at corresponding positions between frames to detect flicker patterns, using only the necessary amount of data processing to achieve accurate timing detection without excessive power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies skipping by rapidly scanning through frames to identify flicker patterns without performing detailed processing on each frame. The system quickly compares brightness variations across multiple frames to detect the periodicity and timing of flicker effects, then uses this information to determine optimal imaging timing, thereby reducing overall processing time and power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If brightness comparison processing is performed on all frames to detect flicker timing, then flicker avoidance timing can be accurately detected, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating and comparing only the brightness information at corresponding positions between frames, rather than processing all image data. The system extracts the relevant brightness values that indicate flicker patterns and performs comparisons only on these extracted data points, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining accurate flicker timing detection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for accurate detection of flicker avoidance timing, reducing electric power consumption and ensuring that images are captured at the brightest point, thereby suppressing line flickers and improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
In a photoelectric conversion element, exposure is sequentially started on one line at a time, and an electric charge signal corresponding to an exposure amount is read out
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging element incorporates a processing circuit and a memory. The memory stores captured image data obtained by imaging a subject at a first frame rate. The processing circuit performs processing based on the captured image data stored in the memory. An output circuit outputs output image data based on the captured image data to an outside of the imaging element at a second frame rate. The first frame rate is a frame rate higher than the second frame rate and is determined in accordance with an occurrence cycle of a flicker, and the processing circuit detects a flicker effect avoidance timing at which an effect of the flicker on imaging by the imaging element is avoided, based on the captured image data of a plurality of frames.