Imaging Apparatus Exposure Gravity Center Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses face image deterioration due to timing deviations when combining images with different exposure times, particularly when objects move between exposure timings, leading to unnatural images and reduced quality.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus comprising multiple pixel circuits, memory, and signal processing units that read and store pixel signals during predetermined times, allowing for the generation of images from frames with different exposure times, with the computing unit aligning the gravity centers of exposure times to improve image quality by combining frames before and after the short exposure time image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If images with different exposure times are combined to expand dynamic range, then the dynamic range is improved, but timing deviation occurs causing image deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing multiple exposures with different exposure times (first long exposure, second short exposure, third long exposure) before the image combining process. The gravity centers of these exposure times are carefully aligned in advance, ensuring that when the images are combined, there is minimal timing deviation. This preliminary timing alignment prevents image deterioration while maintaining the expanded dynamic range benefit.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple images are acquired at different timings for combination, then the dynamic range is expanded, but simultaneity among images is lost resulting in image deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs multiple exposures with different exposure times in advance, carefully controlling the timing so that the gravity centers of the exposure periods are aligned. This preliminary timing arrangement ensures that even though multiple images are captured, they maintain temporal coherence and simultaneity, preventing image deterioration during combination while still achieving expanded dynamic range.
3Illumination intensity
If exposure timing is extended to capture more frames, then the dynamic range is improved, but the time required for image processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the essential image data from the multiple exposures. By capturing three frames with different exposure times and selectively combining them based on their gravity center alignment, the system achieves expanded dynamic range without unnecessarily processing all possible intermediate data, thus reducing overall processing time while maintaining image quality.
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
This approach enhances image quality by aligning the exposure time gravity centers, reducing timing deviations and improving the combination of long and short exposure time images, resulting in improved dynamic range images without increasing power consumption or processing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of pixel circuits; a memory; a signal processing unit configured to generate image data based on pixel signals read from the plurality of pixel circuits
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus, comprising: a signal processing unit reads pixel signals from a plurality of pixel circuits during a predetermined time, and stores at least first image data corresponding to a first frame which corresponds to a first exposure time, second image data corresponding to a second frame which corresponds to a second exposure time that is different from the first exposure time, and third image data corresponding to a third frame which corresponds to a third exposure time that is different from the second exposure time, a computing unit generates a first image using the image data corresponding to the first frame and third frame, and generates a second image using the image data corresponding to the second frame, wherein the exposure for the second frame is performed between the exposure for the first frame and the exposure for the third frame.