Imaging Exposure Control for Atmospheric Fluctuation and Motion Blur

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging technologies struggle to effectively reduce atmospheric fluctuation-induced image degradation while minimizing blur in moving objects, particularly in monitoring applications like harbor surveillance and aircraft photography.

Innovation Solution

An imaging apparatus and method that dynamically adjusts shutter speed based on fluctuation analysis to minimize image degradation while suppressing blur, using a CPU to control exposure parameters and perform fluctuation correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If image smoothing is performed in the time direction to reduce atmospheric fluctuation, then visibility of stationary subjects is improved, but moving objects generate blur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of subject imageVSAvoidsharpness of moving object
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the fluctuation correction intensity based on detected atmospheric fluctuation levels. When fluctuation is detected, correction is applied; when no fluctuation is detected, correction is reduced or stopped. This dynamic adjustment prevents blur in moving objects while maintaining visibility improvement for stationary subjects during fluctuation events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of fluctuation correction intensity based on detected atmospheric conditions. By adjusting this parameter dynamically, the system optimizes the balance between reducing atmospheric degradation and preventing moving object blur, resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If automatic control is implemented to correct fluctuation with suitable intensity for each scene, then adaptability to different monitoring conditions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection intensity adaptationVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the imaging apparatus detects atmospheric fluctuation in captured images and automatically adjusts fluctuation correction intensity accordingly. This feedback-based automatic control enables adaptability to different monitoring conditions without requiring complex manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting atmospheric fluctuation and adjusting correction parameters without external intervention. This automation reduces operational complexity while maintaining high adaptability to varying monitoring conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If exposure time is extended to improve image quality, then visibility is improved, but atmospheric fluctuation effect increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidatmospheric fluctuation effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies fluctuation correction techniques that effectively 'skip over' or compensate for atmospheric fluctuation effects during extended exposure. By detecting and correcting fluctuation-induced degradations, the system maintains image quality benefits of extended exposure while mitigating the harmful atmospheric effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the fluctuation correction parameter based on detected atmospheric conditions and exposure settings. This allows optimization of the balance between extending exposure for quality improvement and compensating for increased atmospheric fluctuation effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4614995A1Imaging apparatus, control method, program, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 CANON KK
  • EP4614995A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4614995A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4614995A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An imaging apparatus includes acquisition means configured to acquire a fluctuation amount of an image captured by imaging means, image processing means configured to perform correction processing for reducing fluctuation of the image based on the fluctuation amount acquired by the acquisition means, and determination means configured to determine an exposure time of the imaging means, wherein the determination means is configured to determine the exposure time of the imaging means based on at least one of the fluctuation amount acquired by the acquisition means and a correction intensity of the correction processing.