Imaging Apparatus Flicker Detection via Alternating Frame Rates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses struggle to distinguish and detect flickers of light sources with different frequencies without changing exposure time, leading to image quality deterioration and complexity in the detection process.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus that alternately performs imaging operations at different frame rates to detect flickers of light sources with specific frequencies by analyzing captured image signals, allowing for the identification of 50-Hz and 60-Hz flickers without altering exposure time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If exposure time is changed to detect flicker, then flicker detection capability is improved, but display image quality deteriorates and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frame rate parameter instead of exposure time to detect flicker. By alternating between first and second frame rates, the system can detect 50-Hz and 60-Hz flickers while maintaining constant exposure time, thus avoiding the need for gain correction and reducing system complexity
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If exposure time is changed to detect flicker, then flicker detection capability is improved, but display image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frame rate parameter instead of exposure time to detect flicker. By alternating between first and second frame rates, the system can detect 50-Hz and 60-Hz flickers while maintaining constant exposure time, thus avoiding the need for gain correction and reducing system complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If exposure time is maintained constant, then display image quality is maintained, but ability to distinguish 50-Hz and 60-Hz flickers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically alternates between first and second frame rates while maintaining constant exposure time. This dynamic frame rate switching enables the system to detect different flicker frequencies (50-Hz and 60-Hz) without compromising display image quality, as the exposure time remains unchanged
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
Enables simple and effective flicker detection and differentiation, improving image quality by adjusting frame rates and shutter speeds based on detected flicker frequencies, while maintaining constant exposure times.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging element that captures an image of an object using a plurality of pixels which convert light into an electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging element; an imaging element driving unit that directs the imaging element to alternately perform imaging operations at a first frame rate and a second frame rate being different from the first frame rate; and a flicker detection unit that detects whether a first flicker of a light source with a first frequency is present and whether a second flicker of a light source with a second frequency is present, based on a first captured image signal obtained by an imaging operation at the first frame rate and a second captured image signal obtained by an imaging operation at the second frame rate as defined herein, and a sum of a duration of a first frame period based on the first frame rate and a duration of a second frame period based on the second frame rate is a value as defined herein.