Imaging Apparatus Dynamic Frame Rate Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices experience flicker issues when using light sources driven by commercial power frequencies, particularly at 50 Hz or 60 Hz, leading to linear noise in images, especially during high dynamic range image generation or panoramic image synthesis.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus and method that dynamically adjusts the commercial power frequency and frame rate to synchronize with the power frequency, using a detection unit to identify scanning lines with luminance changes and adjust the frequency accordingly, ensuring the frame rate is set to match or differ from the power frequency to suppress flicker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the frame rate is set to an integral submultiple of the commercial power frequency (e.g., 30 fps at 60 Hz power frequency), then the imaging can be performed at a standard frame rate suitable for live-view display, but linear noise appears as flicker in the recorded images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the imaging frame rate based on the detected commercial power frequency. Instead of using a fixed frame rate, the system detects the actual power frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz) and sets the frame rate to match this frequency, thereby dynamically adapting to the power supply environment to eliminate flicker while maintaining operational convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frame rate parameter according to the detected commercial power frequency. When 50 Hz power frequency is detected, the frame rate is set to 50 fps; when 60 Hz is detected, the frame rate is set to 60 fps. This parameter adjustment ensures synchronization between the imaging process and the illumination cycle, eliminating flicker noise in recorded images
2Manufacturing precision
If a high shutter speed is used for high dynamic range image generation or panoramic image synthesis through continuous-shooting, then the dynamic range and panoramic image quality are improved, but the recorded image is affected by flicker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts both the frame rate and shutter speed based on the detected commercial power frequency. This dynamic adjustment ensures that even during high-speed continuous shooting for HDR or panoramic synthesis, the imaging parameters remain synchronized with the power frequency, thereby maintaining high image quality while eliminating flicker artifacts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a detection unit to detect the commercial power frequency and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the frame rate and shutter speed accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the imaging parameters are continuously optimized to match the power supply environment, preventing flicker during high-speed imaging operations
Data Source
AI summary
A setting unit selects and sets one of a plurality of commercial power frequencies. A frame rate setting unit sets a frame rate corresponding to the commercial power frequency set by the setting unit. A control unit controls an imaging unit such that imaging is carried out at the frame rate set by the frame rate setting unit to thereby acquire image data successively. A detection unit detects a scanning line part at which luminance changes to differ between image data items successively acquired by the control unit. A changing unit changes the commercial power frequency set by the setting unit in accordance with a detection result obtained by the detection unit.