Imaging Device Selective Pixel Processing for Noise and Light Trails

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging devices face challenges in reducing random noise while capturing light trails, as processing methods like comparative bright combination dominate noise in initial images, and averaging combinations thin out light trails in dark backgrounds.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device and method that selectively apply cumulative combination processing based on pixel data thresholds, using either comparative bright combination or adding and averaging combination, depending on pixel brightness levels, to minimize noise and preserve light trails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If comparative bright combination processing is used to capture light trails, then light trails are preserved clearly, but random noise is dominant and image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight trail clarityVSAvoidrandom noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different combination processing methods to different pixel regions based on their brightness characteristics. Bright pixels (light trails) undergo comparative bright combination to preserve clarity, while dark pixels (background) undergo adding and averaging combination to reduce noise. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing processing for each region's specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the image processing into two distinct pathways: comparative bright combination for bright pixels and adding and averaging combination for dark pixels. This segmentation allows each processing method to be optimized for its appropriate pixel type, preventing noise dominance in dark areas while preserving light trail clarity in bright areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If adding and averaging combination processing is used to reduce noise, then random noise is suppressed, but light trails become thinner and less visible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverandom noiseVSAvoidlight trail visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different combination processing methods to different pixel regions based on their brightness characteristics. Bright pixels (light trails) undergo comparative bright combination to preserve clarity, while dark pixels (background) undergo adding and averaging combination to reduce noise. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing processing for each region's specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the image processing into two distinct pathways: comparative bright combination for bright pixels and adding and averaging combination for dark pixels. This segmentation allows each processing method to be optimized for its appropriate pixel type, preventing noise dominance in dark areas while preserving light trail clarity in bright areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If ISO sensitivity is increased to reduce noise in initial images, then image quality improves, but shooting becomes more difficult and noise control worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage noiseVSAvoidshooting difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and processes bright pixels (light trails) separately from dark pixels (background) using different combination methods. By isolating the light trail pixels and applying comparative bright combination, the system can handle high ISO sensitivity images effectively without amplifying noise in the background, making high ISO shooting more manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9918022B2Imaging device and imaging method

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 OM DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

An imaging device of the present invention comprises a first combination processing circuit that carries out first cumulative combination processing for every pixel of image data that has been generated by the image sensor and image data that has been stored in a memory, and updates pixel data, a second combination processing circuit that carries out second cumulative combination processing for every pixel of image data that has been generated by the image sensor and image data that has been stored in the memory, and updates pixel data, and a controller that determines whether or not level of each pixel data constituting image data is a given threshold level or greater, and in accordance with the result of determination selects to either carry out the first cumulative processing by the first combination processing circuit, or to carry out the second cumulative processing by the second combination processing circuit.