Imaging Device Sensitivity Gain Calibration via Standard Light Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras face inconsistent and erroneous sensitivity due to variations in optical and electronic components, leading to suboptimal exposure parameters, especially across different production lines and light sources.
Innovation Solution
A method involving calibration with a standard light source in both preview and capture modes to determine a gain ratio, which is used to deduce exposure parameters, and the creation of lookup tables to store sensitivity gains for accurate sensitivity calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fixed values are used to deduce exposure parameters, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sensitivity consistency deteriorates due to component variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sensitivity gain parameter through calibration with a standard light source, determining individual gain values for each imaging device in both preview and capture modes. This allows each device to have customized exposure parameters based on its specific component characteristics, resolving the contradiction between simple fixed-value methods and consistent sensitivity across varied components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration action by measuring the sensitivity gain of each imaging device against a standard light source before actual use. The calibration data is stored in lookup tables, enabling fast retrieval and application of correct exposure parameters during operation, thus ensuring sensitivity consistency without adding complexity to the real-time operation.
2Reliability
If calibration with standard light source is performed, then the sensitivity consistency is improved, but the loss of time increases due to additional calibration steps
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration with standard light source is performed as a preliminary action during manufacturing or setup, before the imaging device enters service. The results are stored in lookup tables for rapid access during operation, ensuring that sensitivity consistency is established once without requiring repeated calibration during use, thus minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device performs self-calibration by automatically measuring its sensitivity gain against the standard light source and storing the results in its own lookup tables. This automated self-service approach reduces manual intervention time and ensures consistent calibration without requiring external assistance during the calibration process.
3Productivity
If multi-production lines are used for manufacturing, then the productivity is increased, but the sensitivity consistency deteriorates due to different light sources and factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent determines individual sensitivity gain parameters for imaging devices from each production line by calibrating against a standard light source. This allows each device regardless of production line to have its specific parameters recorded in lookup tables, ensuring consistent sensitivity across all devices from multiple production lines despite variations in manufacturing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The standard light source serves as a universal reference for calibration across all production lines. By using the same standard light source for calibration regardless of which production line manufactured the device, the patent ensures that sensitivity parameters are consistently determined across all manufacturing locations, maintaining reliability while allowing high productivity through multiple production lines.
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
Ensures highly consistent sensitivity and improved image quality by accurately determining exposure parameters, addressing inconsistencies caused by component variations and light source differences.
Implementation Method 1
a standard light source is provided firstly
Implementation Method 2
an imaging device is calibrated by the standard light source, therefore obtaining standard sensitivity gain
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a method of calibrating sensitivity gain. In a preview mode, an imaging device is calibrated by a standard light source, therefore obtaining standard sensitivity gain of the preview mode. In a capture mode, the imaging device is calibrated by the standard light source, therefore obtaining standard sensitivity gain of the capture mode. A gain ratio of the standard sensitivity gain of the capture mode to the standard sensitivity gain of the preview mode is determined, and is then used to deduce the exposure parameters of the capture mode according to the exposure parameters of the preview mode.