Imaging Sensor Exposure Control for Noise and Blur Trade-off

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing imaging systems face challenges in optimizing exposure settings for viewing static images and reading printed material, as they require different settings to minimize noise and prevent blurring, leading to a compromise that is not optimal for either mode.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device with a sensor, motion detector, and controller that dynamically adjusts exposure time and gain based on detected motion and image type (color or black and white) to maintain optimal luminance values, switching between settings for viewing and reading modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If exposure time is increased to minimize noise in viewing mode, then image noise is reduced, but motion blurring increases when reading printed material

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidimage clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts exposure time based on detected motion state. In viewing mode (no motion), exposure time is extended to minimize noise. In reading mode (motion detected), exposure time is reduced to prevent blurring. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing exposure time for the current operational mode rather than using a fixed compromise value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the exposure time parameter according to the operational mode. A controller detects whether the device is being used for viewing static images or reading printed material and adjusts the exposure time parameter accordingly - increasing it for viewing mode to reduce noise, and decreasing it for reading mode to prevent motion blur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If exposure time is decreased to prevent blurring in reading mode, then motion blurring is reduced, but noise increases when viewing static images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage clarityVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts exposure time based on detected motion state. In viewing mode (no motion), exposure time is extended to minimize noise. In reading mode (motion detected), exposure time is reduced to prevent blurring. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing exposure time for the current operational mode rather than using a fixed compromise value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single exposure setting is used for both viewing and reading modes, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality is compromised for both modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexposure controlVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses motion detection to automatically determine the operational mode and select appropriate exposure settings without user intervention. The motion detector and controller work together to self-adjust exposure time based on whether motion is detected, eliminating the need for manual mode selection while maintaining optimal image quality for both viewing and reading modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the exposure time parameter according to the operational mode. A controller detects whether the device is being used for viewing static images or reading printed material and adjusts the exposure time parameter accordingly - increasing it for viewing mode to reduce noise, and decreasing it for reading mode to prevent motion blur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2347402B1Systems and methods for imaging objects
Publication Date: 2016.07.13 FREEDOM SCI INC
  • EP2347402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2347402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2347402B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for imaging objects are provided. An imaging device includes a sensor to provide an image of an object. The sensor can have a sensor exposure time and a sensor gain and the image includes a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames that can depict at least a portion of the object. The imaging device includes a motion detector to determine whether there is movement of the at least a portion of the object between adjacent frames of the plurality of frames. The imaging device also includes a controller. The controller can set the sensor exposure time to a first value in response to a determination by the motion detector that there is movement of the at least a portion of the object between adjacent frames. The controller can also set the sensor exposure time to a second value in response to a determination that there is no movement of the at least a portion of the object between adjacent frames. The controller can also adjust the sensor exposure time, the sensor gain, or both to maintain a luminance value of the plurality of frames at a target luminance value.