Infrared-Guided HDR Image Processing for Accurate Scene Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing technologies often incorrectly perform high dynamic range (HDR) processing, leading to overexposed or over-processed images due to inaccurate determination of shooting scenes.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing an infrared image to determine the shooting scene and decide whether to apply HDR processing on a visible-light image, enhancing the accuracy of HDR application by considering sunlight conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If HDR processing is performed on all visible-light images, then image quality in high-contrast scenes is improved, but images in normal scenes become overexposed or over-processed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidoverexposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter used for scene determination from visible-light image analysis to infrared image analysis. By using infrared images to detect sunlight conditions and determine shooting scenes, the system accurately identifies when HDR processing should be applied, preventing both overexposure in normal scenes and under-processing in high-contrast scenes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If scene determination is based on visible-light images only, then processing speed is maintained, but accuracy of HDR application is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescene determination accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces infrared images as an intermediary for scene determination. The infrared image sensor captures thermal radiation patterns that clearly indicate sunlight conditions, serving as a reliable mediator to determine whether HDR processing should be applied to visible-light images, thereby improving accuracy without significantly increasing processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If HDR processing is applied without accurate scene determination, then processing speed is maintained, but image visibility and quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidimage visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary scene determination using infrared images before applying HDR processing to visible-light images. This preliminary action using infrared detection allows the system to pre-identify sunlight conditions and determine the appropriate processing mode, ensuring that HDR is only applied when necessary and improving both image visibility and processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260024184A1Image processing method, processor, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 REALTEK SEMICON CORP

AI summary

An image processing method includes following operations: receiving a visible-light image; receiving an infrared image; determining a shooting scene according to the infrared image; determining whether to perform a high dynamic range processing on the visible-light image according to the shooting scene; and when it is determined to perform the high dynamic range processing on the visible-light image, generating and outputting a high dynamic range image for a back-end system to display.