Exposure Control for Image-Capture Using Multi-Exposure Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-capture devices often fail to capture clear images of moving scenes due to exposure-related defects like blur and noise, with existing solutions either improving one aspect at the expense of introducing other image-quality issues.
Innovation Solution
The technique involves analyzing sensor data to determine multiple exposure times for image-capture devices to minimize blur and noise defects, using a first exposure time to reduce blur and a second, longer exposure time to decrease noise, and combining these images using an image-merging module to create a single image with reduced exposure-related defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single exposure time is used for image capture, then the device complexity is reduced, but exposure-related defects (blur and noise) cannot be effectively minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image capture process into multiple exposures with different exposure times. The exposure control apparatus determines multiple different exposure times based on sensor data analysis, and the image-merging module combines multiple images captured at different exposure times to create a single output image. This segmentation allows each exposure to be optimized for specific defect reduction (e.g., shorter exposure for blur, longer exposure for noise) while the final composite image achieves overall quality improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple images captured at different exposure times into a single output image using the image-merging module. This combining process integrates the advantages of different exposure times (sharpness from short exposure, noise reduction from long exposure) while eliminating their individual disadvantages, achieving superior image quality without requiring a single perfect exposure time.
2Reliability
If multiple exposure times are used to reduce blur and noise, then image quality improves, but the number of image-capture operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by analyzing sensor data before the actual image capture to determine the optimal exposure times. The exposure control apparatus uses sensor data to predict the likelihood of exposure-related defects and pre-calculates multiple different exposure times accordingly. This preliminary analysis and planning allows the system to efficiently execute the multiple exposures without trial-and-error, improving overall capture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using sensor data to continuously monitor and adjust the exposure control process. The exposure control apparatus analyzes sensor data to determine the likelihood of exposure-related defects and uses this feedback to determine multiple different exposure times. This feedback mechanism ensures that the exposure times are dynamically optimized based on actual scene conditions, improving both image quality and capture efficiency.
3Reliability
If exposure control based on sensor data analysis is implemented, then exposure-related defects are minimized, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing sensor data analysis and exposure time determination before the actual image capture process. The exposure control apparatus analyzes sensor data to predict defect likelihood and pre-determines multiple different exposure times in advance. This preliminary computational work is performed efficiently using available processing resources, and the pre-calculated exposure times are then applied during capture, minimizing real-time processing delays while ensuring high image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for exposure control for image-capture. The techniques and apparatuses utilize sensor data to analyze a scene and, based on this analysis, determine a likelihood of exposure-related defects in captured images of the scene. Based on this likelihood, the techniques determine multiple different exposure times for multiple image-capture devices. An image-merging module then combines these different images captured with different exposure times to create a single image with reduced exposure-related defects.