Multi-Unit Image Capture with Common Correction Value
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing apparatuses with multiple imaging devices face challenges in generating images with reduced gradation deterioration and minimized brightness differences at joint portions, leading to unnatural appearances due to varying brightness levels.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a calculation unit to determine a common correction value for dynamic range correction across multiple image capturing units, setting exposure conditions uniformly, and controlling units to capture images that are then combined under these conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If highlight correction is performed on a plurality of images captured by multiple image capturing units, then halation in captured images is reduced, but differences in brightness at joint portions of joined images increase making the joint portions look unnatural
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the exposure conditions of image capturing units based on the maximum highlight correction amount calculated from photometric values. By uniformly lowering the exposure level across all image capturing units and applying consistent highlight correction, the system reduces halation while maintaining brightness uniformity at joint portions, thus resolving the contradiction between halation reduction and brightness stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If different highlight correction amounts are applied to each image capturing unit, then halation is reduced in each image, but brightness differences occur at joint portions of joined images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by calculating a single maximum highlight correction amount from all photometric values and applying this unified correction value to all image capturing units. This universal approach ensures that all units process images with the same correction parameters, eliminating brightness mismatches at joint portions while effectively reducing halation across the entire image set.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If exposure level is lowered for highlight correction, then halation is eliminated, but overall image brightness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-calculating the maximum highlight correction amount needed based on photometric values before actual image capture. This advance calculation allows the system to set appropriate exposure conditions that prevent excessive brightness in highlight areas while maintaining adequate overall image brightness, counteracting the potential darkness issue before it occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of image capturing units; a calculation unit to calculate a common correction value commonly applied to the image capturing units in performing dynamic range correction, based on an image-capturing signal output from each of the plurality of image capturing units; a setting unit to set an exposure condition for each of the image capturing units based on the common correction value; and a control unit to control the plurality of image capturing units to capture images to be combined under the set exposure condition for each of the image capturing units.