Portable Digital Night Vision Extended Dynamic Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital night vision devices struggle to capture both foreground and background objects effectively in low-light conditions due to the difference in infrared illumination levels, resulting in inadequate image capture of background objects or 'bleaching out' of foreground objects.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an extended dynamic range in a portable digital night vision device by capturing at least two video frames with different exposure levels and combining them in real-time to generate a single extended dynamic range video frame, allowing for clear visualization of both foreground and background objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the exposure level is increased to capture background objects, then background objects become visible, but foreground objects become overexposed and 'bleached out'
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image capture process by dividing the scene into foreground and background regions, then applies different exposure levels to each region. Multiple video frames are captured at different exposure levels (first exposure level for foreground, second exposure level for background) and then combined to create a final image where both regions are properly exposed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different exposure parameters for different spatial regions of the image. The first video frame captured at the first exposure level optimizes foreground object visibility, while the second video frame captured at the second exposure level optimizes background object visibility. The extended dynamic range module combines these frames to achieve region-specific optimal exposure.
2Illumination intensity
If the exposure level is decreased to capture foreground objects, then foreground objects are properly exposed, but background objects become underexposed and invisible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image capture process by dividing the scene into foreground and background regions, then applies different exposure levels to each region. Multiple video frames are captured at different exposure levels (first exposure level for foreground, second exposure level for background) and then combined to create a final image where both regions are properly exposed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using different exposure parameters for different spatial regions of the image. The first video frame captured at the first exposure level optimizes foreground object visibility, while the second video frame captured at the second exposure level optimizes background object visibility. The extended dynamic range module combines these frames to achieve region-specific optimal exposure.
3Device complexity
If a single exposure level is used, then the device complexity is low, but the device cannot capture both foreground and background objects simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by continuously capturing multiple video frames at different exposure levels and dynamically combining them in real-time. The extended dynamic range module processes the first and second video frames captured at different exposure levels to generate an extended dynamic range video frame, allowing the device to adapt to varying scene conditions and capture both foreground and background objects simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds an additional dimension to the image capture process by introducing the time dimension through sequential frame capture at different exposure levels. Instead of using a single static exposure setting, the system captures a first video frame at a first exposure level and a second video frame at a second exposure level, then combines them to create an extended dynamic range video frame that encompasses a wider range of brightness values.
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
The solution enables the capture of a full range of image details in both foreground and background, even in dark or low-light conditions, effectively addressing the limitations of existing digital night vision devices.
Implementation Method 1
the light entering the objective lens is converted into a digital signal via, for example, a metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to the digital nightvision devices, in particular portable digital nightvision device with extended dynamic range and method using the same. The portable digital nightvision device at least includes comprises: objective lens, an image sensor, an image processing unit, an electronic display, a battery, an eyepiece, wherein the image processing unit further includes comprises an extended dynamic range module which is configured to combine the first digital video frame and the second digital video frame to obtain an extended dynamic range frame of the current scene wherein the first frame captures the details of the foreground image scene with longer exposure, and the second frame captures the details of the background image scene with shorter exposure.