Object-Based Exposure Control for Clear Multi-Brightness Image Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image capture methods using a single exposure parameter fail to clearly display objects with different brightness levels in a scene, resulting in unclear images.

Innovation Solution

An image capture device segments the preview image into multiple blocks based on objects, adjusts exposure parameters for each block to meet a sharpness criterion, and controls different blocks with varying exposure settings to enhance image clarity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single exposure parameter is used for the entire panorama, then the capture process is simple and fast, but objects with different brightness levels cannot be clearly displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of capture processVSAvoidclarity of captured image
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the panorama into multiple image blocks based on detected objects, allowing different exposure parameters to be applied to different blocks. This segmentation enables each object to be captured with an exposure parameter optimized for its specific brightness characteristics, resolving the contradiction between simple capture process and clear image display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different exposure parameters to different image blocks based on the brightness characteristics of objects within them. This local quality approach ensures that each region of the panorama receives the appropriate exposure setting for its specific content, thereby achieving clear display of objects with varying brightness levels while maintaining operational simplicity through automated parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If a small exposure parameter is used to avoid overexposure of bright objects like neon lamps, then bright objects are captured properly, but dark objects like buildings cannot be clearly displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrightness control of captured objectsVSAvoidclarity of dark objects in captured image
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the panorama into multiple image blocks, allowing different exposure parameters to be applied to blocks containing bright objects versus blocks containing dark objects. This enables the bright objects to be captured with smaller exposure parameters to avoid overexposure, while dark objects are captured with larger exposure parameters to ensure clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different exposure parameters locally to different image blocks based on the brightness characteristics of objects within them. Bright objects receive smaller exposure parameters to prevent overexposure, while dark objects receive larger exposure parameters to ensure they are captured clearly, thereby resolving the contradiction in illumination intensity control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If a large exposure parameter is used to ensure dark objects like buildings are clearly displayed, then dark objects are captured properly, but bright objects like neon lamps become overexposed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclarity of dark objects in captured imageVSAvoidbrightness control of bright objects in captured image
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the panorama into multiple image blocks and applies different exposure parameters to each block. Blocks containing dark objects use larger exposure parameters to ensure clarity, while blocks containing bright objects use smaller exposure parameters to prevent overexposure, thereby resolving the contradiction between capturing dark objects clearly and controlling brightness of bright objects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different exposure parameters locally to different image blocks based on object brightness characteristics. This ensures that dark objects receive sufficient exposure for clarity while bright objects receive reduced exposure to avoid overexposure, effectively resolving the contradiction in illumination intensity control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3611914B1Method and apparatus for photographing image
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3611914B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3611914B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3611914B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An image capture method and apparatus are provided, to improve a definition of a captured image. The method includes: when capturing an image, obtaining, by an image capture device, a preview image in a capture preview window; segmenting, by the image capture device, the preview image into N image blocks based on N objects included in the preview image, where N is a positive integer; determining, by the image capture device from the N image blocks, M image blocks whose definitions do not meet a preset definition criterion, where M is a positive integer less than or equal to N; adjusting, by the image capture device, an exposure parameter of each of the M image blocks until the definitions of the M image blocks meet the preset definition criterion; outputting, by the image capture device, prompt information used to prompt a user to capture the image; and receiving, by the image capture device, a capture instruction entered by the user, and capturing the preview image in the capture preview window based on the adjusted exposure parameter.