Optical Processing Apparatus Luminance Adjustment for Image Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical processing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining image quality due to varying luminance levels, as they either adjust exposure time or gain values, which can limit frame rate or introduce noise, respectively.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus defines multiple time instants within a time interval shorter than the reciprocal of the frame rate, sets the light source to different luminance values at each instant, and captures images with the same exposure time length, allowing for the selection of images with optimal quality and adjustment of subsequent luminance settings based on image quality indices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the exposure time length is extended to improve image quality in dark conditions, then the image brightness is improved, but the frame rate is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage brightnessVSAvoidframe rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the light source luminance based on detected image quality metrics. Instead of using a fixed exposure time, the system varies the light intensity adaptively to maintain optimal image quality across different lighting conditions while preserving the original exposure time and frame rate settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the light source luminance parameter rather than the exposure time parameter. By adjusting the intensity of the light source dynamically, the system achieves the same effect as extending exposure time (improved image brightness) without actually changing the exposure time, thus avoiding frame rate limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the gain value of the programmable gain amplifier is increased to improve image quality in dark conditions, then the image brightness is improved, but noise increases making image quality poorer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage brightnessVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by enhancing the light source luminance before the image capture process. Instead of amplifying the signal after capture (which introduces noise), the system proactively increases the light intensity during the exposure period, ensuring adequate illumination at the source level and avoiding the need for high gain amplification that would introduce noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the electronic signal amplification mechanism (PGA gain) with an optical illumination mechanism (light source luminance adjustment). Rather than amplifying the captured signal electronically which introduces noise, the system uses optical means to ensure sufficient light during capture, achieving signal enhancement without the harmful side effects of electronic amplification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the exposure time is reduced to improve frame rate, then the productivity is improved, but the image quality deteriorates in dark conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe rateVSAvoidimage brightness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the light source luminance parameter to compensate for the reduced exposure time. By increasing the intensity of the light source, the system maintains adequate image brightness even when the exposure time is kept short for high frame rate operation, thus resolving the trade-off between productivity and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Illumination intensity

If the light source luminance is increased to improve image quality, then the image brightness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage brightnessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the light source luminance based on real-time image quality assessment rather than maintaining a fixed high luminance level. The system increases light intensity only when and where needed to achieve desirable image quality, and reduces it when conditions permit, thereby optimizing the balance between image brightness and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9606636B2Optical processing apparatus, light source luminance adjustment method, and non-transitory computer readable medium thereof

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

An optical processing apparatus, a light source luminance adjustment method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium thereof are provided. The optical processing apparatus includes a light source unit, a processing unit, and an image sensing unit, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to the light source unit and the image sensing unit. The light source unit provides a beam of light. The processing unit defines a frame rate, defines a plurality of time instants within a time interval, and sets the light source unit to a luminance value at each of the time instants. A length of the time interval is shorter than the reciprocal of the frame rate. The luminance values are different and are within a range. The image sensing unit captures an image by an exposure time length at each of the time instants, wherein the exposure time lengths are the same.