Partial Region Image Sensor Contrast Emphasis
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pixel image capturing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining frame rate and inspection time due to long reading times for moving images, and existing methods struggle to optimize contrast in regions with varying luminance, leading to suboptimal image processing and throughput in machine vision systems.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus with a processor-controlled system that reads pixel signals from a partial region of interest, performs contrast detection, and applies contrast emphasis processing to optimize image quality and reduce processing time by skipping unnecessary pixel readings and dynamically adjusting amplifier gains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pixel signals are read from all pixels in high-pixel image capturing apparatuses, then image quality is improved, but reading time increases and frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pixel array into multiple regions and implements independent reading control for each region. This segmentation allows the system to read only necessary pixel data, reducing overall reading time while maintaining image quality for regions of interest, thereby resolving the contradiction between reading all pixels for quality and reading fewer pixels for frame rate.
2Productivity
If the number of pixels to be read is reduced to increase frame rate, then inspection time is shortened, but image quality and contrast in specific regions may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different reading and processing strategies to different regions of the pixel array. Regions of interest receive full reading and enhanced contrast processing, while non-critical regions use reduced reading. This local quality approach ensures that image quality is maintained where needed while overall frame rate is improved, resolving the contradiction between frame rate and image quality.
3Loss of information
If image processing is performed on the entire image to optimize dynamic range, then visibility of the entire image is improved, but contrast in specific regions of interest is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs contrast optimization processing specifically on regions of interest rather than uniformly across the entire image. By applying local contrast enhancement to critical regions while maintaining overall visibility through selective reading, the system resolves the contradiction between global visibility and local contrast precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple regions for reading pixel signals are set, then appropriate image capturing conditions can be applied for each region, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image capturing system into multiple independently controllable regions, each with its own reading and processing parameters. This segmentation enables adaptive image capturing conditions for different regions while the parallel processing architecture prevents processing time from increasing proportionally, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and processing time.
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
This approach enhances frame rate, reduces inspection time, and optimizes contrast in machine vision systems by focusing on specific regions of interest, improving overall image quality and throughput without increasing processing time.
Implementation Method 1
an image capturing apparatus including 10 million or more pixels has been used... rolling shutter type complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensors have been often used as image capturing elements used in cameras
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus capable of reading a signal in a partial region from an image sensor is configured to input a setting value for a region of interest; control accumulation and readout processing for the image sensor based on the setting value; detect a contrast of the region of interest based on an image capturing signal; and emphasize the contrast of the region of interest based on a result of the detected contrast with respect to the image capturing signal.