Single Image HDR Dark Part Exposure Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for high dynamic range image processing require taking multiple images at different exposure levels, making it difficult to capture and store images, especially without a tripod, and wasting storage space.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for simulating dark-part exposure compensation using a single image, involving bright-part-enhancing and saturation-contrast-enhancing image processing, followed by mixed weight calculation to improve excessively dark parts, utilizing blurring image processing to create a weight-reference image for mixing the images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple images at different exposure levels are taken to achieve high dynamic range image processing, then image quality is improved, but storage space is wasted and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the original image through computational processing. By generating a weight map from the original image and using it to blend processed versions, the system simulates the effect of multiple exposure images without actually capturing them. This virtual copying approach maintains image quality while eliminating the need for multiple physical captures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a weight map as an intermediary element that mediates between the original image and the final high dynamic range output. The weight map, generated through blurring and processing operations, acts as a mediator that determines how much of each processed image version should be included in the final result, replacing the need for multiple actual exposure captures.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple images at different exposure levels are taken to achieve high dynamic range image processing, then image quality is improved, but storage space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of storing multiple actual exposure images, the patent creates and processes only a single weight map that virtualizes the information from multiple exposures. This single weight map contains all the necessary information to generate the high dynamic range effect, reducing storage requirements from multiple full-resolution images to one compact weight map structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for high dynamic range processing from what would be multiple full images. By extracting and processing the luminance and weight information into a single weight map, the system retains the critical data for HDR effect while discarding redundant pixel information that would occupy storage space.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple images at different exposure levels are taken to achieve high dynamic range image processing, then dark part details are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the weight map as a virtual template that encodes the dark part enhancement information. Instead of managing multiple exposure images and their alignment, the weight map serves as a single copying mechanism that guides the blending process to recover dark part details, significantly simplifying the device requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple physical image captures with a computational field-based approach. The weight map acts as a computational field that guides the enhancement process, substituting the need for multiple camera exposures and mechanical tripod positioning with algorithmic processing of a single image.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for simulating dark-part exposure compensation of high dynamic range images using a single image includes steps of: performing bright-part-enhancing image processing and saturation-contrast-enhancing image processing to obtain images P1, P2, respectively; selecting one of the images P1, P2; performing bright and dark parts identifying image processing on a selected image; performing blurring image processing on the selected image, to obtain a weight-reference image P3; and performing mixed weight calculation on pixels of the image P1 and pixels of the image P2 according to weights of pixels of the weight-reference image P3, respectively, so as to mix the image P1 and the image P2 to obtain a mixed image P4, wherein the pixels of the images P1, P2 on which the mixed weight calculation is performed correspond to the pixels of the weight-reference image P3, respectively. Hence, excessively dark parts typical of an image of undesirably high contrast are improved by reference to a single.