Target-Based Exposure Metering for Off-Center Image Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image exposure adjustment methods are ineffective when a target moves to non-traditional positions within an image frame, such as the edge or a small portion of the frame, as they fail to automatically adjust the metering region based on the target's location, leading to overexposure or underexposure.
Innovation Solution
A method that continuously tracks a target using an imaging device mounted on a movable object, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which receives user input to identify the target, captures images, determines exposure parameters based on the target's location, and adjusts these parameters dynamically to ensure optimal exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional metering modes are used to determine exposure parameters, then the exposure adjustment is simple and fast, but the exposure accuracy deteriorates when the target is located at non-traditional positions in the image frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image frame into multiple metering regions (e.g., center region, edge regions, corner regions) and selectively applies different metering strategies to each region based on target location. This allows accurate exposure measurement for targets at any position without requiring a completely complex new system, as each region can be processed independently with appropriate metering weights.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic metering region selection and weighting that adapts based on the detected target position. The system dynamically adjusts which metering regions are active and their relative weights according to where the target is located in the frame, enabling accurate exposure for moving targets without fixed complex preprocessing.
2Ease of operation
If the metering region is fixed at the center of the image frame, then the system is simple to operate, but the exposure becomes inaccurate when the target moves to edge or corner positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal metering system that handles multiple target positions (center, edge, corner, or any location) using a unified framework. The system automatically selects and weights appropriate metering regions based on target location, providing accurate exposure for all scenarios without requiring the user to manually reconfigure the system for different target positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting target position and selecting appropriate metering regions and weights without user intervention. The exposure system serves itself by adapting to any target location, maintaining operational simplicity while achieving accurate exposure through automated region selection and weighting based on detected target coordinates.
3Measurement precision
If multiple metering regions are monitored and dynamically adjusted based on target position, then the exposure accuracy is improved, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-defines multiple metering regions and their associated weights in advance, ready for rapid selection based on target position. This preliminary setup allows the system to quickly switch between pre-configured metering strategies without performing complex real-time calculations, reducing processing time while maintaining accurate exposure for targets at any position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different metering weights and strategies to different local regions of the image frame based on where the target is located. By focusing computational resources on the relevant local region containing the target and using pre-configured weights for that specific region, the system achieves accurate local exposure measurement without the need to process the entire image frame with equal complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for adjusting image exposure includes, while continuously tracking one or more targets using an imaging device mounted on a movable object, receiving a user indication of a target for imaging, determining a first representation of the target, capturing a first image that includes the first representation of the target, determining an exposure parameter for the imaging device using data in the first image that corresponds to the first representation of the target, determining a second representation of the target, capturing a second image including the second representation of the target, and adjusting the exposure parameter for the imaging device using data in the second image that corresponds to the second representation of the target.