Temporal Filter HDR Blending Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing pipelines face challenges in generating high dynamic range (HDR) images efficiently, particularly in handling noise and preserving image detail across varying exposure levels, which limits the quality of images produced and requires significant system resources.
Innovation Solution
An image signal processor configured with a temporal filter that blends image frames using HDR blending schemes, incorporating noise reduction and motion estimation techniques to generate HDR images, thereby reducing noise and enhancing image detail without the need for additional system memory operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional image processing pipelines are used to generate HDR images, then system resources are consumed for additional operations at the video encoder, but processing efficiency and resource utilization are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs HDR image generation and temporal filtering operations in advance within the image signal processor, before the video encoding stage. By completing the HDR blending and noise reduction operations preliminarily in the ISP, the video encoder receives pre-processed data that requires fewer additional operations, thereby improving overall processing efficiency and reducing system resource consumption during encoding.
2Reliability
If temporal filtering is applied to reduce noise in image frames, then image quality is improved, but processing complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple operations into a unified temporal filtering process within the image signal processor. By combining HDR image generation, noise reduction, and temporal blending operations into a single integrated pipeline, the system improves image quality through comprehensive temporal filtering while avoiding the additional complexity that would result from implementing these as separate processing stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporal filter operates autonomously within the image signal processor, using previously filtered image frames as reference data for current frame processing. This self-service mechanism allows the filter to adaptively reduce noise and enhance image quality without requiring external control or additional processing complexity, as the system automatically utilizes its own previously processed output for ongoing optimization.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple image frames are blended to generate HDR images, then dynamic range and image detail are enhanced, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs HDR blending operations preliminarily within the image signal processor as image frames are captured, rather than processing all frames together after capture. By progressively blending frames as they become available and using previously blended results as references for subsequent frames, the system enhances image detail through multiple-frame HDR processing while minimizing processing time through incremental, real-time operation.
4Reliability
If aggressive image processing techniques like tone mapping are applied, then image quality is improved, but system resources and processing power are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies tone mapping and other aggressive image processing techniques preliminarily within the image signal processor, before data is passed to the video encoder. By completing these resource-intensive operations in advance during the image capture and initial processing phase, the system improves image quality through enhanced tone mapping while reducing the processing power requirements during subsequent encoding and playback operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A temporal filter in an image processing pipeline may be configured to generate a high dynamic range (HDR) image. Image frames captured to generate an HDR image frame be blended together at a temporal filter. An image frame that is part of a group of image frames capture to generate the HDR image may be received for filtering at the temporal filter module. A reference image frame, which may be a previously filtered image frame or an unfiltered image frame may be obtained. A filtered version of the image frame may then be generated according to an HDR blending scheme that blends the reference image frame with the image frame. If the image frame is the last image frame of the group of image frames to be filtered, then the filtered version of the image frame may be provided as the HDR image frame.