Digital Video Camera Binning Skipping Artifact Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Binning and skipping processes in video cameras introduce artifacts, leading to reduced image quality, with skipping artifacts being more severe than binning artifacts, and existing methods fail to effectively correct these issues.

Innovation Solution

A digital video camera method that senses optical signals, reduces artifacts by correcting pixel positions through binning and skipping, and processes the input signal to generate sharper and smoother images by adjusting the relative positions of Bayer pixels using interpolation and sharpening techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If binning or skipping is performed to reduce pixel rate, then frame rate is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe rateVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful binning and skipping artifacts into beneficial information by detecting their specific patterns and characteristics. The system identifies whether artifacts result from binning (averaging adjacent pixels) or skipping (selective pixel removal) and applies针对性的 correction algorithms that reverse the artifact effects while preserving the high frame rate benefit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts processing parameters based on the detected artifact type and severity. Correction strength, filtering parameters, and interpolation methods are modified in real-time according to the specific binning/skipping configuration being used, allowing optimal artifact reduction across varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If skipping is used instead of binning to maintain higher resolution, then pixel detail is improved, but artifacts become more severe

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepixel detailVSAvoidartifact severity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not preventing binning or skipping artifacts at the sensor level, but rather introducing complementary pixels through interpolation that specifically target the missing information. This inversion allows the system to accept the artifact-generating operations while adding corrective elements that reverse their visual impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate calculated pixels as mediators between the skipped or binned pixel groups. These intermediary pixels are computed through interpolation algorithms that consider the spatial relationships and color patterns surrounding the artifact regions, effectively bridging the gaps created by binning and skipping operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7417670B1Digital video camera with binning or skipping correction

Publication Date: 2008.08.26 AMBARELLA INT LP

AI summary

A method of operation for a video camera and the video camera are disclosed. The method generally comprises the steps of (A) sensing an optical signal with a plurality of pixels to generate an input signal, wherein the sensing is capable of a pixel reduction by at least one of binning the pixels and skipping some of the pixels and (B) processing the input signal in order to reduce artifacts caused by the pixel reduction to generate an output signal.