Video Flicker Reduction via Pixel Intensity Oscillation Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flicker in light sources causes artefacts in captured video, reducing quality and affecting computer processing, especially in automated navigation systems, as existing methods are inadequate in addressing these issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that capture video frames, characterize the time-varying oscillation of flicker based on pixel intensity variations, and apply a flicker correction to reduce artefacts, allowing for improved video quality and suitability for computer processing without requiring synchronization with flicker phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If video is captured using rolling shutter method, then video capture is simple and fast, but flicker artefacts such as banding appear in the captured video
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful flicker artefacts into beneficial information by using the temporal variations in pixel intensities caused by flicker to characterize and model the flicker oscillation. This characterization is then used to correct the artefacts, transforming the previously harmful flicker patterns into useful data for improving video quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the captured video frames are analyzed to detect flicker patterns, the flicker characteristics are used to generate correction factors, and these corrections are applied back to the original frames. This closed-loop approach continuously reduces flicker artefacts while maintaining the simplicity of rolling shutter capture.
2Manufacturing precision
If flicker correction is applied to reduce artefacts, then video quality is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the video processing into distinct stages: flicker detection through pixel intensity analysis, characterization of flicker oscillation parameters, calculation of correction factors, and application of corrections to individual frames. This segmentation allows each processing stage to be optimized independently, managing overall complexity while achieving high video quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the video processing system to automatically characterize and correct its own flicker artefacts without external intervention. The system uses the flicker-induced variations in the captured frames themselves to generate the correction information, making the process self-contained and reducing the need for additional external sensors or complex coordination systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If frame capture times are adjusted to synchronize with flicker phases, then flicker artefacts are reduced, but capture timing flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adjusting capture times to avoid flicker, the patent inverts the approach by capturing at fixed rolling shutter times and then using the captured flicker patterns themselves to generate corrections. This inversion maintains timing flexibility while achieving artefact reduction through post-capture processing rather than pre-capture synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure relate to a method for reducing artefacts caused by the presence of flicker during capture of a video. A sequence of frames of the video are captured, the frames each comprising a plurality of predefined regions each comprising a plurality of pixels. A time-varying oscillation of the flicker is characterized based on variations, across the sequence of frames, of data relating to pixel intensities in at least one said region. Based on the characterizing of the time-varying oscillation of the flicker, a flicker correction is applied to a frame of the video.