Method and device for imaging using several exposure times

US7271937B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. · DE

Inventors

• Olaf Schrey · Ratingen, DE
• Arndt Bussmann · Wesel, DE
• Markus Schwarz · Schäching, DE
• Juergen Huppertz · Duisburg, DE
• Werner Brockherde · Duisburg, DE
• Bedrich Hosticka · Rübhausen, DE
• Christian Nitta · Duisburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 17, 2001
• Grant date: Sep 18, 2007
• Expiry date: Jun 17, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04N23/70
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

In a method for imaging, a plurality of image sensor elements is used, which generate different output signal values when using different exposure times. For each image sensor element, an image signal value is generated by generating a first output signal value when using a first exposure time and an associated second output signal value using a second exposure time. If the first output signal value does not exceed a threshold value associated thereto, the image signal value is calculated using a first calculating rule on the basis of the first output signal value. If the first output signal value exceeds the threshold value, the image signal value is calculated using at least a second calculating rule on the basis of at least the second output signal value. By the calculating rules, the first and second output signal values are shifted relative to each other and adjusted such that no detectable discontinuity occurs between an image signal value still calculated according to the first calculating rule and an image signal value already calculated according to the second calculating rule.