Dynamic range enhancement
US8792032B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/59
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of increasing dynamic range of pixels in an imaging sensor is disclosed. In one aspect, two image captures are performed, one at a first short integration time and one at a second optimum integration time. An electrical value obtained from a pixel or group of pixels at the first short integration time is used to predict the second integration time using a comparison with a set of reference values. The reference values relate to a saturation electrical value for each pixel or group of pixels to predict the second integration time. The first short integration time is determined as a fractional multiple of the saturation electrical value. The second integration times are such that there is no saturation of the pixel or group of pixels. Adjustments can be made to the reference values to allow for offset immunity and variability in light levels during the second integration time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.