Automatic exposure time selection for imaging tissue
US8878983B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 3, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/73
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a system for automatically adjusting an exposure time to improve or otherwise optimize a dynamic range of a digital image. The system includes a camera configured to capture an image of a subject within the field of view at a first exposure time. The captured image is composed of multiple pixels, with each pixel having a respective intensity value. The system further includes a shutter or suitable control configured to control an exposure time of the camera. A controller configured to carryout the following steps including: (a) querying a frequency distribution of pixel intensity values; (b) determining an effective “center of mass” of such a distribution, or histogram, to determine an adjusted exposure time; and (c) capturing a second image of the subject at the adjusted exposure time thereby obtaining an image with an improved or optimal dynamic range.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.