17456117. IMAGE SENSOR AND DATA PROCESSING FOR PARALLEL FRAME CAPTURE IN HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE (HDR) PHOTOGRAPHY simplified abstract (QUALCOMM Incorporated)
IMAGE SENSOR AND DATA PROCESSING FOR PARALLEL FRAME CAPTURE IN HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE (HDR) PHOTOGRAPHY
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Xiaoyun Jiang of San Diego CA (US)
IMAGE SENSOR AND DATA PROCESSING FOR PARALLEL FRAME CAPTURE IN HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE (HDR) PHOTOGRAPHY - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17456117 titled 'IMAGE SENSOR AND DATA PROCESSING FOR PARALLEL FRAME CAPTURE IN HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE (HDR) PHOTOGRAPHY
Simplified Explanation
This patent application describes a system for image signal processing that enhances detail preservation in photography by increasing dynamic range and highlight-keeping. The system utilizes a split-pixel image sensor with two sets of sensor elements having different sensitivities.
- The image signal processing is performed on data received from a split-pixel image sensor with two sets of sensor elements with different sensitivities.
- The system receives image data from the first set of sensor elements and the second set of sensor elements, which capture the scene with different sensitivities.
- An output dynamic range for the output image frame is determined.
- The output image frame is determined based on the first data, the second data, and the output dynamic range.
Potential applications of this technology:
- Photography: This technology can be used in digital cameras and smartphones to improve the quality of captured images by preserving more details and enhancing dynamic range.
- Videography: The system can also be applied to video recording devices to enhance the visual quality of videos by increasing dynamic range and highlight-keeping.
Problems solved by this technology:
- Limited dynamic range: Traditional image sensors have a limited dynamic range, resulting in loss of details in both shadow and highlight areas. This technology addresses this issue by utilizing a split-pixel image sensor with different sensitivities to capture a wider dynamic range.
- Highlight clipping: High-contrast scenes often result in highlight clipping, where bright areas lose all detail. This technology helps in preserving highlight details by combining data from different sets of sensor elements with different sensitivities.
Benefits of this technology:
- Improved detail preservation: By utilizing a split-pixel image sensor and advanced image signal processing techniques, this technology enhances the preservation of details in both shadow and highlight areas of an image.
- Increased dynamic range: The system allows for capturing a wider dynamic range, resulting in more balanced exposure and better representation of the scene.
- Enhanced highlight-keeping: By combining data from different sensor elements with different sensitivities, this technology helps in preserving highlight details, reducing the occurrence of highlight clipping.
Original Abstract Submitted
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for image signal processing that support improved detail keeping in photography through increased dynamic range and/or highlight-keeping. The image signal processing may be performed on data received from a split-pixel image sensor with two sets of sensor elements with different sensitivities. The image signal processing may include receiving image data comprising: first data from a first set of sensor elements and second data from a second set of sensor elements capturing a representation of the scene with a different sensitivity that the first set of sensor elements; determining an output dynamic range for an output image frame; and determining an output image frame based on at least one of the first data and the second data and based on the output dynamic range. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.
