Continuous video in a light deficient environment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for digital imaging in an ambient light deficient environment comprising:
- an imaging sensor comprising an array of pixels for sensing electromagnetic radiation;
an emitter configured to emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation; and
a controller comprising a processor in electrical communication with the imaging sensor and the emitter, the controller configured to coordinate and synchronize the timing of the pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the emitter during a blanking time of the imaging sensor, the blanking time of the imaging sensor corresponding to the time between a readout of pixels in a last row of the imaging sensor and a beginning of a next frame readout phase of an operational cycle of the imaging sensor,wherein the controller captures a plurality of frames during a plurality of operational cycles of the imaging sensor, each one of the plurality of frames being captured during each one of the operational cycles, wherein each of the frames in the plurality of frames correspond to a single pulse of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter and produce imaging sensor data that corresponds in time with each pulse of electromagnetic radiation to produce a plurality of data sets that correspond to the plurality of frames;
wherein the controller causes the imaging sensor to read each data set corresponding to each of the plurality of frames from the array of pixels during a frame readout phase of the operational cycle of the imaging sensor, the frame readout phase corresponding to the amount of time required to read each pixel in the array of pixels and wherein at least a first frame in the plurality of frames is captured at a point during the operational cycle of the imaging sensor that overlaps the frame readout phase of the operational cycle of the imaging sensor;
wherein the plurality of frames and the plurality of data sets are combined to form a single image frame; and
wherein the single image frame is combined with a plurality of image frames to produce a video stream.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing an image in light deficient environments and associated structures, methods and features is disclosed and described. The features of the system may include controlling a light source through duration, intensity or both; pulsing a component controlled light source during the blanking time; maximizing the blanking time to allow optimum light; and maintaining color balance.
431 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A system for digital imaging in an ambient light deficient environment comprising:
-
an imaging sensor comprising an array of pixels for sensing electromagnetic radiation; an emitter configured to emit pulses of electromagnetic radiation; and a controller comprising a processor in electrical communication with the imaging sensor and the emitter, the controller configured to coordinate and synchronize the timing of the pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the emitter during a blanking time of the imaging sensor, the blanking time of the imaging sensor corresponding to the time between a readout of pixels in a last row of the imaging sensor and a beginning of a next frame readout phase of an operational cycle of the imaging sensor, wherein the controller captures a plurality of frames during a plurality of operational cycles of the imaging sensor, each one of the plurality of frames being captured during each one of the operational cycles, wherein each of the frames in the plurality of frames correspond to a single pulse of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter and produce imaging sensor data that corresponds in time with each pulse of electromagnetic radiation to produce a plurality of data sets that correspond to the plurality of frames; wherein the controller causes the imaging sensor to read each data set corresponding to each of the plurality of frames from the array of pixels during a frame readout phase of the operational cycle of the imaging sensor, the frame readout phase corresponding to the amount of time required to read each pixel in the array of pixels and wherein at least a first frame in the plurality of frames is captured at a point during the operational cycle of the imaging sensor that overlaps the frame readout phase of the operational cycle of the imaging sensor; wherein the plurality of frames and the plurality of data sets are combined to form a single image frame; and wherein the single image frame is combined with a plurality of image frames to produce a video stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification