Method and device for extracting and utilizing additional scene and image formation data for digital image and video processing
First Claim
1. A method for image acquisition, comprising the steps of:
- acquiring an image using a digital imaging system;
sensing a temporal change in an image at a pixel level or pixel region level while acquiring the image;
defining regions of the image at which said temporal change has been sensed during the image acquisition;
generating metadata corresponding to said defined regions; and
providing said metadata with image data when outputting the image data.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus provides information for use in still image and video image processing, the information including scene and camera information and information obtained by sampling pixels or pixel regions during image formation. The information is referred to as meta-data. The meta-data regarding the camera and the scene is obtained by obtaining camera and sensor array parameters, generally prior to image acquisition. The meta-data obtained during the image formation obtained by sampling the pixels or pixel regions may include one or more masks marking regions of the image. The masks may identify blur in the image, under and/or overexposure in the image, and events occurring over the course of the image. Blur is detected by a sensing a change in pixel or pixel regions signal build up rate during the image acquisition. Under or over exposure is determined by pixels being below or above, respectively low and high thresholds. An event time mask is generated by sensing a sampling time during the image acquisition at which an event is sensed. Data on these masks is output with the image data for use in post image acquisition processing.
44 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for image acquisition, comprising the steps of:
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acquiring an image using a digital imaging system;
sensing a temporal change in an image at a pixel level or pixel region level while acquiring the image;
defining regions of the image at which said temporal change has been sensed during the image acquisition;
generating metadata corresponding to said defined regions; and
providing said metadata with image data when outputting the image data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for image acquisition, comprising the steps of:
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acquiring an image using a digital imaging system;
sampling pixels during said step of acquiring the image;
determining a change in intensity build up in pixels during said step of acquiring the image;
defining regions of the image which have a change of intensity build up of greater than a predetermined threshold; and
including information on said regions with data of the image. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 27)
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25. A method for image acquisition, comprising the steps of:
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acquiring an image using a digital imaging system;
sensing pixels at or near saturation during said acquiring of the image;
sensing pixels below a predetermined threshold of light intensity;
defining regions of the image with pixels at or near saturation and regions below said predetermined threshold;
including information on said regions with data of the image.
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26. An apparatus for image acquisition, comprising:
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an optical system for focusing an image on a sensing chip;
a sensing chip positioned to receive said image from said optical system;
a processor connected to said sensing chip for two way communication with said sensing chip, said processor generating meta-data regarding regions of the image corresponding to predetermined conditions, said processor including said meta-data with data of said image upon output of the image.
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Specification