Adjustable neutral density filter system for dynamic range compression from scene to imaging sensor
First Claim
1. An apparatus for acquiring one or more image signals of a scene comprising:
- a. an imaging sensor for capturing the one or more image signals; and
b. an internal filtering device coupled to receive a mask image from the imaging sensor, wherein the mask image is formed from the one or more image signals.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method that extend the graduated neutral density filter approach by implementing an in-camera adjustable neutral density filter are described. The adjustable neutral density filter is implemented by the means of a transmissive LCD. The transmissive LCD is controlled to form a mask image. This mask image is able to be computed using an acquired signal wherein the acquired signal is then inverted and blurred. In an embodiment, a splitter and an additional sensor are utilized to acquire a split signal and then modify the split signal for use as the mask image. The other split signal is filtered through the mask image and transmissive LCD. Images with a high dynamic range compression are ultimately captured.
89 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An apparatus for acquiring one or more image signals of a scene comprising:
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a. an imaging sensor for capturing the one or more image signals; and
b. an internal filtering device coupled to receive a mask image from the imaging sensor, wherein the mask image is formed from the one or more image signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5)
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3. The apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein the apparatus is selected from the group consisting of a camera, a video camera, a camcorder, a digital camera, a cell phone and a PDA.
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6. An apparatus for acquiring a signal of a scene comprising:
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a. a splitter for splitting the signal into a first split signal and a second split signal;
b. a first imaging sensor for capturing a first split signal;
c. a second imaging sensor for receiving the second split signal and generating a mask image; and
d. an internal filtering device for receiving the mask image and filtering the first split signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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a. generating a mask image from a first signal;
b. forming the mask image on an internal filtering device; and
c. filtering a second signal using the mask image by passing the second signal through the internal filtering device displaying the mask image. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method comprising:
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a. acquiring a first signal from a scene;
b. receiving the first signal on an imaging sensor;
c. modifying the first signal into a mask image;
d. forming the mask image on an internal filtering device;
e. acquiring a second signal from the scene;
f. filtering the second signal; and
g. capturing the filtered second signal on the imaging sensor. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method comprising:
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a. acquiring a signal from a scene;
b. splitting the signal into a first split signal and a second split signal;
c. receiving the second split signal at a second imaging sensor;
d. modifying the second split signal into a mask image;
e. forming the mask image on an internal filtering device;
f. filtering the first split signal; and
g. capturing the filtered first split signal on a first imaging sensor. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification