System and Method for Estimating an Ambient Light Condition Using an Image Sensor and Field-of-View Compensation
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of calculating an ambient light estimate using an image sensor in a camera of a device, the method comprising:
- obtaining an array of pixels using the image sensor;
defining a matrix of grid elements, each grid element comprised of multiple adjacent pixels of the array of pixels;
generating a first measurement value for a grid element of the matrix of grid elements based on the pixels associated with a respective grid element;
identifying a set of grid elements having first measurement values that satisfy a brightness criteria;
generating a second measurement using the identified set of grid elements;
generating a simulated-light-sensor array using the second measurement value; and
calculating the ambient light estimate using the simulated-light-sensor array.
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Abstract
A system and method for estimating an ambient light condition is using an image sensor of a digital camera. An array of pixels is obtained using the image sensor. A matrix of grid elements is defined. Each grid element comprises multiple adjacent pixels of the array of pixels. A first measurement value is generated for a grid element of the matrix of grid elements based on the pixels associated with the grid element. A set of grid elements are identified having a first measurement value that satisfies a brightness criteria. A second measurement is generated using the identified set of grid elements. A simulated-light-sensor array is generated using the second measurement value. An estimate of the ambient light condition is calculated using the simulated-light-sensor array.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of calculating an ambient light estimate using an image sensor in a camera of a device, the method comprising:
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obtaining an array of pixels using the image sensor; defining a matrix of grid elements, each grid element comprised of multiple adjacent pixels of the array of pixels; generating a first measurement value for a grid element of the matrix of grid elements based on the pixels associated with a respective grid element; identifying a set of grid elements having first measurement values that satisfy a brightness criteria; generating a second measurement using the identified set of grid elements; generating a simulated-light-sensor array using the second measurement value; and calculating the ambient light estimate using the simulated-light-sensor array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A portable electronic device configured to calculate an ambient light estimate, the portable electronic device comprising:
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a digital camera having an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is formed from an array of sensor cells; a computer processor for executing computer-readable instructions; a computer memory for storing the computer-readable instructions, the instructions for; obtaining an array of pixels using the image sensor; defining a matrix of grid elements, each grid element comprised of multiple adjacent pixels of the array of pixels; generating a first measurement value for a grid element of the matrix of grid elements based on the pixels associated with a respective grid element; identifying a set of grid elements having a first measurement value that satisfies a brightness criteria; generating a second measurement using the identified set of grid elements; generating a simulated-light-sensor array using the second measurement value; and calculating the ambient light estimate using the simulated-light-sensor array. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification