Apparatus and method to synthesize or combine generated images

• US 8,116,588 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choe, Won-hee, Lee, Seong-deok
• Primary Examiner(s): Chu, Randolph I
• Application Number:
  US11/762,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20070292048A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,707 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 382/284
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/683 performed by a processor, e.g. controlling the readout of an image memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6845 by combination of a plurality of images sequentially taken
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/70 Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/741 by increasing the dynamic range of the image compared to the dynamic range of the electronic image sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/951 by using two or more images to influence resolution, frame rate or aspect ratio

Abstract

An apparatus and method to generate an image in which images having different exposure amounts are generated, and by synthesizing the generated images, a high-sensitivity (or quality) image can be generated. The apparatus to generate an image includes an exposure adjustment unit to adjust an exposure amount, an image generation unit to generate a plurality of images of different exposure amounts and different resolutions, and an image synthesis unit to synthesize the plurality of generated images.

Claims

1. A method of generating an image, the method comprising:

generating a plurality of images by adjusting an exposure amount and a resolution of the plurality of images;

making the resolutions of the generated plurality of images identical; and

synthesizing the plurality of images having the identical resolutions, wherein the generating of the plurality of images comprises;

generating a first image, and

generating a second image with a lower resolution than that of the first image, and, wherein the synthesizing of the images comprises;

decreasing the resolution of the first image to that of the second image, and

synthesizing the first image having the decreased resolution and the second image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the synthesizing of the images comprises increasing the resolution of the synthesized image to an original resolution of the first image.

3. A method of generating an image, the method comprising:

generating a plurality of images by adjusting an exposure amount and a resolution of the plurality of images;

making the resolutions of the generated plurality of images identical; and

synthesizing the plurality of images having the identical resolutions, wherein the generating of the plurality of images comprises;

generating a first image, and

generating a second image with a lower resolution than that of the first image, and wherein the synthesizing of the image comprises synthesizing an image from the first image having the plurality of pixels and the second image by referring to only the brightness and color information of a pixel belonging to the second image wherein combining of the first and second images includes first reducing the first resolution of the first image to that of the second resolution of the second image.

4. A method of generating an image, comprising;

generating a first image having a first exposure amount and a first resolution, the first resolution corresponding to a plurality of pixels of the first image, and a second image having a second exposure amount and a second resolution, the second resolution corresponding to a plurality of pixels of the second image;

combining the generated first and second images, wherein each of the plurality of pixels of the second image corresponds two or more of the plurality of pixels of the first image; and

reducing an exposure time corresponding to the second image in proportion to the number of the plurality of pixels of the first image that corresponds to each of the plurality of pixels of the second image wherein combining of the first and second images includes first reducing the first resolution of the first image to that of the second resolution of the second image.

5. A method of generating an image, comprising;

generating a first image having a first exposure amount and a first resolution, the first resolution corresponding to a plurality of pixels of the first image, and a second image having a second exposure amount and a second resolution, the second resolution corresponding to a plurality of pixels of the second image; and

combining the generated first and second images, wherein each of the plurality of pixels of the second image corresponds two or more of the plurality of pixels of the first image,

wherein the first resolution is higher than the second resolution and the first exposure amount is smaller than the second exposure amount wherein combining of the first and second images includes first reducing the first resolution of the first image to that of the second resolution of the second image.

6. A method of generating an image, comprising:

generating a first image having a first exposure amount and a first resolution, the first resolution corresponding to a plurality of pixels of the first image, and a second image having a second exposure amount and a second resolution, the second resolution corresponding to a plurality of pixels of the second image; and

combining the generated first and second images, wherein each of the plurality of pixels of the second image corresponds two or more of the plurality of pixels of the first image, wherein combining of the first and second images includes first reducing the first resolution of the first image to that of the second resolution of the second image.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising enlarging a resolution of the combined image to that of an original first resolution of the first image.