Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Methods and apparatus for true high dynamic range imaging
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Application No.: US16103366Application Date: 2018-08-14
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Publication No.: US10694122B2Publication Date: 2020-06-23
- Inventor: Michael W. Kelly , Megan H. Blackwell , Curtis B. Colonero , James Wey , Christopher David , Justin Baker , Joseph Costa
- Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Applicant Address: US MA Cambridge
- Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Current Assignee Address: US MA Cambridge
- Agency: Smith Baluch LLP
- Main IPC: H04N5/355
- IPC: H04N5/355 ; H04N5/235 ; H04N5/232 ; H04N5/3745

Abstract:
When imaging bright objects, a conventional detector array can saturate, making it difficult to produce an image with a dynamic range that equals the scene's dynamic range. Conversely, a digital focal plane array (DFPA) with one or more m-bit counters can produce an image whose dynamic range is greater than the native dynamic range. In one example, the DFPA acquires a first image over a relatively brief integration period at a relatively low gain setting. The DFPA then acquires a second image over longer integration period and/or a higher gain setting. During this second integration period, counters may roll over, possibly several times, to capture a residue modulus 2m of the number of counts (as opposed to the actual number of counts). A processor in or coupled to the DFPA generates a high-dynamic range image based on the first image and the residues modulus 2m.
Public/Granted literature
- US20190075264A1 METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TRUE HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGING Public/Granted day:2019-03-07
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