Systems and methods for reducing artifacts caused by illuminant flicker
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorsRichard L. Baer, Ramakrishna Kakarala
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Abstract
Methods for reducing artifacts caused by illuminant flicker are provided. One such method comprises: providing pixel circuits; and operating the pixel circuits in a bi-directional mode during which first information corresponding to a scene is acquired in forward row-sequential order of the pixel circuits and then second information corresponding to the scene is acquired in a reverse row-sequential order of the pixel circuits. Systems also are provided.
Claims18
A system for reducing artifacts caused by illuminant flicker, said system comprising:
- an image sensor comprising an array of pixel circuits arranged in rows, a first of the pixel circuits being located in a first of the rows, a second of the pixel circuits being located in a second of the rows, the first of the pixel circuits being operable to acquire first information corresponding to the scene at a first time, the second of the pixel circuits being operable to acquire second information corresponding to the scene at a second time subsequent to the first time and to acquire third information corresponding to the scene at a third time subsequent to the second time, the first of the pixel circuits being further operable to acquire fourth information corresponding to the scene at a fourth time subsequent to the third time;
- the image sensor being operable to combine the first information and the fourth information to provide a first output signal corresponding to the first of the pixel circuits, and to combine the second information and the third information to provide a second output signal corresponding to the second of the pixel circuits.
A system for reducing artifacts caused by illuminant flicker, said system comprising:
- an array of pixel circuits operable in a bi-directional mode during which the array acquires first information corresponding to a scene in forward row-sequential order of the pixel circuits and then acquires second information corresponding to the scene in reverse row-sequential order of the pixel circuits;
- and
- an image processor operable to receive the first information and the second information and to combine the first information and the second information to provide an output signal corresponding to the scene.
A method for reducing artifacts caused by illuminant flicker captured by an image reception device having pixel circuits, said method comprising:
- capturing a plurality of images by operating the pixel circuits in the image reception device in a bi-directional mode during which first information corresponding to a scene is acquired in forward row-sequential order of the pixel circuits and then second information corresponding to the scene is acquired in reverse row-sequential order of the pixel circuits;
- and
- detecting, by a flicker detector, flicker artifacts in the plurality of captured images;
- outputting, by the flicker detector, a flicker signal indicative of an increase or a decrease of the illuminant flicker in each subsequently captured image;
- and
- controlling a timing of a detection cycle of the pixel circuits to decrease flicker in each subsequently captured image.
A method for reducing, in pixel circuits, artifacts caused by illuminant flicker by an illuminant exhibiting an illuminant waveform defining a flicker cycle, said method comprising:
- operating the pixel circuits in a bi-directional mode during which first information corresponding to a scene is acquired in forward row-sequential order of the pixel circuits and then second information corresponding to the scene is acquired in reverse row-sequential order of the pixel circuit such that a duration of a detection cycle of the pixel circuits corresponds to acquisition of the first information and acquisition of the second information;
- aligning the detection cycle with the flicker cycle of the illuminant;
- and
- wherein, in aligning the detection cycle, a first time period during which the first information is acquired corresponds to a first portion of the illuminant waveform, and a second time period during which the second information is acquired corresponds to a second portion of the illuminant waveform, demarcation of the first portion and the second portion of the illuminant waveform occurring at a location of symmetry of the illuminant waveform about an arbitrary illumination level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.