System, method, and computer program product implementing an image processing pipeline for high-dynamic range images

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps comprising:

• capturing image sensor data from an interleaved image sensor that includes a first portion of pixels exposed for a first exposure time and a second portion of pixels exposed for a second exposure time that is less than the first exposure time by:
• resetting the pixels in the first portion at a first reset time,
• resetting the pixels in the second portion at a second reset time, and
• sampling the pixels in the first portion and the second portion after a sampling time has elapsed since the first reset time;
• receiving the image sensor data from the interleaved image sensor;
• identifying a first subset of pixels in the second portion having an intensity value above a first threshold value;
• identifying a second subset of pixels in the first portion having an intensity value below a second threshold value;
• and
• generating high-dynamic range (HDR) data based on the first subset and the second subset,
• wherein the difference between the sampling time and the first reset time is equal to the first exposure time and the difference between the sampling time and the second reset time is equal to the second exposure time.

A system, comprising:

• an interleaved image sensor that includes a first portion of pixels exposed for a first exposure time and a second portion of pixels exposed for a second exposure time that is less than the first exposure time, the interleaved image sensor configured to capture image sensor data by:
• resetting the pixels in the first portion at a first reset time,
• resetting the pixels in the second portion at a second reset time, and
• sampling the pixels in the first portion and the second portion after a sampling time has elapsed since the first reset time;
• and
• an image processing pipeline coupled to the interleaved image sensor and configured to:
• receive the image sensor data from the interleaved image sensor,
• identify a first subset of pixels in the second portion having an intensity value above a first threshold value,
• identify a second subset of pixels in the first portion having an intensity value below a second threshold value, and
• generate high-dynamic range (HDR) data based on the first subset and the second subset,
• wherein the difference between the sampling time and the first reset time is equal to the first exposure time and the difference between the sampling time and the second reset time is equal to the second exposure time.