US5712682A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Camera having an adaptive gain control
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1996-12-02
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Granted: 1998-01-27
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Expires: 2016-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A system for generating a digital output signal representing a captured image includes a sensor for capturing the image and generating a sensor output signal. A gain control amplifier is coupled to the sensor and receives the sensor output signal. The gain control amplifier has controls for applying various levels of gain to the sensor output signal. An analog-to-digital converter is coupled to the gain control amplifier and generates the digital output signal representing the captured image. A processor is coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and the gain control amplifier. The processor provides a control signal to the gain control amplifier for adjusting the level of gain applied by the amplifier.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric C. Hannah
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/14; H04N5/20; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/76; H04N5/44; H04N5/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A camera comprising: a sensor configured to capture an image and generate a sensor output signal representing the captured image; an amplifier coupled to receive the sensor output signal, wherein the amplifier is configured to apply multiple gain levels to the sensor output signal; and a processor coupled to the amplifier, wherein the processor is configured to provide a control signal to the amplifier to adjust the gain levels applied by the amplifier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A camera comprising: a sensor configured to capture an image and generate a sensor output signal representing the captured image; an amplifier coupled to receive the sensor output signal, wherein the amplifier is configured to apply multiple gain levels to the sensor output signal; and a processor coupled to the amplifier, wherein the processor is configured to provide a control signal to the amplifier to adjust the gain levels applied by the amplifier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein the amplifier applies different gain levels to different regions of the captured image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein the processor generates a gain map containing gain settings applied to the sensor output signal by the amplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The camera of claim 3 wherein the gain map is continually updated by the processor to include changes in the captured image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The camera of claim 3 wherein the gain map is a two dimensional array of gain settings, each gain setting indicating a particular gain applied by the amplifier to a corresponding region of the captured image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The camera of claim 3 further including a register coupled to the processor and the amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The camera of claim 6 wherein the gain map is stored in the register and the amplifier reads the gain settings from the register.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein the processor provides the control signal to the amplifier in real-time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The camera of claim 1 wherein the processor analyzes the sensor output signal to determine whether a sufficient level of detail is provided in the sensor output signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The camera of claim 9 wherein the processor increases the gain levels in dark portions of the captured image and the processor decreases the gain levels in bright portions of the captured image.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for capturing an image, comprising a camera, including: a sensor configured to capture the image and generate a sensor output signal representing the captured image; an amplifier coupled to receive the sensor output signal, wherein the amplifier has controls to apply multiple gain levels to the sensor output signal; and a processor coupled to the camera, wherein the processor is configured to receive the sensor output signal, and wherein the processor is configured to provide a control signal to the amplifier to adjust the gain level applied by the amplifier.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for capturing an image, comprising a camera, including: a sensor configured to capture the image and generate a sensor output signal representing the captured image; an amplifier coupled to receive the sensor output signal, wherein the amplifier has controls to apply multiple gain levels to the sensor output signal; and a processor coupled to the camera, wherein the processor is configured to receive the sensor output signal, and wherein the processor is configured to provide a control signal to the amplifier to adjust the gain level applied by the amplifier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the processor generates a gain map containing gain settings applied to the sensor output signal by the amplifier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the gain map is a two dimensional array of gain settings, each gain setting indicating a particular gain applied by the amplifier to a region of the captured image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the processor divides the captured image into a two dimensional array of image regions, each image region associated with a corresponding gain setting in the gain map.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the camera further includes a register coupled to the processor and the amplifier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the gain map is stored in the register and the amplifier reads the gain settings from the register.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for enhancing the dynamic range of a sensor output signal representing a captured image, the method comprising the steps of: amplifying the sensor output signal in response to gain settings contained in a gain map, wherein each gain setting is associated with a particular region of the captured image; and updating the gain settings contained in the gain map in response to changes in the sensor output signal.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for enhancing the dynamic range of a sensor output signal representing a captured image, the method comprising the steps of: amplifying the sensor output signal in response to gain settings contained in a gain map, wherein each gain setting is associated with a particular region of the captured image; and updating the gain settings contained in the gain map in response to changes in the sensor output signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of updating the gain settings is performed in response to clipping of the amplified sensor output signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of updating the gain settings includes increasing the gain settings in dark portions of the image and reducing the gain settings in bright portions of the image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of updating the gain settings includes dividing the captured image into a plurality of image regions, wherein each image region is associated with a particular gain setting in the gain map.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 17 further including the step of analyzing each image region and updating the associated gain setting in response to clipping of the amplified sensor output signal in the image region.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for capturing an image and generating a signal representing the captured image, comprising: means for amplifying the signal in response to gain settings contained in a gain map, wherein each gain setting is associated with a particular region of the captured image; means for updating the gain settings contained in the gain map; and means for generating a control signal indicating a particular gain setting to be applied to a portion of the signal representing the captured image.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
80 words
An apparatus for capturing an image and generating a signal representing the captured image, comprising: means for amplifying the signal in response to gain settings contained in a gain map, wherein each gain setting is associated with a particular region of the captured image; means for updating the gain settings contained in the gain map; and means for generating a control signal indicating a particular gain setting to be applied to a portion of the signal representing the captured image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-01-26 | 2001-07-28 | 2002-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-26 | 2005-07-28 | 2006-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-26 | 2009-07-28 | 2010-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |