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SamsungGranted patentCameras & imagingInterest 6/10

Samsung patents image processor that blends multiple photos for better contrast

This patent describes a chip that combines several photos taken with different exposure times to create a single image with better detail in bright and dark areas. It works by merging the first two photos, then blending that result with a third photo using specific mathematical weights for each pixel.

Why it mattersThis technique helps smartphones capture clearer photos in tricky lighting conditions, such as backlit scenes or night shots.

In the filing’s own words

An image processor including an interface circuit configured to receive a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of exposure times from an external sensor, and a high dynamic range (HDR) synthesis circuit configured to synthesize a first HDR image, based on a first image and a second image among the plurality of images, synthesize a second HDR image, based on a third image among the plurality of images and the first HDR image, apply a first weight including weight values respectively corresponding to pixels of the first HDR image to the first HDR image, and apply a second weight including weight values respectively corresponding to pixels of the third image to the third image to synthesize the second HDR image.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An image processor comprising: an interface circuit configured to receive a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of exposure times from an external sensor, each of the plurality of exposure times having different lengths; and a high dynamic range (HDR) synthesis circuit configured to synthesize a first HDR image, based on a first image and a second image among the plurality of images, synthesize a second HDR image, based on a third image among the plurality of images and the first HDR image, apply a first weight including weight values respectively corresponding to pixels of the first HDR image to the first HDR image to synthesize the second HDR image, wherein the first weight comprises the weight values based on a synthesis ratio of the first image and the second image when the first HDR image is synthesized, and apply a second weight including weight values respectively corresponding to pixels of the third image to the third image to synthesize the second HDR image.

Facts

Company
Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Official title
Image processor and image processing system including the same
Patent number
US12731217B2
Application number
18417246
Filed
Jan 19, 2024
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
18

Classified under

G06T 5/50 Physics & computingG06T 5/70 Physics & computingG06T 2207/10144 Physics & computingG06T 2207/20208 Physics & computing
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.