The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 12, 2011
Filed:
Aug. 29, 2008
Jason Christiansen, Glastonbury, CT (US);
Dylan M. Reilly, Middletown, CT (US);
Brian Bourke-martin, Hamden, CT (US);
Mark Gustavson, Niantic, CT (US);
Jason Christiansen, Glastonbury, CT (US);
Dylan M. Reilly, Middletown, CT (US);
Brian Bourke-Martin, Hamden, CT (US);
Mark Gustavson, Niantic, CT (US);
HistoRx, Inc., New Haven, CT (US);
Abstract
The invention relates to a system for automatically adjusting an exposure time to improve or otherwise optimize a dynamic range of a digital image. The system includes a camera configured to capture an image of a subject within the field of view at a first exposure time. The captured image is composed of multiple pixels, with each pixel having a respective intensity value. The system further includes a shutter or suitable control configured to control an exposure time of the camera. A controller configured to carryout the following steps including: (a) querying a frequency distribution of pixel intensity values; (b) determining an effective 'center of mass' of such a distribution, or histogram, to determine an adjusted exposure time; and (c) capturing a second image of the subject at the adjusted exposure time thereby obtaining an image with an improved or optimal dynamic range.