A New Auto Exposure System to Detect High Dynamic Range Conditions Using CMOS Technology

Abstract

A new AE algorithm with lighting condition detecting capability has been introduced. The proposed architecture mainly addresses platforms employing CMOS Image Sensor, most of which have limited capabilities. However, the new and simple method for estimating lighting conditions is also widely applicable to other hi-end platforms. The proposed algorithm can quickly estimate an appropriate exposure value after a small number of frames. It can also improve the accuracy and enhance the details of output images, owing to the simple multiple exposure mechanism. Using the new mechanism to detect lighting conditions, the system is flexible and can work well with most images without being affected by the positions of light sources and main objects. Since the algorithm is not computationally complicated, it can be fitted in most CMOS platforms that have limited capabilities such as cell phones and/or surveillance cameras