Calibration Empowered Minimalistic Multi-Exposure Image Processing Technique for Camera Linear Dynamic Range Extension

Abstract

Proposed for the first time is a novel calibration empowered minimalistic multi-exposure image processing technique using measured sensor pixel voltage output and exposure time factor limits for robust camera linear dynamic range extension. The technique exploits the best linear response region of an overall nonlinear response image sensor to robustly recover via minimal count multi-exposure image fusion, the true and precise scaled High Dynamic Range (HDR) irradiance map. CMOS sensor-based experiments using a measured Low Dynamic Range (LDR) 44 dB linear region for the technique with a minimum of 2 multi-exposure images provides robust recovery of 78 dB HDR low contrast highly calibrated test targets.