	US 7,554,588 B2
	Dual exposure for image sensor
Yoel Yaffe, Modiin (Israel)
Assigned to TransChip Israel, Ltd., Ramat Gan (Israel)
Filed on Jan. 31, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/345,642.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/649337, filed on Feb. 01, 2005.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/649282, filed on Feb. 01, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2006/0192873 A1, Aug. 31, 2006
Int. Cl. H04N 5/235 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 348—297 [348/221.1; 348/362]

18 Claims

1. A method of capturing an image of a scene using an image capture device having an array of pixels arranged into a plurality of rows, the method comprising:

for a first duration, capturing a first portion of the scene with a first plurality of the rows;

for a second duration that is longer than the first duration, capturing a second portion of the scene with a second plurality of the rows;

for each pixel in the first plurality of the rows:

determining whether a pixel value associated with the pixel is below a first predetermined threshold;

based on the determination:

if the pixel value is above the first predetermined threshold:

creating a scaled-up pixel value by increasing the pixel value by a scale factor;

using the scaled-up pixel for a final pixel value; and

if the pixel value is below the first predetermined threshold, using an interpolated pixel value for the final pixel value; and

storing the final pixel value as part of the captured image;

for each pixel in the second plurality of the rows:

determining whether a pixel value associated with the pixel is above a second predetermined threshold;

based on the determination:

if the pixel value is below the second predetermined threshold, using the pixel value for a final pixel value; and

if the pixel value is above the second predetermined threshold, using an interpolated pixel value for the final pixel value; and

storing the final pixel value as part of the captured image; and

displaying at least a portion of the captured image.