Image Fusion for HDR Imaging from a Moving Camera

Abstract

High Dynamic Range Imaging is a set of techniques that allow a larger dynamic range of luminance between the lightest and darkest areas of an image. Modern HDR imaging  (known as Global HDR) was first introduced in 1995 by Steve Mann and Rosalind Picard in MIT media lab. In modern HDRI, multiple LDR (Low dynamic range) images taken at different exposure conditions are merged into one HDR image using their calculated radiance map.

GM has developed a camera mounted on a vehicle’s front window, to be used for safety applications and future computer driving applications. Front window camera must be light, small and cheap – limiting the use of advanced or multiple cameras. Drivers often meet extreme lighting conditions: Going in and out of tunnels,underground parking lots, or blinded by opposite traffic. Standard digital cameras suffer from low dynamic range due to sensor capabilities. When taking LDR image of an extreme lighting scene – some information is bound to be lost.