Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image. An imaging system can be configured to receive a first image captured by an image sensor according to a first exposure time. The imaging system can generate a modified image based on the first image by modifying the first image using a gain setting to simulate a second exposure time based on exposure compensation. The imaging system generates a high dynamic range (HDR) image at least in part by merging multiple images. The multiple images include a second-exposure image that corresponds to the second exposure time. The second-exposure image can be the modified image. The second-exposure image can be based on the modified image, processed variant of the modified image processed for noise reduction based on one or more other images actually captured using the second exposure time.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for minimizing ghosting in high dynamic range image processing are described. The method may include capturing from a sensor of the device a downscaled first frame of a first exposure length and a downscaled second frame of a second exposure length that is longer than the first exposure length, identifying a highlight region associated with the downscaled first frame and a motion region associated with the downscaled first frame and with the downscaled second frame, blending the motion region in accordance with determining whether at least a portion of the motion region overlaps the highlight region, and incorporating the blending of the motion region in a set of full resolution frames.

Abstract: A video encoding device includes a codec unit to encode first image data to be output as a bitstream and to generate a rate control signal according to a result of the encoding and a pre-processor to perform a decimation operation on second image data successive to the first data and to transmit the second image data to the codec unit.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for performing half-pixel accuracy fast search in video coding are disclosed.

Abstract: A half-pixel accuracy fast search algorithm in video coding performs a hierarchical search method for motion estimation, which initially searches integer accuracy motion vector and then continues its search sub-pixel accuracy over surrounding reconstructed sub-pixels of the integer motion vector. The term hierarchical connotes that the algorithm first calculates a minimum integer pixel location and then performs a sub-integer pixel search. The present invention obtains the integer pixel value with the lowest MAD value and then interpolates conjugate half-pixel values in a first direction. The algorithm determines which half-pixel value yields the lowest MAD value and then interpolates conjugate half-pixel values in a second direction from the previously calculated minimum MAD half-pixel location from the first direction.

Abstract: A half-pixel accuracy fast search algorithm in video coding performs a hierarchical search method for motion estimation, which initially searches integer accuracy motion vector and then continues its search sub-pixel accuracy over surrounding reconstructed sub-pixels of the integer motion vector. The term hierarchical connotes that the algorithm first calculates a minimum integer pixel location and then performs a sub-integer pixel search. The present invention obtains the integer pixel value with the lowest MAD value and then interpolates conjugate half-pixel values in a first direction. The algorithm determines which half-pixel value yields the lowest MAD value and then interpolates conjugate half-pixel values in a second direction from the previously calculated minimum MAD half-pixel location from the first direction.