Widening the dynamic range of pictures using a minimum spanning tree algorithm

A novel method for widening the dynamic range of pictures, without requiring additional frame times or additional storage area in the pixel, is proposed. The sensor used enables local control over the integration time such that a suitable exposure could be defined for each area, and a new method based on the Minimum Spanning Tree algorithm is then incorporated for restoring the additional information representing the specific integration times. These restored integration times are used for reconstructing a wide dynamic range picture. Received: 30 September 1998 / Accepted: 5 October 1999