Camera semi-automatic exposure control method and device

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of camera semi-automatic exposure control method and device, the method includes: according to the fixed semi-automatic exposure time range of pre-set frame rate, and according to the target frame rate of semi-automatic exposure time range determination;According to target frame rate and picture quality information determines semi-automatic exposure information;According to exposure information control camera exposure.This application is according to by pre-set frame rate and fixed semi-automatic exposure time in a certain range, according to target frame rate and picture quality information determines semi-automatic exposure information, according to semi-automatic exposure information control camera exposure, and then improve the stability of image that camera is collected according to target frame rate in fixed exposure time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of camera technology, and in particular to a semi-automatic exposure control method and apparatus for a camera. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, cameras used in industry commonly employ fully automatic exposure mode. However, because the exposure time is uncertain in fully automatic exposure mode, it is impossible to control the camera's frame rate based on the exposure time, resulting in unstable image acquisition.

[0003] The above content is only used to help understand the technical solution of the present invention and does not represent an admission that the above content is prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a semi-automatic exposure control method and apparatus for a camera, which aims to solve the technical problem that the camera cannot stably acquire images due to the unpredictable exposure time in fully automatic exposure mode.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera, the method comprising the following steps:

[0006] The semi-automatic exposure time range is fixed according to the preset frame rate, and the target frame rate is determined according to the semi-automatic exposure time range;

[0007] The semi-automatic exposure information is determined based on the target frame rate and image quality information.

[0008] The camera is controlled to perform exposure based on the semi-automatic exposure information.

[0009] Optionally, the step of fixing the semi-automatic exposure time range according to a preset frame rate and determining the target frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time range includes:

[0010] The first limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time is determined based on the preset frame rate, and the second limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time is determined based on the image sensor.

[0011] Within the range of the first and second limiting conditions, the semi-automatic exposure time is fixed according to the preset frame rate;

[0012] The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the semi-automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate.

[0013] Optionally, the step of adjusting the preset frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate includes:

[0014] The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the semi-automatic exposure time;

[0015] When the adjusted frame rate matches the preset frame rate, the camera's fully automatic exposure mode is activated;

[0016] The preset frame rate is adjusted according to the fully automatic exposure mode to obtain the target frame rate.

[0017] Optionally, the step of adjusting the preset frame rate according to the fully automatic exposure mode to obtain the target frame rate includes:

[0018] Based on the contrast and brightness of historical images, determine the direction and gradient of the current fully automatic exposure time change;

[0019] The fully automatic exposure time is determined based on the direction and gradient of change.

[0020] The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the fully automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate.

[0021] Optionally, the semi-automatic exposure time includes idle waiting time;

[0022] The step of adjusting the preset frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate includes:

[0023] The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the semi-automatic exposure time;

[0024] When the adjusted frame rate is greater than the preset frame rate, the preset frame rate is adjusted during the idle waiting time to obtain the target frame rate.

[0025] Optionally, the image quality information includes contrast, noise floor, and camera frame alignment information;

[0026] The step of determining the semi-automatic exposure information based on the target frame rate and image quality information includes:

[0027] The contrast variation curve and the noise floor variation curve are determined based on the semi-automatic exposure time.

[0028] The peak value of the contrast ratio is determined based on the contrast ratio change curve, and the corresponding noise value on the noise floor change curve is determined based on the peak value.

[0029] Semi-automatic exposure information is determined based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate.

[0030] Optionally, the step of determining the semi-automatic exposure information based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate includes:

[0031] The semi-automatic exposure frame rate is determined based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate.

[0032] The target frame rate is updated based on the semi-automatic exposure frame rate.

[0033] In addition, to achieve the above objectives, the present invention also proposes a semi-automatic exposure control device for a camera, which includes: a frame rate determination module, an information determination module, and an exposure control module.

[0034] The frame rate determination module is used to fix the semi-automatic exposure time range according to the preset frame rate, and to determine the target frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time range.

[0035] The information determination module determines semi-automatic exposure information based on the target frame rate and image quality information;

[0036] The exposure control module is used to control the camera to perform exposure based on the semi-automatic exposure information.

[0037] This invention discloses a semi-automatic exposure control method and apparatus for a camera. The method includes: fixing a semi-automatic exposure time range according to a preset frame rate, and determining a target frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time range; determining semi-automatic exposure information according to the target frame rate and image quality information; and controlling the camera to perform exposure according to the exposure information. This invention improves the stability of images acquired by the camera within a fixed exposure time according to the target frame rate by fixing the semi-automatic exposure time within a certain range using a preset frame rate, determining the semi-automatic exposure information according to the target frame rate and image quality information, and controlling the camera to perform exposure according to the semi-automatic exposure information. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a camera semi-automatic exposure control device in the hardware operating environment involved in the embodiments of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the first embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera according to the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the second embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for cameras according to the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the third embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for cameras of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the automatic exposure of a camera according to an embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 This is a graph showing the contrast and background noise variation of an embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for cameras of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 7 This is a structural block diagram of the first embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control device for cameras of the present invention.

[0045] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0046] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a semi-automatic exposure control device for a camera in the hardware operating environment of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, the semi-automatic exposure control device for the camera may include: FPGA, ARM, motion system, lens and sensor. The FPGA includes an exposure control module and an image processing algorithm module. The FPGA transmits the result data to the ARM, the ARM transmits the motion control signal to the motion system, the motion system controls the lens, and the lens and the exposure control module transmit the optical fiber and control signal to the sensor, respectively. The sensor also transmits data with the FPGA.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 1 The structure shown does not constitute a limitation on the semi-automatic exposure control device for the camera, and may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0050] Based on the above hardware structure, an embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for cameras of the present invention is proposed.

[0051] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the first embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera according to the present invention, which presents the first embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera according to the present invention.

[0052] Step S10: Fix the semi-automatic exposure time range according to the preset frame rate, and determine the target frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time range.

[0053] It should be noted that the executing entity in this embodiment can be an industrial camera or other electronic devices that can achieve the same or similar functions, and this embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0054] It should be understood that in industrial applications, cameras often use fully automatic exposure mode. However, fully automatic exposure has an unpredictable exposure time, which leads to an unpredictable frame rate output from the camera. In industrial camera control at the 30K frame rate level, the frame rate cannot be controlled at all due to the defect of fully automatic exposure. When combined with industrial motion control systems, this results in uneven frame acquisition from the camera.

[0055] To overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, this embodiment first limits the exposure time to a certain range based on a preset frame rate. Then, it adjusts the preset frame rate within the fixed exposure time range to obtain a target frame rate. Based on the target frame rate and image quality information, semi-automatic exposure information is determined, and the camera is controlled to perform exposure using this information. This ensures that the camera acquires images stably and uniformly at a fixed frame rate within a fixed exposure time.

[0056] It should be noted that in industrial applications, 30K-level industrial cameras and motion control systems are integrated, requiring high image frame rates and precise camera exposure. Therefore, this embodiment can resolve the conflict between automatic exposure and camera frame rate output.

[0057] It's important to note that because real-time camera exposure processing is required, the sensor's output can only reach a maximum frame rate of 30kHz, needing to keep pace with the 30kHz image readout speed. Then, the exposure of each frame needs to be controlled in real-time. ARM embedded systems cannot handle this entirely. The frame rate is too high, and the embedded system's feedback is not timely, failing to achieve the desired control effect. In an embedded architecture, data is read and processed, but the feedback process is not timely. During program execution, hundreds of frames have already been read. Therefore, an embedded design is not suitable. Embedded systems excel at flow control, while FPGAs are better suited for parallel computing.

[0058] The reason FPGAs are timely is that their underlying hardware is digital circuitry. The image transmission hardware circuitry and the image computation circuitry operate in parallel. Transmission control has its own hardware module, and computation has its own module. Furthermore, there's a frame alignment processing flow between the FPGA and the image information output module. Therefore, FPGAs are timely and can provide immediate feedback within a single image frame.

[0059] It should be understood that the preset frame rate can be set by the user according to specific needs, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0060] It should be noted that semi-automatic exposure time is different from fully automatic exposure time. Fully automatic exposure has no time limit, while in semi-automatic exposure mode, the exposure time is limited to a certain time range, which is called semi-automatic exposure time.

[0061] In the specific implementation, the user-defined frame rate is input into the interaction module. The interaction module converts the preset frame rate into the image time of each frame, fixes the exposure time range according to the image time of each frame, and then adjusts the initially input frame rate according to the exposure time range to obtain the target frame rate.

[0062] Understandably, the interactive module allows users to choose between fully automatic and semi-automatic exposure modes.

[0063] Step S20: Determine semi-automatic exposure information based on the target frame rate and image quality information.

[0064] It should be noted that the image quality information is obtained from the image information output module, which includes contrast, noise floor, and camera frame alignment information.

[0065] It is understandable that semi-automatic exposure information can be the semi-automatic exposure time and the actual transmitted data.

[0066] In the specific implementation, the contrast, noise floor, camera frame alignment information and target frame rate are input to the automatic exposure module, which determines the semi-automatic exposure information. The semi-automatic exposure information is then input to the camera timing generation module. At the same time, the automatic exposure module also outputs the adjusted frame rate, and the target frame rate is updated by the adjusted frame rate.

[0067] Step S30: Control the camera to perform exposure according to the semi-automatic exposure information.

[0068] It should be noted that the camera timing generation module generates camera mclk and camera MST based on semi-automatic exposure information to control the camera's exposure.

[0069] For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 5 To explain, Figure 5 This is a diagram of the camera's automatic exposure structure. The diagram shows that you can choose between a fully automatic exposure mode and a semi-automatic exposure mode. The automatic exposure mode involves inputting a preset frame rate, calculating a target frame rate based on the interaction module, and then inputting the target frame rate into the automatic exposure module. The automatic exposure module also inputs contrast, noise floor, and camera frame alignment information into the automatic exposure module based on the image information output module. The automatic exposure module then generates semi-automatic exposure data and a semi-automatic exposure frame rate, updates the target frame rate based on the semi-automatic exposure frame rate, and transmits the semi-automatic exposure data to the camera timing generation module to generate the camera's mclk and camera MST.

[0070] This embodiment fixes the semi-automatic exposure time range based on a preset frame rate, and determines the target frame rate based on the semi-automatic exposure time range; it determines semi-automatic exposure information based on the target frame rate and image quality information; and it controls the camera to perform exposure based on the exposure information. This invention improves the stability of images captured by the camera within a fixed exposure time based on the target frame rate by fixing the semi-automatic exposure time within a certain range using a preset frame rate, determining the semi-automatic exposure information based on the target frame rate and image quality information, and controlling the camera to perform exposure based on the semi-automatic exposure information.

[0071] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the second embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera according to the present invention. Based on the above... Figure 2 The first embodiment shown presents a second embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for cameras of the present invention.

[0072] In the second embodiment, step S10 includes:

[0073] Step S101: Determine the first limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time based on the preset frame rate, and determine the second limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time based on the image sensor.

[0074] It should be understood that the preset frame rate and image sensor are used to determine the maximum and minimum ranges of the semi-automatic exposure time, keeping the semi-automatic exposure time within the maximum and minimum time ranges.

[0075] Step S102: Within the range of the first limiting condition and the second limiting condition, fix the semi-automatic exposure time according to the preset frame rate.

[0076] It should be noted that semi-automatic exposure time includes exposure time and idle waiting time. The idle waiting time is set because the camera's exposure time is not actually limited by the preset frame rate. Therefore, it is necessary to control the camera's timing structure to keep the camera in an idle waiting time.

[0077] In the specific implementation, within the range of the first and second limiting conditions, the time for converting the preset frame rate into the time for one frame of image is obtained according to the semi-automatic exposure mode.

[0078] Step S103: Adjust the preset frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate.

[0079] It should be noted that after fixing the semi-automatic exposure time range according to the preset frame rate, it is necessary to turn on the fully automatic exposure mode and adjust the preset frame rate in the fully automatic exposure mode to obtain the target frame rate. This can be done by adjusting the preset frame rate to a very low value in the fully automatic exposure mode, but this embodiment does not limit this.

[0080] Furthermore, in order to improve the accuracy of camera shooting, step S103 of this embodiment may include:

[0081] The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the semi-automatic exposure time;

[0082] When the adjusted frame rate matches the preset frame rate, the camera's fully automatic exposure mode is activated;

[0083] The preset frame rate is adjusted according to the fully automatic exposure mode to obtain the target frame rate.

[0084] It should be noted that if the adjusted frame rate is always equal to the preset frame rate, it means that the actual exposure of the current camera is being limited by the preset frame rate. The current exposure of the current camera is not ideal. You can first turn on fully automatic exposure and observe the actual frame rate under ideal exposure conditions. The user can then determine whether the set frame rate is optimal and further adjust the preset frame rate accordingly.

[0085] Furthermore, to improve the accuracy of camera shooting, the step of adjusting the preset frame rate according to the fully automatic exposure mode to obtain the target frame rate includes:

[0086] Based on the contrast and brightness of historical images, determine the direction and gradient of the current fully automatic exposure time change;

[0087] The fully automatic exposure time is determined based on the direction and gradient of change.

[0088] The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the fully automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate.

[0089] It is understandable that contrast increases with exposure time, then decreases with further exposure time after reaching its peak, while brightness increases with exposure time.

[0090] It should be understood that the direction and gradient of the exposure time change of the next frame can be calculated based on the brightness and contrast output of the previous frame in fully automatic mode, thereby determining the current fully automatic exposure time.

[0091] Furthermore, in order to improve the accuracy of camera shooting, step S103 of this embodiment may include:

[0092] The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the semi-automatic exposure time;

[0093] When the adjusted frame rate is greater than the preset frame rate, the preset frame rate is adjusted during the idle waiting time to obtain the target frame rate.

[0094] It should be noted that if the adjusted frame rate is consistently higher than the preset frame rate, it means that the camera still has some idle waiting time. Users can make a judgment on the frame rate setting based on the lighting conditions, and then adjust the preset frame rate to obtain the target frame rate.

[0095] This embodiment determines a first limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time based on a preset frame rate, and a second limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time based on the image sensor. Within the range of the first and second limiting conditions, the semi-automatic exposure time is fixed according to the preset frame rate. The preset frame rate is then adjusted based on the semi-automatic exposure time to obtain a target frame rate. This embodiment keeps the semi-automatic exposure time within a certain range based on the preset frame rate and adjusts the preset frame rate to obtain a target frame rate. This prevents the inability to control the camera's frame rate due to an uncertain exposure time, and enables the camera to shoot based on a fixed exposure time and a target frame rate, improving the accuracy of camera shooting.

[0096] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the third embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera according to the present invention. Based on the above... Figure 2 The first embodiment shown presents a third embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control method for cameras of the present invention.

[0097] In the third embodiment, step S20 further includes:

[0098] Step S201: Determine the contrast change curve and the noise floor change curve based on the semi-automatic exposure time.

[0099] It is understandable that the contrast will first increase and then decrease as the semi-automatic exposure time increases, while the background noise will gradually increase as the semi-automatic exposure time increases.

[0100] For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 6 To explain, Figure 6 The graph shows the changes in contrast and noise floor. Figure 6 It is clear from the data that the contrast and background noise change with the exposure time. The contrast will first reach its peak and then gradually decrease as the exposure time increases, while the background noise will gradually increase.

[0101] Step S202: Determine the peak value of the contrast ratio based on the contrast ratio change curve, and determine the corresponding noise floor value on the noise floor change curve based on the peak value.

[0102] Understandably, reference Figure 6 ,exist Figure 6 The process determines that contrast reaches its maximum as exposure time increases, thus identifying the peak contrast value. The peak contrast value corresponds to the optimal exposure time. Therefore, the corresponding noise level is determined on the noise reduction curve based on the exposure time point at which the peak contrast value is reached.

[0103] Step S203: Determine semi-automatic exposure information based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate.

[0104] Understandably, semi-automatic exposure information can include the exposure time and some data that needs to be transmitted.

[0105] In the specific implementation, the image information output module inputs the peak value, noise floor value and camera frame alignment information to the automatic exposure module, and the interaction module inputs the target frame rate to the automatic exposure module. After receiving the peak value, noise floor value, camera frame alignment information and target frame rate, the automatic exposure module starts to calculate and obtains semi-automatic exposure information and the recalculated frame rate.

[0106] Furthermore, in order to improve the image quality, step S203 of this embodiment may also include:

[0107] The semi-automatic exposure frame rate is determined based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate.

[0108] The target frame rate is updated based on the semi-automatic exposure frame rate.

[0109] Understandably, the automatic exposure module calculates not only the semi-automatic exposure information but also the semi-automatic exposure frame rate. Users can selectively adjust the target frame rate input to the automatic exposure module based on the calculated semi-automatic exposure frame rate. If the target frame rate needs to be adjusted, the automatic exposure module must recalculate both the semi-automatic exposure information and the semi-automatic exposure frame rate.

[0110] This embodiment determines the contrast variation curve and the noise floor variation curve based on the semi-automatic exposure time; it determines the peak value of the contrast ratio based on the contrast variation curve, and determines the corresponding noise floor value on the noise floor variation curve based on the peak value; it then determines the semi-automatic exposure information based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate. This embodiment determines the peak contrast ratio and the noise floor value based on the contrast variation curve and the noise floor variation curve, thereby determining the semi-automatic exposure information based on the peak contrast ratio, the noise floor value, the target frame rate, and the camera frame alignment information. This allows the camera to shoot according to the semi-automatic exposure information, thereby improving image quality.

[0111] In addition, refer to Figure 7 The present invention also proposes a semi-automatic exposure control device for a camera, which includes: a frame rate determination module 10, an information determination module 20, and an exposure control module 30.

[0112] The frame rate determination module 10 is used to fix the semi-automatic exposure time range according to the preset frame rate, and to determine the target frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time range.

[0113] The information determination module 20 determines semi-automatic exposure information based on the target frame rate and image quality information;

[0114] The exposure control module 30 is used to control the camera to perform exposure based on the semi-automatic exposure information.

[0115] This embodiment fixes the semi-automatic exposure time range based on a preset frame rate, and determines the target frame rate based on the semi-automatic exposure time range; it determines semi-automatic exposure information based on the target frame rate and image quality information; and it controls the camera to perform exposure based on the exposure information. This invention improves the stability of images captured by the camera within a fixed exposure time based on the target frame rate by fixing the semi-automatic exposure time within a certain range using a preset frame rate, determining the semi-automatic exposure information based on the target frame rate and image quality information, and controlling the camera to perform exposure based on the semi-automatic exposure information.

[0116] Based on the first embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control device for cameras described above, a second embodiment of the semi-automatic exposure control device for cameras of the present invention is proposed.

[0117] In this embodiment, the frame rate determination module 10 is used to determine a first limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time based on a preset frame rate, and to determine a second limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time based on the image sensor.

[0118] Furthermore, the frame rate determination module 10 is also used to fix the semi-automatic exposure time according to the preset frame rate within the range of the first limiting condition and the second limiting condition.

[0119] Furthermore, the frame rate determination module 10 is also used to adjust the preset frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate.

[0120] Furthermore, the frame rate determination module 10 is also used to adjust the preset frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time.

[0121] Furthermore, the frame rate determination module 10 is also used to enable the camera's fully automatic exposure mode when the adjusted frame rate is consistent with the preset frame rate.

[0122] Furthermore, the frame rate determination module 10 is also used to adjust the preset frame rate according to the fully automatic exposure mode to obtain the target frame rate.

[0123] Furthermore, the frame rate determination module 10 is also used to determine the direction and gradient of change of the current fully automatic exposure time based on the contrast and brightness of the historical image.

[0124] Furthermore, the frame rate determination module 10 is also used to determine the fully automatic exposure time based on the change direction and gradient.

[0125] Furthermore, the frame rate determination module 10 is also used to adjust the preset frame rate according to the fully automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate.

[0126] Furthermore, the frame rate determination module 10 is also used to adjust the preset frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time.

[0127] Furthermore, the frame rate determination module 10 is also used to adjust the preset frame rate during the idle waiting time when the adjusted frame rate is greater than the preset frame rate, so as to obtain the target frame rate.

[0128] Furthermore, the information determination module 20 is also used to determine the contrast change curve and the noise floor change curve based on the semi-automatic exposure time.

[0129] Furthermore, the information determination module 20 is also used to determine the peak value of the contrast ratio based on the contrast ratio change curve, and to determine the corresponding noise value on the noise floor change curve based on the peak value.

[0130] Furthermore, the information determination module 20 is also used to determine semi-automatic exposure information based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate.

[0131] Furthermore, the information determination module 20 is also used to determine the semi-automatic exposure frame rate based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate.

[0132] Furthermore, the information determination module 20 is also used to update the target frame rate based on the semi-automatic exposure frame rate.

[0133] Other embodiments or specific implementations of the semi-automatic exposure control device for cameras described in this invention can be found in the above-described method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0134] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or system that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or system. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or system that includes that element.

[0135] The sequence numbers of the above embodiments of the present invention are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0136] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the patent. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the description and drawings of the present invention, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera, characterized in that, The semi-automatic exposure control method for the camera includes the following steps: The semi-automatic exposure time range is fixed according to the preset frame rate, and the target frame rate is determined according to the semi-automatic exposure time range; The semi-automatic exposure information is determined based on the target frame rate and image quality information. The camera is controlled to perform exposure based on the semi-automatic exposure information; The step of fixing the semi-automatic exposure time range according to a preset frame rate and determining the target frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time range includes: The first limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time is determined based on the preset frame rate, and the second limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time is determined based on the image sensor. Within the range of the first and second limiting conditions, the semi-automatic exposure time is fixed according to the preset frame rate; The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the semi-automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate; The image quality information includes contrast, noise floor, and camera frame alignment information. The step of determining the semi-automatic exposure information based on the target frame rate and image quality information includes: The contrast variation curve and the noise floor variation curve are determined based on the semi-automatic exposure time. The peak value of the contrast ratio is determined based on the contrast ratio change curve, and the corresponding noise value on the noise floor change curve is determined based on the peak value. Semi-automatic exposure information is determined based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate. The step of controlling the camera to perform exposure based on the semi-automatic exposure information includes: The camera mclk and camera MST are generated based on the semi-automatic exposure information to control the camera's exposure.

2. The semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The step of adjusting the preset frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate includes: The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the semi-automatic exposure time; When the adjusted frame rate matches the preset frame rate, the camera's fully automatic exposure mode is activated; The preset frame rate is adjusted according to the fully automatic exposure mode to obtain the target frame rate.

3. The semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The step of adjusting the preset frame rate according to the fully automatic exposure mode to obtain the target frame rate includes: Based on the contrast and brightness of historical images, determine the direction and gradient of the current fully automatic exposure time change; The fully automatic exposure time is determined based on the direction and gradient of change. The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the fully automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate.

4. The semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The semi-automatic exposure time includes idle waiting time; The step of adjusting the preset frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time to obtain the target frame rate includes: The preset frame rate is adjusted based on the semi-automatic exposure time; When the adjusted frame rate is greater than the preset frame rate, the preset frame rate is adjusted during the idle waiting time to obtain the target frame rate.

5. The semi-automatic exposure control method for a camera as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the semi-automatic exposure information based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate includes: The semi-automatic exposure frame rate is determined based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate. The target frame rate is updated based on the semi-automatic exposure frame rate.

6. A semi-automatic exposure control device for a camera, characterized in that, The semi-automatic exposure control device for the camera includes: a frame rate determination module, an information determination module, and an exposure control module; The frame rate determination module is used to fix the semi-automatic exposure time range according to the preset frame rate, and to determine the target frame rate according to the semi-automatic exposure time range. The information determination module determines semi-automatic exposure information based on the target frame rate and image quality information; The exposure control module is used to control the camera to perform exposure based on the semi-automatic exposure information; The frame rate determination module is further configured to determine a first limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time based on a preset frame rate, and a second limiting condition for the semi-automatic exposure time based on an image sensor; within the range of the first limiting condition and the second limiting condition, fix the semi-automatic exposure time based on the preset frame rate; and adjust the preset frame rate based on the semi-automatic exposure time to obtain a target frame rate. The image quality information includes contrast, noise floor, and camera frame alignment information. The information determination module is further configured to determine a contrast change curve and a noise floor change curve based on the semi-automatic exposure time; determine the peak value of the contrast based on the contrast change curve, and determine the corresponding noise floor value on the noise floor change curve based on the peak value; and determine semi-automatic exposure information based on the peak value, the noise floor value, the camera frame alignment information, and the target frame rate. The exposure control module is further configured to generate camera mclk and camera MST based on the semi-automatic exposure information in order to control the camera exposure.

Images