Camera device, camera system and traffic management system

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a camera device, a camera system and a traffic management system. The device comprises: a first acquisition unit, comprising a first sensor, the first sensor being used for acquiring a first optical signal so as to obtain a first data signal; a second acquisition unit, comprising a second sensor, the second sensor being used for acquiring a second optical signal so as to obtain a second data signal; a processing unit for fusing the first data signal and the second data signal; and a shielding unit, comprising a first shielding portion, a second shielding portion and a control unit, the control unit being used for controlling the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion, such that the shutter end times of the first sensor and the second sensor are the same or satisfy a first difference. The shutter end times of the two sensors are controlled by means of the shielding unit of the present application, such that the data signals obtained by the two sensors meet expectations, thereby generating clearer images or videos.

Description

A camera device, camera system and traffic management system

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411482414.2, filed on October 22, 2024, entitled "A Camera Device, System and Traffic Management System", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of camera technology, and more specifically, to a camera device, system, and traffic management system. Background Technology

[0003] Security surveillance cameras are devices that monitor and acquire video and images in real time. The sensor, acting as its "eye," is the core component, sensing and acquiring image or video signals. Based on different exposure principles, sensors are divided into two types: rolling shutter (RS) and global shutter (GS). RS sensors are widely used due to their simple structure, mature technology, and low cost. However, RS sensors expose sequentially row by row, and the generated signals are not stored but directly converted and output. Although they have low random noise and a high signal-to-noise ratio, the exposure of each row does not start and end simultaneously; there is a time difference between the start of exposure of the N+1th row and the Nth row, causing motion distortion when shooting fast-moving objects. This makes them unsuitable for situations where the subject is in high-speed motion or where more precise image or video data is required. Furthermore, image sensors are limited by target surface specifications and manufacturing processes, making it impossible to achieve all important performance characteristics simultaneously. Relying on a single device makes it difficult to capture all targets clearly in complex environments. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a camera device, system, and traffic management system that obtains better motion image data by mechanically controlling the exposure of multiple RS sensors, and then fuses the data to achieve high-performance imaging in complex environments.

[0005] In a first aspect, a camera device is provided, comprising: a first acquisition unit, including a first lens and a first sensor, wherein the first lens is used to acquire a first light signal, the first sensor is exposed using a rolling shutter exposure method, and the first sensor is used to acquire the first light signal to obtain a first data signal; a second acquisition unit, including a second lens and a second sensor, wherein the second lens is used to acquire a second light signal, the second sensor is exposed using a rolling shutter exposure method, and the second sensor is used to acquire the second light signal to obtain a second data signal; a processing unit, used to process the first data signal and the second data signal to obtain a third data signal; and a blocking unit, including a first blocking part, a second blocking part, and a control unit, wherein the first blocking part is used to block the first light signal, the second blocking part is used to block the second light signal, and the control unit is used to control the first blocking part and the second blocking part to make the exposure end time of the first sensor and the second sensor the same or to satisfy a first difference.

[0006] This improves image quality and clarity by fusing data from two RS sensors. However, due to the line-by-line exposure method of the RS sensors, the specific exposure times of the first and second sensors cannot be controlled. Especially when shooting moving objects, the data signals from the two image sensors can differ significantly, resulting in the processing unit failing to generate a clear image or video after fusion. This application addresses this by using an occlusion unit to control the exposure end time of the two sensors, ensuring that the data signals from both sensors meet expectations and leading to a clearer image or video.

[0007] It should be understood that in this application, the first lens and the second lens may refer to the same lens, or the first lens and the second lens may be different lenses. The first sensor and the second sensor may be different sensors. The first blocking part and the second blocking part may be independent devices, or the first blocking part and the second blocking part may be two components of the same device, depending on the actual situation.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first sensor and the second sensor differ in at least one of the following: resolution, target surface size, pixel size, color filter pattern, or number of pixels; and / or the first acquisition unit and the second acquisition unit are further provided with different types of filters. This allows for the fusion of data signals with different characteristics, improving the performance of the fused image or video.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, at a first moment: the first lens is further used to acquire a third light signal, and the second lens is further used to acquire a fourth light signal; the first blocking part is controlled to ensure that the third light signal is not blocked, and the second blocking part is controlled to block the entire fourth light signal; the first sensor is further used to collect the third light signal to obtain a fourth data signal; the second sensor is further used to collect dark noise signals to obtain a fifth data signal; the processing unit is further used to correct the fourth data signal based on the fifth data signal to obtain a corrected fourth data signal. Under high temperature and low illumination, the dark current of the sensor increases, and the image or video clarity decreases. At this time, the data collected by the second sensor when it is blocked can be used as a correction signal to reduce noise in the fourth data signal, thereby improving image or video performance.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the blocking unit is a color wheel, which includes a first light-transmitting area, a second light-transmitting area, a first light-blocking area, and a second light-blocking area. The first light-transmitting area transmits a first light signal; the second light-transmitting area transmits a second light signal. The color wheel is a high-speed rotating color-separating component. The color wheel can be a disk composed of different sector areas, and the materials of the different sector areas can be selected as needed, such as fully transparent glass or plastic, glass or plastic with a light-filtering function, or opaque metal or plastic. The color wheel rotates clockwise or counterclockwise via a variable-speed motor, thereby controlling whether different areas block or not block the light signal. This allows for precise control of the exposure end time of two RS sensors simultaneously using a single color wheel, reducing costs and the overall size of the imaging device.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the last column of pixels in both the first and second sensors is adjacent to the edge of the color wheel. That is, the last column of pixels in the first sensor is closer to the edge of the color wheel relative to its center. Similarly, the last column of pixels in the second image sensor is closer to the edge of the color wheel relative to its center. This allows the sensors to utilize the light-blocking area of ​​the color wheel during exposure to further ensure that the exposure end time of each row of pixels is more consistent.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the rotational speed of the color wheel is less than or equal to 9000 revolutions per minute. This allows the two sensors sufficient time to complete the data signal readout.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the radius of the color wheel is greater than or equal to 30mm and less than or equal to 150mm. This allows the color wheel to match the dimensions of the components in the camera device and the motor load, while also matching the operating cycle of the sensor.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, a filter is provided in the first light-transmitting area and / or the second light-transmitting area. This allows the light signal received by the lens to be filtered according to actual needs, in order to obtain the required light signal.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first lens and the second lens differ in at least one of the following: focal length, size, transmittance, or position. This allows for the fusion of data signals with different characteristics, improving the performance of the fused image or video.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, some implementations of the first aspect further include: a first supplementary lighting unit, including a first light source, which is used to supplement the first optical signal; and a second supplementary lighting unit, including a second light source, which is used to supplement the second optical signal; wherein the first light source and the second light source are different. This allows for the fusion of data signals with different characteristics, improving the performance of the fused image or video.

[0017] In a second aspect, a camera system is provided, including a housing, a drive circuit, and a camera device that is either a first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0018] Thirdly, a traffic management system is provided, including the camera system of the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a camera device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a blocking unit provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a camera system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a traffic management system provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Hereinafter, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0025] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0026] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship relative to the orientation or position of the components shown in the drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts, used for relative description and clarification, and not to indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. They can change accordingly depending on the orientation of the components in the drawings, and therefore should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0027] The terms “comprising” and “having” and any variations thereof used in the embodiments of this application shown below are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such processes, methods, products or devices.

[0028] In the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Embodiments or designs described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. The use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0029] In the embodiments of this application, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same component or part. Furthermore, the parts in the drawings are not drawn to scale, and the dimensions and sizes of the parts shown are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0030] Security surveillance cameras are devices that monitor and acquire video and images in real time. The sensor, acting as its "eye," is the core component, sensing and acquiring image or video signals. Based on different exposure principles, sensor exposure methods are divided into two types: rolling shutter (RS) and global shutter (GS). RS sensors are widely used due to their simple structure, mature technology, and low cost. However, RS sensors expose sequentially row by row, and the generated signals are not stored but directly converted and output. Although this results in low random noise and a high signal-to-noise ratio, the exposure of each row does not start and end simultaneously. There is a time difference between the start of exposure of the N+1th row and the Nth row, causing motion distortion when shooting fast-moving objects. This makes them unsuitable for situations where the subject is in high-speed motion or where more precise image or video data is required. Furthermore, image sensors are limited by target surface specifications and manufacturing processes, making it impossible to achieve all important performance characteristics simultaneously. Relying on a single device makes it difficult to capture all targets clearly in complex environments.

[0031] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a camera device, system, and traffic management system that obtains better camera data by mechanically controlling the exposure of multiple RS sensors.

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a camera device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1(a), the device includes a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, a processing unit 130, and an occlusion unit.

[0033] The first acquisition unit includes a first lens 111 and a first sensor 113. The first lens 111 is used to acquire a first light signal, and the first sensor 113 is used to control the pixels of the first sensor 113 to acquire the first light signal in order to obtain a first data signal.

[0034] The second acquisition unit includes a second lens 112 and a second sensor 114. The second lens 112 is used to acquire a second light signal, and the second sensor 114 is used to control the pixels of the second sensor 114 line by line to acquire the second light signal in order to obtain a second data signal.

[0035] The lenses involved in the first and second acquisition units mentioned above can be understood as a combination of optical lenses and lens barrels. The first lens 111 and the second lens 112 can refer to the same lens, or they can be different lenses. The optical lens includes one or more lenses (also understood as lens elements). The lens barrel is used to house the optical lens.

[0036] Specifically, the first optical signal and the second optical signal referred to in this application refer to the optical signals transmitted between the lens and the sensor.

[0037] Specifically, the sensors involved in the first and second acquisition units mentioned above are roller shutter exposure type sensors. Roller shutter exposure type sensors have two exposure modes. In the first mode, the sensor controls the exposure of pixels row by row. The next row of pixels only begins exposure after the previous row has started exposure for a time Δt, until all rows of pixels have completed exposure, and exposure ends sequentially from the first row to the last column of pixels. This method is called the "standard mode of roller shutter exposure." In the second mode, the sensor resets all pixels simultaneously before starting exposure simultaneously, and exposure ends sequentially from the first row to the last row of pixels. This method is also known as the "global reset mode of roller shutter exposure."

[0038] Processing unit 130 is used to process the first data signal and the second data signal to obtain a third data signal. "Processing the first data signal and the second data signal" can also be understood as "fusing the first data signal and the second data signal," that is, integrating data signals from different sensors and outputting them in a single form. Processing unit 130 may be in the form of a System-on-a-chip (SoC). Processing unit 130 may employ specific algorithms for fusion, such as spatial domain fusion, frequency domain fusion, and time domain fusion. Alternatively, processing unit 130 may perform calculations based on the weights of the first and second data signals. Furthermore, processing unit 130 may also include one or more image signal processor (ISP) chips. One or more ISP chips are used to perform black level correction, noise reduction, brightness correction, color correction, and other processing on the first data signal and / or the second data signal.

[0039] The blocking unit includes a first blocking part 121, a second blocking part 122, and a control unit 123. The first blocking part 121 is used to block a first light signal, the second blocking part 122 is used to block a second light signal, and the control unit 123 is used to control the first blocking part 121 and the second blocking part 122 so that the exposure end time of the first sensor 113 and the second sensor 114 are the same or meet a first difference.

[0040] The blocking unit can be mechanical, such as a roller blind, blade, or color wheel type. Mechanical blocking units generate less electromagnetic interference and are easier to control than electrically controlled ones.

[0041] The first blocking part 121 and the second blocking part 122 may be located in different parts of the same blocking element or may be separate elements, depending on the actual situation. Figures 1(b) and (c) show schematic diagrams of the specific placement positions of the two blocking parts. In some implementations, as shown in Figure 1(b), the blocking part may be placed between the lens and the sensor. In other implementations, as shown in Figure 1(c), the blocking part may be placed in front of the lens. The specific placement depends on the actual situation.

[0042] Wherein, when the masking unit controls the exposure end time of the first sensor 113 and the second sensor 114 to be the same, the masking unit is used to: after the first row of exposure of either the first sensor 113 or the second sensor 114 is completed, control the first masking part 121 to block all of the first light signal, and control the second masking part 122 to block all of the second light signal.

[0043] When the blocking unit controls the exposure end time of the first sensor 113 and the second sensor 114 to meet the first difference, the blocking unit is used to: control the second blocking part 122 to block all of the second light signal after the exposure of the first sensor 113 ends and after the time corresponding to the first difference; or, control the first blocking part 121 to block all of the first light signal after the exposure of the second sensor 114 is received and after the time corresponding to the first difference.

[0044] The first difference can be positive or negative. When the first sensor 113 and the second sensor 114 need to be exposed synchronously, the absolute value of the first difference should be less than or equal to 0.05 ms. When the first sensor 113 and the second sensor 114 need to be exposed asynchronously, the absolute value of the first difference should be greater than or equal to 0.05 ms and less than or equal to 20 ms, depending on the specific scene and the shooting target. In the device shown in Figure 1, the image quality is improved by fusing the data obtained from the two RS sensors. However, due to the line-by-line exposure method of the RS sensors, the specific exposure time of the first sensor 113 and the second sensor 114 cannot be controlled. Especially when shooting moving objects, the data signals obtained by the two image sensors will have large differences, which will cause the processing unit 130 to fail to generate a clear image or video after fusion. By controlling the exposure end time of the two sensors through the occlusion unit of this application, the data signals obtained by the two sensors can meet the expectations, thereby achieving the generation of a clearer image or video.

[0045] In some implementations, the first lens 111 and the second lens 112 differ in at least one of the following: focal length, size, transmittance, or position. This allows for the fusion of data signals with different characteristics, improving the performance of the fused image or video.

[0046] In some implementations, the first sensor 113 and the second sensor 114 differ in at least one of the following: resolution, target size, color filter pattern, pixel size, or number of pixels. This allows for the fusion of data signals with different characteristics, improving the performance of the fused image or video.

[0047] In some implementations, the first and second acquisition units may also be equipped with different filters. The filters in each acquisition unit can be attached to the lens surface, positioned between the lens and the sensor, or placed in other locations; this application is not limited in this regard. For example, the first acquisition unit may have a first filter that allows only visible light wavelengths to pass through, while the second acquisition unit may have a second filter that allows only infrared light wavelengths to pass through. This allows for the fusion of data signals with different characteristics, improving the performance of the fused image or video.

[0048] In some implementations, the system further includes: a first supplementary lighting unit, comprising a first light source used to supplement the first light signal; and a second supplementary lighting unit, comprising a second light source used to supplement the second light signal; the first light source and the second light source are different. For example, the first light source is a visible light source, and the second light source is an infrared light source, or vice versa. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific locations of the first and second supplementary lighting units. The first supplementary lighting unit may be located in the first acquisition unit, and the second supplementary lighting unit may be located in the second acquisition unit. Alternatively, the first supplementary lighting unit and the first sensor 113 may be located on opposite sides of the first lens 111, and the second supplementary lighting unit and the second sensor 114 may be located on opposite sides of the second lens 112. The specific location is determined based on the actual situation. This allows for the fusion of data signals with different characteristics, improving the performance of the fused image or video.

[0049] In some implementations, at the first moment:

[0050] The first lens was also used to obtain the third light signal, and the second lens was also used to obtain the fourth light signal;

[0051] The first blocking part 121 is controlled to ensure that the third optical signal is not blocked, and the second blocking part 122 is controlled to block all of the fourth optical signal;

[0052] The first sensor is also used to collect the third optical signal in order to obtain the fourth data signal;

[0053] The second sensor is also used to collect dark noise signals to obtain the fifth data signal;

[0054] The processing unit is also used to correct the fourth data signal based on the fifth data signal to obtain the corrected fourth data signal.

[0055] Under high temperature and low light conditions, the dark current of the sensor increases, resulting in decreased image or video clarity. In this case, the data collected by the second sensor when it is obstructed can be used as a correction signal to perform noise reduction on the fourth data signal, thereby improving image or video performance.

[0056] Furthermore, the above situations can be combined. In some implementations, the resolution of the first sensor is greater than that of the second sensor, and the number of pixels in the first sensor is less than that in the second sensor. The first acquisition unit is equipped with a first filter, allowing only visible light wavelengths to pass through; the second acquisition unit may be equipped with a second filter, allowing only infrared light wavelengths to pass through; and / or the imaging device further includes a first supplementary lighting unit and a second supplementary lighting unit. The first supplementary lighting unit includes a first light source, and the second supplementary lighting unit includes a second light source. The first light source is used to supplement the first light signal and is a visible light source; the second light source is used to supplement the second light signal and is an infrared light source. That is, the first light signal acquired by the first acquisition unit is a visible light signal, and the second light signal acquired by the second acquisition unit is an infrared light signal. The first acquisition unit can be used to acquire the "bright areas" in an image or video, and the second acquisition unit can be used to acquire the "dark areas" in an image or video. This allows for the acquisition of images of different brightness areas, making the captured areas in the image or video clearly visible.

[0057] As an example, the camera device shown in Figure 1 is a traffic camera device. The first sensor 113 is a monochrome sensor with large pixels (2.9um) and low resolution (2560*1440); the second sensor 114 is a color sensor with small pixels (2.0um) and high resolution (3840*2160), supplemented by weak visible light; in this process, the two are exposed simultaneously without time difference. The first data signal and the second data signal are fused in the processing unit 130 to achieve clear images of the car window, car body, and environmental areas, without the ghosting of multi-frame fusion.

[0058] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a masking unit provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 illustrates a specific masking unit structure provided in this embodiment, which is a color wheel. The color wheel is a high-speed rotating color-separating component. The color wheel can be a disc composed of different sector areas, and the materials of the different sector areas can be selected as needed, such as fully transparent glass or plastic, glass or plastic with a light-filtering function, or opaque metal or plastic. The color wheel rotates clockwise or counterclockwise via a variable-speed motor, thereby controlling whether different areas mask or not mask the light signal. This allows for precise control of the exposure end time of two RS sensors simultaneously using a single color wheel, reducing costs and the overall size of the imaging device.

[0059] As shown in Figure 2(a), the color wheel may include a first light-transmitting region 211, a second light-transmitting region 221, a first light-blocking region 212, and a second light-blocking region 222. The first light-transmitting region 211 transmits a first light signal. The first light-blocking region 212 is a first blocking portion used to block the first light signal. The second light-transmitting region 221 transmits a second light signal, and the second light-blocking region 222 is a second blocking portion used to block the second light signal. The first and second light-transmitting regions 211 and 221 have high light transmittance. The first and second light-blocking regions 212 and 222 are opaque; for example, they may be coated with a black film, coated with a black paint, or made of a black material.

[0060] It should be understood that Figure 2 only shows the case where the color wheel includes four regions. Furthermore, the color wheel can have more regions depending on the actual situation.

[0061] The camera device may also include a bracket to support the first and second sensors, ensuring they are fixed in place and that the color wheel can adjust their exposure end times in a timely manner. For example, the first and second sensors may be located on opposite sides of the color wheel center. In the case shown in Figure 2(a), the first sensor, the color wheel center, and the second sensor are aligned on a straight line. Furthermore, to ensure that the exposure end times of the first and second sensors satisfy a first difference, the first sensor and the color wheel center may be aligned on a first straight line, and the second sensor and the color wheel center may be aligned on a second straight line, with the first and second lines intersecting.

[0062] As shown in Figure 2(b), taking the first sensor as an example, based on the relative motion between the color wheel and the first sensor, one exposure cycle of the first sensor can be divided into an exposure period T0, a transition period T1, and a full shading period T2.

[0063] During the exposure period T0, the color wheel rotates to the first position so that the first light-transmitting area corresponds to the position of the first sensor. The first light signal is not blocked by the color wheel, and the first sensor starts exposure from the first row of pixels. At this time, the entire pixel area of ​​the first sensor can receive the first light signal.

[0064] During the transition period T1, the color wheel rotates to the second position and continues to rotate to occlude from the last row of pixels of the first sensor to the first row of pixels of the first sensor.

[0065] During the full shading period T2, the color wheel rotates to the third position, causing the first shading area to completely block the first light signal. At this time, all pixels of the first sensor cannot receive the first light signal.

[0066] It is easy to understand that the exposure cycle of the second sensor is similar to that of the first sensor, and can also be divided into an exposure period, a transition period, and a full shading period.

[0067] During the exposure period, the color wheel rotates to the fourth position so that the second light-transmitting area corresponds to the position of the second sensor, and the second light signal is not blocked by the color wheel.

[0068] During the transition period, the color wheel moves to the fifth position and continues to rotate to occlude from the last row of pixels of the second sensor to the first row of pixels of the second sensor.

[0069] During the shading period, the color wheel rotates to the sixth position so that the second shading area completely blocks the second light signal.

[0070] Figure 2(c) illustrates the exposure received by each row of pixels on the sensor. Using a first sensor as an example, as shown in the rear section divided by the dashed lines, due to the color wheel, some or all pixels in the corresponding row of the first sensor are partially or completely blocked, reducing the exposure. This makes the exposure end time of each row of pixels on the sensor more consistent, allowing the RS sensor to be further adapted for situations where the subject is in high-speed motion or where more precise image or video data is required. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2(d), the first sensor can also use a "global reset" method for exposure, further maintaining the same exposure start time for each pixel row. Alternatively, the exposure start time of the first sensor can be further controlled using a blocking unit.

[0071] In some implementations, the last column of pixels in both the first and second sensors can be located near the edge of the color wheel. That is, the last column of pixels in the first sensor is closer to the edge of the color wheel relative to its center. Similarly, the last column of pixels in the second image sensor is closer to the edge of the color wheel relative to its center. This allows the sensors to utilize the light-blocking area of ​​the color wheel during exposure to further ensure that the exposure end time of each row of pixels is more consistent.

[0072] In some implementations, the color wheel rotates at a speed of 9000 revolutions per minute or less. This allows the two sensors sufficient time to read out the data signals.

[0073] In some implementations, the radius of the color wheel is greater than or equal to 30mm and less than or equal to 150mm. This allows the color wheel to match the dimensions of the components in the camera device and the motor load, while also matching the operating cycle of the sensor.

[0074] In some implementations, filters are provided in the first and / or second light-transmitting areas. This allows for the filtering of the light signal received by the lens, according to actual needs, to obtain the desired light signal. When filters are provided in both the first and second light-transmitting areas, the filters used in the first and second light-transmitting areas can be the same or different. For example, the first light-transmitting area can be provided with a third filter, allowing only visible light wavelengths to pass through, and the second light-transmitting area can be provided with a fourth filter, allowing only infrared light wavelengths to pass through.

[0075] It should be understood that when the shading unit is in the form of a color wheel, the shading unit is specifically used to control "the exposure end time of the first sensor and the second sensor to be the same or to meet the first difference". Specifically, the shading unit is used to control "the start time of the shading period of the first sensor and the second sensor to be the same or to meet the first difference".

[0076] It should be understood that Figures 1 and 2 only illustrate the case where the camera device includes two sensors. In addition, the camera device may include more sensors, and the specific function of the occlusion unit and the design of the color wheel will be similar to the above. The case where the camera device is equipped with three or more sensors should still fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0077] In addition, embodiments of this application also provide a camera system and a traffic management system, including the camera device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0078] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a camera system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the camera system includes a housing 310, a driving circuit 320, and a camera device 330. The specific details of the camera device 330 have been described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0079] The housing 310 is used to house the drive circuit 320 and the camera device 330. The drive circuit 320 is used to drive the camera device 330 to make the camera device 330 operate.

[0080] In addition, the camera system may also include a storage unit for storing image or video information acquired by the camera device 330. The storage unit may include volatile memory, such as RAM; the memory may also include non-volatile memory, such as ROM, flash memory, HDD, or SSD; the memory 2002 may also include a combination of the above types of memory.

[0081] In addition, the camera system may also include a communication unit for connecting to a network to transmit information. For example, it can transmit information through one or more of the following communication systems: Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), 5th Generation (5G) or New Radio (NR), Future Communication Networks, Internet of Things (IoT) networks, or Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) networks, etc.

[0082] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a traffic management system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the system includes an identification unit 410 and a camera system 420 as shown in Figure 3.

[0083] The recognition unit 410 is connected to the camera system 420. The recognition unit 410 is used to extract one or more of the following from the image or video information obtained by the camera system 420: motor vehicle information, non-motor vehicle information, traffic flow information, pedestrian capture information, license plate information, vehicle type information, traffic light status information, and traffic violation information. The recognition unit 410 can perform feature extraction on the image or video information, such as color features and texture features, and confirm the above information based on the extracted features.

[0084] If a storage unit is also provided in the camera system 420, the camera system 420 can also store the information extracted by the upper recognition unit 410 in the storage unit.

[0085] When a communication unit is provided in the camera system 420, the communication unit can trigger an alarm in a timely manner based on the information obtained by the identification unit 410, and after triggering the alarm, continue to complete the storage of image or video information and / or upload it to the network through the communication unit.

[0086] It should be understood that the traffic management system described in this application can also specifically refer to a license plate recognition system, a traffic accident detection system, a video detection system, an image detection system, etc., which can be applied to vehicle inspection, electronic police, and traffic violation management. It can be used as a fixed-location device or as a portable, handheld traffic management system, depending on the specific circumstances.

[0087] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

[0088] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0089] The units described as separate unit components may or may not be physically separate. The unit components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Depending on actual needs, some units or all units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment.

[0090] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0091] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the unit component that contributes to the prior art, or the unit component of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server unit, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or partial steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0092] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A camera device, characterized in that, include: The first acquisition unit includes a first lens and a first sensor. The first lens is used to acquire a first light signal. The first sensor is used to perform exposure using a rolling shutter exposure method. The first sensor is used to acquire the first light signal to obtain a first data signal. The second acquisition unit includes a second lens and a second sensor. The second lens is used to acquire a second light signal, and the second sensor is used to perform exposure using a rolling shutter exposure method. The second sensor is used to acquire the second light signal to obtain a second data signal. A processing unit is configured to process the first data signal and the second data signal to obtain a third data signal; The blocking unit includes a first blocking part, a second blocking part, and a control unit. The first blocking part is used to block the first light signal, the second blocking part is used to block the second light signal, and the control unit is used to control the first blocking part and the second blocking part to make the exposure end time of the first sensor and the second sensor the same or to meet a first difference.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, in: The first sensor and the second sensor differ in at least one of the following: resolution, target size, pixel size, color filter pattern, or number of pixels; and / or The first acquisition unit and the second acquisition unit are also equipped with different types of filters.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At the first moment: The first lens is also used to acquire a third light signal, and the second lens is also used to acquire a fourth light signal; The first blocking part is controlled to ensure that the third optical signal is not blocked, and the second blocking part is controlled to block all of the fourth optical signal; The first sensor is also used to collect the third optical signal to obtain a fourth data signal; The second sensor is also used to collect dark noise signals to obtain a fifth data signal; The processing unit is further configured to correct the fourth data signal based on the fifth data signal to obtain a corrected fourth data signal.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The blocking unit is a color wheel, which includes a first light-transmitting area and a second light-transmitting area, wherein: The first light-transmitting area is used to transmit the first light signal; The second light-transmitting area is used to transmit the second light signal.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The last column of pixels in the first and second sensors is adjacent to the edge of the color wheel.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The rotational speed of the color wheel is less than or equal to 9000 revolutions per minute.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The radius of the color wheel is greater than or equal to 30 mm and less than or equal to 150 mm.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that, The first light-transmitting area and / or the second light-transmitting area are provided with filters.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first lens and the second lens differ from each other in at least one of the following: Focal length, size, transmittance, or position.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Also includes: The first supplementary lighting unit includes a first light source, which is used to supplement the first light signal; The second supplementary lighting unit includes a second light source, which is used to supplement the second light signal; The first light source and the second light source are different.

11. A camera system, characterized in that, It includes a housing, a drive circuit, and a camera device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A traffic management system, characterized in that, Including the camera system as described in claim 11.

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