Aerial Imaging Exposure Control for Changing Field of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging devices on aerial vehicles face challenges in maintaining optimal exposure settings during changes in position or orientation, leading to suboptimal image quality due to varying field of view contents.
Innovation Solution
The system configures imaging devices based on control signals generated by the flight controller, selecting pixels from previous images that will remain within the field of view after changes in position or orientation, and adjusts exposure settings such as time, gain, and aperture to optimize image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automatic exposure algorithms adjust settings based on previous images, then image quality is optimized, but the system cannot anticipate changes in field of view contents due to vehicle motion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using flight controller data to predict which pixels from the previous image will remain in the field of view, and pre-adjusts exposure settings based on this prediction before the actual image capture, rather than reacting after the fact
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring flight controller signals about vehicle motion and using this information to dynamically adjust exposure settings, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions
2Measurement precision
If exposure settings are adjusted based on previous images, then image quality improves, but settings may be suboptimal when vehicle position or orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses flight controller information about upcoming maneuvers to pre-adjust exposure settings before the maneuver occurs, ensuring settings remain optimal even as vehicle position or orientation changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives feedback from the flight controller about vehicle motion and dynamically adjusts exposure settings in real-time, maintaining reliability during maneuvers by adapting to changing conditions
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial vehicle is configured to process an image captured by an imaging device, and to identify a portion of the image that is likely to appear in images subsequently captured by the imaging device based on the motion of the aerial vehicle. A control unit aboard the aerial vehicle generates instructions for controlling such motion and provides the instructions to the imaging device. Based on such instructions, the imaging device processes the image to identify a portion of the image that will appear within a field of view of the imaging device following the motion, and selects a shutter speed, an aperture, a level of gain, or another attribute of the imaging device based on the portion of the image, in order to optimize the quality of an image subsequently captured by the imaging device.