Brightness Polarization Superimposing Unit for Vehicle Camera Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image processing systems cannot utilize polarization information effectively, as it is typically expressed as color, making it impossible to perform general brightness image processing, such as white line recognition on images from vehicle-mounted cameras.

Innovation Solution

An image processing system that superimposes polarization information on a brightness image as a change in brightness, allowing for general image processing techniques to be applied to the output image, using a brightness polarization superimposing unit and a light source condition determination unit to adjust the superimposition method based on the light source conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If polarization information is expressed as color information, then polarization data can be visualized and output, but general brightness image processing cannot be applied to the output image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolarization informationVSAvoidimage processing compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation of polarization information from color encoding to brightness encoding. By mapping polarization data to brightness values that can be superimposed on the brightness image, the system maintains polarization information while enabling compatibility with standard brightness image processing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If new processing algorithms are developed for polarization information, then accurate recognition can be achieved, but system complexity and development cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoidprocessing algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the brightness image processing system universal by enabling it to handle both brightness information and polarization information through a single integrated approach. The brightness polarization superimposing unit allows standard brightness image processing algorithms to work on images containing encoded polarization data, eliminating the need for separate specialized algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If polarization information is superimposed as color change, then polarization data is preserved, but the output image cannot be processed by general brightness image processing algorithms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolarization data integrityVSAvoidprocessing algorithm applicability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter domain from color space to brightness space for representing polarization information. This transformation allows the polarization data to be encoded in a way that is compatible with brightness image processing operations, making the system easier to operate with existing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If fixed superimposition method is used for polarization information, then processing is simple, but performance varies under different light source conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuperimposition processing complexityVSAvoidprocessing performance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptation to light source conditions by using the light source condition determination unit. The superimposition method automatically adjusts based on detected light source characteristics, maintaining processing performance consistency across varying conditions while keeping the overall system relatively simple through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by determining light source conditions and using this information to adjust the superimposition method. The light source condition determination unit provides feedback about the current lighting environment, which then influences how polarization information is superimposed, ensuring optimal performance under different conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the use of general brightness image processing on images with superimposed polarization information, improving recognition rates and reducing false detection without the need for new processing algorithms, and effectively handles varying light source conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a brightness polarization superimposing unit that superimposes polarization information of an image that includes the polarization information, on a brightness image as a change in brightness of each pixel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP2997726B1Image processing system
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP2997726B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~2
  • EP2997726B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5B
  • EP2997726B1 patent drawingFigure 6A~7

AI summary

An image processing system includes a brightness polarization superimposing unit 20. The brightness polarization superimposing unit 20 superimposes, on a brightness image, polarization information of an image IMP that includes the polarization information, as a change in brightness of each pixel. The image processing system has a function of outputting an image obtained by superimposition by the brightness polarization superimposing unit as an output image IMO.