Monitoring Camera Composite Filtering for Visibility Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring cameras struggle to maintain clear image quality in varying visibility conditions, such as fog, dust, rainfall, and nighttime, due to limitations in existing software algorithms that do not account for changing visibility statuses, leading to reduced ability to identify targets.
Innovation Solution
A composite filtering method combining hardware optical filtering and software image filtering, where the hardware filter adjusts light bands based on current visibility and the software filter enhances image clarity using algorithms like DCP and histogram equalization, applied before image compression to maintain image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If software algorithms are used to remove visibility obstructions from images, then fog removal capability is improved, but image clearness cannot be maintained when visibility status changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the hardware filter adjustable based on visibility conditions. The control unit dynamically switches between different filter states (first state for infrared blocking, second state for visible light blocking) according to detected visibility status, allowing the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions rather than using a fixed software algorithm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by switching between different optical filtering configurations. The hardware filter's transmission characteristics are changed based on visibility status - in good visibility, infrared is blocked and visible light passes; in poor visibility, visible light is blocked and infrared passes. This parameter change enables consistent target identification across different weather conditions
2Manufacturing precision
If hardware optical filtering is used to block specific light bands, then image clearness in specific conditions is improved, but adaptability to varying visibility status is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a hardware filter system that can perform multiple functions - blocking infrared light in good visibility conditions and blocking visible light in poor visibility conditions. The same hardware filter structure serves different optical filtering purposes based on the visibility status, making the system universally effective across various weather conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system becomes dynamic through the control unit that switches the hardware filter between different operational states based on real-time visibility detection. This dynamic switching enables the filter to adapt its function according to environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between fixed filtering and adaptability
3Device complexity
If visibility status is not considered in filtering, then device complexity is reduced, but image clearness under changing visibility conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex software image processing mechanisms with a simpler hardware-based optical filtering system. Instead of using computationally intensive software algorithms to remove fog and improve visibility, the system uses physical optical filters that passively block specific light bands, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining image clearness
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
This approach provides consistently clear images capable of identifying targets regardless of visibility conditions, reducing image filtering load and maintaining clarity even in adverse weather or low light, while being suitable for low-performance monitoring cameras.
Implementation Method 1
a hardware filter 12 which blocks any one of an infrared light band and a visible light band of light passing through the lens unit 11 and allows the other to pass therethrough according to a current visibility status in front of the lens unit 11
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a monitoring camera using a composite filtering method robust against a change in visibility status and a video monitoring system employing the same. The present invention comprises: a hardware filter for blocking one of a visible light band and an infrared light band and allowing the other thereof to pass therethrough; and a software filter for filtering a color image or a black-and-white image generated by an image signal processor(ISP) by removing, from the color image or the black-and-white image, a factor reducing a visibility distance at the front side of a lens part, wherein the filtering band of the hardware filter and whether to perform filtering by the software filter are controlled according to a filtering level corresponding to a current visibility status at the front side of the lens part among a plurality of filtering levels. Therefore, the present invention can provide an image which is always clear enough to enable a target object to be identified regardless of a visibility status at the front of a monitoring camera.