Camera Control Timing for Stable Physiological Image Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems in vehicles face challenges in accurately determining physiological parameters due to rapidly changing lighting conditions, which introduce noise and affect the accuracy of pixel intensity changes used for parameter determination.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with a control unit that adjusts camera settings only at defined points in time, maintaining current settings between these points to stabilize lighting conditions and reduce noise, allowing for accurate physiological parameter determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If camera settings are continuously adjusted to adapt to changing lighting conditions, then image quality is maintained, but noise is introduced that affects physiological parameter determination accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by adjusting camera settings only at defined intervals or trigger points rather than continuously. The control unit is configured to change camera settings only at defined points in time, and when light intensity changes are detected between these points, current settings are maintained. This periodic adjustment approach reduces the frequency of settings changes, thereby minimizing noise introduction while still adapting to lighting conditions at appropriate intervals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If camera settings are changed frequently to respond to light intensity changes, then image exposure is optimized, but pixel intensity stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by establishing defined points in time when camera settings may be adjusted. Between these defined points, even when light intensity changes are detected, the current camera settings are maintained. This creates a periodic pattern of potential adjustment followed by stability periods, ensuring pixel intensity stability while maintaining adaptability at structured intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining specific points in time when camera settings adjustments are permitted. This preliminary structuring of adjustment opportunities creates a stable framework that prevents arbitrary or frequent settings changes, thereby maintaining pixel intensity stability while still allowing necessary adaptations at predetermined moments.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are attached to the person for physiological parameter measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor attachment systems with an optical imaging system. Instead of using physical sensors that must be attached to the person's body, the system uses a camera to capture images and determine physiological parameters through image analysis. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact or attachment, significantly improving user convenience while maintaining measurement capability through alternative optical methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera system comprises a camera and a control unit, the camera is configured to capture a sequence of successive images of a person of interest within a field of view of the camera, the camera system is configured to determine an intensity of light upon the person of interest, and the control unit configured to control camera settings of the camera based on the intensity of light determined by the camera system, wherein the control unit is configured to change the camera settings of the camera only at defined points in time (tx1, tx2, . . . txn), and, when it is detected that the intensity of light upon the object of interest changes between two defined points in time (tx1, tx2, . . . , txn), current camera settings are maintained until the next defined point in time (tx1, tx2, . . . , txn).