In-Cabin Camera Exposure Control via Region Weighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-cabin cameras in vehicles face challenges in capturing images with strong variations in light conditions, leading to image degradation due to saturation and brightness issues, particularly from reflective objects and environmental changes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that adjusts the exposure time of the imaging device by grouping imaging data into regions with associated weighting coefficients, modifying these coefficients based on light intensity values, and excluding highly reflective regions to improve image capture accuracy and reduce saturation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging device captures images in varying light conditions, then the camera can monitor different environments, but the image quality degrades due to saturation and brightness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging data is divided into multiple regions (e.g., first region with high light intensity, second region with low light intensity) based on brightness thresholds. Each region is processed separately with region-specific weighting coefficients, allowing the system to handle varying light conditions without overall image degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different weighting coefficients are assigned to different regions based on their light intensity characteristics. High-intensity regions receive lower weights to prevent saturation, while low-intensity regions receive higher weights to maintain visibility, ensuring each region is optimized for its specific lighting conditions.
2Device complexity
If the camera uses standard exposure time, then the device complexity is low, but regions with high reflection appear saturated and overexposed
Solution Approach 1:
The exposure time is dynamically adjusted based on the detected light intensity distribution across different regions. The system calculates a weighted average light intensity and modifies exposure time accordingly, transitioning from static to dynamic control to prevent saturation in high-reflectivity areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The exposure time parameter is modified based on the calculated weighted average light intensity. When high-intensity regions are detected, the exposure time is reduced to prevent overexposure, while maintaining simplicity in the control mechanism through a straightforward parameter adjustment approach.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the camera adjusts exposure time to compensate for bright regions, then saturation is reduced, but dark regions become underexposed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different weighting coefficients to different regions, giving higher weight to dark regions when calculating the weighted average light intensity. This ensures that exposure time adjustment is driven by the overall image brightness rather than being dominated by bright regions, preventing underexposure of dark areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the light intensity distribution and uses this feedback to adjust the exposure time. By calculating the weighted average intensity and comparing it against thresholds, the system dynamically modifies exposure time to maintain proper brightness levels across all regions, preventing both saturation and underexposure.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for controlling the exposure time of an imaging device includes obtaining imaging data from the imaging device. The imaging data is grouped in one or more regions. Each region is associated with a weighting coefficient. The method includes modifying one or more of the weighting coefficients based on light intensity values obtained from the imaging data and being of the associated regions. The method includes determining, based on the obtained imaging data and the weighting coefficients, a light intensity value for at least a part of the imaging data. The method includes adapting, based on the light intensity value, the exposure time of the imaging device.