Camera IR Illuminator Brightness Control During Zoom
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera devices face challenges in maintaining consistent infrared (IR) light brightness during zoom operations, leading to image quality degradation and reduced visibility due to instantaneous changes in IR light intensity.
Innovation Solution
A camera device with multiple IR illuminators (wide, middle, and narrow angle) and a controller that adjusts the current supply to each IR illuminator over predetermined time periods based on zoom magnification, ensuring gradual transitions and maintaining consistent brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IR illuminators with different irradiation ranges are used to cover wide, middle, and narrow angle ranges, then the adaptability of the camera device is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IR illumination system is segmented into multiple independent IR illuminators, each responsible for a specific irradiation range (wide angle, middle angle, narrow angle). This segmentation allows each illuminator to be optimized for its specific function while collectively covering the full range of required irradiation angles, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Speed
If IR illuminators are switched ON and OFF during zoom operations, then the response speed is improved, but the image quality degradation worsens due to instantaneous brightness changes
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is configured to control the IR illuminators in advance of the zoom operation. By predicting the zoom direction and magnitude, the system pre-adjusts the irradiation ranges and intensities of the IR illuminators, ensuring smooth transitions without instantaneous brightness changes. This preliminary action maintains image quality consistency while achieving rapid response to zoom operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation state of IR illuminators based on real-time zoom magnification. Instead of fixed ON/OFF switching, the controller continuously modifies which illuminators are active and at what intensity levels, creating a dynamic adaptation process that prevents abrupt brightness changes and maintains reliable image quality during zoom transitions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the output ratio of wide angle and narrow angle IR light is changed based on zoom magnification, then the adaptability is improved, but the control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the zoom magnification and automatically adjusts the output ratio of wide angle and narrow angle IR light accordingly. This feedback loop eliminates the need for manual control adjustments, making the system highly adaptable to different zoom ranges while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera device includes a first IR illuminator that is configured to irradiate a first irradiation range in a capturing area with first IR light, a second IR illuminator that is configured to irradiate a second irradiation range narrower than the first irradiation range in the capturing area with second IR light, and a controller that is configured to obtain a zoom magnification of the lens and controls the irradiation of the first IR light and the second IR light in a case where the zoom magnification is equal to a predetermined zoom magnification. The controller changes a supplied current of the first IR illuminator for the irradiation of the first IR light over a first predetermined time period, and changes a supplied current of the second IR illuminator for the irradiation of the second IR light over a second predetermined time period.