Camera Light Splitter Fusing Visible and Infrared Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intelligent traffic cameras using single sensors for snapshot capture face issues with color cast in infrared images, require white light strobes that cause light pollution and temporary driver blindness at night, and struggle to capture clear images of moving vehicles due to over-exposure and vehicle tailing.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with a light splitter to separate incident light into visible and infrared components, using two image sensors and a master processing chip to fuse images, allowing independent shutter and gain settings for snapshot capture, ensuring clarity of vehicle details and preventing over-exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If white light burst flashing is used to capture color images, then color image quality is improved, but light pollution and temporary driver blindness are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light spectrum by using a light splitter to separate incident light into visible light and infrared light components. This allows the system to process different wavelength ranges separately through dedicated image sensors, capturing color information from visible light and supplemental information from infrared light without requiring intense white light strobes that cause light pollution
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system achieves multi-functionality by simultaneously capturing visible light images (for color information) and infrared light images (for detail and brightness information) using the same optical path and synchronized timing. This dual-mode capability allows the system to obtain comprehensive image data without relying on white light supplementation, thereby avoiding light pollution while maintaining image quality
2Device complexity
If single sensor is used for snapshot capture, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality and vehicle feature recognition accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into two specialized sensors: a first image sensor for visible light and a second image sensor for infrared light. Each sensor is optimized for its specific wavelength range, with dedicated processing pipelines that fuse the results to produce high-quality images with accurate vehicle feature recognition
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the outputs of two separate image sensors through fusion processing in the processing chip. This combines the color information from the visible light sensor with the detail and brightness information from the infrared sensor, achieving superior image quality and vehicle feature recognition accuracy that neither sensor could provide alone
3Illumination intensity
If white light strobe is equipped for light supplementation, then image brightness is improved, but light pollution and driver safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the limitation of insufficient visible light into an opportunity by utilizing infrared light supplementation. The infrared sensor captures images in low-light conditions without producing the harmful effects of white light strobes, thereby improving image brightness while maintaining driver safety and eliminating light pollution
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces infrared light as an intermediary to supplement illumination in low-light conditions. Instead of directly using white light strobes that cause harmful effects, the infrared component acts as a mediator to provide the necessary lighting for image capture while avoiding the adverse impacts on driver safety and environment
4Ease of operation
If snapshot is taken during video capture with same shutter settings, then operation simplicity is maintained, but vehicle tailing and over-exposure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic shutter control where the snapshot function can independently adjust shutter speed and gain parameters separate from video capture settings. When a snapshot is triggered during video capture, the system dynamically modifies the shutter settings to prevent over-exposure and vehicle tailing, while maintaining simple one-button operation for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (shutter speed and gain) specifically for snapshot mode compared to video capture mode. This parameter adjustment ensures that snapshots taken during video capture have optimized exposure settings that prevent over-exposure and vehicle tailing, while keeping the user interface simple and operation straightforward
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 capture of clear, fused images with improved vehicle feature recognition accuracy by adjusting shutter and gain settings for snapshots, reducing light pollution and preventing vehicle tailing, while ensuring image quality during rapid vehicle movement.
Implementation Method 1
a light splitter configured to split incident light, which enters the camera through the lens, into visible light and infrared light
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides cameras and snapped image fusing methods. The camera includes: a lens, a light splitter, a first image sensor, a second image sensor, and a master processing chip. The light splitter is configured to split incident light, which enters the camera through the lens, into visible light and infrared light. The first image sensor is configured to receive the visible light, and obtain a visible light video image by performing video image capture according to a first shutter and a first gain. The second image sensor is configured to receive the infrared light, and obtain an infrared light video image by performing video image capture according to the first shutter and the first gain. The master processing chip is configured to output a fused video image by fusing the visible light video image and the infrared light video image.