Camera Mirror IR LED Control for Night Image Oversaturation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera monitor systems (CMS) with night vision using IR LEDs often result in image oversaturation, making objects or persons not clearly visible to the driver.
Innovation Solution
A CMS system that includes a camera arm with an image capture unit, a display, IR LEDs, and a controller. The controller selects regions of interest (ROI) from the captured image, determines luminance, and regulates the IR LED state based on ambient light and potential oversaturation from external lighting sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If IR LEDs are continuously ON to improve night vision visibility, then visibility in low light conditions is improved, but heat management becomes problematic and image oversaturation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by controlling IR LEDs to operate in cycles rather than continuously. The controller activates IR LEDs only when ambient light levels are below a threshold, turning them OFF during daytime or well-lit conditions and ON during nighttime or dark conditions. This periodic operation reduces cumulative heat generation while maintaining effective night vision illumination when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the image capture unit to continuously monitor ambient light levels and feed this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts IR LED operation based on real-time luminance measurements from the environment, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents both overheating and image oversaturation by responding dynamically to actual lighting conditions.
2Illumination intensity
If IR LEDs are activated to illuminate the field of view, then visibility in low light is improved, but image oversaturation occurs making objects not clearly visible
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors image luminance levels and uses this feedback to adjust IR LED operation. When the controller detects that image luminance exceeds a threshold indicating oversaturation, it reduces or turns OFF the IR LEDs, even if ambient light levels would normally warrant their operation. This feedback mechanism prevents image oversaturation and maintains clear object visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts IR LED operation based on real-time image analysis rather than using fixed operational parameters. The controller evaluates current image luminance characteristics and adapts IR LED activation and intensity accordingly, allowing the system to respond to varying scene conditions such as bright headlights or reflective surfaces that could cause oversaturation.
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
The system effectively adjusts IR LED illumination to prevent image oversaturation, ensuring clear visibility of objects and persons in low-light conditions, thereby enhancing driver safety.
Implementation Method 1
a camera with an image capture unit that is configured to capture an image of a desired field of view
Implementation Method 2
an IR LED that is configured to illuminate at least a portion of the desired field of view
Data Source
AI summary
A camera monitor system includes a camera arm that has a camera with an image capture unit that is configured to capture an image of a desired field of view. A display is configured to display the desired field of view, and an IR LED illuminates at least a portion of the desired field of view. A controller is in communication with the image capture unit and the IR LED and select at least first and second regions of interest (ROI) from the captured image. The first ROI is indicative of an amount of ambient light. The controller determines a luminance of each of said first and second ROIs. The controller regulates an IR LED state of the IR LED based upon the first ROI luminance, and adjusts the IR LED state based upon the second ROI luminance.