Camera Setting Timing for Stable Physiological Measurement

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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 reduce the impact of lighting changes, and an image evaluation unit that determines physiological parameters based on pixel intensity changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering 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 negatively affects physiological parameter determination accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting condition adaptationVSAvoidphysiological parameter determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by adjusting camera settings only at defined time intervals rather than continuously. The control unit is configured to change camera settings only at defined points in time, creating periodic adjustment cycles that reduce noise while maintaining adequate image quality for physiological parameter measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically balances between adapting to lighting changes and maintaining measurement stability. By using defined time intervals and detecting significant lighting changes before making adjustments, the system creates an optimized dynamic adjustment strategy that minimizes noise introduction while preserving image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If camera settings are changed frequently to adapt to lighting changes, then image quality is maintained, but the stability of image parameters decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting condition adaptationVSAvoidimage parameter stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements periodic adjustment by changing camera settings only at predefined time intervals. This periodic approach creates stable periods between adjustments, ensuring image parameter stability while still adapting to lighting changes over time through the scheduled adjustment cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of lighting changes and plans adjustments at defined time points rather than reacting immediately to every lighting change. This preliminary approach maintains stability by pre-scheduling adjustments at optimal moments rather than making frequent reactive changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If camera settings are maintained constantly to ensure stability, then noise from setting changes is reduced, but the ability to adapt to lighting changes is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysiological parameter determination accuracyVSAvoidlighting condition adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic action to balance stability and adaptability by maintaining constant settings during intervals while periodically adjusting at defined time points. This creates a rhythm of stability punctuated by controlled adaptation moments, satisfying both measurement precision requirements and lighting adaptation needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit dynamically switches between maintaining constant settings for stability and making adjustments for adaptability. By using defined time intervals and lighting change detection, the system creates an optimized dynamic strategy that adapts to lighting conditions while minimizing disruptions to measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4588435A1Camera system, method for controlling a camera system, and image evaluation unit comprising a camera system
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYST GMBH
  • EP4588435A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4588435A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4588435A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A camera system comprises a camera (34) and a control unit (38), the camera (34) is configured to capture a sequence of successive images of a person of interest within a field of view of the camera (34), the camera system (30) is configured to determine an intensity of light upon the person of interest, and the control unit (38) configured to control camera settings of the camera (34) based on the intensity of light determined by the camera system (30), wherein the control unit (38) is configured to change the camera settings of the camera (34) 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).