Vehicle Camera Super-Resolution for Rearview Mirror Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle camera systems face reduced image resolution in central regions due to stretching, leading to diminished pixel detail, especially in rear-view images affected by optical aberrations, which compromises the accuracy of scene viewing and detection.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of spatially-implemented super-resolution techniques, including de-noising and sharpening filters, is applied to identified regions of interest within image frames to enhance image sharpness and resolution, using a processor to apply these filters and improve pixel detail without introducing blur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the center region of the raw image is enlarged for display on the rear view mirror device, then the field of view is improved, but the resolution on a per pixel basis in the center region is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing approach by applying different operations to different regions: the center region is enlarged while the periphery is scaled down, and then super-resolution is specifically applied to the enlarged center region to restore its resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by using super-resolution techniques specifically on the enlarged center region where resolution degradation occurs, while leaving other regions with their original quality characteristics
2Measurement precision
If multi-frame super-resolution is used to enhance resolution, then pixel detail is improved, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using only a limited number of frames (e.g., 2-5 frames) for super-resolution processing rather than extensive multi-frame sequences, achieving sufficient resolution enhancement while limiting processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies super-resolution selectively only to the enlarged center region rather than the entire image, reducing the computational burden and processing time while maintaining pixel detail where it matters most
3Measurement precision
If single-frame de-blurring is applied to mitigate blurring, then image sharpness is improved, but noise may be introduced or amplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of noise amplification during de-blurring into a benefit by first applying noise reduction filters to remove noise, then applying de-blurring operations to enhance sharpness, thereby achieving both noise reduction and sharpness improvement
Data Source
AI summary
Method for applying super-resolution to images captured by a camera device of a vehicle includes receiving a plurality of image frames captured by the camera device. For each image frame, a region of interest is identified within the image frame requiring resolution related to detail per pixel to be increased. Spatially-implemented super-resolution is applied to the region of interest within each image to enhance image sharpness within the region of interest.