Camera Verification Image Synthesis for Optical Characteristic Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image recognition technologies for cameras, such as those used in autonomous driving, face challenges in verifying the accuracy of image recognition due to changes in optical characteristics, necessitating repeated capture of real scenes when specifications change.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that prepare a verification image by applying the optical characteristics of a verification target camera to an original image, allowing image recognition using a verification target algorithm, thereby evaluating the image recognition result without the need for new real scene captures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If real scenes are captured repeatedly to verify image recognition accuracy when optical characteristics change, then verification accuracy is maintained, but verification time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the real scene by generating synthetic images that replicate the optical characteristics of the verification target camera. Instead of capturing new real scenes, the system synthesizes verification images by applying the camera's optical characteristics (lens distortion, chromatic aberration, vignetting) to reference images, thereby maintaining verification accuracy while eliminating the time-consuming process of new scene captures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying image parameters to match the optical characteristics of different cameras. By adjusting parameters such as distortion coefficients, chromatic aberration strength, and vignetting patterns, the system generates verification images that accurately reflect how the verification target camera would capture the scene, enabling reliable verification without physical recapture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If real scenes are captured repeatedly to verify image recognition accuracy when optical characteristics change, then verification accuracy is maintained, but verification cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidverification cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive physical scene capture operations with computationally-generated synthetic images. By copying the essential optical characteristics into virtual images, the system eliminates costs associated with deployment, data collection, and processing of new real-world scenes while maintaining verification reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical process of physical scene capture with a computational image processing system. Instead of using cameras to capture real scenes, the system uses algorithms to synthesize verification images by applying optical characteristic models, thereby reducing verification costs while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If optical characteristics are corrected to original image camera to prepare verification image, then verification efficiency is improved, but image processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification efficiencyVSAvoidimage processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the optical characteristic parameters of the verification target camera before the verification process. By preparing the correction models and characteristic data in advance, the system streamlines the actual verification process, improving efficiency while managing complexity through upfront preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that translates between reference images and verification images through applied optical characteristic models. This intermediary step manages the complexity by providing a structured transformation process that can be systematically applied, improving verification efficiency through standardized processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11308341B2Verification method, verification device, and non-transitory tangible storage medium

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 DENSO CORP

AI summary

In a verification method for verifying a verification target camera, an original image in which optical characteristics of an original image camera different from the verification target camera are corrected to a captured image of a real scene captured by the original image camera is prepared, a verification image in which an influence of optical characteristics of the verification target camera is applied to the original image is prepared, image recognition of the verification image is performed by executing a verification target algorithm applied for image recognition of an image captured by the verification target camera, and an image recognition result of the verification image is evaluated.