Dynamic Infrared Filter Control for Image Sharpness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup apparatuses face challenges in maintaining image quality due to factors like fog, which can cause blurring and degrade image sharpness, especially when using infrared pass filters, as they may result in reduced light amounts and noise when low illuminance conditions are combined with filter insertion.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup apparatus equipped with an insertion-extraction unit for infrared filters, a computation unit to calculate object distance, and a control unit to dynamically insert or extract filters based on image quality and object distance, ensuring optimal filter usage to prevent image degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an infrared pass filter is inserted to prevent image blur, then image sharpness is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to reduced light amount and increased noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the filter insertion/extraction state changeable based on detected conditions. The control unit dynamically adjusts whether the infrared pass filter is inserted or extracted according to the sharpness evaluation result and object distance, allowing the system to adapt between sharpness enhancement and noise reduction modes as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of filter transmittance selection based on object distance and sharpness evaluation. When object distance exceeds a threshold and sharpness is insufficient, the system switches to inserting the infrared pass filter (changing transmittance characteristics) to improve sharpness without permanently compromising image quality in other conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an infrared pass filter is inserted to improve image sharpness, then resistance to external factors is improved, but light amount decreases causing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls filter insertion based on detected conditions. The control unit evaluates sharpness and object distance, then dynamically decides whether to insert the infrared pass filter. This allows the system to provide fog resistance only when necessary (when sharpness is insufficient and object distance is large) rather than continuously, preserving light amount when the filter is not needed.
3Illumination intensity
If gain correction is applied to brighten dark images, then brightness is improved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by evaluating sharpness and object distance before capturing the image, and proactively deciding on filter insertion/extraction in advance. This prevents the need for subsequent gain correction by ensuring adequate sharpness through appropriate filter usage from the outset, thereby avoiding the noise that would result from post-capture brightness enhancement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If filter insertion is controlled based on object distance and sharpness, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it evaluates sharpness, determines object distance, decides on filter insertion/extraction, and manages the overall imaging process. By consolidating these functions into a single control unit, the patent achieves adaptive filter control without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same hardware component handles multiple tasks.
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
This solution effectively prevents image quality degradation by dynamically controlling the insertion and extraction of infrared filters, enhancing image clarity and reducing noise, particularly in low-light conditions and foggy environments.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared pass filter of which transmittance for infrared light is higher than transmittance for visible light
Implementation Method 2
inserting an infrared pass filter in order to prevent blur of the object image
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup apparatus that is capable of preventing degradation of quality of an image obtained. An insertion-extraction unit inserts and extracts a filter of which transmittance for infrared light is higher than the transmittance for visible light. A computation unit computes an object distance between the image pickup apparatus and an object. An evaluation unit evaluates an image quality based on at least a sharpness in an image including a picked up object image. A control unit controls the insertion-extraction unit so as to insert or extract the filter based on at least one of the image quality and the object distance.