Elevator Camera Exposure Control for Door Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems face challenges in maintaining proper exposure settings for imaging cameras during door opening and closing, leading to unrecognizable images due to rapid changes in brightness between the interior and exterior environments, resulting in clipped whites or crushed shadows.
Innovation Solution
The elevator system employs an exposure controller that adjusts the camera's shutter speed based on pre-registered detection areas within the car and hall, switching between these areas depending on the door's state to ensure optimal exposure settings, preventing image distortion and enhancing safety monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the camera uses a fixed exposure setting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality deteriorates due to rapid brightness changes during door operations
Solution Approach 1:
The exposure control mechanism transitions from a static fixed setting to a dynamic adaptive system that automatically adjusts exposure parameters based on real-time brightness detection. The control unit modifies exposure time and/or sensitivity dynamically during door operations to maintain optimal image quality across varying lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes exposure parameters (exposure time, sensitivity) based on detected brightness levels. When rapid brightness changes are detected during door operations, the control unit adjusts these parameters to prevent clipped whites or crushed shadows, thereby maintaining image quality without increasing overall system complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the camera adjusts exposure dynamically, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The exposure control system operates autonomously by detecting brightness changes and automatically adjusting exposure parameters without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems. The camera system serves itself by incorporating built-in brightness detection and automatic adjustment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it detects brightness levels, determines whether door operations are occurring, and adjusts exposure parameters accordingly. This multi-functional approach consolidates control mechanisms into a single unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining image quality.
3Area of stationary object
If the camera monitors the entire doorway area, then the safety monitoring coverage is improved, but the image recognition accuracy deteriorates due to exposure issues in high-contrast areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different exposure strategies to different areas of the monitoring field. When door operations are detected, the control unit prioritizes exposure adjustment for the doorway area where rapid brightness changes occur, while maintaining adequate exposure for the car interior. This localized quality adjustment ensures accurate passenger detection despite high-contrast conditions.
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 ensures reliable image recognition of passengers and safety measures by maintaining proper exposure, preventing image quality issues and enabling effective monitoring during door operations.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit having an image sensor that forms an image in the imaging range on a sensor surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4
Figure 5
AI summary
In an elevator system according to one embodiment, an imaging unit (151, 152) performs an imaging operation from a region located above the doorway of a car to obtain an image of a hall, the doorway of the car and the vicinity of the doorway in an interior of the car, a measuring unit (153) measures an exposure amount of a specified detection area in the image obtained by the imaging unit, and a controller (154) adjusts an exposure adjustment parameter of the imaging unit (151, 152) in accordance with the measured exposure amount, to execute a control such that the exposure amount of the detection area is set to a proper exposure value. While the door is being opened, as the detection area, the controller (154) specifies a detection area (A) in the interior of the car, and notifies the measuring unit (153) of the specified detection area, and while the door is being closed, as the detection area, the controller specifies a detection area (B) in the hall, and notifies the measuring unit (153) as the specified detection area.