Event Camera Data Simulation Using UNet and GAN

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Solution Overview

Problem

Event cameras are expensive, limiting their widespread availability, and existing simulation methods rely heavily on artificial parameters and complex adjustments, which can result in unrealistic data generation.

Innovation Solution

A data simulation method for event cameras using a fully convolutional network UNet to generate event camera contrast threshold distribution information, followed by pseudo-parallel event data simulation and generative adversarial learning to produce realistic simulated data without relying on artificial parameters, ensuring similarity with real event camera data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional simulation methods with artificial parameters are used, then the simulation process can be controlled, but the generated data lacks realism and requires complex parameter adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverealism of simulated dataVSAvoidcomplexity of parameter adjustments
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a fully convolutional network UNet to learn the mapping from video frames to event camera data by copying the statistical characteristics and distribution patterns from real event camera data. Instead of manually designing simulation parameters, the network directly learns and replicates the complex threshold distribution patterns that occur in real event cameras, thereby generating realistic simulated data without requiring complex artificial parameter adjustments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms fixed artificial simulation parameters into adaptive learned parameters. The fully convolutional network dynamically determines contrast threshold distributions based on input video content, replacing static artificial parameters with dynamic parameters learned from real data. This allows the simulation to adapt to different scenes and conditions automatically, improving realism while reducing the need for manual parameter tuning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If real event cameras are used for data collection, then high quality real data can be obtained, but the cost is too high for widespread availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of event camera dataVSAvoidcost of event camera
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates accurate copies of real event camera data characteristics using the fully convolutional network. By training the network on real event camera data and then using it to generate synthetic event data from standard video, the system produces high-quality simulated event data that captures the essential features and statistical properties of real event camera output, providing a cost-effective alternative to actual event cameras

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive real event cameras with inexpensive standard video cameras combined with a computational model. The simulation system uses readily available video footage as input and generates event camera data through the learned mapping, eliminating the need for costly hardware while maintaining data quality suitable for training and evaluating event camera-based systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If existing simulation algorithms are used, then data generation is faster, but the data distribution differs significantly from real event camera data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of data generationVSAvoidsimilarity with real data
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the fully convolutional network is trained by comparing simulated event data with real event camera data and adjusting the model parameters to minimize the distribution difference. The network learns from the discrepancy between simulated and real data, continuously improving the accuracy of the generated data distribution while maintaining fast generation speeds through the efficient convolutional architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11974050B2Data simulation method and device for event camera
Publication Date: 2024.04.30 BEIHANG UNIV
  • US11974050B2 patent drawing
  • US11974050B2 patent drawing
  • US11974050B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose data simulation method and device for event camera. A specific embodiment of the method includes: decoding the video to be processed to obtain a video frame sequence; inputting a target video frame to a fully convolutional network UNet to obtain event camera contrast threshold distribution information; sampling each pixel in the target video frame to obtain an event camera contrast threshold set; performing processing on the event camera contrast threshold set and the video frame sequence, to obtain the simulated event camera data; performing generative adversarial learning on the simulated event camera data and event camera shooting data, to obtain updated event camera contrast threshold distribution information; generating simulated event camera data. The present disclosure is a computer vision system that can be widely applied to such fields as national defense and military, film and television production, public security, and etc.