Global Shutter CMOS Night Vision With Synchronized IR Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras used for recognizing objects around moving vehicles face focal plane distortion due to rolling shutter CMOS sensors, which is exacerbated in low light conditions, and continuous illumination wastes power, shortening battery life.
Innovation Solution
A night vision device with a global shutter CMOS sensor and periodic infrared illumination, where the infrared light emitting diodes are pulsed synchronously with the exposure window of the CMOS sensor, reducing motion-related distortion and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If continuous infrared illumination is used to improve image quality in low light conditions, then illumination intensity is improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by pulsing the infrared illumination in synchronization with the exposure window of the global shutter CMOS sensor. Instead of continuous illumination, the IR LEDs are activated only during the brief exposure period when the sensor is capturing light, providing necessary illumination while dramatically reducing overall power consumption and extending battery life.
2Device complexity
If rolling shutter CMOS sensor is used to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but focal plane distortion occurs in low light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by synchronizing the infrared illumination pulses with the exposure window of the rolling shutter CMOS sensor. This timing synchronization ensures that the IR illumination is active only when the sensor is capturing light, which reduces motion-related distortion and improves image quality while maintaining the simplicity of the rolling shutter design.
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
The solution provides clear low-light images with reduced motion blur and power usage, improving image quality and extending battery life by synchronizing infrared illumination with the exposure window of the CMOS sensor.
Implementation Method 1
the infrared light generating circuit comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, an infrared light generating circuit, and a processor circuit. The CMOS image sensor includes a plurality of picture elements, where light integration begins on all of the picture elements simultaneously in response to a first control signal. A duration, an intensity, or both a duration and an intensity of infrared illumination produced by the infrared light generating circuit is controlled by a second control signal. The processor circuit is enabled to generate the first control signal and the second control signal. A period of the infrared illumination is shorter than an integration period of the CMOS image sensor.