Image Capture Device for Asynchronous 7-Segment LED Display Character Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image capture devices struggle to accurately represent characters formed by dynamic lighting of 7-segment LEDs, as the asynchronous lighting of segment LEDs within the exposure time often results in incomplete or inaccurate representation of characters.
Innovation Solution
An image capture device that determines an optimal exposure time and captures multiple images at specific intervals based on the formation period of the display characters, then composites these images to generate a clear representation of the characters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single image capture is performed with standard exposure time, then the capture process is simple and fast, but the character representation accuracy deteriorates because segment LEDs light up asynchronously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the character formation process into multiple time intervals, capturing images at different stages of segment LED illumination. By dividing the formation period into discrete capture points, the system accumulates complete character information across multiple images, resolving the contradiction between capture simplicity and character accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent determines the formation period of display characters in advance and uses this information to pre-calculate optimal image capture intervals. This preliminary action allows the system to capture images at precisely timed moments when specific segment LEDs are illuminated, ensuring complete character representation without trial-and-error adjustments.
2Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured at different intervals to capture all segment LEDs, then character completeness improves, but the image capture time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic image capture at intervals matched to the segment LED illumination cycles. By synchronizing capture frequency with the formation period, the system efficiently collects all necessary character segments across multiple illumination cycles, achieving complete character representation in minimal time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses detected formation period information to dynamically adjust image capture timing. This feedback mechanism ensures that capture intervals are optimized based on actual display characteristics, preventing both premature termination (incomplete characters) and excessive capturing (wasted time).
3Measurement precision
If the exposure time is extended to capture all segment LEDs, then character completeness improves, but motion blur increases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the character capture into multiple short-exposure images taken at different time points rather than one long exposure. Each short exposure captures a subset of illuminated segments, and the combination of these segmented captures produces complete characters without motion blur, resolving the contradiction between completeness and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-determines the formation period and uses it to calculate optimal capture intervals that ensure all segments are captured within their illumination windows. This preliminary timing calculation allows the system to complete character capture in minimal total time using short exposures, avoiding the motion blur associated with extended exposure times.
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture device includes: an image capture parameter determination unit configured to determine an exposure time when an image of a display device on which a display character is formed by a plurality of segment light emitters that flash on and off asynchronously at predetermined intervals is captured; a captured image acquisition unit configured to, in accordance with a number of captured images and image capture interval determined on the basis of the exposure time and a formation required period that is required for the display device to form the display character by sequentially turning on any one of the plurality of segment light emitters, acquire the determined number of captured images generated by capturing the image of the display device; and a composition unit configured to generate a composite image obtained by compositing the determined number of captured images.