Image Capture Device Blinking Light Source Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image capture devices struggle to reliably capture blinking light sources like traffic signals due to excessive exposure in high illuminance conditions and the risk of selecting turned-off states in captured images, especially when using LEDs with faster blink rates.
Innovation Solution
An image capture device and method that control the image capture timing to perform N captures during the exposure time, ensuring at least part of the turn-on period overlaps with the exposure, by dividing the blinking cycle into N equal parts, and processing these images to generate a single output frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image capture is performed during exposure time exceeding the turn-off period of the blinking light source, then the blinking light source can be captured, but exposure becomes excessive in high illuminance conditions leading to decreased visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the exposure time adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically sets the exposure time to be equal to or shorter than the turn-on period of the blinking light source, allowing the system to adapt exposure parameters to match the specific blinking characteristics and illuminance conditions, thereby preventing overexposure while ensuring reliable capture of the light source.
2Productivity
If one captured image is randomly selected from multiple captures, then frame rate requirements are met, but there is a risk of selecting an image where the blinking light source is turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing multiple image captures at specifically timed intervals during the blinking cycle before final selection. The control unit divides the blinking cycle into multiple equal time periods and performs captures at predetermined timings, ensuring that at least one capture occurs during the turn-on period. This preliminary structured capturing approach guarantees that suitable images are available for selection, meeting both frame rate requirements and reliability constraints.
3Productivity
If image capture is performed multiple times during the frame rate period, then frame rate requirements are exceeded, but a turned-off state image may still be selected as output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by having the control unit determine the blinking cycle of the light source and use this information to optimize capture timing. The system captures multiple images at predetermined timings based on the detected blinking characteristics, then selects images where the light source is in the turned-on state. This feedback-driven approach ensures high capture accuracy while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to an image capture device, a method of image capture, a signal processing device, a method of signal processing, and a program capable of capturing reliably a blinking image capture target. A predetermined image capture timing of an image capture unit is controlled so that image capture is performed N times during an exposure time in which at least a part of a turn-on period in which an image capture target is on overlaps with an exposure time of image capture of at least one time at a timing of dividing a blinking cycle in which the image capture target to be captured by the image capture unit configured to perform image capture at the image capture timing blinks into N equal parts where N represents more than one. The present technology is applicable to, in one example, a camera unit or the like used to capture an image.