Image Processing Device Dynamic Range Adjustment for Factory Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visual sensors in factory automation face challenges in accurately capturing images of measuring articles due to limited dynamic range of imaging elements, leading to issues like whiteout and underexposure, especially when the photographing environment changes, such as with varying solar light exposure.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and method that acquires multiple images under different exposure conditions, calculates luminance distribution, converts it to a standard tone range, and updates the dynamic range to maintain effective image capture despite environmental changes, using a system that includes an imaging unit, calculation, conversion, and updating units to generate synthetic image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the exposure time is increased to capture dark areas, then the luminance of dark portions is improved, but whiteout occurs in bright areas exceeding the dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is divided into multiple regions with different exposure conditions. Specifically, the imaging element is partitioned into a first region photographed with a first exposure time and a second region photographed with a second exposure time, allowing each region to be optimized for its local luminance characteristics without causing whiteout or underexposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the solution from temporal dimension (multiple photographs at different exposure times) to spatial dimension by dividing the imaging element into multiple regions. Each region captures image data with exposure conditions suited to its local characteristics, and the processor synthesizes these spatially-segregated data into a single high dynamic range image
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the exposure time is decreased to avoid whiteout, then the luminance of bright areas is improved, but underexposure occurs in dark areas
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging element is segmented into multiple regions with different exposure times. Dark regions use longer exposure to capture sufficient luminance information, while bright regions use shorter exposure to avoid whiteout, with the processor combining these region-specific data
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the imaging element are assigned different exposure qualities based on their local luminance characteristics. Each region's exposure time is locally optimized to match its brightness level, ensuring that dark areas receive adequate exposure while bright areas avoid overexposure
3Reliability
If multiple photographs are taken under different exposure conditions, then the dynamic range is enlarged, but the photographing time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple image data captured under different exposure conditions into a single synthetic high dynamic range image. The processor combines the first image data and second image data, selecting or blending pixels from each source to create a comprehensive image that covers the full dynamic range in a single processed output
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images with different exposure settings in advance, then uses image processing to synthesize them into a final high dynamic range image that compensates for the time investment by providing complete dynamic range coverage
4Loss of energy
If the photographing environment changes due to solar light variation, then energy saving is improved, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation to changing photographing environments by adjusting exposure conditions based on detected luminance variations. The system dynamically modifies exposure times and region assignments in response to environmental changes such as solar light variation, maintaining image quality without requiring additional energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from luminance detection to adjust exposure conditions. By monitoring the luminance distribution and detecting environmental changes, the system automatically adjusts the photographing parameters to maintain optimal image quality under varying light conditions
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides an image processing device and an image processing method capable of generating synthetic image data containing effective image information without being influenced by the variation of the photographing environment. A correcting portion updates (shifts) a “brightness” upper and lower limit range according to a deviation ΔE received from a deviation calculating portion. The correcting portion accepts an initial value Emax0 of the “brightness” upper limit and an initial value Emin0 of the lower limit in advance, so that the “brightness” upper limit and lower limit after update is (Emax0+ΔE) and (Emin0+ΔE), respectively. The “brightness” upper and lower limit range after the update calculated by the correcting portion is provided to a tone mapping unit.