Imaging Settings Controller for Overlapping Camera Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The visibility of combined images around a movable body is compromised due to independent adjustments of color and brightness settings for each camera, leading to inconsistencies in brightness and color, especially in low-light conditions, which can result in insufficient visibility.
Innovation Solution
An imaging setting changing apparatus and method that acquires images from multiple cameras with partially overlapping fields of view and adjusts the imaging settings of overlapping areas to minimize brightness and color differences, using a controller that prioritizes adjustments based on control information such as time, direction, and illumination state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If independent adjustments of color and brightness are performed for each camera, then the visibility of individual images is improved, but the consistency of brightness and color in combined images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of imaging settings across multiple cameras by introducing a centralized control mechanism that coordinates exposure and color settings. The control unit receives images from multiple imaging units and adjusts their settings collectively to ensure consistency in overlapping areas, thereby combining individual image quality with overall image consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality adjustment by specifically targeting overlapping areas between adjacent cameras for setting coordination. The control unit identifies overlapping regions and adjusts imaging settings locally in these areas to ensure brightness and color consistency, while allowing other areas to maintain their independently optimized settings.
2Manufacturing precision
If imaging settings are adjusted to optimize individual camera performance, then the image quality of each camera is improved, but the visibility of the combined image deteriorates due to brightness and color differences in overlapping areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit receives images from multiple imaging units, analyzes the overlapping areas for brightness and color differences, and then adjusts the imaging settings accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that individual camera quality is maintained while correcting inconsistencies that affect combined image visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes imaging parameters such as exposure time, gain, and white balance settings dynamically based on the analysis of overlapping areas. The control unit modifies these parameters for individual cameras or groups of cameras to reduce brightness and color differences, thereby improving combined image visibility without sacrificing individual camera performance.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple imaging units capture images with overlapping fields of view, then the coverage area is improved, but the complexity of coordinating imaging settings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a universal control unit that handles multiple functions: receiving images from multiple imaging units, analyzing overlapping areas, determining appropriate imaging settings, and distributing adjusted settings back to the imaging units. This multi-functional controller simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing coordination tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between multiple imaging units, mediating the coordination of their imaging settings. It receives data from all cameras, processes the information to determine optimal settings, and transmits control signals back to the appropriate cameras, thereby simplifying the complexity of direct camera-to-camera coordination.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are an imaging setting changing apparatus, an imaging system, and an imaging setting changing method that are capable of improving visibility of a combined image around a movable body. An imaging setting changing apparatus 12 includes an image acquisition unit 23 configured to acquire a plurality of images capturing around a movable body in a partially overlapping manner generated by a plurality of imaging units 13, 14, 15L, and 15R, and a controller 25 configured to change imaging setting of at least one of two imaging units (13, 14, 15L, and 15R) in such a manner as to reduce at least one of a brightness difference and a color difference of the overlapping area in the images taken by the two imaging units (13, 14, 15L, and 15R) configured to commonly image the overlapping area.