Infrared Camera Brightness Adjustment via Sub-Region Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing infrared camera systems struggle to maintain consistent brightness across all regions of a surveillance image in low-light environments, leading to potential overexposure or underexposure, which reduces image quality.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a two-step adjustment process: a rough adjustment to ensure the overall image gain is within a reasonable interval, followed by a fine adjustment that divides the image into sub-regions to identify and correct abnormal brightness, using a combination of infrared lamps with different illumination angles to adjust brightness precisely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the average brightness value of the whole surveillance image is used as an adjustment parameter, then the overall brightness can be adjusted, but brightness uniformity across different regions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall brightnessVSAvoidbrightness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The surveillance image is divided into multiple sub-regions (e.g., left region, right region, upper region, lower region) for independent brightness analysis. Each sub-region is evaluated separately to identify brightness abnormalities, allowing localized adjustment rather than uniform global adjustment. This segmentation enables the system to detect and correct regional brightness issues without affecting the overall image brightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different adjustment strategies are applied to different sub-regions based on their specific brightness characteristics. Regions that are too bright or too dark receive targeted adjustment, while regions with appropriate brightness remain unchanged. This local quality approach ensures that each region achieves optimal brightness independently, resolving the contradiction between overall brightness adjustment and regional brightness uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If multiple groups of infrared lamps with different illumination angles are used, then coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidlamp group configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple infrared lamp groups with different illumination angles are configured to serve multiple functions: they provide comprehensive coverage of the surveillance area, enable selective illumination of specific regions, and allow differential brightness adjustment for each region. This multi-functionality justifies the increased device complexity by delivering superior illumination control and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically controls the brightness of different infrared lamp groups based on real-time image analysis of sub-region brightness characteristics. Lamp groups can be independently adjusted in response to detected brightness abnormalities, enabling adaptive illumination control that optimizes coverage while managing complexity through intelligent automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach ensures that no sub-region is overly bright or dark, significantly improving image quality by maintaining consistent brightness and detail clarity across the entire surveillance image.

Implementation Method 1

an infrared camera and an infrared lamp brightness adjusting method therefor... multiple groups of infrared lamps with different illumination angles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3094081B1Infrared camera and infrared lamp brightness adjustment method therefor
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 HANGZHOU HIKVISION DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3094081B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3094081B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3094081B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are an infrared camera and an infrared lamp brightness adjustment method therefore. The method comprises: when an infrared lamp of an infrared camera is turned on, conducting following processing at a pre-set time period: determining whether there is at least one sub-region with abnormal brightness in N sub-regions of the same size, which constitute a monitoring picture, where N is a positive integer which is greater than 1; and if so, according to a pre-determined parameter of the acquired at least one sub-region with abnormal brightness and a pre-determined parameter of the monitoring picture, determining an infrared lamp adjustment manner, and according to the determined infrared lamp adjustment manner, conducting infrared lamp brightness adjustment so that the at least one sub-region with the abnormal brightness is recovered to be normal. By means of the solution of the present invention, the picture of the monitoring picture can be improved.