Infrared Camera Luminance Calibration via Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle surroundings monitoring systems face challenges in setting a uniform reference luminance value for images output from infrared cameras due to individual differences and aging, leading to inconsistencies in image processing.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that includes a reference luminance property storage device, a luminance property calculating device, a comparing device, a displacement determining device, and a luminance property correcting device to adjust the luminance property of the imaging device to match a predetermined reference, ensuring consistent image processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a predetermined reference luminance value is set for image processing, then image processing consistency is improved, but individual differences and aging of infrared cameras cause luminance value deviations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage processing consistencyVSAvoidluminance value accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures a reference luminance image, calculates actual luminance values from the image data, compares them with predetermined reference values, and automatically adjusts the luminance conversion formula parameters (gain and offset) to minimize deviations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that individual camera differences and aging effects are compensated, maintaining both processing consistency and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically adjusts the luminance conversion parameters (gain and offset) based on actual camera performance. By changing these parameters through automatic calculation and adjustment, the system adapts to individual camera characteristics and aging effects while maintaining accurate luminance values consistent with the reference standard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If manual luminance value adjustment is performed for each infrared camera, then luminance accuracy is improved, but the complexity and time required for setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminance value accuracyVSAvoidsetup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic luminance calibration without requiring manual intervention. The camera captures a reference image, the system calculates luminance values from the captured data, compares them with reference values, and automatically adjusts conversion parameters. This self-calibrating mechanism eliminates complex manual setup procedures while ensuring accurate luminance values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs luminance calibration automatically during the initial setup phase by capturing a reference luminance image and calculating appropriate conversion parameters before actual monitoring begins. This preliminary automatic calibration eliminates the need for complex manual adjustment procedures during deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automatic luminance correction is implemented, then processing speed is improved, but the system may correct incorrect luminance values

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidluminance correction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback control by continuously comparing calculated luminance values from captured images with predetermined reference luminance values. The automatic adjustment of conversion parameters is based on this comparison, ensuring that corrections are made only when necessary and in the correct direction, maintaining both speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual mechanical adjustment procedures with automated electronic calculation and parameter adjustment. The system uses computational algorithms to calculate optimal luminance conversion parameters based on captured image data and reference values, eliminating manual intervention while ensuring accurate corrections through mathematical optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7370975B2Image processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2008.05.13 QUALCOMM AUTO LTD

AI summary

An image processing apparatus which includes: an imaging device; a reference luminance property storage device that stores a predetermined reference luminance property; a luminance property calculating device that calculates a luminance property of the imaging device from an image obtained by the imaging device; a comparing device that compares the reference luminance property and the luminance property; a displacement determining device that determines whether or not the luminance property has relative displacement with respect to the reference luminance property based on a comparison result of the comparing device; and a luminance property correcting device that corrects the luminance property, wherein, when the luminance property is determined by the displacement determining device to have relative displacement with respect to the reference luminance property, the luminance property correcting device corrects the luminance property so as to become equivalent to the reference luminance property.