Inverse Gamma Exposure Control for Monitoring Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing devices, such as monitoring cameras, struggle with appropriate exposure control when preset gamma information is unavailable, as discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-102284, which limits their ability to optimize image capturing settings effectively.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing control apparatus that includes a detection unit for identifying specific object areas, an acquisition unit for obtaining input/output characteristics, a conversion unit for applying inverse input/output characteristics to the image, and a control unit for adjusting exposure based on the luminance value of detected areas, enabling effective exposure control regardless of available gamma information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If preset gamma information is used for inverse gamma processing, then exposure control can be performed, but appropriate exposure control cannot be achieved when the preset gamma information is unadaptable
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter representation from fixed preset gamma values to dynamically acquired input/output characteristics. By acquiring actual I/O characteristics from the image capturing apparatus and converting them to inverse characteristics, the system adapts to different gamma settings rather than relying on unadaptable preset values, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The image capturing apparatus provides its own gamma information through the acquisition unit, eliminating dependence on external preset gamma information. The system performs self-characterization by acquiring actual I/O characteristics from the device itself, ensuring both reliability and adaptability across different apparatuses
2Measurement precision
If gamma information is not available, then exposure control becomes inaccurate, but acquiring actual I/O characteristics adds system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The acquisition unit serves multiple functions: it acquires input/output characteristics for exposure control, detects specific object areas, and provides data for both gamma conversion and luminance measurement. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision for exposure control
3Measurement precision
If inverse gamma processing is applied, then exposure control accuracy improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs inverse gamma processing on the entire image before detecting specific object areas and calculating luminance values. By preparing the converted image in advance, the exposure control calculation can proceed efficiently without repeated processing, balancing precision requirements with processing time constraints
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing control apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect a specific object area in an image captured by an image capturing apparatus, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first input/output characteristic of the image capturing apparatus, a conversion unit configured to convert the image by acquiring a second input/output characteristic that is an inverse input/output characteristic to the first input/output characteristic, and by applying the second input/output characteristic to the image, and a control unit configured to control exposure of the image capturing apparatus based on a luminance value of the specific object area in the converted image.