Camera Gradation Compression for Mode-Switched Viewing and Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle camera systems face challenges in managing the increased data transmission and resolution demands due to dynamic range expansion, leading to degraded image quality and object recognition performance, particularly in medium to high luminance regions, which can affect automated driving accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A camera system with an imaging system and image processing system that performs gradation compression using different input/output conversion parameters based on imaging modes, optimizing gradation compression processing for both viewing and sensing applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dynamic range expansion is performed by synthesizing multiple images with different exposure periods, then image quality with high dynamic range is improved, but the amount of data increases enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the bit depth of luminance values based on the imaging mode. In sensing mode, the system uses lower bit depth (e.g., 10 bits) to reduce data amount, while in viewing mode, it uses higher bit depth (e.g., 16 bits) to maintain image quality. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining high dynamic range image quality and reducing data transmission burden.
2Productivity
If resolution is reduced to compress image data, then data transmission rate is improved, but image quality performance and object recognition performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the image processing pipeline adaptive to different imaging modes. The system dynamically switches between sensing mode processing (optimized for object recognition with appropriate resolution and bit depth) and viewing mode processing (optimized for visual quality). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal performance for the current task while managing data transmission efficiently.
3Manufacturing precision
If gradation compression allocates more gradations to low luminance pixels, then viewing quality is improved, but sensing performance for medium to high luminance objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the image processing into distinct modes: sensing mode processing and viewing mode processing. In sensing mode, the system uses gradation compression parameters optimized for object detection across all luminance ranges, ensuring medium to high luminance objects are properly detected. In viewing mode, it switches to parameters optimized for human visual perception with enhanced low luminance gradations. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing dedicated processing paths for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A camera system includes a processor/circuit functioning as an imaging system including a unit imaging an object to generate an image signal. A gradation compression unit performs gradation compression processing on the image signal based on input/output conversion parameters. An imaging system control unit sets the conversion parameter in the gradation compression unit, and an image processing system acquires an image from the imaging system in various imaging modes. The imaging system control unit sets the conversion parameter in the gradation compression unit according to the imaging mode. The conversion parameters include at least a parameter for viewing suitable for visually recognizing an image and one for sensing suitable for image recognition. The imaging modes include an automatic driving mode and a manual driving mode. The imaging system control unit sets the sensing parameter in the automatic driving mode and sets the parameter for viewing in the manual driving mode.