Multi-Gain Camera Sensor Auto-Regulation for ID Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vision system cameras face challenges in quickly and accurately decoding IDs in varying lighting conditions due to delays in acquiring optimal camera settings and requiring users to maintain consistent device orientation before triggering.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for auto-regulation of camera parameters using multi-gain settings to determine the best gain value for image acquisition, allowing for immediate adjustment of gain and exposure across pixels, and controlling illumination characteristics to optimize image quality for ID decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the system acquires a stream of images at different camera parameter settings to determine image quality, then the optimal camera settings can be determined, but the final acquisition of the decoded image is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis on a low-resolution preview image to determine optimal camera parameters (exposure, gain, focus) before acquiring the final high-resolution image. This preliminary action on the preview image allows the system to pre-adjust settings so that when the trigger is pulled, the final image can be captured immediately with optimal settings already in place, eliminating the need to acquire multiple test images at different settings.
2Measurement precision
If the system attempts to acquire pre-triggered images to determine prevailing conditions, then optimal camera settings can be established, but the user must maintain the reader in the same location and orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts camera parameters based on real-time analysis of the preview image rather than relying on pre-triggered images that require stable positioning. The preview image is processed to determine current lighting conditions, contrast levels, and other environmental factors, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and user movements flexibly without requiring the user to maintain a fixed position or orientation.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple gain settings on pixel groups, then the best gain value can be determined for optimal image quality, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple pixel groups, where each pixel group contains pixels with different gain settings. By segmenting the sensor this way, the system can capture multiple gain values simultaneously in a single image acquisition, allowing it to determine the optimal gain value without requiring multiple separate acquisitions or complex post-processing of sequentially captured images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple gain measurements from different pixels within the same pixel group into a single composite image. By merging the data from pixels with different gain settings that are captured simultaneously, the system can analyze which gain value provides the best image quality for the current conditions without increasing acquisition time or requiring complex mechanical adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a system and method for auto-regulation of parameters a vision system camera and/or associated illumination of objects imaged by the camera using a plurality of differentiated gain (multi-gain) settings on the camera's image sensor to determine the gain value producing the most-readable image. The image (having the best characteristics) acquired using multiple gain settings can be read for information as a discrete gain image and/or the camera parameters (e.g. global gain and/or global exposure time) can be uniformly set across the pixel array to the best values for acquisition of a subsequent, higher sampled image. This image is then read (e.g. decoded) for information contained within any identified features of interest (e.g. found IDs).