Stereo Imaging System with Patterned Infrared Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stereo camera systems for computer vision struggle with infrared light interference, which distorts images and hinders the acquisition of high-quality color images or correct scene luminance, particularly in environments with low ambient light conditions.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system comprising spaced apart imaging devices that capture a spectral range from infrared to visible light, utilizing patterned infrared light sources for illumination, and a controller to synchronize infrared pulse sequences with the imaging devices' exposure times, allowing for three-dimensional information computation and improved image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional camera systems use infrared light sensing elements, then the cameras can detect infrared light, but infrared light distorts images and prevents high-quality color image acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into separate functional components: visible light imaging devices for color image acquisition and infrared light sources for illumination. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal wavelength range without interference, resolving the contradiction between infrared detection capability and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful infrared light detection function is extracted from the visible light imaging path. By using dedicated visible light sensors for color imaging and separate infrared illumination sources, the system eliminates infrared distortion while maintaining the ability to utilize infrared light for auxiliary illumination purposes.
2Illumination intensity
If infrared light is used for illumination in low-light conditions, then ambient light deficiency is compensated, but infrared light interference distorts the captured images
Solution Approach 1:
A bandpass filter acts as an intermediary element in the optical path, selectively transmitting visible light wavelengths while blocking infrared light. This allows infrared illumination to provide auxiliary lighting in low-light conditions without the infrared component reaching the visible light sensor and causing distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system provides different types of light for different purposes: visible light for primary illumination and color accuracy, and infrared light for auxiliary illumination in low-light conditions. The spatial and spectral distribution of illumination is optimized locally to serve different functional requirements without mutual interference.
3Loss of information
If stereo camera systems are used for three-dimensional information acquisition, then depth and spatial information can be obtained, but infrared light interference still distorts the images
Solution Approach 1:
The stereo imaging system uses separate visible light cameras for depth perception and separate infrared illumination sources for lighting. This segmentation ensures that the triangulation-based 3D reconstruction relies on clean visible light images without infrared distortion, while infrared illumination independently provides necessary lighting conditions.
4Measurement precision
If IR CUT filters are added to eliminate infrared light effects, then image quality improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses visible light sensors that inherently do not detect infrared light, eliminating the need for additional IR CUT filters. The sensors naturally respond only to visible wavelengths, providing image quality improvement without adding optical filtering components or increasing system complexity.
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
The system effectively eliminates infrared light interference, enabling high-quality image capture and accurate scene luminance preservation, even in low-light conditions, by using patterned infrared illumination synchronized with the imaging devices' exposure sequences, thus enhancing computer vision applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one infrared light source constituted for illuminating at least the overlap with patterned infrared light
Implementation Method 2
two or more electronic cameras which are mounted at spaced apart locations. The electronic cameras have partially overlapping fields of view
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system is disclosed. The system comprises: a first imaging device and a second imaging device being spaced apart and configured to provide partially overlapping field-of-views of a scene over a spectral range from infrared to visible light. The system comprises at least one infrared light source constituted for illuminating at least the overlap with patterned infrared light, and a computer system configured for receiving image data pertaining to infrared and visible light acquired by the imaging devices, and computing three-dimensional information of the scene based on the image data. The image data optionally and preferably comprises the patterned infrared light as acquired by both the imaging devices.