3D Vehicle Surround View Brightness Harmonization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surround view systems in vehicles suffer from image artefacts such as brightness steps due to differing light conditions among adjacent vehicle cameras, which affect the quality of the overall image of vehicle surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate a virtual representation of vehicle surroundings in a three-dimensional space, where camera images from adjacent cameras are projected onto a virtual projection surface, and image parameters are adjusted using interpolation to harmonize brightness and other parameters across overlapping regions, ensuring improved image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple vehicle cameras are used to capture surroundings from different positions, then the coverage area and field of vision are improved, but brightness differences and image artefacts occur in overlapping regions due to different light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting image parameters (brightness, contrast, color temperature) of camera images based on calculated reference values from overlapping regions. This allows dynamic modification of image characteristics to compensate for different lighting conditions, resolving the contradiction between wide coverage and consistent image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that calculates reference image parameters from overlapping regions and uses these as mediators to harmonize the appearance of adjacent camera images. This intermediary mechanism enables seamless blending of images from different light conditions while maintaining the benefits of multiple camera positions.
2Area of stationary object
If camera images from different light conditions are assembled into an overall image, then the surround view coverage is improved, but brightness steps and image artefacts are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes image parameters by calculating reference brightness and color temperature from overlapping regions and adjusting the corresponding camera images to match these references. This ensures that assembled surround view images maintain consistent appearance across different lighting conditions without introducing brightness steps or artefacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates equipotentiality in the image assembly process by ensuring all camera images are adjusted to a common reference level derived from their overlapping regions. This equalizes the brightness and color characteristics across the entire surround view, eliminating the harmful effects of different light conditions on image reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If image parameters are adjusted to harmonize brightness across overlapping regions, then image quality consistency is improved, but additional processing time and computational complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating reference image parameters from overlapping regions before assembling the final surround view image. This advance preparation of reference values enables efficient adjustment of camera images during the assembly process, reducing overall processing time while maintaining high image quality consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by focusing computational efforts specifically on overlapping regions to calculate reference parameters, rather than processing entire images uniformly. This localized approach minimizes computational complexity and processing time while achieving the desired image quality consistency across the complete surround view.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for generating an image of vehicle surroundings are disclosed, including: capturing vehicle surroundings by vehicle cameras arranged on a vehicle body of a vehicle, and generating camera images by the cameras. The camera images of adjacent cameras have overlapping image regions), generating a virtual representation of the surroundings in a virtual three-dimensional space, during which the camera images are projected onto a virtual projection surface in the space. A non-stationary virtual camera in the virtual space determines a position and/or orientation thereof. A first selection region is placed on the surface in a first overlapping image region depending on a virtual camera field of vision, at least one image parameter of a first vehicle camera in the first selection region is calculated, and at least one second vehicle image parameter is adjusted to the at least one first vehicle image parameter in the first selection region.