Surveillance Lighting Control via Image Quality Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surveillance systems often face challenges in maintaining good image quality due to varying lighting conditions, which can lead to suboptimal visibility and security in monitored areas.

Innovation Solution

A surveillance system that includes a lighting system and a control system with an image processor and controller, which analyze image data from a surveillance imaging device to adjust lighting parameters based on image quality parameters, ensuring optimal illumination to improve image quality by comparing current frames to reference values and adjusting lighting conditions accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional surveillance systems use fixed lighting conditions, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates under varying lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors image quality parameters from the surveillance camera and uses this feedback to automatically adjust lighting conditions. The controller compares current image quality against reference values and modifies lighting parameters in real-time to maintain optimal image quality, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system transitions from static, fixed lighting conditions to dynamic, adjustable lighting that can change in response to varying environmental conditions. The system modifies illumination intensity and characteristics based on real-time image quality assessment, enabling adaptation to different lighting scenarios such as nighttime, daytime, and transitional periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If lighting parameters are manually adjusted, then image quality can be improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to continuous manual intervention required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidoperational convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The surveillance system performs self-adjustment of lighting conditions through automated image quality monitoring and control. The system independently assesses image quality parameters, compares them against reference values, and modifies lighting parameters without requiring operator intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for continuous manual adjustment while maintaining optimal image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses automatic feedback loops to monitor image quality and adjust lighting parameters accordingly. The controller receives image data, analyzes quality parameters, and automatically sends control signals to lighting apparatuses to maintain optimal conditions, replacing manual operation with automated decision-making based on real-time feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Illumination intensity

If surveillance systems operate without automated lighting control, then energy consumption is reduced, but image quality deteriorates during suboptimal lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system operates dynamically, adjusting illumination levels based on real-time image quality assessment rather than maintaining constant high-level lighting. The system increases lighting only when and where needed to improve image quality, and reduces lighting when conditions are adequate, optimizing the balance between image quality and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies lighting adjustments locally to specific areas where image quality degradation is detected, rather than uniformly illuminating entire surveillance zones. By targeting lighting improvements only to problem areas identified through image analysis, the system minimizes overall energy consumption while maintaining image quality where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3527045B2Surveillance system and method of controlling a surveillance system
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3527045B2 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3527045B2 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3527045B2 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A surveillance system is presented that aims to improve image quality. The surveillance system comprises a plurality of lighting apparatuses comprising one or more lights; a surveillance imaging device arranged to capture image data of a monitored area illuminated by one or more of the lighting apparatuses; an image processor arranged to receive the image data from the surveillance imaging device, wherein the image data comprises a plurality of frames, and the image processor is arranged to analyse each frame of the image data to obtain an image quality parameter for each frame; and a controller arranged to determine a difference between a value of the image quality parameter for a current frame and a reference value of the image quality parameter, wherein if said difference is greater than a threshold value. The controller is arranged to repeat a process of: 1) controlling a lighting parameter of at least one of the plurality of lighting apparatuses so as to change illumination of the monitored area; and 2) determining a new difference between a value of the image quality parameter for a new current frame and the reference value of the image quality parameter; until said new difference is less than or equal to a threshold value.