TOF Camera Control for Harsh Environment Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ordinary cameras struggle to capture clear images in harsh environments with poor natural lighting conditions such as heavy rain, blizzard, fog, sandstorm, and severe haze, leading to low imaging quality.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for image capturing control that utilizes Time-of-Flight (TOF) cameras, controlled by a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) system, which receives environment information from sensors to determine harsh conditions and adjusts camera settings for clear image capture, including infrared light emission and exposure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ordinary cameras are used for image capture, then the device complexity is low, but the imaging quality deteriorates in harsh environments with poor natural lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the camera system into two separate camera types: ordinary cameras for normal conditions and TOF cameras for harsh environments. This segmentation allows each camera type to be optimized for its specific operating conditions, maintaining low complexity for ordinary use while providing high-quality imaging capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple camera types (ordinary and TOF) into a single unified imaging system that can automatically adapt to different environmental conditions. The control unit enables the system to function as either an ordinary camera or a TOF camera based on real-time environmental assessment, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate independent systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If TOF cameras are used continuously for harsh environment detection, then the imaging quality in harsh environments is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the type of camera activated based on real-time environmental conditions detected by sensors. TOF cameras are only activated when harsh environments are detected, rather than operating continuously. This dynamic adaptation ensures high imaging quality when needed while minimizing energy consumption during normal operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives real-time feedback from environmental sensors (illumination, temperature, humidity, pressure) and automatically adjusts camera selection based on this feedback. This closed-loop control ensures TOF cameras are activated only when environmental conditions warrant their use, optimizing the balance between imaging quality and energy consumption.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are used for environment detection, then the accuracy of harsh environment detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple different types of sensors (illumination sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors) into a unified environmental detection system. The control unit integrates data from all these sensors to comprehensively determine harsh environment conditions, achieving high detection accuracy while managing system complexity through unified control.
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
Enables high-quality image capture in harsh environments by using TOF cameras' depth-of-field mapping and resistance to ambient light, providing clear images for applications like autonomous vehicles and unmanned systems.
Implementation Method 1
controlling one or more Time-of-Flight (TOF) cameras to capture an image
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for image capturing control and a system for image capturing. The method includes: receiving environment information transmitted from one or more sensors; determining a current environment type based on the environment information; determining whether the current environment type is a predetermined harsh environment type; and controlling one or more Time-of-Flight (TOF) cameras to capture an image when it is determined that the current environment type is the harsh environment type.