Vehicle Light Color Correction for Low-Light Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In low-light conditions, image quality is compromised due to color inconsistency, affecting both human perception and the performance of image-based systems in vehicles and devices, leading to poor aesthetic appearance and undesirable vehicle operations.
Innovation Solution
The system augments exterior vehicle illumination using vehicle lights to stabilize color consistency in image capturing, allowing for improved identification of ambient illumination and material colors, enabling effective color correction through rapid pulsing of tail lights and processing techniques that estimate and separate ambient and vehicle light contributions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If image capturing is performed in low-light conditions, then the ability to capture images is maintained, but color consistency and image quality are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by activating vehicle lights before or during image capture in low-light conditions. These lights serve as auxiliary illumination sources to improve the lighting conditions during image acquisition, thereby maintaining color consistency without requiring post-processing corrections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vehicle lights as intermediary elements between the ambient low-light environment and the image sensor. These lights mediate the illumination conditions by providing additional controlled light sources that help maintain color accuracy in the captured images
2Measurement precision
If vehicle lights are activated to improve illumination, then color consistency is enhanced, but light pollution and glare may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by directing vehicle lights specifically toward the region of interest (ROI) identified in the captured image. Rather than illuminating the entire scene, only the relevant area receives additional illumination, minimizing light pollution and glare while maintaining color consistency in the important regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs brief, rapid activation of vehicle lights during the image capture process. The lights are activated only for the short duration needed to illuminate the ROI, then quickly deactivated, thereby reducing overall light pollution while still achieving the color consistency goal
3Measurement precision
If ambient illumination is accurately identified, then color correction is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination analysis by focusing specifically on the region of interest (ROI) rather than analyzing the entire image. This segmentation simplifies the processing complexity by limiting the analysis to a smaller, relevant portion of the image where accurate illumination identification is most critical
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
This approach enhances color consistency and accuracy in low-light scenarios, improving image quality for both human viewing and machine algorithms, enabling better vehicle operations and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
activate a vehicle light to illuminate a scene
Implementation Method 2
capture first image data of the scene with the camera
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for enhancing color consistency in images are disclosed. A method may include activating, by a device, a camera to capture first image data; while the camera is capturing the first image data, activating of a first light source; receiving the first image data, the first image data having pixels having first color values; identifying first light generated by the first light source while the camera is capturing the first image data; identifying, based on the first image data, second light generated by a second light source; generating, based on the first light, the second light, and a distance between the camera and the vehicle light, second color values for the pixels of the first image data; generating second image data based on the second color values; and presenting the second image data.