Gain Control Method For A Camera To Support Multiple Conflicting Applications Concurrently
First Claim
1. A gain control method for a camera used to image an automotive environment, which camera comprises more than one gain control channel, the method including:
- (a) setting gain of a first gain control channel, responsive to a first imaging application type; and
(b) setting gain of a second gain control channel responsive to a second imaging application type.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract
A gain control method for setting the gain control channels of a camera such that it enables the support of multiple conflicting applications which camera is performing concurrently, including using one channel, for example the Green channel, for B&W image applications, and the other two channels for color image applications or any other multiple application. The gain control method of the present invention is also applicable to color cameras and also to B&W cameras that have more than one gain control channel.
95 Citations
DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HANDHELD DEVICE BASED VEHICLE MONITORING AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE | ||
Patent #
US 20100157061A1
Filed 12/24/2008
|
Current Assignee
Driveway Software Corporation
|
Original Assignee
Driveway Software Corporation
|
DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE | ||
Patent #
US 20130158796A1
Filed 02/14/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assistance system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 8,818,042 B2
Filed 11/18/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Automatic vehicle exterior light control | ||
Patent #
US 8,842,176 B2
Filed 01/15/2010
|
Current Assignee
Donnelly Corporation
|
Original Assignee
Donnelly Corporation
|
Vehicular vision system | ||
Patent #
US 8,917,169 B2
Filed 12/02/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assistance system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 8,977,008 B2
Filed 07/08/2013
|
Current Assignee
Donnelly Corporation
|
Original Assignee
Donnelly Corporation
|
Driver assistance system for a vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 8,993,951 B2
Filed 07/16/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,008,369 B2
Filed 08/25/2014
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assistance system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,014,904 B2
Filed 09/23/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Multi-camera vision system for a vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,131,120 B2
Filed 05/15/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,171,217 B2
Filed 03/03/2014
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assistance system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,187,028 B2
Filed 02/14/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular vision system | ||
Patent #
US 9,191,574 B2
Filed 03/13/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,191,634 B2
Filed 04/03/2015
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assistance system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,193,303 B2
Filed 04/20/2015
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system using kinematic model of vehicle motion | ||
Patent #
US 9,205,776 B2
Filed 05/20/2014
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Method and system for dynamically calibrating vehicular cameras | ||
Patent #
US 9,357,208 B2
Filed 01/20/2012
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assist system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,376,060 B2
Filed 11/16/2015
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,428,192 B2
Filed 11/16/2015
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system | ||
Patent #
US 9,436,880 B2
Filed 01/13/2014
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,440,535 B2
Filed 01/27/2014
|
Current Assignee
Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle control system with adaptive wheel angle correction | ||
Patent #
US 9,487,235 B2
Filed 04/01/2015
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle camera alignment system | ||
Patent #
US 9,491,450 B2
Filed 07/30/2012
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Calibration system and method for vehicular surround vision system | ||
Patent #
US 9,491,451 B2
Filed 11/14/2012
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular multi-camera vision system | ||
Patent #
US 9,508,014 B2
Filed 05/05/2014
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assistance system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,555,803 B2
Filed 05/16/2016
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system with targetless camera calibration | ||
Patent #
US 9,563,951 B2
Filed 05/20/2014
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,609,289 B2
Filed 08/29/2016
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,643,605 B2
Filed 10/26/2015
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assist system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,656,608 B2
Filed 06/13/2016
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Calibration system and method for multi-camera vision system | ||
Patent #
US 9,688,200 B2
Filed 03/03/2014
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system using kinematic model of vehicle motion | ||
Patent #
US 9,701,246 B2
Filed 12/07/2015
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Multi-camera image stitching calibration system | ||
Patent #
US 9,723,272 B2
Filed 10/04/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,736,435 B2
Filed 03/20/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system with customized display | ||
Patent #
US 9,762,880 B2
Filed 12/07/2012
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular multi-camera vision system | ||
Patent #
US 9,769,381 B2
Filed 11/28/2016
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driving assist system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,834,142 B2
Filed 05/19/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular control system using cameras and radar sensor | ||
Patent #
US 9,834,216 B2
Filed 01/24/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Method and system for dynamically calibrating vehicular cameras | ||
Patent #
US 9,834,153 B2
Filed 04/25/2012
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
System and method of establishing a multi-camera image using pixel remapping | ||
Patent #
US 9,900,522 B2
Filed 12/01/2011
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system with calibration algorithm | ||
Patent #
US 9,916,660 B2
Filed 01/15/2016
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assistance system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,940,528 B2
Filed 11/20/2015
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 9,948,904 B2
Filed 08/14/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular imaging system comprising an imaging device with a single image sensor and image processor for determining a totally blocked state or partially blocked state of the single image sensor as well as an automatic correction for misalignment of the imaging device | ||
Patent #
US 9,972,100 B2
Filed 04/23/2015
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system with targetless camera calibration | ||
Patent #
US 9,979,957 B2
Filed 01/26/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assistance system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 10,005,394 B2
Filed 11/16/2015
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular control system | ||
Patent #
US 10,015,452 B1
Filed 04/16/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Control system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 10,046,702 B2
Filed 12/04/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular multi-camera vision system | ||
Patent #
US 10,057,489 B2
Filed 09/18/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 10,071,676 B2
Filed 09/12/2016
|
Current Assignee
Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 10,071,687 B2
Filed 11/27/2012
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 10,099,614 B2
Filed 11/27/2012
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular control system | ||
Patent #
US 10,110,860 B1
Filed 07/02/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular control system using cameras and radar sensor | ||
Patent #
US 10,118,618 B2
Filed 12/04/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system with customized display | ||
Patent #
US 10,129,518 B2
Filed 09/11/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Multi-camera dynamic top view vision system | ||
Patent #
US 10,179,543 B2
Filed 02/27/2014
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Multi-camera vehicle vision system with image gap fill | ||
Patent #
US 10,187,590 B2
Filed 10/26/2016
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular control system | ||
Patent #
US 10,187,615 B1
Filed 10/22/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle control system with adaptive wheel angle correction | ||
Patent #
US 10,202,147 B2
Filed 11/07/2016
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Method for dynamically calibrating vehicular cameras | ||
Patent #
US 10,202,077 B2
Filed 05/23/2016
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system with calibration algorithm | ||
Patent #
US 10,235,775 B2
Filed 03/07/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Calibration system and method for vehicular surround vision system | ||
Patent #
US 10,264,249 B2
Filed 11/07/2016
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system using kinematic model of vehicle motion | ||
Patent #
US 10,266,115 B2
Filed 07/10/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Multi-camera image stitching calibration system | ||
Patent #
US 10,284,818 B2
Filed 07/31/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Multi-sensor interior mirror device with image adjustment | ||
Patent #
US 10,300,859 B2
Filed 06/08/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular control system | ||
Patent #
US 10,306,190 B1
Filed 01/21/2019
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular control system using cameras and radar sensor | ||
Patent #
US 10,351,135 B2
Filed 11/01/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system with multi-paned view | ||
Patent #
US 10,457,209 B2
Filed 03/28/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular control system | ||
Patent #
US 10,462,426 B2
Filed 05/16/2019
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Multi-camera dynamic top view vision system | ||
Patent #
US 10,486,596 B2
Filed 01/14/2019
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle camera system with image manipulation | ||
Patent #
US 10,493,916 B2
Filed 02/22/2013
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular vision system | ||
Patent #
US 10,509,972 B2
Filed 04/09/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle vision system with customized display | ||
Patent #
US 10,542,244 B2
Filed 11/12/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Targetless vehicular camera calibration method | ||
Patent #
US 10,567,748 B2
Filed 05/21/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Method for displaying video images for a vehicular vision system | ||
Patent #
US 10,574,885 B2
Filed 08/20/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Video processor module for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 10,611,306 B2
Filed 08/09/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Driver assistance system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 10,623,704 B2
Filed 03/09/2015
|
Current Assignee
Donnelly Corporation
|
Original Assignee
Donnelly Corporation
|
Method for dynamically calibrating vehicular cameras | ||
Patent #
US 10,640,041 B2
Filed 02/04/2019
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vision system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 10,640,040 B2
Filed 09/10/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Method and system for dynamically ascertaining alignment of vehicular cameras | ||
Patent #
US 10,654,423 B2
Filed 12/04/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular driving assist system using forward-viewing camera | ||
Patent #
US 10,683,008 B2
Filed 07/15/2019
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular imaging system with blockage determination and misalignment correction | ||
Patent #
US 10,726,578 B2
Filed 05/14/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular control system with traffic lane detection | ||
Patent #
US 10,735,695 B2
Filed 10/28/2019
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicular control system with temperature input | ||
Patent #
US 10,744,940 B2
Filed 06/25/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Vehicle camera LVDS repeater | ||
Patent #
US 10,750,119 B2
Filed 10/16/2017
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Method for stitching images captured by multiple vehicular cameras | ||
Patent #
US 10,780,827 B2
Filed 11/25/2019
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Method for determining misalignment of a vehicular camera | ||
Patent #
US 10,780,826 B2
Filed 04/22/2019
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Adaptive forward lighting system for vehicle comprising a control that adjusts the headlamp beam in response to processing of image data captured by a camera | ||
Patent #
US 10,787,116 B2
Filed 09/10/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Imaging system for vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 10,793,067 B2
Filed 07/25/2012
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Method for determining alignment of vehicular cameras | ||
Patent #
US 10,868,974 B2
Filed 02/19/2018
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Accessory system suitable for use in a vehicle | ||
Patent #
US 20040145457A1
Filed 01/13/2004
|
Current Assignee
Donnelly Corporation
|
Original Assignee
Donnelly Corporation
|
Two sensor quantitative low-light color camera | ||
Patent #
US 20030048493A1
Filed 05/24/2002
|
Current Assignee
Teledyne Quantitative Imaging Corp.
|
Original Assignee
Teledyne Quantitative Imaging Corp.
|
Vehicle headlight control using imaging sensor | ||
Patent #
US 20030205661A1
Filed 04/30/2003
|
Current Assignee
Magna Electronics Incorporated
|
Original Assignee
Donnelly Corporation
|
Video equipment and method to assist motor vehicle operators | ||
Patent #
US 6,150,930 A
Filed 08/14/1992
|
Current Assignee
Texas Instruments Inc.
|
Original Assignee
Texas Instruments Inc.
|
Color imaging array | ||
Patent #
US 3,971,065 A
Filed 03/05/1975
|
Current Assignee
Eastman Kodak Company
|
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Company
|
11 Claims
-
1. A gain control method for a camera used to image an automotive environment, which camera comprises more than one gain control channel, the method including:
-
(a) setting gain of a first gain control channel, responsive to a first imaging application type; and
(b) setting gain of a second gain control channel responsive to a second imaging application type. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A gain control method for a camera, which camera comprises at least three different gain control channels, including:
-
(a) setting gain of a first gain control channel according to a first application type;
(b) setting gain of a second gain control channel according to a second application type; and
(c) setting gain of a third gain control channel according to a third application type. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of controlling a camera used to image a roadway environment, the camera having a plurality of gain channels and the method comprising:
-
setting gain of a first channel of the plurality of channels to emphasize a first at least one feature typical of a roadway environment in an image of the roadway environment; and
setting gain of a second channel of the plurality of channels to emphasize a second at least one feature typical of a roadway environment that is different from the first at least one feature in an image of the roadway environment.
-
1 Specification
The present application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional application 60/702,003 filed on Jul. 25th, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates, in general, to gain control methods for a camera, and in particular to methods for setting the gain control channels of a camera such that they enable the support of multiple conflicting applications which the camera is performing concurrently.
In a typical camera the Automatic Gain Control (AGC) system has a single set of parameters, which is suitable for one application designated for said camera. In standard color cameras, for example, you might want ‘nice’ pictures with ‘correct’ color balance—‘white balance’.
However, there are systems employing color cameras, designated for concurrent multiple applications, each of which requires a different set of gain parameters. One solution is to use multiple cameras, which is of course more expensive and often more complex.
Another solution for image streams could be to alternate gain parameters and send each application the images captured using the corresponding gains. Of course, this will reduce the frame rate of the image stream to each application relative to the camera frame rate.
An example for a system employing a color camera for concurrent multiple applications is a driving assistance system for Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system and vehicle detection at night. When operating the LDW system at night, the camera is set with gain and exposure parameters, which gives a very non-linear response such that even dim lane markings can be seen and at the same time, not get blinded by oncoming vehicles headlights. For vehicle detection at night, which can be based on detecting oncoming vehicles headlights and leading vehicles taillights, we need a dimmer picture so that we can tell the difference between very bright light of the oncoming headlights and the somewhat dimmer light of host vehicle headlight reflections off traffic signs. If we use the redness characteristic of taillights as a feature, we also need to reduce the gain on the red channel so that it does not saturate on taillights.
One option would be to take images with different gain settings (e.g. lower), but then, in some of those images, lane information would be lost due to a too a low gain setting.
There is therefore a need for a method to set gain and exposure parameters of a color camera such that bright reflectance will not bring about saturation of the camera cells on the one hand and not lose dim reflectance on the other hand.
It is thus the object of the present invention to support multiple conflicting applications including using one channel, for example the Green channel, for B&W image applications, and the other two channels for color image applications.
For example, the present invention provides methods to set gain and exposure parameters of a color camera such that bright reflectance will not bring about saturation of the camera cells on the one hand and not lose dim reflectance due to a too a low gain setting.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a gain control method for a camera including (a) setting the response curve of one gain control channel, for example the Green channel, according to a first application type; and (b) setting the response curve of the other gain control channels, for example the Red and Blue channels, according to a second and other application types, for example color image applications. It is also possible to set the response curve of a second gain control channel, for example the Red channel, according to a second application type, and a third gain control channel, for example the Blue channel, according to a third application type.
Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration and example only and thus not limitative of the present invention.
Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
A standard color CMOS imager chip uses a Bayer pattern of Red (R), Green (G) and Blue (B) filters (based on U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,065, given to Bryce E. Bayer from the Eastman Kodak Company). An example of such a camera is the National Semiconductor LM9628 Color High Dynamic Range CMOS image sensor VGA 30 FPS).
Such a camera 100 main components is exemplified in the block diagram of
According to a method of the present invention the different channel gains are used to support the different applications. An example of such a method is schematically illustrated in
It is important to note that for a Black and White (B&W) algorithm such as white lane markings detection, there is no advantage of using a color sensor over using just the green channel, and thus using the R and B channels for a color application is a total win.
It should also be noted that the present invention describes the use of a color sensor by way of example. However sometimes all the applications can be B&W. In those cases, the multiple-gain concept can also be applied using B&W sensors with multiple gain channels such as the LM9618 mentioned above.
It should also be noted that the method according to the present invention can be also applied to B&W sensors comprising more that one gain control channel.
According to another method of the present invention the different channel gains are used to support the different applications. An example of such a method is schematically illustrated in
The invention being thus described in terms of several examples and embodiments, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.