WO2012023844A1

WO2012023844A1 - System and method for multiple exposure imaging

Info

Publication number: WO2012023844A1
Application number: PCT/MY2011/000144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hau Chan Ching; Woon Hon Hock; San Yong Yen; Wei Chau Sheau
Original assignee: Mimos Berhad
Priority date: 2010-08-20
Filing date: 2011-06-24
Publication date: 2012-02-23

Abstract

There is disclosed a system for use in capturing images comprising: an image capturing means (200), a housing (202) with sufficient dimension to fit in said image capturing means (200), a movable frame member (203), a motor (204) attached to said frame member (203) for providing movements to said frame member (203), at least one computing means (205) for sending signals to the motor (204) to trigger movements.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIPLE EXPOSURE IMAGING

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a video camera system and more particularly to a video camera in combination with a display system enhanced by monitoring, tracking and displaying objects or images as an indication based on said monitoring and tracking! or for providing information within a predetermined area.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Imaging systems have been widely used since decades ago for various purposes, ranging from chemical to geophysical applications. Such system may be typically deployed in residential, commercial, government and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Technological progress in imaging systems coupled with advanced analyzing software has been relatively progressive in the last decades, particularly for providing an improved imaging outcome for any form of imaging systems. One of the prominent roles for imaging systems nowadays is in surveillance systems, thus providing images in attempt of ensuring and increasing security in public places and within buildings. Typically, most surveillance systems of the prior art necessitates a plurality of video cameras installed within the predetermined areas therefore providing a plurality of video motion pictures or views for display through connecting monitors which are normally controlled by an operator.

One of the major concerns in the existing system as described above is that in many cases, surveillance cameras or video cameras are installed in areas where the lighting conditions are not optimal including poorly lit areas or there is extreme contrast between indoor and outdoor light sources. Consequently, the images obtained are fairly poor primarily due to the fact that the cameras are unable to entirely capture the dynamic range of the lighting conditions within the predetermined area.

Various advances and improvements endeavors have been put forward by innovators of the industry in providing systems offer efficiency in the said vital aspect as briefly described in the preceding paragraphs. An example of the existing prior art is the implementation of advanced photography technique, known as the High Dynamic Range Imaging (HDRI) whereby a plurality of images captured with different attributes is suitably combined and tone mapped into a single image that has higher combined dynamic range. Nevertheless, for such technique, the installed cameras have to be able to continuously and simultaneously capture images with varying exposures. Another drawback for this technique is the time delay between the captured images with multiple exposures would normally result in ghosting effects.

Following the above, in order to eliminate or at least reduce such ghosting effects in the existing systems, advancements in the ability of rapidly capturing images with different exposure settings have been introduced. It is apparent that in order to attain such feature, prohibitively costly modifications have to be installed within the existing camera or otherwise a complete replacement of the existing cameras is required.

Accordingly, there is a great need to provide an imaging system and method that is able to efficiently alleviate the discussed drawbacks, particularly in rapidly capturing multiple images with different exposures settings.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a method and system for use in capturing images, whereby the system allows multiple capturing of images based on different exposure settings. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for use in capturing images, whereby said system allows rapidly capturing images with different exposure settings which can be implemented on existing cameras without internal modifications being done to said cameras.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

There is disclosed a system for use in capturing images comprising- an image capturing means (200), a housing (202) with sufficient dimension to fit in said image capturing means (200), a movable frame member (203), a motor (204) attached to said frame member (203) for providing movements to said frame member (203), at least one computing means (205) for sending signals to the motor (204) to trigger movements.

There is further disclosed a system, wherein frame member (203) further comprising a base section secured to the motor (204) in a manner such that it supports movements for the frame member (203).

In another embodiment, the frame member (203) further comprising a plurality of image filtering means.

There is further disclosed a system wherein the image filtering means has differing attenuations factors thus providing differing levels of optical attenuation.

There is yet disclosed a method for use in capturing images comprising the steps of providing at least one means for capturing images, providing a means for housing the means for capturing images, providing a plurality of image filtering means within the housing means having differing attenuation factors thus providing differing levels of optical attenuation, arranging said image filtering means in a manner such that it can rotate freely having the image capturing means as an axis for rotation, or rotate around the image capturing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more understood by reference to the description below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings herein^

FIG 1 shows the overall system of the present invention in accordance to one embodiment;

FIG 2 shows a member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention!

FIG 3 shows the rotational mechanism provided by the system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention! FIG 4 shows the conveyor mechanism which can be provided by the system of the present invention!

FIG 5 shows the method of operation in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In line with the above summary, the following description of a number of specific and alternative embodiments is provided to understand the inventive features of the present invention. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art, however that this invention may be practiced without such specific details. It is further understood that other arrangements of the invention are possible, and consequently the particularity of the drawings is not to be construed as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

The system of the present invention as shown in FIG 1 comprises of a camera (200) or any suitable image capturing means, a camera housing (202) with a rotatable or movable frame member (203), a motor (204) attached to said frame member (203), at least one computing means (205) and at least one display means (206).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the camera housing (202) is formed from a rugged material, and functions primarily as a protective means for the camera (200) which is suitably installed therein. It is generally rectangular in shape and with a dimension substantially sufficient to accommodate a camera (200) and the camera frame member (203). It is apparent that the housing (202) can be of other suitable shapes, apart from a rectangular. The housing (202) is formed in a manner such that it is able to protect or secure the camera (200) and other components which may be installed therein from the external forces including the weather, or environmental effects. Preferably, the camera (200) is mounted onto one surface within the housing (202) by means of a camera screw mount. At one end of the housing (202) there is provided a form of gap or an opening sufficient for insertion of suitably connecting means to allow the camera (200) to be electrically connected to the computing and display means (205,206). At the opposite end of such opening, or the front end of the housing (202) there is provided a visual section (300) which may be formed from suitable translucent material so as to allow the camera (200) to capture images within the surveillance or monitored area. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention as referring now to FIG 2, the frame member (203) is preferably in the form of an octagonal frame or structure, made from durable material. It is formed with a dimension sufficient and space therein to accommodate or fit the camera (200) and having ample space for the camera (200) such that the camera (200) does not have any physical contact with the frame member (203).

The frame member (203) is rotatably mounted at an axis within the housing (202) and enclosing the camera (200) while being supported by a motor (204) as seen in FIG 2. In this position, the camera (200) remains stationary at its mounted positioned and does not come into contact with the frame at any point even during the rotation of the frame member (203). It should be noted that octagon shape or contour for the frame member (203) is the preferred embodiment, however it is envisioned that other shapes can also be used, having at least 3 or more surfaces, for instance but not limiting to, a rectangular or pentagonal or the likes. The frame member (203) is further adapted to house or installed with a number of neutral density filters or filtering means (350) of varying attenuation factors. The neutral density filter having varying attenuate factors as mentioned thereby attenuates the amount of light that passes through it. Accordingly, it filters with different attenuation factors resulting to varying amount of light passing through it. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, depending on the number of different filters used, filters with same attenuation factors are arranged in a manner such that they face each other on the internal surface of frame member (203) as seen in FIG 2. With such arrangement, at least one surface of frame member (203) is devoid of a filter.

Further in accordance with the present invention, the filters are arranged such that a sequence from devoid of filter to heavy filter can be attained by the camera (200) during operation. The camera (200) is positioned within the frame (203) in a manner such that the camera's imaging sensor and the filters are in parallel positioned, thus is not obstructed by other components apart from the filters. The rotating frame (203) may further comprise of a solid base (400) that is connected to the motor (204). The motor (204) is preferably calibrated to provide a consistent and precise rotation each time it is triggered to ensure the filter is parallel to the camera's imaging sensor.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is further provided a motor (204) suitably adapted for attachment to the base section of the frame member (203) thus providing the rotational movement of the frame member (203). The motor (204) is preferably a high-speed rotating stage electrical motor, adapted to be mounted within the internal space of the housing (202) and is electrically connected to the computing means (205). The motor (204) primary functions to provide rotational movement to the frame member (203) when triggered.

The motor (204) is preferably calibrated beforehand to provide a consistent and precise rotation angle each time it is triggered. Further, the motor (204) is equipped with a mechanism to vary the exposure/optical attenuation before light enters the camera (200).

In another preferred embodiment, the motor (204) is configured to provide or equipped with two types of mechanisms; first is the rotating frame and conveyor frame. These mechanisms enable the amount of light to be varied before entering a camera (200). Suitably, the mechanism and the electrical motor (204) are the only moving components of the entire system of the present invention. The usage of this mechanism allows standard and existing cameras to be upgraded with the ability to rapidly capture multiple exposure images. The camera (200) and the electrical motor (204) are connected to the computing means (205) and displaying means (206) via communication wires that controls the movement of the motor as well as capturing, processing, and displaying the images captured from the camera (200). As mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, the motor (204) is calibrated to provide consistent and precise angle of rotational movement at each trigger, whereby the triggering mechanism is provided by the computing means (205) by way of a binary control signal. In one embodiment, the computing means (205) may be configured to send trigger signals periodically to the motor (204) thus inducing movement.

It is noted that during the small gap between movements, when the rotating/conveyor frame is stationary, the computing means (205) will capture an image from the camera (200). This ensures that the image is captured when the frame (203) is not in movement, thus reducing distortion in the image that could be caused by vibration and that the visible frame's side is perpendicular to the camera (203) direction.

The rotational mechanism provided by the motor (204) is as shown in FIG 3. Each trigger from the computing means (205) for the motor (204) results to rotation of the frame at a specific distance such that each trigger will end with the filter being parallel to that of the camera's (200) image sensor. It is further preferred that during operation the frame (203) will constantly rotate, with a short stop at each step so that the camera (200) can capture an image that is not obstructed by the frame (204). The gap between the triggers is considered as the time taken for the image to be captured by the camera (200).

FIG 4 shows another movement mechanism which can be provided by the motor (204). The conveyor frame mechanism is configured to vary the amount of light entering the camera (200). In this mechanism, the frame member (203) may be formed with neutral density filter, preferably, but not limiting to, graduated soft- edge neutral density filter or made of flexible material such as coated plastic with sprocket holes resembling a conventional movie film reel.

For this mechanism and still referring to FIG 4, the frame member (203) further comprises a sprocket means whereby the motor (204) is connected to said sprocket means that aids to grip the sprocket holes (280) and thereby moves the conveyor frame. As previously discussed, the motor (204) is movably secured to a solid base that maybe installed with a plurality of rollers (500) in a position that they can ensure the tension of the frame (203) is taut, preventing slippage of the sprocket and ensuring a flat and smooth surface between the rollers.

In accordance with the present invention, the rollers may be in the form of spring- loaded pressure rollers. Suitably, there may be provided six sets of rollers, placed in a manner to ensure that frame member (203) covers the camera (200) in a generally rectangle shape. It is preferred that a minimum amount of three sets of rollers may be provided to attain the result as desired and with varying shapes. The camera (200) is placed in the middle of the conveyor frame, and as mentioned without any physical contact with the frame member (23). In the preferred assembly, the camera (200) is connected to the housing (202) only, whereby the conveyor frame is connected to the motor (204) and rollers only. It is further ensured that the frame (203) and camera (200) are positioned so that the camera (200) field of view is not obstructed by the rollers, and the flat side of the frame (203) is parallel to the camera's imaging sensor. This therefore ensures no distortion in the image after light passes through the frame made of the flexible neutral density filter.

Method of Operation

Referring to FIG 5, during use, the settings for the camera (200) is preferably suitably set based on the surveillance or monitored area. It would be preferred that the settings are focused on providing brightness to the darkest area. This may result to the image being overexposed or having areas of the area being totally white. From here, the said camera (200) is removed from its original position and placed into the housing (202) of the present invention.

Subsequently, in the event that a rotating mechanism is employed, the computing means (205) thereby sends the predetermined signals (F200) for rotating mechanism to the solid based section of the frame member (203). With such instructions sent, the angle of rotation is therefore calibrated. In the event that the conveyor mechanism is selected, the computing means (205) therefore sends signals based on said mechanism. Upon completion of the movements, the computing means (205) will capture an image from the camera (200) (F300). It is noted that this action ensures that the image is not obstructed or distorted by the frame (203) while it is moving. The captured image is stored in the computing means (205) memory (F400), available for further processing if necessary (F500). The image may then be displayed (F600) via the display means (206).

It should be noted that with a high-speed motor and a powerful computing means (205) the system of the present invention is expected to capture multiple exposure images quite rapidly to produce a smooth and higher quality motion picture without jerkiness.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein, without departing from the scope of invention.

Claims

1. A system for use in capturing images comprising: an image capturing means (200), a housing (202) with sufficient dimension to fit in said image capturing means (200), a movable frame member (203), a motor (204) attached to said frame member (203) for providing movements to said frame member (203), at least one computing means (205) for sending signals to the motor (204) to trigger movements.

2. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the system further comprising a display means (206).

3. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein frame member (203) further said comprising a base section secured to the motor (204) in a manner such that it supports movements for the frame member (203).

4. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the frame member (203) further comprising a plurality of image filtering means (350).

5. The system as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the image filtering means has differing attenuations factors thus providing differing levels of optical attenuation.

6. The system as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the filtering means are arranged in a position within the frame member (203) such that a sequence from devoid of filter to heavy filter can be attained by the image capturing means (200) during operation.

7. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the image capturing means (200) is positioned within the frame (203) in a manner such that the image capturing means imaging sensor and the filters are in parallel positioned, thus is not obstructed.

8. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the frame member (203) further comprises at least three rollers and at least one sprocket means.

9. The system as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the rollers aid in maintaining the tension of the frame member (203) during movement.

10. The system as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the frame member (203) further comprising sprocket holes coupled with the sprocket for use in providing movement to the frame (203).

11. The system as claimed in Claim 1 to 10 wherein the computing means (205) sends signals to the motor (204) to trigger rotational movements and conveyor movements relative to the frame member (203).

12. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the frame member (203) is positioned within the housing (202).

13. The system as claimed in Claim 1 to 12 wherein the image capturing means (200) is positioned within the housing (202) in a manner such that it is above the motor (204).

14. The system as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the image capturing means (200) is positioned within the frame member (203) in a manner such that there is sufficient space or gap between the image capturing means and the walls of the frame member (203) for the frame member (203) to rotate during use.

15. A method for use in capturing images comprising the steps of providing at least one means for capturing images, providing a means for housing the means for capturing images, providing a plurality of image filtering means within the housing means having differing attenuation factors thus providing differing levels of optical attenuation, arranging said image filtering means in a manner such that it can rotate freely around the image capturing means.

16. The method as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the image capturing means captures images whilst the filtering means rotates.

17. The method as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the method further includes storing and processing the captured images.