Light invariant video imaging for improved performance of convolution neural networks

Light conditions affect the performance of computer vision algorithms by creating spatial changes in color and intensity across a scene. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) use color components of the input image and, as a result, are sensitive to ambient light conditions. This work analyzes the influence of ambient light conditions on CNN classifiers. We suggest a method for boosting the performance of CNN-based object detection and classification algorithms by using light invariant video imaging (LIVI). LIVI neutralizes the influence of ambient light conditions and renders the perceived object's appearance independent of the light conditions. Training sets consist mainly, if not only, of objects in natural light conditions. As such, using LIVI boosts CNN performance by matching object appearance to that expected by the CNN model, which was created according to the training set. We further investigate the use of LIVI as a general self-supervised learning framework for CNN. Faster region-based CNN (Faster R-CNN) was used as a case study in order to validate the importance of light conditions on CNN performance and on how it can be improved by using LIVI as an input or feedback mechanism in a self-supervised framework. We show that LIVI enables reduced CNN size, enhanced performance and improved training.