Adaptive Mask for Vehicle Camera Glare Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle vision systems face challenges in capturing clear images due to the adverse effects of bright light sources, such as the sun, which cause glare and reduced visibility, leading to compromised image quality and object detection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an adaptive masking element, like a liquid crystal element, that selectively attenuates bright light sources in the field of view of the camera, allowing for improved image processing and object detection by blocking or partially transmitting intense light to prevent glare and reflections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the camera captures the full field of view including bright light sources, then the camera maintains complete scene coverage, but image quality deteriorates due to glare and reduced visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidglare and reduced visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The field of view is segmented into multiple regions: a first region containing the bright light source that is masked, and a second region containing the scene of interest that is captured. This segmentation allows the system to exclude harmful bright areas while preserving useful scene information, resolving the contradiction between complete coverage and image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A masking element is introduced as an intermediary component between the camera sensor and the bright light source. This masking element selectively blocks light from the first region containing the bright light source while allowing light from the second region to reach the sensor, thereby eliminating glare without sacrificing scene coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the camera masks areas with bright light sources, then image quality improves by reducing glare, but the field of view coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglare reductionVSAvoidfield of view coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The masking element applies different optical properties to different regions: it is opaque or light-blocking in the first region where bright light sources are present, and transparent or light-permissive in the second region where the scene of interest is located. This local differentiation allows selective glare reduction while maintaining scene coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed mask is used to block bright light sources, then glare is reduced, but the system lacks adaptability to different lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglare reductionVSAvoidadaptability to lighting conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The masking element is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. It can change its masking characteristics in response to different lighting conditions, bright light source positions, and scene requirements. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain optimal performance across varying environmental conditions while continuously reducing glare.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor lighting conditions and bright light source positions, then adjust the masking element accordingly. This feedback loop enables the masking element to adapt to changing conditions automatically, maintaining both glare reduction and scene coverage across different operational scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 solution enhances image quality and object detection capabilities by reducing glare and reflections, enabling better visibility and contrast in images captured by vehicle cameras, even in conditions with intense light sources, thereby improving driving assistance and autonomous vehicle control systems.

Implementation Method 1

an adaptive mask or light attenuating element in the field of view of the camera, with the adaptive mask adaptively masking a portion of the field of view where a bright light source is present

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11082630B2Vehicular vision system using adaptive mask at camera

Publication Date: 2021.08.03 MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A vehicular vision system includes an optical device disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle, with the camera having an imager that senses light incident thereat. An adaptive masking element is disposed in an optical path of the camera. Responsive to processing, via an image processor of a control, of image data captured by the camera, the control determines presence of a bright or intense light source in the field of view of the camera. The adaptive masking element, responsive to determination of a location where light emanating from the bright light source impinges the adaptive masking element, generates a light attenuating mask at that location to attenuate the light emanating from that bright light source so that the imager does not fully sense the light emanating from that bright light source.