Adaptive Vehicle Lighting for Reliable Camera Recognition at Night

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In visible images obtained by a vehicle's visible light camera in dark environments, noise or blur increases in low illuminance areas, while pixel saturation occurs in high illuminance areas, leading to decreased accuracy of image recognition processing and object detection.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control system that includes a variable irradiation lamp and infrared lamp, controlled by an integrated control unit, adjusts the light distribution pattern based on image recognition and distance detection to optimize illuminance levels for improved image recognition accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a visible light camera is used to photograph surroundings in a dark environment, then the vehicle can obtain visual information of the surroundings, but noise or blur increases in low illuminance areas and pixel saturation occurs in high illuminance areas, leading to decreased image recognition accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveilluminance of irradiated lightVSAvoidimage recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp apparatus dynamically adjusts its light distribution pattern based on detected object positions and types. The control unit changes the illumination intensity and pattern in real-time to match the specific imaging requirements, transitioning from static to dynamic control to optimize both illuminance and image quality simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different illumination characteristics to different spatial regions. By controlling the light distribution pattern, the headlamp provides enhanced illuminance to specific areas where objects are detected, while maintaining lower illuminance in other regions. This localized quality adjustment ensures optimal image recognition accuracy in critical areas without causing pixel saturation elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the light distribution pattern is adjusted to improve illuminance for image recognition, then image recognition accuracy improves, but road users may be dazzled by the adjusted light pattern

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage recognition accuracyVSAvoiddazzle to road users

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp apparatus applies different illumination characteristics to different spatial regions. By controlling the light distribution pattern, the system provides enhanced illuminance to specific areas where objects are detected, while maintaining lower illuminance in other regions. This localized quality adjustment ensures optimal image recognition accuracy in critical areas without causing pixel saturation elsewhere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses detection results from the detection unit as feedback to continuously adjust the light distribution pattern. Based on the position and type of detected objects, the control unit modifies the illumination pattern in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that balances image recognition needs with road user safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a standard light distribution pattern is used, then road users are not dazzled, but image recognition accuracy declines due to insufficient illuminance control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedazzle preventionVSAvoidobject detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The headlamp apparatus serves multiple functions: it provides standard illumination for general visibility, adjusts light distribution to improve image recognition accuracy, and prevents dazzle to road users. By integrating detection and control capabilities, the system achieves multi-functionality, making the headlamp both a lighting device and an active imaging optimization system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4470837B1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, photographing apparatus, lighting apparatus, and mobile body

Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SONY GROUP CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The present technique relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a photographing apparatus, a lighting apparatus, and a mobile body which enable accuracy of image recognition processing to be improved. The information processing apparatus includes: a recognizing portion configured to perform image recognition processing with respect to an image photographed by a photographing portion and calculate, for each recognized area, the recognized area corresponding to an object recognized, a reliability of a recognition result; and an irradiation control portion configured to control an irradiation pattern of visible light in a photographing direction of the photographing portion based on the reliability and a type of the recognized object, wherein when the type of the recognized object is a person in the recognized area, the irradiation control portion is configured to control light intensity of visible light with respect to the recognized area including the recognized person based on the reliability of the recognized person. For example, the present technique can be applied to a vehicle control apparatus.