Ambient Light Imaging for Light Receiver Malfunction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection devices face challenges in accurately detecting malfunctions, particularly in light receiving elements, which can lead to increased load and decreased responsiveness due to the need for capturing and comparing past images, and may result in inaccurate malfunction detection.
Innovation Solution
An object detection device with a light receiving section that outputs a first light receiving signal based on the light receiving state of light receiving elements in a first area, using an ambient light image to detect malfunctions, reducing the load on the device and improving detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If past images are captured and compared for malfunction detection, then malfunction detection capability is improved, but device load increases and responsiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring ambient light images before object detection to establish a baseline state. This pre-acquired ambient light information is stored and later used for comparison during malfunction detection, eliminating the need to capture and store multiple past object detection images. The ambient light image serves as a reference that remains valid across different detection scenarios, reducing the computational burden while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Productivity
If ambient light images are used for malfunction detection, then device load is reduced and responsiveness is improved, but detection accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the ambient light component from the imaging data, separating it from object-specific information. By acquiring images during periods when no objects are present or by isolating the ambient light portion of the signal, the system creates a dedicated reference dataset that contains only environmental lighting information. This extracted ambient light data is then compared against current readings to detect light receiving element malfunctions, maintaining high accuracy while reducing processing requirements.
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
The solution allows for accurate malfunction detection of light receiving elements by using ambient light images, reducing the load on the device and enhancing detection accuracy without the need for storing past images, thereby maintaining responsiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving section that has a light receiving surface in which a plurality of light receiving elements capable of receiving incident light including reflected light of emitted radiated light are arranged
Data Source
AI summary
An object detection device for detecting an object includes a light receiving section, an image acquisition part, and a malfunction detection part. The light receiving section has a light receiving surface in which light receiving elements capable of receiving incident light including reflected light of emitted radiated light are arranged in a plane, and outputs a first light receiving signal according to a light receiving state of the light receiving element in a first area, when a predetermined usable area in the usable areas on the light receiving surface is referred to as a first area. The image acquisition part acquires an ambient light image indicating a light receiving intensity of ambient light using the first light receiving signal. A malfunction detection part detects a malfunction of the light receiving element in the first area using the ambient light image.