Auto-Exposure Occlusion Camera for Optical Defect Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems, such as lidar devices and cameras, suffer from performance degradation due to optical component imperfections like scratches, cracks, and debris, which affect object detection and localization, especially under varying illumination conditions, leading to inaccurate information.
Innovation Solution
An occlusion-detection camera is integrated to capture images of optical components, with exposure settings adjusted based on intensity information from a lidar device to mitigate the effects of bright objects, enabling effective detection and characterization of imperfections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a defect camera is used to capture images of optical components, then imperfections can be detected under normal illumination conditions, but the images become overexposed or blown out under very bright conditions and underexposed or dark under very low illumination conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts camera exposure parameters (shutter speed, aperture, ISO) based on the illumination conditions detected by the LIDAR system. This allows the defect camera to maintain optimal image quality across varying light conditions, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability to illumination conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the LIDAR system's illumination detection to control the defect camera's exposure settings. The controller receives illumination information and adjusts camera parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains image quality across different lighting conditions.
2Reliability
If conventional optical systems are used, then object detection and localization can be performed, but performance degrades due to optical component imperfections such as scratches, cracks, and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The defect camera acts as an intermediary system that detects optical component imperfections before they affect the main optical system's performance. By capturing images of the optical components and analyzing them for scratches, cracks, and debris, the system can mitigate the harmful effects of these imperfections on object detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of optical component imperfections using the defect camera before these imperfections can degrade the performance of the main optical system. This allows for early intervention and mitigation strategies to maintain reliable object detection and localization.
3Productivity
If the defect camera captures images under bright illumination conditions, then the camera can operate, but the images appear overexposed or blown out, reducing detection capability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the defect camera's exposure settings in real-time based on the illumination conditions. The controller modifies shutter speed, aperture, and ISO parameters to maintain optimal image quality across varying light conditions, enabling continuous operation without sacrificing measurement precision.
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 system effectively identifies and mitigates optical imperfections in optical systems, ensuring accurate object detection and localization even under varying illumination conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a light detector configured to receive light from a field of view of an environment by way of the one or more optical components
Implementation Method 2
The reflected light includes at least a portion of the emission light that has reflected back toward the optical system after interaction with the environment
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes receiving, from a light detector, information indicative of a light intensity of a field of view of an optical system. The optical system includes one or more optical components and a light detector configured to receive light from a field of view of an environment of the optical system by way of the one or more optical components. The optical system also includes an occlusion-detection camera configured to capture images of the one or more optical components. The example method also includes adjusting, based on the received information, at least one operating parameter of the occlusion-detection camera. The example method also includes causing the occlusion-detection camera to capture at least one image of the one or more optical components according to the at least one adjusted operating parameter.