Vehicle Cabin Sensing Using Reflections to Overcome Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior sensing systems face challenges in accurately observing areas that are occluded from the direct line of sight of the camera, leading to inaccurate or impossible observations.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a reflective surface, such as a glass roof with an infrared-reflective coating, to capture an additional region of the vehicle interior through reflections, combined with machine learning techniques to analyze both direct and reflected images for continuous detection of characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct line of sight camera is used to observe the vehicle interior, then the system structure is simple, but the observation reliability deteriorates when occlusion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective surface (mirror) as an intermediary element to capture indirect reflections of the vehicle interior. This mediator allows the camera to observe areas that are occluded from direct line of sight, thereby improving observation reliability without requiring multiple cameras positioned throughout the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct line-of-sight observation (one-dimensional visual path) to indirect reflection-based observation (adding a reflective dimension). By capturing images through reflections off surfaces like the windshield or side windows, the system gains access to previously invisible areas, effectively adding another dimensional approach to interior monitoring.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are installed to cover all interior areas, then the observation coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of installing multiple cameras throughout the vehicle interior, the patent uses a single camera combined with reflective surfaces as intermediaries. The reflective surfaces bounce light from occluded areas into the camera, achieving comprehensive coverage without the complexity and cost of multiple camera installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the vehicle interior and an optical element for image capture. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve wide-area coverage using existing interior surfaces rather than adding dedicated observation components throughout the vehicle.
3Measurement precision
If occlusion occurs in the direct line of sight, then the simplicity of the single-camera system is maintained, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surface acts as a mediator that provides an alternative optical path around occluding objects. When direct line of sight is blocked, the camera captures images through reflections, maintaining detection accuracy for occupants and objects in previously occluded areas without complicating the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters by switching from direct line-of-sight imaging to reflection-based imaging. This parameter change allows the same single-camera system to maintain high measurement precision across different viewing conditions by utilizing reflected light paths that bypass occlusions.
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
Enables reliable detection of interior characteristics even when the direct line of sight is occluded, maintaining continuous monitoring and improving detection rates by leveraging both direct and reflected image data.
Implementation Method 1
the image comprises at least one first region representing the area reflected by at least one reflective surface provided in the cabin
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A computer implemented method for determining one or more characteristics inside a cabin of a vehicle may include the following steps carried out by computer hardware components: determining an image of an area of the cabin inside the vehicle using a sensor, the image comprising at least one first region representing the area reflected by at least one reflective surface provided in the cabin and at least one second region representing the area in a direct line of sight; and determining the one or more characteristics inside the cabin of the vehicle based on the at least one first region of the image and/or based on the at least one second region of the image.