Automotive Camera Image Filtering for Precipitation Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle camera systems fail to provide optimal images during adverse weather conditions, such as precipitation, which can obstruct clear visibility and safe vehicle operation.
Innovation Solution
A system that processes camera images using weather data to filter out precipitation pixels, enhancing image clarity and enabling vehicle control actions based on processed frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If camera images are obtained during adverse weather conditions, then vehicle operation can proceed, but image clarity deteriorates due to precipitation artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes precipitation pixels from camera images by comparing current frames with reference frames, separating the harmful precipitation elements from the useful image data to restore clarity
Solution Approach 2:
The system obtains weather data in advance and uses it to prepare reference frames before processing current images, allowing proactive compensation for anticipated precipitation effects rather than reactive processing
2Loss of information
If weather data processing and image filtering are implemented, then image clarity improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor performs multiple functions including weather data acquisition, reference frame generation, image processing, and precipitation removal using a single integrated system, avoiding the need for separate dedicated components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates reference frames that copy the expected clear image state and uses these copies to subtract precipitation artifacts from current images, replacing complex direct filtering with a simpler subtraction operation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided that include obtaining camera images from a camera of a vehicle; obtaining weather data as to a location in which the vehicle is travelling; processing the camera images, via a processor, generating one or more processed frames from the camera images, based on the weather data; and performing a control action for the vehicle, in accordance with instructions provided by the processor, based on the one or more processed frames.