Vehicle Camera Grime Detection via Luminance Variance Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses for vehicle surroundings face complications in detecting abnormalities like grime due to the need for additional sensors, which can restrict installation positions and increase system complexity.
Innovation Solution
An abnormality detecting apparatus that calculates luminance variance values from images captured by imaging apparatuses, allowing for the detection of abnormalities regardless of the apparatus's setting state, using a luminance variance value calculating device and an abnormality detecting device that compares these values to determine the presence of grime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a photosensor is added to detect grime on the infrared camera, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases and installation position becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared camera performs self-diagnosis by analyzing its own captured images. The image processing unit calculates luminance variance values from the images and compares them against threshold values to detect grime on the camera lens, eliminating the need for external photosensors or additional detection devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared camera serves dual functions: it captures infrared images for vehicle surround monitoring and simultaneously performs self-diagnosis for grime detection by analyzing the luminance variance of captured images. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If a photosensor is added to detect grime on the infrared camera, then detection capability is improved, but installation position becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared camera performs self-diagnosis by analyzing its own captured images. The image processing unit calculates luminance variance values from the images and compares them against threshold values to detect grime on the camera lens, eliminating the need for external photosensors or additional detection devices.
3Measurement precision
If luminance variance values are calculated for each image, then detection accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential feature (luminance variance value) from the captured images for grime detection. By calculating only this specific parameter and comparing it against pre-set threshold values, the system achieves accurate detection while minimizing processing time and computational load.
Data Source
AI summary
An abnormality detecting apparatus for an imaging apparatus that detects a presence of abnormalities in imaging apparatuses mounted on a vehicle to capture vehicle surroundings, which includes: a luminance variance value calculating device that calculates a luminance variance value of each image from the imaging apparatuses using the luminance value of each image from the imaging apparatuses obtained by the imaging apparatuses; and an abnormality detecting device that detects the presence of abnormalities in any of the imaging apparatuses in accordance with the luminance variance values calculated by the luminance variance value calculating device.