Self-Driving Camera Light Control for Glare and Overexposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in maintaining image data quality due to external light, which can lead to overexposure, blooming, and degraded image resolution, affecting the vehicle's ability to accurately interpret traffic signals and navigate safely.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a light-control feature in autonomous vehicles that is adjustable by a computing system to proactively or reactively control the extent of external light encountered by the image capture device, using mechanisms such as wipers or electrochromic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image capture device operates without light control in bright conditions, then the device can capture images in all lighting conditions, but the image quality degrades due to overexposure and blooming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light control feature (such as a shutter or adjustable aperture) as an intermediary element between the external light source and the image capture device. This mediator selectively blocks or attenuates harmful external light (sun glare, oncoming headlights) while allowing necessary light for image capture, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining operational capability in all lighting conditions and preventing image quality degradation from overexposure and blooming effects
Solution Approach 2:
The light control feature is made adjustable or dynamically controllable based on detected lighting conditions. The system monitors environmental light levels and automatically adjusts the light control feature's position or opacity to optimize image quality in real-time, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying external light conditions to maintain reliable image data quality
2Reliability
If a light-control feature is added to block external light, then image quality improves in bright conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light control feature is designed to serve multiple functions: it blocks harmful external light to prevent overexposure and blooming, adjusts to optimize image quality in varying lighting conditions, and can potentially serve as part of the vehicle's existing aesthetic or structural design. By making the light control feature multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved image data quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the light control feature with existing vehicle components or camera housing structures rather than adding completely separate mechanisms. For example, the light control feature may be combined with the camera lens assembly or vehicle windshield structure, merging multiple functions into a single integrated component to minimize the increase in overall device complexity while still providing effective light control to improve image quality
3Reliability
If the light control feature is adjusted reactively based on detected light conditions, then image quality is maintained, but response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessment of lighting conditions using light sensors or pre-processing of incoming image data to predict when light control adjustment will be needed. By detecting early signs of problematic lighting conditions (such as approaching bright areas or changing ambient light levels), the system can initiate light control feature adjustment in advance, reducing the effective response time and preventing image quality degradation before it occurs rather than reacting after the problem arises
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
This solution effectively improves the quality of image data generated by the image capture device, enabling the autonomous vehicle to accurately interpret environmental cues, such as traffic signals, and navigate safely even in challenging light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the light-control feature is an electrochromic device that is operable to change light transmission properties of the light-control feature in response to an applied voltage
Data Source
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AI summary
Example implementations may relate to use of a light-control feature to control extent of light encountered by an image capture device of a self-driving vehicle. In particular, a computing system of the vehicle may make a determination that quality of image data generated by an image capture device is or is expected to be lower than a threshold quality due to external light encountered or expected to be encountered by the image capture device. In response to the determination, the computing system may make an adjustment to the light- control feature to control the extent of external light encountered or expected to be encountered by the image capture device. This adjustment may ultimately help improve quality of image data generated by the image capture device. As such, the computing system may operate the vehicle based at least on image data generated by the image capture device.