In-Vehicle Camera Pattern Light Irradiation Timing Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle camera systems using stereo cameras face difficulties in calculating disparity from surfaces without patterns, leading to increased power consumption and potential collision risks due to inconsistent pattern light irradiation and image saturation issues.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle camera system with multiple image capturing devices, a disparity calculating unit, a distance calculating unit, an irradiating timing determining unit, and a collision determining unit, which dynamically determines when to irradiate invisible or visible pattern light to facilitate accurate disparity calculation and collision detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pattern light is consistently irradiated to enable disparity calculation from plain surfaces, then disparity calculation capability is improved, but power consumption increases and the circumference may be dazzled
Solution Approach 1:
The pattern light irradiation is performed periodically or intermittently rather than continuously. The irradiating timing determining unit activates the pattern light only when disparity calculation fails for a predetermined number of times, creating a periodic action that balances measurement capability with energy conservation and reduced visual disturbance.
2Measurement precision
If uniform pattern light is irradiated to calculate disparity, then disparity calculation from plain surfaces is improved, but image saturation occurs when object brightness is high
Solution Approach 1:
The pattern light irradiation is made dynamic and adaptive rather than uniform and static. The system dynamically adjusts irradiation timing based on real-time disparity calculation success rates and environmental conditions, irradiating only when necessary and avoiding irradiation when object brightness is high, thus preventing image saturation while maintaining disparity calculation capability.
3Measurement precision
If pattern light is irradiated during rear clutch operation, then disparity calculation from garage walls is improved, but collision avoidance reliability decreases due to dazzle and power consumption issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control where the irradiating timing determining unit monitors disparity calculation results and adjusts pattern light irradiation accordingly. When disparity calculation fails repeatedly, the system activates pattern light irradiation; when calculation succeeds, irradiation is stopped. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable obstacle detection while minimizing the harmful effects of unnecessary irradiation.
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 detects obstacles and prevents collisions by minimizing power consumption and image saturation, even in challenging environments like plain surfaces, thereby reducing damage and improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
determines whether to irradiate invisible pattern light or visible pattern light to the outside of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of image capturing devices that captures an image outside a vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
In the present invention, images at a front side or a rear side of a vehicle are obtained from a plurality of image capturing devices and a disparity and a distance to the captured object are calculated from the images, if the disparity is not sufficiently obtained, pattern light is irradiated onto a capturing object and an image of the object onto which the pattern light is irradiated is obtained again from the plurality of image capturing devices and the disparity and the distance to the captured object are calculated. Therefore, it is possible to provide an in-vehicle camera and system that recognizes an obstacle even in a situation where it is difficult to obtain the disparity of the obstacle around the vehicle.