Vehicle Camera Capture Synchronized With Wipers for Depth Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camera systems in vehicles face challenges in maintaining consistent image quality due to weather conditions and wiper interference, leading to varying depth determinations across multiple cameras, which can impact vehicle control accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Synchronizing wiper movement with camera image capture to ensure images are taken shortly after the wiper clears the lens, using multiple cameras positioned behind wipers to capture images in parallel or sequentially, and weighting images based on the time since wiper passage to minimize weather-induced obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wipers are used to clear the camera view, then image quality is improved, but the wiper itself may obscure the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The system triggers the wiper to clear the surface before the camera captures the image. By performing the cleaning action in advance, the camera view is ensured to be clear of rain, snow, or dirt, while the wiper completes its motion and retracts before potentially obstructing the field of view during image capture.
2Measurement precision
If images are captured continuously, then more depth data is available, but image quality varies due to time since wiper passage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from wiper operation status and timing to control camera image capture. The camera is triggered to capture images at specific times relative to wiper passage, ensuring that images are taken when the surface is freshly cleared and quality is highest. This feedback mechanism maintains consistent image quality for accurate depth determination.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras operate independently, then coverage is improved, but depth determinations vary between cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the operation control of multiple cameras by synchronizing them with a common wiper operation signal. All cameras are triggered to capture images at the same time relative to wiper passage, ensuring that they all capture images under the same surface quality conditions. This coordinated approach maintains consistent depth determination across all cameras while preserving their independent fields of view.
Data Source
AI summary
A wiper is controlled to sweep a surface area, e.g., a portion of a windshield, in front of a camera, e.g., a camera mounted inside a vehicle. An image captured from the camera after the wiper completes, e.g., immediately completes, the sweep of the surface area in front of the camera is used in generating a depth map. In some embodiments a first wiper is controlled to clear a surface area in front of a first camera while a second wiper is controlled to clear a surface area in front of second camera at the same time, and the first and second cameras are synchronized to initiate image capture at the same time, capturing images through recently cleared area, and the captured images are used to generate a depth map. A vehicle control operation, e.g., a direction, braking or speed control operation is performed based on the depth map.