Dual-Camera Windshield Obstruction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle windshield obstruction detection systems cannot differentiate between various obstructions such as rain, dirt, dust, frost, and bird droppings, and fail to distinguish between fog on the inside and outside of the windshield, leading to unnecessary wiper activation and driver distraction.
Innovation Solution
A dual-camera system with a primary camera for environmental observation and a secondary camera focused on the windshield, processing images to identify and classify obstructions using edge detection and Support Vector Machine techniques, and activating appropriate cleaning or defogging actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single camera system is used to detect obstructions on the windshield, then the system complexity is low, but the system cannot differentiate between various types of obstructions (rain, dirt, fog, etc.) leading to incorrect wiper activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into two separate camera systems: a first camera focused on the windshield surface to detect obstructions, and a second camera focused on the environment through the windshield to detect image quality degradation. This segmentation allows each camera to specialize in detecting specific characteristics of obstructions, enabling accurate differentiation between rain, dirt, fog, and other obstructions without requiring a single complex camera system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image processing system that acts as an intermediary between the two cameras and the wiper control system. This intermediary processes images from both cameras, compares the findings, and determines the type of obstruction present. The image processing system mediates the information from both cameras to make an accurate determination of whether wiper activation is necessary, preventing false positives from single-camera misinterpretations.
2Reliability
If the wiper system activates based on any detected obstruction, then all obstructions are addressed, but unnecessary wiper activation occurs causing driver distraction and energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image processing system continuously monitors images from both cameras and adjusts wiper activation decisions based on the type of obstruction detected. When the system detects fog or dirt on the windshield, it provides feedback to the wiper control system to prevent activation, as these obstructions do not require wiper operation. This feedback loop ensures wipers are activated only when necessary (rain or moisture detected), reducing unnecessary energy consumption and driver distraction while maintaining reliable obstruction detection.
3Speed
If edge detection algorithms are used to identify obstructions, then detection speed is improved, but false detection of bright spots (oncoming vehicles) as moisture occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection results from two separate camera systems to distinguish true moisture obstructions from false positives. The first camera detects edge patterns indicative of moisture, while the second camera provides context about the environment and image quality. By combining information from both cameras, the system can differentiate between actual moisture on the windshield (which would appear in both camera views) and bright spots from oncoming vehicles (which would only appear in the second camera's environmental view), maintaining fast detection speed while improving accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A system mounted on a vehicle for detecting an obstruction on a surface of a window of the vehicle, a primary camera is mounted inside the vehicle behind the window. The primary camera is configured to acquire images of the environment through the window. A secondary camera is focused on an external surface of the window, and operates to image the obstruction. A portion of the window, i.e. window region is subtended respectively by the field of view of the primary camera and the field of view of the secondary camera. A processor processes respective sequences of image data from both the primary camera and the secondary camera.