Dynamic Liquid Crystal Filter for Removing Reflected Light from Vehicle Camera Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging devices installed near vehicle windshields capture blurred images due to reflected light, which decreases recognition rates and causes erroneous recognition in systems like lane recognition, especially in sunny conditions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that control a filter on the windshield and camera lens to alternately turn on and off, generating a differential image by subtracting reflected images from general images, and correcting the differential image based on brightness and edge detection to remove reflected light from camera images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a filter is installed on the windshield to block reflected light, then the clarity of the photographed image is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a liquid crystal filter that can dynamically change its light transmission properties based on applied voltage. The filter transitions between transparent and opaque states, allowing selective blocking of reflected light only when needed during image capture, rather than being permanently opaque. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction by maintaining image clarity only when required while avoiding unnecessary obstruction during other periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic switching of the filter state synchronized with the camera's image capture cycle. The filter is activated (turned opaque) only during the brief moment when the image is being photographed, then deactivated (turned transparent) for the remainder of the period. This periodic action ensures reflected light is blocked only when necessary for image clarity, while maintaining normal visibility otherwise, thus resolving the device complexity issue.
2Reliability
If additional shielding structures are added to block reflected light, then the image recognition accuracy is improved, but the vehicle design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical shielding structures (such as physical barriers or opaque covers) with an electro-optical control mechanism. Instead of using fixed mechanical elements to block reflected light, the system uses a liquid crystal filter controlled by electrical signals from the image processing unit. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical shielding while achieving the same goal of improving image recognition accuracy, thereby preserving vehicle design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters of the windshield/filter assembly dynamically based on imaging requirements. By adjusting the liquid crystal filter's light transmission properties through electrical control, the system can switch between transparent and light-blocking states as needed. This parameter-based control replaces fixed structural modifications, allowing the same windshield structure to serve multiple functions without compromising vehicle design flexibility.
3Measurement precision
If the filter is always on to block reflected light, then the image quality is improved, but the visibility through the windshield deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal filter provides dynamic control over light transmission, switching between transparent and opaque states based on real-time imaging needs. During image capture, the filter becomes opaque to block reflected light and improve image quality. Between capture moments, the filter returns to transparent state, restoring full visibility through the windshield. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by ensuring the filter is only active when image quality improvement is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter operates in periodic cycles synchronized with the image capture process. It alternates between an active state (opaque, blocking reflected light for improved image quality) and an inactive state (transparent, allowing full visibility). This periodic switching ensures that the negative effect on visibility is minimized and only occurs during brief intervals when image capture is taking place, thus resolving the contradiction between image quality and visibility.
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
Substantially removes reflected light from images, minimizing errors in image recognition and enhancing the range of vision without the need for additional shielding, thus allowing for flexible vehicle design.
Implementation Method 1
the filter is a liquid crystal filter, and the filter controller may output, at a predetermined interval, a control signal for controlling a transparent or opaque state of the liquid crystal filter
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for removing a reflected light from an imaging device image, including a processor on a controller configured to output at a predetermined interval to a windshield or an imaging device lens, a control signal for controlling an on or off operation of at least one filter; obtain an image photographed by the camera, wherein the camera is installed in a direction toward the windshield of the vehicle, generate a differential image by subtracting a reflected image photographed when the filter is turned on from a general image photographed when the filter is turned off, and obtain a final image by correcting an area corresponding to the reflected image of the differential image based on a blurred image of the differential image.