Event-Driven Flicker Detection for Fast Object Recognition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors struggle to accurately and efficiently detect the flicker characteristics of objects like traffic lights and vehicle lights due to their synchronous operation, which limits the speed and accuracy of object detection in autonomous driving systems.
Innovation Solution
An object detection device employing a dynamic vision sensor (DVS) with an asynchronous event-driven system, where each pixel detects light intensity exceeding a threshold, generating flicker information to enable high-speed and accurate object detection by specifying flicker detection areas based on event occurrence counts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a general image sensor operating at a predetermined frame rate is used, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is maintained, but the measurement precision of flicker characteristics is insufficient and detection speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static synchronous readout system to a dynamic asynchronous event-driven system. Each pixel independently detects light intensity changes and generates events asynchronously when thresholds are exceeded, enabling the system to dynamically respond to flicker frequencies without being constrained by a fixed frame rate, thereby simultaneously improving measurement precision and detection speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from synchronous frame-based capture to asynchronous event-based capture. By detecting events based on light intensity threshold exceedances rather than fixed time intervals, the system can accurately capture flicker characteristics across a wide range of frequencies while maintaining high detection speed
2Reliability
If a general image sensor with synchronous readout is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of object detection is insufficient due to inability to capture flicker characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image sensor into independently operating pixels, each capable of autonomous event detection. This segmentation allows each pixel to function as an independent flicker detector, significantly improving object detection reliability by capturing flicker characteristics that synchronous sensors miss, while the modular architecture keeps device complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where each pixel's light-receiving element directly triggers event generation upon threshold exceedance, without requiring synchronous readout coordination. This intermediary event-driven approach reliably captures flicker characteristics while simplifying the overall system architecture compared to complex synchronous coordination mechanisms
3Productivity
If asynchronous event-driven detection is implemented, then detection speed and measurement precision are improved, but the device complexity increases due to per-pixel event processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of light intensity threshold detection from each pixel, generating events only when necessary. This extraction approach enables high-speed asynchronous detection by eliminating unnecessary synchronous readout operations, while keeping per-pixel circuit complexity low by implementing only the minimal required event detection logic
Solution Approach 2:
Each pixel in the patent performs self-service by autonomously detecting light intensity changes and generating events when thresholds are exceeded, without requiring external control signals. This self-service capability enables high-speed parallel processing across all pixels, improving detection speed while minimizing the need for complex external control circuitry
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 approach allows for precise detection of objects with flicker characteristics, enhancing the speed and accuracy of object detection in autonomous driving systems, reducing erroneous detections and improving overall system performance.
Implementation Method 1
a solid-state imaging device provided with a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, the solid-state imaging device that detects, according to a light amount incident on each of the pixels, occurrence of an event in the pixel
Data Source
AI summary
A characteristic of a flicker component is detected to perform object detection at a higher speed and with higher accuracy. An object detection device according to an embodiment is provided with a solid-state imaging device (200) provided with a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, the solid-state imaging device that detects, according to a light amount incident on each of the pixels, occurrence of an event in the pixel, a flicker detection unit (12) that generates flicker information on the basis of the occurrence of the event detected by the solid-state imaging device, and an object detection unit (15) that detects an object on the basis of the flicker information detected by the solid-state imaging device.