Far-Infrared Object Display for Beyond-Headlight Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle safety systems that use far infrared cameras struggle to effectively detect and display objects in low-light conditions, particularly when the headlights do not sufficiently illuminate the area, as drivers may not need or want to rely on processed images from these cameras when objects are visible with the naked eye.
Innovation Solution
An object detection and display apparatus equipped with a far infrared camera, a controller, and a head-up display that selectively displays objects only when they are beyond the reach of the vehicle's headlights, using icons to represent detected objects in the driver's field of view, thereby enhancing visibility without cluttering the view with unnecessary information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If far infrared camera images are always displayed to detect objects in dark areas, then object detection capability is improved, but visual clutter and driver distraction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs far infrared image processing and object detection only partially - specifically when darkness is detected by the illuminance sensor. This conditional processing avoids the excessive action of continuously processing and displaying all far infrared images, thereby reducing visual clutter while maintaining reliable object detection in dark areas where it is most needed.
2Loss of information
If far infrared images are displayed in well-lit areas, then redundant information is provided, but driver attention is unnecessarily consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different display qualities based on local lighting conditions. When the illuminance sensor detects sufficient light levels, the system suppresses far infrared image display locally (in the display output) while maintaining detection capabilities. This local quality adjustment ensures that redundant information is not displayed in well-lit areas, preserving driver attention for situations that actually require enhanced visualization.
3Illumination intensity
If headlight illumination is increased to improve visibility, then object visibility is improved, but energy consumption and glare to other drivers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary solution - the far infrared camera system - that operates independently of headlight illumination. The illuminance sensor detects darkness and activates the far infrared imaging system, which captures thermal radiation from objects without requiring additional headlight energy. This intermediary approach provides improved visibility in dark areas without increasing headlight energy consumption or causing glare to other drivers.
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 enhances driver awareness by selectively displaying objects not visible to the naked eye, using far infrared imaging to highlight objects in dark areas, thus improving safety without overwhelming the driver with redundant visual information.
Implementation Method 1
A far infrared camera that captures images using far infrared radiation emitted by an object
Data Source
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AI summary
An object detection and display apparatus for mounting in a moveable body includes a far infrared camera (10), a display device (30), and a controller (22) (processor). The controller (22) detects, from a first image outputted by the far infrared camera (10), an image of a display target object at a distance equal to or greater than the distance reached by light from headlights (5) of the moveable body, and causes the display device (30) to display an image element corresponding to the display target object based on the position of the image of the display target object in the first image.