Gated Rear Camera Timing for Vehicle Object Spacing Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles, particularly heavy goods vehicles, face challenges in safely changing lanes and merging into lanes due to the difficulty in perceiving and surveying their surroundings, especially when objects are located behind them.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a gated camera with a lighting device and optical sensor is used, where the actuation of the lighting device and optical sensor are chronologically coordinated to create a visible spacing region, allowing for the estimation of object spacing and evaluation of a planned movement trajectory, utilizing techniques from DE 10 2020 002 994 A1 to enhance object recognition and measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional cameras are used to survey surroundings behind the vehicle, then the basic imaging function is provided, but the ability to accurately detect and measure objects at various distances is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a lighting device and an optical sensor into a single gated camera system, where the lighting device emits light pulses and the optical sensor records reflections in a chronologically coordinated manner. This merging of functions allows the system to perform both illumination and distance measurement simultaneously, enabling accurate object spacing measurement while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device emits light pulses before the optical sensor records the reflections, creating a time-gated measurement window. This preliminary action of emitting light at specific time intervals allows the system to measure distances to objects at different spacings by coordinating the light emission timing with the sensor activation, thereby achieving precise object spacing measurement.
2Measurement precision
If the optical sensor operates continuously to capture all objects, then complete surveillance is achieved, but the ability to distinguish objects at specific distances is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor operates in periodic gated intervals rather than continuously, with each gate synchronized to light pulse emissions. This periodic operation allows the system to measure distances to objects at different spacings by activating the sensor only during specific time windows when light reflections from desired distance ranges are expected, achieving distance discrimination while minimizing time loss through efficient temporal sampling.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are deployed to improve object detection, then detection coverage is enhanced, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gated camera system performs multiple functions using a single integrated apparatus: it provides illumination through the lighting device, captures images through the optical sensor, and measures distances to objects at various spacings through chronological coordination of light emission and sensor activation. This multi-functionality enhances object detection reliability without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each function, thereby avoiding increased system complexity.
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
Enhances the ability to recognize and measure objects behind the vehicle, enabling safe lane changes and merges by accurately determining object spacing and trajectory planning.
Implementation Method 1
a first image of a first visible spacing region is recorded opposite to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle by means of the first coordinated actuation. Objects are searched for in the first image
Implementation Method 2
an actuation of the lighting device and of the optical sensor are chronologically coordinated with each other... a first visible spacing region is assigned to a first coordinated actuation... wherein a first image of the first visible spacing region is recorded
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a gated camera which has a lighting device and an optical sensor in a motor vehicle opposite to a direction of travel of the motor vehicle. An actuation of the lighting device and of the optical sensor are chronologically coordinated with each other. A first visible spacing region is assigned to a first coordinated actuation. Via the first coordinated actuation, a first recording of the first visible spacing region is recorded opposite to the direction of travel. Objects are searched for via the first recording. When an object is found, a first object spacing is estimated as a spacing between the found object and the optical sensor. A planned movement trajectory of the motor vehicle is evaluated on a basis of the first object spacing.