Ghost Imaging Obstacle Detection in Foggy Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies face challenges in accurately detecting obstacles in adverse weather conditions, particularly in environments with fog or similar scattering phenomena, which affect the accuracy and quality of automatic driving systems.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that calculates a cross-correlation function between signal light and reference light, estimates scattering characteristics of the propagation paths, and applies correction processing to improve image quality, using ghost imaging technology resistant to atmospheric turbulent flows and dynamic scattering phenomena.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional image processing is used for obstacle detection, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but detection accuracy deteriorates in adverse weather environments with scattering phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
The light from the light source is divided into two separate beams: signal light that interacts with the target and reference light that serves as a reference. This segmentation allows the system to compare the signal light with the reference light to compensate for scattering effects, thereby improving obstacle detection accuracy in adverse weather conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step where the detected light is compared with reference light data. This intermediary comparison mechanism acts as a mediator to cancel out the effects of scattering phenomena, enabling accurate obstacle detection even when direct imaging is degraded by fog or other scattering conditions.
2Measurement precision
If correction processing is applied to compensate for scattering, then obstacle detection accuracy is improved, but image processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reference light is measured and stored in advance before the actual target detection is performed. This preliminary action allows the correction processing to use pre-computed reference data, reducing the computational burden during real-time obstacle detection and minimizing processing time while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the reference light pattern and uses this copy for comparison with the signal light. By working with copied reference data rather than performing complex real-time calculations, the system achieves accurate scattering compensation with minimal processing time overhead.
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 solution enables highly accurate detection of obstacles even in adverse weather conditions, preventing image quality deterioration caused by scattering phenomena like fog, and ensuring reliable automatic driving systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light source unit that emits light; an optical unit that divides light from the light source into signal light and reference light; a single-pixel light receiver that receives the signal light and the reference light
Data Source
AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to achieve highly accurate detection of obstacles even in adverse weather environments, particularly environments in which a scatter phenomenon caused by fog or the like occurs. A target signal processing unit 51 calculates a cross-correlation function between split reference light from a light source unit 201, and reflected light from a target T, said reflected light being obtained using split signal light from the light source unit 201. An estimation unit 52 estimates scattering characteristics of propagation paths of the signal light and the reflected light. A correction processing unit 53 executes, on the basis of the scattering characteristics estimated by the estimation unit 52, prescribed correction processing of the cross-correlation function calculated by the target signal processing unit 51.