Vehicle Infrared Lamp Dimming for Halation-Free Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared light emitted by vehicles can cause halation in images captured by infrared cameras, making it difficult to detect objects with low infrared reflection intensity, such as pedestrians, due to high-intensity reflection from other vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle infrared lamp system that adjusts the lighting state based on the position of other vehicles to create a dimming region with lower infrared light intensity, preventing halation while allowing detection of low-intensity objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrared light intensity is increased to improve image sharpness, then image quality is improved, but halation occurs when other vehicles are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dimming region with specific spatial characteristics. The control unit generates a dimming region map that identifies specific areas where infrared light intensity should be reduced based on the positions of other vehicles. This allows different regions of the infrared light distribution to have different intensities - high intensity in regions without other vehicles and low intensity in regions with other vehicles - thereby preventing halation while maintaining image quality in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the infrared light distribution pattern adaptive and changeable. The control unit continuously acquires position information of other vehicles and dynamically adjusts the dimming region map in real-time. The lighting state of the infrared light source is controlled based on the current positions of other vehicles, allowing the system to transition between different lighting patterns as vehicles move in and out of the detection range.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If infrared light intensity is reduced to prevent halation, then halation is prevented, but objects with low reflection intensity cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a dimming region with specific spatial characteristics. The control unit generates a dimming region map that identifies specific areas where infrared light intensity should be reduced based on the positions of other vehicles. This allows different regions of the infrared light distribution to have different intensities - high intensity in regions without other vehicles and low intensity in regions with other vehicles - thereby preventing halation while maintaining image quality in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the infrared light distribution space into distinct regions. The dimming region map segments the field of view into a dimming region (where other vehicles are present) and non-dimming regions (where other vehicles are absent). This segmentation allows the system to apply different lighting strategies to different spatial zones, reducing light intensity only where necessary to prevent halation while maintaining high intensity in other regions for optimal object detection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dimming region is created to prevent halation, then halation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the control unit perform multiple functions. The control unit not only controls the lighting state of the infrared light source but also generates the dimming region map based on position information of other vehicles. This multi-functional approach consolidates the control logic into a single unit, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each function and thereby managing device complexity while achieving halation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the dimming region map - that mediates between the position information of other vehicles and the control of the infrared light source. The control unit uses this intermediate data structure to translate vehicle positions into appropriate lighting adjustments. This intermediary approach simplifies the control logic by providing a clear intermediate representation of the spatial relationships, making the system easier to manage despite the increased functionality.
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
Enables the detection of objects with low infrared reflection intensity while preventing halation in images captured by infrared cameras, improving object detection accuracy without dazzling other drivers or increasing vehicle size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared light source configured to emit infrared light
Implementation Method 2
an optical member configured to transmit the infrared light emitted from the infrared light source to a lamp front side
Implementation Method 3
the infrared light is reflected at high intensity, and thus halation occurs in an image captured by an infrared camera
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle infrared lamp system mounted on a vehicle equipped with an infrared camera includes: an infrared light source; a rotating reflector; an other-vehicle position acquisition unit configured to acquire position information of another vehicle; and a control unit configured to control a lighting state of the infrared light source based on the position information of the other vehicle acquired by the other-vehicle position acquisition unit such that a dimming region where radiant intensity of infrared light is lower than radiant intensity of any other region is formed on at least a part of the other vehicle.