Dynamic Matrix Filter for Vehicle Sensor Glare Masking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle image sensors often have insufficient dynamic range, leading to inaccurate image capture in bright or dark environments, which affects downstream processing and navigation in autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic matrix filter with adjustable optical density elements is placed in front of the image sensor to selectively obscure regions of the field of view, blocking bright sources of light and allowing the sensor to capture traffic signals without saturation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the image sensor captures the full dynamic range of the environment, then the sensor can detect both bright and dark regions, but the bright light sources cause saturation and reduce measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The field of view is segmented into multiple regions, with different optical densities applied to different regions. Bright light source regions are obscured with higher optical density while other regions maintain lower optical density for normal capture, allowing the sensor to capture multiple exposure levels simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the filter are assigned different optical densities based on the local characteristics of the scene. Regions containing bright light sources receive higher optical density to prevent saturation, while regions without bright sources maintain lower optical density for optimal image quality
2Device complexity
If a fixed optical density filter is used, then the filter structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying lighting conditions and reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The filter transitions from a static, fixed optical density design to a dynamic design where optical density values can be adjusted in real-time based on detected lighting conditions. The system dynamically selects and applies appropriate optical density values to different regions of the filter
Solution Approach 2:
The optical density parameter of the filter is made variable rather than fixed. The system changes the optical density parameter dynamically based on the detected brightness and characteristics of light sources in the scene, enabling adaptation to varying lighting conditions
3Reliability
If the filter obscures bright light sources, then saturation is reduced, but the filter complexity increases due to multiple adjustable elements
Solution Approach 1:
A single dynamic matrix filter structure performs multiple functions: it can obscure bright light sources, capture normal scenes, and potentially capture dark regions, all through dynamic adjustment of optical density values in different regions of the same filter
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 solution enhances the dynamic range of vehicle image sensors, enabling accurate image capture and improved navigation by reducing the impact of bright light sources, thus improving the accuracy of downstream processing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the filter elements have an adjustable optical density and the optical density of the filter elements can be increased to cause the filter elements to become opaque
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure include systems, methods, and devices use a controllable matrix filter to selectively obscure regions of an image sensor's field of view. The controllable matrix filter is a physical component that may be placed in front of an image sensor and, in certain situations, one or more regions of the otherwise transparent matrix filter may be selectively configured to have an increased optical density such that the one or more regions become opaque thereby blocking out certain regions of the image sensor's field of view. In this way, the controllable matrix filter may be used to mask out certain regions in an image sensor's field of view that may present processing difficulties for downstream systems that utilize information from the image sensor.