Rearview Mirror Foreign Object Detection Using Reflected Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foreign object detection systems for rearview mirrors, which rely on image recognition, often suffer from afterimages that obscure foreign objects, leading to potential traffic safety issues due to ineffective detection and removal.
Innovation Solution
A foreign object detecting system comprising a light transmitter and a light receiver, with a control circuit that emits a light signal and determines the presence of foreign objects by comparing the received light signal to a baseline, triggering a cleaning tool when a difference is detected, allowing for accurate and timely removal without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image recognition technology is used to detect foreign objects on rearview mirrors, then the system can identify objects in the image, but afterimages appear in the captured image causing false detection or missed detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light transmitter and light receiver as intermediary components to detect foreign objects. The light transmitter emits light toward the mirror surface, and the light receiver captures the reflected light. By measuring changes in reflected light intensity caused by foreign objects, the system detects objects without relying on image recognition, thereby avoiding afterimage interference while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Productivity
If a cleaning tool is activated to remove foreign objects, then the mirror surface is cleared, but the system requires additional hardware components increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system uses its own light transmitter and light receiver to both detect and trigger cleaning operations. The control circuit automatically activates the cleaning tool when foreign objects are detected through light intensity changes, enabling the system to service itself without requiring separate detection and cleaning control systems, thus reducing overall hardware 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
The system effectively detects and clears foreign objects from rearview mirrors by identifying energy differences in reflected light signals, ensuring improved traffic safety through accurate and timely removal without requiring additional hardware components.
Implementation Method 1
a light transmitter and a light receiver, with a control circuit that emits a light signal and determines the presence of foreign objects by comparing the received light signal to a baseline
Data Source
AI summary
A foreign object detecting system and a method are provided. A control circuit controls a light transmitter and a light receiver. The light transmitter is disposed adjacent to a detected object and emits a light signal toward the detected object. The light receiver is disposed adjacent to the detected object in a path along which the light signal reflected by the detected object travels. The light receiver receives the light signal reflected to the light receiver. In a pre-operation, the control circuit defines the light signal received by the light receiver when the foreign object is not on the detected object as a first reflected light signal. In a detection operation, the control circuit determines that a difference exists between the light signal currently received by the light receiver and the first reflected light signal, the control circuit determines that the foreign object is on the detected object.