Multicamera System for Autonomous Vehicles Using Distributed Focal Lengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous driving vehicles face challenges with camera systems due to photographic artifacts, limited field-of-view, and the inability of single monocular cameras to provide depth information, which are costly to overcome with more sophisticated binocular cameras.
Innovation Solution
A multicamera system with distributed cameras of varying focal lengths and polarizations, collectively maintaining a predetermined image space in focus, and a controller to determine object position and control vehicle functions based on image data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single monocular camera is used, then the cost is reduced, but depth information cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into multiple separate cameras with different focal lengths instead of using a single camera or a complex binocular system. Each camera captures images of the same scene from different focal distances, enabling depth information extraction through multi-focus image analysis while keeping individual camera components simple and cost-effective
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from capturing only 2D images with a single camera to capturing images across multiple focal dimensions. By using cameras with different focal lengths to image the same scene, the system creates a multi-dimensional dataset that enables 3D depth reconstruction without requiring expensive binocular camera systems
2Loss of information
If binocular cameras are used to provide depth information, then depth information is obtained, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates multiple copies of the same scene captured by different cameras with varying focal lengths. Instead of using complex binocular cameras, the system captures identical scenes from multiple focal perspectives using simpler monocular cameras, then processes these copies to extract depth information through computational methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the focal length parameter across multiple cameras rather than using complex binocular geometry. By varying the focal length parameter while keeping the camera type simple and consistent, the system achieves depth perception capabilities at lower cost through parameter diversification rather than structural complexity
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras with different focal lengths are used, then depth information and artifact mitigation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each camera in the system multi-functional by having them all capture images of the same scene simultaneously, but with different focal lengths. This universal imaging approach allows the system to extract multiple types of information (depth, focus quality, artifact detection) from each camera, maximizing the utility of each component while managing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image processing system that acts as an intermediary to integrate and process images from multiple cameras with different focal lengths. This intermediary processing layer consolidates the complex tasks of depth extraction, artifact mitigation, and image fusion, managing the complexity centrally rather than requiring complex individual camera systems
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a camera system and a sensing method using such a camera system. The camera system includes a plurality of distributed cameras, collectively keeping a predetermined image space relative to the camera system in focus. The plurality of cameras are configured to capture image data of at least one object located in the predetermined image space. The camera system further includes a controller configured to determine position information of the at least one object relative to the camera system based on the image data.