Vehicle Occupant Camera Shielding for Noise Light Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant monitoring systems in vehicles face issues with noise light interference due to reflected illumination, causing streaks and blown-out highlights in images, which hinders face recognition.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a camera unit with a light source and a path prevention structure, such as a light shielding wall or non-reflective sheet, to prevent light from entering the camera through paths other than the intended light path, reducing noise light input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera unit with light source is provided in the vehicle compartment, then face recognition capability is enabled, but noise light interference occurs causing streaks and blown-out highlights in images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful reflected light paths from the optical system by introducing a light shielding wall that blocks noise light from entering the camera lens, thereby separating the useful light path from the harmful reflected light paths
Solution Approach 2:
The light shielding wall acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the camera lens, intercepting and blocking the harmful reflected light before it can reach the camera sensor, while allowing the direct light path to remain unaffected
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera and light source are arranged on a substrate in the vehicle compartment, then occupant monitoring function is achieved, but reflected illumination enters the camera through non-intended paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful reflected illumination from entering the camera by extracting it through the light shielding wall structure that blocks alternative light paths while maintaining the necessary monitoring function
Solution Approach 2:
The light shielding wall is strategically positioned to provide localized light blocking only in the regions where reflected light would enter the camera, while leaving the intended light path from the light source through the lens unaffected
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 configuration effectively reduces noise light interference, improving image recognition accuracy by ensuring that only intended light is captured, thereby enhancing the reliability of face detection and recognition in vehicle occupant monitoring systems.
Implementation Method 1
light from the light source is transmitted through a design surface to irradiate the imaging target
Implementation Method 2
light reflected from the imaging target is transmitted through the design surface to be input to the camera
Implementation Method 3
a path prevention structure which prevents light from entering the camera through a path other than the light path
Data Source
AI summary
An occupant monitoring system includes a camera unit provided in a vehicle compartment and captures an image of a face of an occupant in a vehicle as an imaging target. The camera unit includes a camera and a light source on a substrate. The camera forms a light path in which light from the light source is transmitted through a design surface to irradiate the imaging target and light reflected from the imaging target is transmitted through the design surface to be input to the camera. The camera unit includes a path prevention structure which prevents light from entering the camera through a path other than the light path.