Optical Filter Placement for Traffic Light Color Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traffic light detection systems in vehicles face challenges in accurately perceiving the color of traffic signals due to issues like color distortion, which can lead to incorrect vehicle responses, potential collisions, and resource consumption by law enforcement.
Innovation Solution
A traffic light detection system configured with a light sensor, a lens, and a filter arranged in a specific configuration, where the filter is positioned between the lens and the light sensor to permit specific wavelengths associated with red, yellow, and green lights, minimizing color distortion and ensuring accurate detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera with lens and sensor is used for traffic light detection, then the system can capture images of traffic lights, but color distortion occurs leading to inaccurate detection
Solution Approach 1:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the lens and the sensor. This filter selectively transmits specific wavelengths of light corresponding to traffic light colors (red, yellow, green) while blocking other wavelengths. By placing the filter in this intermediate position, the system eliminates color distortion without requiring changes to the lens or sensor themselves, thereby achieving accurate color detection.
2Measurement precision
If the filter is positioned close to the sensor, then color distortion is minimized, but the field of view is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into multiple independent units, each consisting of a lens, filter, and sensor. Each unit can be optimized independently - the filter is positioned close to its corresponding sensor to ensure accurate color detection, while multiple units work together to provide a comprehensive field of view. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high measurement precision and adequate field of view coverage.
3Area of moving object
If multiple lenses and sensors are used to improve field of view, then coverage is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple identical or similar detection units (lens-filter-sensor assemblies) are used, where each unit performs the same function of detecting traffic light colors. This universal approach allows the system to achieve enhanced field of view coverage through simple replication rather than complex integration, as each module can be manufactured and assembled using the same processes and design templates.
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 traffic light colors, enabling vehicles to comply with traffic laws, avoid collisions, and conserve resources by reducing the need for law enforcement intervention and minimizing hardware damage.
Implementation Method 1
The filter may be configured to permit a preconfigured set of wavelengths of light from the environment to be sensed by the light sensor
Implementation Method 2
The lens may include a distal end positioned toward an environment and a proximal end that is opposite the distal end and positioned toward the light sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A sensor arrangement may include a light sensor, a lens, and a filter. The lens may include a distal end positioned toward an environment and a proximal end that is opposite the distal end and positioned toward the light sensor. The filter may be situated between the light sensor and the proximal end of the lens. The filter may be configured to permit a preconfigured set of wavelengths of light from the environment to be sensed by the light sensor.