Optical Sensor System with Light Guide Switching for Vehicle Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical sensor systems in motor vehicles face challenges with high computational and wiring complexities due to multiple camera devices processing and transmitting large amounts of data, limiting image resolution and requiring significant installation space and synchronization efforts.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor system with a single optical sensor means and multiple lens systems, where light signals are transmitted through flexible light guides to a central processing device, allowing for selective switching between lens systems and eliminating the need for additional optical sensors and wiring, thereby optimizing image resolution and computational power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple individual camera devices are used to capture images from different positions, then complete vehicle environment monitoring is achieved, but data transmission complexity and wiring requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple camera functions into a single camera device by integrating multiple lens systems (first, second, third lens systems) that capture images from different vehicle positions (front, rear, side) and directs all light signals to one imaging optical sensor. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate camera devices and their associated wiring, reducing installation space and data transmission complexity while maintaining comprehensive environment monitoring capability.
2Productivity
If multiple individual camera devices with their own optical sensors are used, then each camera position can independently process images, but computational power and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates image processing to a single central location by directing all light signals from multiple lens systems through light guides to one imaging optical sensor located in the evaluation device. This single sensor performs all image conversion and processing tasks, eliminating the need for multiple distributed sensors and their separate processing units, thereby reducing computational energy consumption while maintaining real-time processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single imaging optical sensor serves multiple functions by processing images from all lens systems (front, rear, side cameras) sequentially or simultaneously, making it a universal sensor that replaces multiple specialized sensors. The evaluation device can evaluate different image sequences from different lens systems for various driving assistance functions, achieving multi-functionality with a single sensor unit.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical sensor means are used for different lens systems, then each lens system can operate independently, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical sensor functions into a single imaging optical sensor located in the evaluation device. Light guides transmit optical signals from distributed lens systems to this centralized sensor, eliminating the need for separate sensors at each camera position. This significantly reduces installation space requirements while maintaining the independence and versatility of each lens system through the switching mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Light guides serve as intermediaries that transmit optical signals from multiple distributed lens systems to the single imaging optical sensor in the evaluation device. This intermediary transmission system enables spatial separation between light sources (lens systems) and the sensor, allowing lens systems to be positioned at various vehicle locations while consolidating the sensor in a centralized evaluation device with sufficient processing power.
4Device complexity
If a single optical sensor means is used with multiple lens systems, then cost and wiring are reduced, but image resolution may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a switching mechanism that dynamically assigns different lens systems to the single imaging optical sensor based on operational requirements. The switching means can selectively connect different lens systems (front, rear, side cameras) to the sensor, allowing the system to optimize image resolution for specific viewing directions or scenarios. This dynamic switching enables high-resolution imaging from multiple perspectives using a single sensor, maintaining measurement precision while simplifying the overall system.
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 enables high-quality digital images with reduced computational and wiring complexities, saving space, energy, and costs by centralizing image processing and eliminating the need for simultaneous signal evaluation, allowing for efficient and flexible image acquisition and processing.
Implementation Method 1
light guide means (4a-4n) corresponding to the number of optical lens systems (2a-2n)... each of the lens systems (2a-2n) is associated respectively with one of the light guide means (4a-4n)... direct the light signals... to the processing device
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor system (1) has plural optical lens systems (2a-2n), a single imaging optical sensor (3) and plural light guides (4a-4n) corresponding to the number of optical lens systems (2a-2n). The light guides (4a-4n) extend respectively between the lens systems (2a-2n) and the optical sensor (3). Each of the lens systems (2a-2n) is associated respectively with one of the light guides (4a-4n). A switching apparatus (5) selectively switches between the light guide means (4a-4n).