Synchronized Pulsed Illumination for Long-Range Object Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current LiDAR sensors for autonomous vehicle applications are not as mature in technology development as other Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensing technologies, such as radars and cameras, leading to high costs and uncertainty in product volumes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed system uses a global shutter camera synchronized with a pulsed laser illumination source to capture images with and without illumination, allowing for the detection and characterization of objects based on the comparison of these images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If LiDAR sensors are used for object detection and discrimination, then measurement precision and detection capability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a pulsed laser illumination source with a global shutter camera system to create an integrated imaging system that performs both illumination and detection functions. This merging of functions allows the system to achieve LiDAR-like object detection and discrimination capabilities while using commercially available camera technology, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost compared to traditional LiDAR sensors.
2Reliability
If LiDAR sensors are used for object detection, then detection capability at long range is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs commercially available global shutter cameras and pulsed laser diodes that are significantly cheaper than traditional LiDAR sensors. By using off-the-shelf components that can be mass-produced, the system achieves long-range object detection capability at a fraction of the cost of mature LiDAR technology, making autonomous vehicle applications more economically viable.
3Measurement precision
If synchronized pulsed illumination and camera imaging are used, then object discrimination capability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsed illumination instead of continuous lighting, where the laser diode emits short bursts of light synchronized with the camera's global shutter exposure timing. This periodic action provides sufficient illumination for high-contrast imaging and object discrimination while consuming far less energy compared to continuous illumination, as the laser operates only during brief exposure intervals.
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 approach enables high-resolution object detection at long ranges, reducing the complexity and cost of the imaging system while providing effective object discrimination and potential threat assessment for autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination emitter controlled to provide images in which presence and/or characteristics of objects can be determined
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing system may comprise a global shutter camera, an illumination emitter, and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the image processing system to: control the illumination emitter to illuminate a scene; control the global shutter camera to capture a sequence of images of the scene, wherein the captured sequence of images includes images that are captured without illumination of the scene by the illumination emitter and images that are captured while the scene is illuminated by the illumination emitter; and determine presence of an object in the scene based on comparison of the images captured without illumination of the scene and images captured with illumination of the scene.