Pulsing Light Source Recognition via Multi-Integration Sensor Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recognizing pulsing light sources, such as LED headlights, face challenges due to their unstable and non-coherent patterns, especially when pulse frequencies exceed the camera's read-out rate, leading to unreliable recognition and classification in driver assistance systems.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a camera with a light-sensitive sensor array and an evaluation unit that measures gray values over multiple integration intervals, defining predefined gray values correlated with sensor characteristics, and classifying image regions based on these values to accurately identify pulsing light sources by distinguishing between saturation and zero values, thereby enhancing recognition reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the pulse frequency of LED light sources is increased to reduce energy consumption or change operating modes, then energy efficiency is improved, but the recognition reliability of the light sources by camera-based systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The integration interval is segmented into multiple sub-intervals, allowing the sensor to capture multiple brightness states within one camera frame. This enables the system to distinguish pulsing light sources from continuous ones by analyzing brightness variations across sub-intervals, thereby maintaining recognition reliability even at high pulse frequencies that would otherwise exceed the camera's read-out rate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension within the spatial frame by dividing the integration interval into multiple sub-intervals. This creates a new dimension of analysis where brightness changes over time within a single frame can be detected, allowing the system to recognize pulsing patterns without requiring frame rates faster than the camera's read-out rate
2Speed
If the pulse frequency of LED light sources approaches or exceeds the camera's read-out rate, then the light source cannot be represented as a clear image, but this creates unstable and non-coherent patterns that are difficult to recognize and track
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the integration interval into multiple sub-intervals, the system can capture multiple brightness states within one frame even when the pulse frequency exceeds the read-out rate. This allows stable tracking by providing coherent brightness information across multiple sub-intervals within each frame, preventing the unstable patterns that would otherwise occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous measurement within each frame by using multiple sub-intervals that collectively cover the entire integration period. This continuous sampling of brightness values throughout the frame allows the system to track pulsing light sources reliably even when their pulse frequency exceeds the camera's read-out rate
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 solution significantly improves the accuracy and reliability of recognizing pulsing light sources, even at high pulse frequencies, by using predefined gray values that are characteristic of pulsing light sources, allowing for stable classification and tracking in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
gray values of picture points of the individual images are measured with a light-sensitive sensor of the camera
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for recognizing a pulsing light source, in which a sequence of individual images is acquired with a light sensitive sensor. In an evaluation unit, all or at least some of the picture points of each individual image are examined with regard to at least one predefined feature. A gray value of any picture point depends on two or more charge levels of at least one of the photodetectors of the sensor corresponding to the picture point at the ends of at least two integration intervals for the picture point. The at least two integration intervals for said picture point have different lengths. The examination comprises an examination of the picture points as to whether the picture points have gray values in a defined vicinity of one of at least one predefined gray value.