Rotatable Reflector Optical Path Switching for Mobility Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems for autonomous vehicles struggle to consistently acquire clear image information in both bright and dark environments, leading to instability and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated image acquisition apparatus with a lens, optical amplifier, sensor, image signal processor, and rotatable reflectors that adjust the optical signal path based on illuminance levels, allowing the system to operate effectively in both daytime and nighttime conditions without the need for separate systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a general camera is used to acquire image information inside the mobility, then image information can be acquired stably in a bright environment, but it becomes difficult to stably acquire image information when the mobility enters a tunnel or in a dark environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both a general camera and an infrared camera into a single image acquisition apparatus, enabling the system to function effectively in both bright and dark environments. The general camera operates during daytime while the infrared camera activates during nighttime or dark conditions, providing universal image acquisition capability across all lighting conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an infrared camera is used to acquire image information inside the mobility, then image information can be acquired in dark environments, but it becomes difficult to discern the posture or condition of the passenger and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between the general camera and infrared camera based on ambient lighting conditions. During daytime, the general camera is used for cost-effective operation with sufficient image quality. During nighttime or dark conditions, the infrared camera activates to provide necessary image acquisition capability, optimizing cost while maintaining functionality.
3Reliability
If separate camera systems are used for bright and dark environments, then good image information can be acquired in both conditions, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the general camera and infrared camera into a single integrated image acquisition apparatus with a shared housing and control system. This consolidation reduces device complexity and space requirements while maintaining the ability to acquire high-quality images in both bright and dark environments through coordinated operation of both camera types.
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 enables stable acquisition of image information across varying illuminance conditions, reducing costs and space requirements by integrating both bright and dark environment imaging capabilities into a single apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a lens mounted on one surface of the housing and configured to allow an optical signal from a target location to pass
Implementation Method 2
at least two reflectors configured to be rotatable between locations set for a night image acquisition mode and locations set for a daytime image acquisition mode, to transmit the optical signal passing through the lens in the daytime image acquisition mode to the sensor without passing through the optical amplifier, and to transmit the optical signal passing through the lens to the sensor after passing through the optical amplifier in the night image acquisition mode
Implementation Method 3
an optical amplifier configured to amplify the passing optical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment apparatus for acquiring an image for a mobility includes a lens that allows an optical signal from a target location to pass, an optical amplifier for amplifying the optical signal that passes through the lens, a sensor that acquire an image signal included in the optical signal, an image signal processor that processes the image signal, and a plurality of reflectors that are rotatable between positions set for a night image acquisition mode and positions set for a daytime image acquisition mode, wherein, in the night image acquisition mode, the positions of the reflectors are set such that the optical signal passes through the lens to the sensor after passing through the optical amplifier, and wherein, in the daytime image acquisition mode, the positions of the reflectors are set such that the optical signal passes through the lens to the sensor without passing through the optical amplifier.