Solar Invariant Imaging System for Vehicle Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging systems used in vehicle guidance and object detection face challenges due to solar radiation, which causes blurring or blindness in image sensors, making it difficult to identify objects, especially under varying lighting conditions and weather conditions like fog or haze.
Innovation Solution
The use of an infrared light source and imaging system that captures images in specific wavelength bands fully absorbed by the atmosphere, such as 1350 nm and 1875 nm, to generate solar-invariant images, reducing the impact of solar radiation and weather artifacts, and a control system that determines commands for vehicle systems based on object detection disparities between visible and infrared spectrum images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If imaging systems operate within visible spectrum, then image capture is possible under normal lighting conditions, but solar radiation causes blurring or blindness in image sensors resulting in blind spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating wavelength parameter from visible spectrum to infrared spectrum (specifically 1350nm and 1875nm bands). This parameter change allows the imaging system to operate in wavelengths that are fully absorbed by atmospheric water vapor, eliminating solar radiation interference while maintaining reliable object detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses atmospheric water vapor as an intermediary medium by selecting infrared wavelengths that are completely absorbed by water vapor in the atmosphere. This creates a natural filter that blocks solar radiation while allowing active illumination from the vehicle's infrared light source to reach and reflect from targets, enabling reliable imaging.
2Use of energy by moving object
If imaging systems use broad infrared spectrum, then more light can be captured, but solar radiation interference remains in certain wavelength bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific narrow wavelength bands (1350nm and 1875nm) within the infrared spectrum rather than using a broad spectrum. These specific bands are chosen because they coincide with atmospheric water vapor absorption lines, creating localized windows where solar radiation is completely blocked while still allowing effective infrared imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of atmospheric water vapor (which normally causes signal attenuation) into a beneficial feature by selecting wavelengths that are fully absorbed by water vapor. This natural absorption mechanism completely blocks solar radiation interference, turning atmospheric conditions that were previously problematic into a protective filter.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wavelength bands are used for imaging, then object detection coverage is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the infrared spectrum into two distinct wavelength bands (1350nm and 1875nm), each with its own optimized imaging system. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be specialized for its specific wavelength band, simplifying the design of individual components while achieving comprehensive detection coverage through the combination of multiple specialized systems.
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 allows for more accurate object detection and vehicle control by eliminating solar radiation-induced blind spots and variations, improving the reliability of object detection algorithms and reducing the complexity of training systems, even under challenging conditions like day and night or in hazy weather.
Implementation Method 1
The portion of the infrared spectrum may be characterized by full absorption of solar radiation
Implementation Method 2
generate an image based on incident light from the infrared light source captured in a portion of an infrared spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
An object detection system includes an infrared light source and an imaging system that generates an image from a portion of the infrared spectrum characterized by full absorption of solar radiation. A control system detects an object using the image, determines a command based on a location of the object, and sends a command to one or more vehicle systems. Another object detection system includes an imaging system that generates a first image based on a visible spectrum and a second image based an infrared spectrum. A control system receives a disparity indication associated with object detection and sends a command to one or more vehicle systems to implement a disparity response based on the disparity indication. The disparity indication includes information that an object is not detected within the first image and that the object is detected within the second image.