Vehicle Camera Sharpness Control With Movable Sensor Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera systems in vehicles, such as autonomous vehicles, have limited field of view and depth of field, requiring multiple cameras to capture an adequate view, which increases cost and space constraints.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a sensor with processors and memory to determine data of interest, assess sharpness, and adjust the sensor's position through azimuth rotation, tilt, or translation to enhance sharpness and field of view, allowing for improved detection of objects and features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are used to capture adequate field of view and depth of field, then the field of view and depth of field are improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable lens system that can dynamically adjust its position relative to the image sensor through azimuth rotation, tilt, and translation. This dynamic positioning allows a single camera to capture objects at multiple depth planes and field positions that would otherwise require multiple fixed cameras, thereby resolving the contradiction between field of view coverage and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a third dimension of freedom by allowing the lens to move not only in focus adjustment but also in azimuth and tilt directions. This multi-dimensional movement capability enables a single camera to achieve the coverage of multiple cameras by accessing different spatial dimensions, thus improving field of view without proportionally increasing the number of cameras
2Measurement precision
If the sensor position is adjusted to enhance sharpness of specific objects, then the sharpness is improved, but the time and complexity of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a feedback control system where the processor continuously monitors image sharpness metrics and automatically adjusts the lens position in azimuth, tilt, and translation to optimize focus on detected objects of interest. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enhances sharpness while minimizing operational complexity by automating the adjustment process based on real-time image quality assessment
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting objects of interest and autonomously positioning the lens to achieve optimal sharpness without requiring manual intervention. The processor analyzes image data, determines the needed adjustment, and executes the lens positioning automatically, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining optimal focus
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a system and method that acquires data and determines a driving action based on the data. The system comprises a sensor, one or more processors, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the system to perform, determining data of interest comprising an object, feature, or region of interest, determining whether a sharpness of the data of interest exceeds a threshold, in response to determining that the sharpness does not exceed a threshold, operating the sensor to increase the sharpness of the data of interest until the sharpness exceeds the threshold, in response to the sharpness exceeding the threshold, determining a driving action of a vehicle based on the data of interest, and performing the driving action.