Vehicle Camera Structured Light Sensing for 3D Road Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-camera vision systems in automobiles are unable to capture the surface geometry of imaged objects or determine the distance to these objects effectively, unlike RADAR and LiDAR systems.
Innovation Solution
A camera system is described that includes a first imager and a processor, which projects a patterned light onto objects on the roadway and captures images of the light patterns to detect objects based on the projected light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional single-camera vision system is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to capture surface geometry and determine distance effectively deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light projector as an intermediary device that projects structured light patterns onto objects. This mediator enables the single camera to capture depth information by analyzing the deformation of projected patterns, effectively bridging the gap between simple camera structure and advanced measurement capability without requiring multiple cameras or complex hardware like RADAR/LiDAR
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the 2D image capture capability of a single camera into 3D measurement capability by projecting structured light patterns and analyzing their deformation. This dimensional transformation allows the system to extract depth and surface geometry information from 2D images, achieving 3D measurement precision with a 2D camera sensor
2Measurement precision
If a conventional single-camera vision system is used, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision of surface geometry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light projector serves as an intermediary that actively illuminates the scene with structured light patterns. This mediator enhances the contrast and visibility of surface features, enabling the camera to detect subtle geometric variations that would be invisible in passive lighting conditions, thereby improving surface geometry measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes different colors or wavelengths of projected light patterns to encode depth information. By analyzing color variations or wavelength shifts in the reflected light, the system can distinguish different surface geometries and distances, enhancing both measurement precision and detection capability
3Loss of information
If camera vision is used instead of RADAR or LiDAR, then the ability to recognize colors and read text improves, but the ability to determine distance and surface geometry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of camera vision (color and text recognition) with the depth measurement capability of structured light systems. By combining passive color imaging with active pattern projection and analysis, the system simultaneously achieves both color recognition and precise distance/geometry measurement, eliminating the trade-off between these capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions simultaneously: color recognition, text reading, distance measurement, and surface geometry capture. The single camera with structured light projection achieves the versatility of multiple specialized sensors (RADAR, LiDAR, color camera) in one unified system, making it universally applicable for various autonomous vehicle perception tasks
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 solution enables the camera system to better capture the surface geometry of imaged objects and determine their distance, enhancing the detection and recognition of 3-dimensional objects, particularly in autonomous vehicle applications.
Implementation Method 1
generates a signal to cause a first hybridized device in the vehicle to project a first patterned light on to an object on the roadway
Implementation Method 2
generates a signal to cause the first imager to capture an image of the first patterned light projected on the object
Data Source
AI summary
A camera is described that includes a first imager and a processor communicatively coupled to the first imager. The first imager captures images of a roadway on which a vehicle is located when operating. The processor, when operating, generates a signal to cause a first hybridized device in the vehicle to project a first patterned light on to an object on the roadway, generates a signal to cause the first imager to capture an image of the first patterned light projected on the object, receives the image from the first imager, and detects the object on the roadway based on the first patterned light captured in the image.