Vehicle Detection Camera with IR Filter and Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle detection systems are inefficient and costly, particularly in poor visibility conditions such as darkness, fog, or twilight, as they require multiple cameras and struggle to accurately recognize objects due to limitations in visible light range.
Innovation Solution
A detection system utilizing a single camera with an electrically controllable IR filter and conversion filter that alternately switches between IR and visible light modes, allowing for real-time superposition and evaluation of both light spectrums, combined with transparent pixels for enhanced brightness and image processing to differentiate critical objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to detect objects in poor visibility conditions, then object recognition accuracy is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single camera system is designed to perform multiple functions by capturing both visible light and infrared light spectra. The camera alternates between visible and infrared modes, allowing one device to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized cameras for different lighting and visibility conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system dynamically switches between visible and infrared light capture modes based on environmental conditions. An electrically controllable infrared filter is inserted or removed from the optical path to enable the sensor to adaptively detect objects in varying visibility conditions, including darkness, fog, and twilight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cameras are deployed to capture different light spectrums, then detection capability in various conditions is improved, but the number of components and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is designed as a universal detection device that can operate across multiple spectral ranges (visible and infrared) and various environmental conditions. By integrating an electrically controllable infrared filter and alternating between capture modes, a single camera replaces the need for multiple specialized cameras for night vision, fog detection, and daytime operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines visible light and infrared light capture capabilities into a single camera system. The image recording unit alternates between capturing visible light images and infrared light images, merging the functions of what would traditionally require separate cameras into one integrated device.
3Illumination intensity
If IR light is captured without filtering, then visibility in darkness is improved, but non-object related IR light causes image degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes non-object related infrared light from the optical path using an electrically controllable infrared filter. The filter is selectively inserted to block harmful IR radiation while allowing object-related IR light to reach the sensor, thereby extracting only the beneficial portion of the infrared spectrum for image capture.
Solution Approach 2:
An electrically controllable infrared filter acts as an intermediary element in the optical path between the scene and the image sensor. This mediator selectively transmits or blocks infrared light based on operational requirements, enabling the system to capture IR images when needed while preventing IR-related image degradation during visible light capture.
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 system achieves improved object recognition and safety in challenging conditions by effectively combining IR and visible light images, reducing costs and complexity, and enhancing visibility of critical objects even in fog or night environments.
Implementation Method 1
a conversion filter arranged within the optical path to convert at least a second part of the IR light being object related to visible light of an image enhancing wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
an IR (infrared) filter arranged within the optical path to block at least a first part of the IR light not being object related from reaching the image recording unit
Implementation Method 3
an image recording unit adapted to record visible and IR light reflected and/or emitted from the scenery
Data Source
AI summary
A detection system for vehicles adapted to record objects within a scenery at least in problematic viewing conditions includes a camera system establishing an optical path from a light entrance aperture via a lens system to an image recording unit with the image recording unit being adapted to record visible and IR light one or more of reflected or emitted from the scenery comprising at least one object, an IR filter arranged within the optical path to block at least a first part of the IR light not being the at least one object related from reaching the image recording unit, and a conversion filter arranged within the optical path to convert at least a second part of the IR light being the at least one object related to visible light of an image enhancing wavelength range.