Vehicle Imager Electrochromic Flicker Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional imager modules struggle to effectively mitigate the appearance of flickering light sources in image data, leading to irregularities and saturation issues during bright lighting conditions.

Innovation Solution

An imager module equipped with an electro-optic device using an electrochromic medium that adjusts light transmittance in response to electrical signals, allowing extended exposure times while preventing pixel saturation by controlling the amount of light entering the pixel array, particularly during bright conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If exposure time is extended to mitigate flickering light sources, then image quality improves, but pixel saturation occurs during bright lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidpixel saturation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An electro-optic device is introduced as an intermediary component between the lens and pixel array. This device dynamically controls light transmission based on ambient lighting conditions, allowing extended exposure times for flicker mitigation while preventing excessive light from reaching pixels during bright conditions, thus avoiding saturation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electro-optic device provides dynamic control of light transmission by adjusting its optical properties in real-time based on environmental lighting conditions. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt exposure parameters without causing pixel saturation, resolving the contradiction between extended exposure needs and saturation prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional imager modules are used without electro-optic control, then device complexity remains low, but inability to mitigate flickering light sources results in poor image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflicker mitigation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electro-optic device serves multiple functions: it acts as a variable aperture for exposure control, a flicker mitigation mechanism through synchronized timing, and a dynamic light transmission regulator. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive control over light capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the optical parameters of the electro-optic device (transmission intensity, timing synchronization) based on detected lighting conditions and flicker characteristics. This parameter adjustment enables effective flicker mitigation while maintaining manageable device complexity through controlled adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If light transmittance is increased to capture more light, then image brightness improves, but flickering light sources cause irregularities in image data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage brightnessVSAvoidimage data consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The electro-optic device is synchronized to operate periodically in coordination with the flicker frequency of light sources. By timing its light transmission control to match the periodic nature of flickering sources, the system captures consistent light levels across multiple cycles, eliminating irregularities while maintaining adequate brightness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from environmental light detection to adjust electro-optic device operation. By monitoring lighting conditions and flicker patterns, the device dynamically modifies light transmission to maintain consistent image data while preserving image brightness, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively reduces the appearance of flickering light sources and prevents image saturation, maintaining image integrity by dynamically adjusting light transmittance based on environmental conditions, thereby enhancing image quality across varying lighting scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

The electro-optic device may include an electrochromic medium that adjusts a transmittance of light through the electrochromic medium in response to the control signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentEP3458308B1Imager with active exposure correction

Publication Date: 2022.11.30 GENTEX CORP

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AI summary

An imager module for a vehicle is disclosed. The imager module comprises an imager configured to capture image data over a plurality of image frames based on incoming light in a field of view and an optic device configured to control a transmission of the incoming light. The module comprises a controller configured to identify an exposure time for the imager based on environmental lighting conditions and adjust the exposure time by a flicker mitigation period. The adjustment of the exposure time mitigates an appearance of a periodic light source in the image data. The controller is further configured to control the transmission of the optic device to control the transmission of the incoming light.