Vehicle Optical Sensor Control Under Sun Glare
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles face challenges in accurately discerning environmental features due to sun glare affecting optical sensors, leading to impaired sensor data quality and potential operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle computer system adjusts sensor data from optical sensors by predicting the effect of sunlight using illumination maps and weight adjustments, integrating data from multiple sensors to enhance accuracy and operational performance in high-glare conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical sensors are used to detect environmental features, then the vehicle can obtain visual information for navigation and detection, but sun glare degrades the quality of sensor data leading to impaired detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting sun glare effects before they fully degrade sensor data. The computer predicts the position and intensity of sun glare based on vehicle orientation, time, and location, then proactively adjusts sensor data processing parameters or activates compensatory measures before the glare severely impacts detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements including polarization filters positioned between the optical sensor and the environment to block glare, and computational intermediaries that process raw sensor data through algorithms designed to separate glare artifacts from actual environmental features, thereby recovering usable information.
2Productivity
If the vehicle operates optical sensors in high-glare conditions, then continuous environmental monitoring is maintained, but the reliability of sensor data and vehicle control decisions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where sensor data quality is continuously assessed, and when glare degradation is detected, the system adjusts processing parameters, activates alternative sensors, or modifies vehicle control decisions. This closed-loop feedback ensures that productivity is maintained while compensating for reliability degradation through real-time adaptations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting sensor exposure settings, processing thresholds, and data fusion weights based on detected glare conditions. The computer modifies operational parameters of the optical sensor and subsequent processing stages to optimize performance under varying glare intensities, maintaining productivity while adapting to reliability challenges.
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
Enhances vehicle operation by improving sensor data accuracy and enabling effective control systems, such as ADAS, even in high-glare situations.
Implementation Method 1
determine a predicted effect of sunlight on at least a portion of a field of view of the optical sensor... determine an adjustment to the sensor data based on the predicted effect of the sunlight
Data Source
AI summary
A computer includes a processor and a memory, and the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive sensor data from an optical sensor of a vehicle, determine a predicted effect of sunlight on at least a portion of a field of view of the optical sensor, determine an adjustment to the sensor data based on the predicted effect of the sunlight, and actuate a component of the vehicle based on the sensor data and the adjustment.