Windshield Visibility Maintenance via Camera-Based Obstruction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for maintaining front and rear windshield visibility in vehicles are costly and ineffective, leading to reduced visibility and distracted driving due to issues like dirt, ice, and condensation, which pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A video capture device with a camera sensor and processor that analyzes video signals and sensor data to detect obstructions and initiate corrective measures, such as activating wipers or heating systems, to maintain clear visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated humidity sensors are used to detect condensation, then condensation detection accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing camera sensor, originally designed for video capture, is repurposed to detect condensation on the windshield. The same sensor serves dual functions: recording video and monitoring windshield conditions for obstructions like condensation, dirt, or ice. This eliminates the need for dedicated humidity sensors while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a dedicated sensor to directly detect condensation, the system uses video capture data to create a visual representation of the windshield condition. The camera captures images of the windshield, and image processing algorithms analyze these visual copies to detect condensation, effectively using an optical copy of the windshield state for measurement.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual wiper usage is required to clean the windshield, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but driver distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic windshield maintenance by having the vehicle itself monitor and respond to windshield conditions. The camera continuously monitors the windshield, and when condensation or obstructions are detected, the system automatically activates the wipers or heating elements without requiring driver intervention. The vehicle serves itself by detecting and correcting its own visibility issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a closed-loop feedback mechanism where the camera sensor continuously monitors windshield conditions and provides real-time data to the control system. When condensation is detected, the system responds by activating corrective measures (wipers or heating), and continues to monitor until the windshield is clear. This automatic feedback loop eliminates the need for manual driver intervention while maintaining effective cleaning.
3Illumination intensity
If repeated clearing of foggy windshield is performed, then visibility is maintained, but driver safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera sensor operates continuously to monitor windshield conditions, providing uninterrupted detection of condensation or obstructions. This continuous monitoring ensures that visibility issues are detected immediately when they occur, allowing for prompt corrective action. The system maintains constant surveillance of the windshield state without requiring repeated manual checks by the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects condensation formation in its early stages and activates corrective measures before the windshield becomes significantly fogged or obscured. By taking preliminary action when condensation first appears, the system prevents severe visibility degradation, reducing the need for repeated aggressive clearing actions and maintaining safer driving conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising an interface and a processing circuit. The interface may be configured to receive (a) a video signal based on a targeted view in a vehicle and (b) one or more status signals from one or more sensors of the vehicle. The processing circuit may be configured to (A) analyze the video signal received from the interface and (B) detect a type of obstruction of a window of the vehicle visible in the video signal in response to (i) a classification of information in the video signal and (ii) one or more of the status signals. The processing circuit may (a) determine a confidence level for the type of obstruction, (b) activate one or more corrective measures when the confidence level is above a pre-defined threshold and (c) adjust the confidence level based on a response of the obstruction to the corrective measures.