MULTIPLE IMAGER VEHICLE OPTICAL SENSOR SYSTEM

• US 20160107576A1
• Filed: 12/22/2015
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: LOONG, DANIEL LEONG WOON, YEO, KOK WEE, LOW, YEW KWANG, TAYLOR, RONALD M.
• Application Number:
  US14/978,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20160107576A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/30 the beams of light being detected by photocells
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/147 Details of sensors, e.g. sensor lenses fingerprint or palmprint sensors G06V40/13; vascular sensors G06V40/145; eye sensors G06V40/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/58 Recognition of moving objects or obstacles, e.g. vehicles or pedestrians; Recognition of traffic objects, e.g. traffic signs, traffic lights or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/16 Anti-collision systems road vehicle drive control systems for predicting or avoiding probable or impending collision otherwise than by control of a particular sub-unit B60W30/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules

Abstract

An optical sensor system that includes a master lens, an optical diffuser, and a plurality of optoelectronic devices. The master lens is positioned on the vehicle to observe a field of view about the vehicle. An optical diffuser is located proximate to a focal plane of the master lens. The diffuser is configured to display an image of the field of view from the master lens. A first optoelectronic device generates a first video signal indicative of images on a first portion of the diffuser. A second optoelectronic device generates a second video signal indicative of images on a second portion of the diffuser. The optoelectronic devices may be sensitive to distinct ranges of wavelength. The second portion substantially overlaps the first portion such that the image captured by the first optoelectronic device is substantially the same as the image captured by the second optoelectronic device.

Claims

1. An optical sensor system adapted for use on a vehicle, said system comprising:

a master lens positioned on the vehicle to observe a field of view about the vehicle, said master lens characterized as defining a focal plane;

an optical diffuser located proximate to the focal plane of the master lens, said diffuser configured to display an image of the field of view from the master lens; and

a plurality of optoelectronic devices configured to view the diffuser, wherein said plurality of optoelectronic devices includes a first optoelectronic device operable to generate a first video signal indicative of images on a first portion of the diffuser, and a second optoelectronic device operable to generate a second video signal indicative of images on a second portion of the diffuser, wherein the second portion substantially overlaps the first portion such that the image captured by the first optoelectronic device is substantially the same as the image captured by the second optoelectronic device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion overlaps more than fifty percent (50%) of the first portion.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion overlaps more than ninety percent (90%) of the first portion.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first portion overlaps more than ninety percent (90%) of the second portion.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion overlaps one-hundred percent (100%) of the first portion.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first portion overlaps more than ninety percent (90%) of the second portion.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are coincident.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first optoelectronic device is configured to be sensitive to a first light wavelength range and the second optoelectronic device is configured to be sensitive to a second light wavelength range distinct from the first light wavelength range.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first light wavelength range corresponds to a visible light wavelength range and the second light wavelength range corresponds to an infrared light wavelength range.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first optoelectronic device comprises an optoelectronic die.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first video signal is processed independent of the second video signal.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an optical filter interposed between the first optoelectronic device and the diffuser.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an image projection layer (IPL) interposed between the diffuser and the plurality of optoelectronic devices, said IPL configured to preferentially direct light from the diffuser toward the plurality of optoelectronic devices.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the IPL includes a lenticular array.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the IPL includes an electrowetting lens operable to direct light from the diffuser toward each of the plurality of optoelectronic devices.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the IPL includes a free-form optical device that defines an array of lens elements, wherein each of the lens elements is configured to preferentially direct light from the diffuser toward each one of the plurality of optoelectronic devices.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes an angle correction lens interposed between the first optoelectronic device and the diffuser, said angle correction lens configured to correct for an angle of view of the first optoelectronic device relative to the diffuser.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the second optoelectronic device has a lower resolution than the first optoelectronic device such that the second video signal has a faster response time than the first video signal.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first optoelectronic device is configured to be sensitive to a first light wavelength range and the second optoelectronic device is configured to be sensitive to a second light wavelength range distinct from the first light wavelength range.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the first optoelectronic device is configured to be sensitive to a first light wavelength range and the second optoelectronic device is configured to be sensitive to a second light wavelength range distinct from the first light wavelength range, wherein the system includes a third optoelectronic device operable to generate a third video signal indicative of images on a third portion of the diffuser, wherein the third optoelectronic device has a lower resolution than the first optoelectronic device such that the third video signal has a faster response time than the first video signal.