Active night vision image intensity balancing system

• US 7,646,884 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2008
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Inventors: Nietering, Kenneth E., Scholl, David J., Weber, Willes H., Remillard, Jeffrey T., Marinelli, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta; Bhavesh M
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, JAYESH A
• Application Number:
  US12/013,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20080210870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 731 Days
• Field of Search: 382/103, 382/104, 382/154, 382/274, 382/294
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/24 in front of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/30 providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/103 using camera systems provided with artificial illumination device, e.g. IR light source
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/205 using a head-up display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/302 combining image information with GPS information or vehicle data, e.g. vehicle speed, gyro, steering angle data
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8053 for bad weather conditions or night vision
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

A vision system (10) for a vehicle (14) includes a light source (46) that generates an illumination beam (20). A receiver (62) generates a first image signal and a second image signal. The first image signal is generated in response to a reflected portion of the illumination beam (20). A controller is coupled to the light source (46) and the receiver (62). The controller generates an image in response to the first image signal and the second image signal.

Claims

1. A vision system for a vehicle comprising:

a light source generating an illumination beam directed forward of the vehicle;

a receiver generating a first image signal when said light source is active and a second image signal when said light source is inactive, at least one of said first image signal being generated in response to at least a reflected portion of said illumination beam; and

a controller coupled to said light source and said receiver, said controller generating a fused image signal from said first image signal and said second image signal by way of;

setting a fused value I_f to an illuminated pixel intensity value I_b when said illuminated pixel intensity value I_b is less than or equal to a non-illuminated pixel intensity value I_d ;

setting said fused value I_f to satisfy the equation;

If=I_b/1+(I_b−

I_d)/β

where β

is a predetermined value.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said light source is a non-incandescent light source.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controller generates said fused image signal in response to at least one predetermined image intensity threshold.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said controller generates said image in response to a maximum image intensity threshold I_b,max and a minimum image intensity threshold I_b,min .

5. A vision system for a vehicle comprising:

a light source generating an illumination beam directed forward of the vehicle;

a receiver generating a first image signal when said light source is active and a second image signal when said light source is inactive, at least one of said first image signal being generated in response to at least a reflected portion of said illumination beam;

an object detection sensor generating an object detection signal; and

a controller coupled to said light source and said receiver, said controller selecting a predetermined value β

in response to said object detection signal, said controller generating a fused image signal from said first image signal and said second image signal by way of;

setting a fused value if to an illuminated value I_b when said illuminated value l_b is less than or equal to a non-illuminated value I_d;

setting said fused value I_f to satisfy the equation;

If=I_b /1 +(I_b−

I_d)/β

.

6. A system as in claim 5 further comprising a heading device generating a heading signal, said controller altering the phase of said light source in response to said heading signal.