Cleaning system to remove debris from a lens

An apparatus including a cover, an actuator and a processor. The cover may be configured to enable light to reach an image sensor. The actuator may be configured to cause a vibration of the cover at a particular frequency. The processor may be configured to generate image frames from pixel data generated by the image sensor and present a control signal to the actuator in response to an input. The input may activate the vibration at the particular frequency. The particular frequency of the vibration may cause debris to be removed from the cover.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to camera systems generally and, more particularly, to a method and/or apparatus for implementing a cleaning system to remove debris from a lens.

BACKGROUND

Cameras are used for various types of applications, such as surveillance, maneuvering aid (i.e., driver assistance) or autonomous driving. A surveillance camera that cannot clearly capture an image has limited usefulness. Autonomous vehicles will have a limited ability to detect objects without clear images. Camera lenses, particularly for cameras located in outdoor environments, can be exposed to various types of debris. Debris (i.e., dirt, dust, rain drops, snow, etc.) can obscure the images captured by a camera.

If not removed, rain drops, dirt and debris in general have a tendency to deposit over the external surface of the most external element of the camera lens causing a degradation of the image quality provided by the camera. Usually the result of a rain drop or other debris on the lens is the presence a blurred/obscured area in the image taken by the camera that makes distinguishing the content of the covered image portion difficult or impossible. Difficulty distinguishing content can be a problem for both artificial vision systems or humans that need to interpret the image content for various purposes (i.e., detecting a potential threat in the area surveilled by the camera, parking a car near a location of an obstacle captured by a camera mounted on a vehicle, etc.).

There are several conventional methods for cleaning lenses. A wiper may be installed on the front glass of a camera enclosure, or on the lens. However, using a wiper results in an extra external component. The wiper will also add another obstacle in the image captured while cleaning. A nozzle to spray a liquid, air, or a mixture of liquid and air on the lens surface can be used to remove debris. A nozzle also involves an extra external component as well as a tank or compressor to distribute the liquid or gas. The liquid or gas used can also result in image distortion (and might need a wiper to clear the liquid). A rotating glass in front of the lens can remove debris using a centrifugal force. A rotating glass is also another external element that can cause image distortion. A glass element in front of the lens can also result in reflections, which further cause distortions to the captured image.

It would be desirable to implement a cleaning system to remove debris from a lens.

SUMMARY

The invention concerns an apparatus comprising a cover, an actuator and a processor. The cover may be configured to enable light to reach an image sensor. The actuator may be configured to cause a vibration of the cover at a particular frequency. The processor may be configured to generate image frames from pixel data generated by the image sensor and present a control signal to the actuator in response to an input. The input may activate the vibration at the particular frequency. The particular frequency of the vibration may cause debris to be removed from the cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention include providing a cleaning system to remove debris from a lens that may (i) automatically remove rain drops, dust, dirt and snow from a camera lens, (ii) provide a clean image for further video processing or human evaluation, (iii) be implemented without an additional external element, (iv) leverage the force of gravity to remove debris, (v) be implemented as a waterproof system, (vi) avoid adding additional distortion while cleaning the camera lens, (vii) automatically clean the lens in response to detected debris, (viii) compensate for the applied vibration in the output images, (ix) remove debris from a camera lens or other protective cover for a camera and/or (x) be implemented as one or more integrated circuits.

Embodiments of the present invention may be configured to implement a cleaning system for a camera. The cleaning system may be configured to automatically remove debris (e.g., rain drops, mud, dust, snow, etc.) from the most external lens element. The debris may cause an obstruction and/or obscure the output images (or video frames) generated by the camera. Removing debris may enable the camera to generate a clean (or clear) image. The clean image may be used for further video processing and/or human evaluation.

The cleaning system may be implemented by generating a vibration of the camera and/or camera lens. The vibration may result in the lens being shaken at a particular frequency to reduce the force that attaches the debris to the lens surface. When the force of the vibration causes the force that attaches the debris to the lens surface to loosen, then the debris particle(s) may drop down in response to gravitational forces.

Embodiments of the present invention may be configured to remove debris without adding external elements to clean the camera lens. For example, the force of gravity may be leveraged to remove the debris without any additional visible external element. The cleaning system may be free from constraints caused by external cleaning elements. For example, no distortion elements may be added in front of the lens such as a rotating element or a wiper element. In another example, the present invention may be implemented without a distribution system (e.g., a tank, a pump, a compressor, etc.) for distribution of liquid and/or gases to blow onto the lens. A distribution system may result in a large power draw compared to vibrating the camera. In still another example, a rotating glass may have different distortions based on the rotational position of the rotating glass, which may cause different types of distortions at different times. Different types of distortions at different times may be difficult to predict and/or correct in the captured images.

By implementing the cleaning system without external elements, additional issues may be avoided such as unwanted artifacts, unwanted reflections (e.g., caused by an external glass element), accumulated moisture (e.g., caused by an external glass element that may result in a temperature difference between inside and outside the enclosure). The additional issues such as moisture and unwanted reflections may negatively affect image quality captured by the camera.

The cleaning system may be implemented by causing the lens (or external part of the camera, such as a protective cover) to shake. In an example, the shaking may remove casual drops that may remain on the lens after rain. Other debris that may not be strongly attached to the external glass or lens may also be removed. The shaking may be caused by generating a vibration at a particular frequency. In one example, the particular frequency may be 30 kHz.

In some embodiments, computer vision may be implemented to detect the presence of debris. The vibration may be generated in response to the computer vision detecting the debris on the lens surface. In some embodiments, the vibration may be generated in response to a manual activation (e.g., receiving an input from an external source). For example, an operator (e.g., a person viewing a live stream of surveillance footage, a driver using a reverse camera to perform a backup maneuver, etc.) may see the debris obstructing the output images of the camera and manually activate the vibration to perform a cleaning (e.g., on-demand cleaning).

In some embodiments, the generation of images may be temporarily paused while cleaning is in progress. The vibration may result in a temporary distortion of the output images. Temporarily pausing the generation of images until cleaning is complete may prevent the distortion. For example, a temporary pause may be suitable for low-priority camera systems (e.g., surveillance, a back-up camera on a vehicle, an action camera, a wearable camera, etc.).

In some embodiments, implementing a temporary pause may not be acceptable (e.g., autonomous driving). Video processing techniques may be implemented to counteract the distortion caused by the vibration. In an example, the camera system may implement optical image stabilization that may be used to correct the distortion caused by the vibration of the lens/cover. Since the vibration may be performed at a particular frequency, the type of correction to perform may be known in advance (e.g., consistent and/or predictable movement) to enable application of the countermeasures as soon as the cleaning system is activated. In another example, the sensor may be stabilized to prevent and/or reduce negative effects caused by the vibration (e.g., a five axes actuation may be performed in an image sensor).

Referring toFIG.1, a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention100is shown. The apparatus100generally comprises and/or communicates with blocks (or circuits)102a-102n, a block (or circuit)104, blocks (or circuits)106a-106n, a block (or circuit)108, a block (or circuit)110, blocks (or circuits)112a-112n, a block (or circuit)114, a block (or circuit)116, blocks (or circuits)118a-118nand/or a block (or circuit)120. The circuits102a-102nmay each implement a capture device. The circuits104may implement an interface circuit. The circuits106a-106nmay each implement a processor (or co-processors). In an example implementation, the circuits106a-106nmay each be implemented as a video processor and/or a computer vision processor. The circuit108may implement a memory. The circuit110may implement one or more communication devices. The blocks112a-112nmay implement lenses. The circuit114may implement one or more vehicle sensors. The circuit116may implement one or more vehicle actuators. The circuits118a-118nmay each implement a display. The circuit120may implement a power storage device (e.g., a battery). The apparatus100may comprise other components (not shown). The number, type and/or arrangement of the components of the apparatus100may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

In various embodiments of the apparatus100, the components102a-118nmay be implemented as a distributed camera system100. In the distributed system embodiment of the apparatus100, each component may be implemented separately throughout an installation location (e.g., such as a vehicle). In some embodiments of the apparatus100, the components102a-118nmay be implemented on a printed circuit board (e.g., a single module). In the single module embodiment, each component may be connected to a single module (e.g., such as a circuit board on a small device such as a drone). In some embodiments, some of the components102a-118nmay be implemented on a single module and some of the components102a-118nmay be distributed throughout the installation location. For example, the apparatus100may be implemented as a drop-in solution (e.g., installed as one component). In some embodiments, the apparatus100may be a device that may be installed as an after-market product for a vehicle (e.g., a retro-fit for a vehicle). In some embodiments, one or more of the components102a-118nmay be components separate from the apparatus100that may be accessed by the interface104and/or the processors106a-106n.

In some embodiments, the apparatus100may implement one of the processors106a-106n. In some embodiments, the apparatus100may implement multiple processors106a-106n. For example, the processors106amay have multiple co-processors106b-106n.

Similarly, the interface104may be implemented as multiple interfaces each supporting different communication protocols. In another example, the communication devices110may be implemented as many modules, each implementing a different communications standard (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, etc.). In some embodiments, the one or more of the components102a-118nmay be implemented as part of another one of the components102a-118n. For example, the memory108may be implemented as a component of the processors106a-106n. In another example, the lenses112a-112nand the capture devices102a-102nmay each be implemented as a respective single assembly. Generally, the apparatus100may be implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC).

The lenses112a-112n(e.g., an optical lens) may be configured to capture a targeted view. Some of the lenses112a-112nmay be implemented to provide a targeted view of an area exterior to an object (e.g., the outside of a car). Some of the lenses112a-112nmay be implemented to provide a targeted view of an interior of an object (e.g., the cabin of a vehicle). The lenses112a-112nmay each capture and/or focus light as input data (e.g., IM_A-IM_N) and present the respective light input data IM_A-IM_N to a respective one of the capture devices102a-102n.

In embodiments implementing many of the lenses112a-112n, each of the lenses112a-112nmay point in a different direction. By having each of the lenses112a-112ncapture a different direction, the apparatus100may capture a panoramic view of the environment and/or the interior of a vehicle. The lenses112a-112nmay be arranged to capture fields of view above and/or below a level of the vehicle. In some embodiments, lenses112a-112nmay be implemented having a wide angle (or fisheye) lens. The panoramic video may comprise a large field of view generated by one or more lenses/camera sensors. One example of a panoramic video may be a 360 equirectangular video. Equirectangular video may also be called spherical panoramas. Panoramic video may be a video that provides a field of view that is larger than the field of view that may be displayed on a device used to playback the video (e.g., one of the displays118a-118n).

Each of the capture devices102a-102nmay comprise one of blocks (or circuits)140a-140n, one of blocks (or circuits)142a-142nand/or one of blocks (or circuits)144a-144n. The blocks140a-140nmay implement an image sensor (e.g., a camera sensor). The blocks142a-142nmay implement logic. The blocks144a-144nmay implement a buffer. For clarity, in the example shown, only the image sensor140a, the logic142aand the buffer144aof the capture device102aare shown. The capture devices102a-102nmay each be configured to (i) receive a respective one of the signals IM_A-IM_N, (ii) receive a respective signal (e.g., CONTROL A-CONTROL N), and/or (iii) present a respective signal (e.g., FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N).

The capture devices102a-102nmay each be configured to generate raw pixel data in response to the signals IM_A-IM_N (e.g., perform a photoelectric conversion). The capture devices102a-102nmay be configured to present pixel data as an analog signal or as a digital signal (e.g., perform an analog to digital conversion). The capture devices102a-102nmay capture data received through the lenses112a-112nto generate raw pixel data and/or video image data. In an example, the capture devices102a-102nmay present the raw pixel data in Bayer pattern, RGB, or YUV formats. In some embodiments, the capture devices102a-102nmay generate video frames. In some embodiments, the capture devices102a-102nmay generate raw pixel data and the processors106a-106nmay generate the video frames from the raw pixel data.

The signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N may comprise raw pixel data, video frames and/or still images generated by the capture devices102a-102n(e.g., video data). In the example shown, the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N (e.g., video frames) may be communicated from the capture devices102a-102nto the processors106a-106n. In another example, signals comprising the raw pixel data may be communicated from the capture devices102a-102nto the processors106a-106nand the processors106a-106nmay generate the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N (e.g., the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N may be generated internal to the processors106a-106n). In some embodiments, the capture devices102a-102nmay be directly connected to the processors106a-106n. In some embodiments, the capture devices102a-102nmay be connected to the processors106a-106nby respective cables. In an example, the capture devices102a-102nmay be connected to the processors106a-106nusing a serial communication protocol between serializer-deserializer pairs.

In some embodiments, the capture devices102a-102nand/or the processors106a-106nmay be configured to perform depth sensing (e.g., the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N may comprise depth information and/or vector light data in addition to the video frames). In one example, the capture devices102a-102nand/or the processors106a-106nmay perform depth sensing using multiple cameras (e.g., cameras configured as a stereo pair to capture a depth map). In another example, the capture devices102a-102nand/or the processors106a-106nmay perform depth sensing using time-of-flight. In yet another example, the capture devices102a-102nand/or the processors106a-106nmay perform depth sensing using structured light.

The video frames FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N may be presented to one or more of the processors106a-106n. The signals CONTROL A-CONTROL N may comprise instruction signals for the capture devices102a-102nand/or the lenses112a-112n(e.g., to zoom, pan, focus, adjust settings, etc.). The signals CONTROL A-CONTROL N may be generated by the processors106a-106n.

The interface circuit104may be configured to transmit and/or receive a number of signals. The interface circuit104may be configured to communicate information and/or convert information to/from various protocols. In some embodiments, the interface104may be implemented as one of the components of the processors106a-106n. In some embodiments, the interface104may be implemented as a vehicle bus (e.g., a CAN bus). For example, for low speed communication, the vehicle CAN bus may be implemented. In some embodiments, the interface104may implement a high speed data transmission protocol (e.g., for video transmission). For example, the interface104may implement one or more of Ethernet, PCI-e, MIPI, etc. In some embodiments, the interface104may comprise many different components, each configured to communicate using a particular protocol. The interface104may comprise a data bus, traces, connectors, wires and/or pins. The implementation of the interface104may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

In the example shown, the interface104may send and/or receive a signal (e.g., DATA), a signal (e.g., CV), a signal (e.g., VCTRL), a signal (e.g., COM), a signal (e.g., SEN), a signal (e.g., VCTRL′) and/or a signal (e.g., USER). The signal USER may represent user inputs (e.g., turn signals, pressing the accelerator, pressing the brakes, interactions with an infotainment system, etc.). The signal SEN may represent information related to the vehicle sensors114such as calibration data from the processors106a-106nand/or status information of the vehicle based on sensor readings (e.g., speed, acceleration, temperature, location, gyro orientation, etc.). The signal COM may represent information communicated to/from the communication devices110. The signal VCTRL and VCTRL′ may represent control instructions generated by the processors106a-106nfor the various vehicle actuators116. The signal CV may represent computer vision data. The signal DATA may represent other data. The number of signals communicated and/or the types of data communicated using the interface104may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The processors106a-106nmay each comprise a block (or circuit)150, a block (or circuit)152, a block (or circuit)154, a block (or circuit)156, a block (or circuit)158and/or a block (or circuit)160. The block150may implement a convolutional neural network (CNN) module. The block152may implement a sensor fusion module. The block154may implement a driving policy module. The block156may implement a video processing pipeline module. The block158may implement a decision making module. The block160may implement an open operand stack module. The processors106a-106nmay comprise other components (not shown). In some embodiments, one or more of the processors106a-106nmay not comprise each of the blocks150-160. The modules150-160may each be implemented as dedicated hardware modules of the processors106a-106n. The number, type and/or arrangement of the components of the processors106a-106nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The processors106a-106nmay be configured to execute computer readable code and/or process information. The processors106a-106nmay each be configured to receive the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N, transmit the signal VCTRL, signals (e.g., VOUT_A-VOUT_N) and/or send/receive the signal DATA, the signal CV and/or a signal (e.g., RW). The signals VOUT_A-VOUT_N may each provide a video data output to a corresponding one of the displays118a-118n. For example, the processors106a-106nmay be configured to generate the video data (e.g., VOUT_A-VOUT_N) for the displays118a-118nin response to the video frames (e.g., FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N). The signal RW may communicate data to/from the memory108. The signal VOUT_A-VOUT_N, the signals CONTROL A-CONTROL N, the signal DATA, the signal CV, the signal RW and/or the signal VCTRL may be generated based on one or more decisions made by the processors106a-106n. The decisions made by the processors106a-106nmay be determined based on data received by the processors106a-106nand/or based on an analysis of the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N. The processors106a-106nmay implement other signals (not shown). The number and/or type of signals communicated by the processor106a-106nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The memory108may comprise a block (or circuit)170, a block (or circuit)172and/or a block (or circuit)174. The block170may implement a look up table. The block172may implement data storage. The block174may implement database storage (e.g., image feature sets, vehicle status, view options, GNSS/GPS positions, a schedule of a user, driver behavior, expected travel times/routes, user preferences, etc.). The memory108may be configured to store computer readable/executable instructions (or firmware or code). The instructions, when executed by the processors106a-106n, may perform a number of steps. In some embodiments, the processors106a-106nmay be implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC) and the memory108may be a component of the processors106a-106n. In some embodiments, the memory108may be implemented as part of a black box recorder implemented to survive collisions (e.g., to preserve data to assist in an investigation). The arrangement and/or type of data stored and/or the memory technology implemented (e.g., NAND, RAM, memristor, etc.) by the memory108may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The communication devices110may send and/or receive data to/from the apparatus100. In some embodiments, the communication devices110may be implemented as a wireless communications module. In some embodiments, the communication devices110may be implemented as a satellite connection to a proprietary system (e.g., to provide advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) data and/or telemetry data). In some embodiments, the communication devices110may implement GPS and/or GNSS functionality. In one example, the communication device110may be a hard-wired data port (e.g., a USB port, a mini-USB port, a USB-C connector, HDMI port, an Ethernet port, a DisplayPort interface, a

Lightning port, a Thunderbolt port, a PCI-e interface, a MIPI interface, etc.). In another example, the communication device110may be a wireless data interface (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, cellular (3G/4G/5G/LTE), etc.). In another example, the communication devices110may implement a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter.

The communication devices110may include support for wireless communication by one or more wireless and/or cellular protocols such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.15.1, IEEE 802.15.2, IEEE 802.15.3, IEEE 802.15.4, IEEE 802.15.5, IEEE 802.20, GSM, CDMA, GPRS, UMTS, CDMA2000, 3GPP LTE, 4G/HSPA/WiMAX, SMS, etc. The communication devices110may also include support for communication using one or more of the universal serial bus protocols (e.g., USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, etc.).

The sensors114may be used to determine the status information of the host object (e.g., the vehicle). The sensors114may implement a sensor array. The sensor array114may be used to determine the position of objects in a proximity range with respect to the apparatus100. For example, the sensors114may implement a radar device, an array of radars, a sonar device, an array of sonars, a lidar device, an array of lidar devices, an ultra-sound device, an array of ultra-sound devices, etc. The sensors114may provide the sensor readings using the signal SEN. In some embodiments, the sensors114may be calibrated using the signal SEN. The types of the vehicle sensors114used to detect a proximity to other objects may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The actuators116may be used to cause an action. The actuators116may be implemented as an array of components. The actuators116may be configured to convert an electrical signal comprising information and/or instructions (e.g., the signal VCTRL′) into a physical action. In an example, the actuators116may be configured to turn wheels, increase an acceleration, decrease an acceleration, activate and/or adjust headlights, activate a turn signal, activate air bags, engage/disengage locks, adjust heating/cooling control settings, adjust fan speed, adjust heated seats, etc. In some embodiments, the actuators116may implement speakers (interior or exterior speakers). In one example, the actuators116may implement speakers that have been mandated by federal regulations for all new electric vehicles to make noise when the vehicle is moving at low speed (e.g., to alert pedestrians. The actuators116may control various components of the host vehicle. The number, type and/or functionality of the actuators116may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The displays118a-118nmay each implement a screen and/or an output device. In one example, one or more of the displays118a-118nmay implement an electronic mirror (e.g., an e-mirror). In another example, one or more of the displays118a-118nmay implement a touchscreen for an infotainment system. In yet another example, one or more of the displays118a-118nmay implement a back-up camera and/or bird's-eye view camera. The displays118a-118nmay display a version of video frames captured by one or more of the lenses112a-112nand/or the capture devices102a-102n. The video frames captured by the capture device102a-102nmay be cropped, adjusted and/or encoded by the processors106a-106nto fit the displays118a-118n. For example, the processor106a-106nmay provide real-time video streaming to the displays118a-118nvia the signals VOUT_A-VOUT_N.

The battery120may be configured to provide a power supply to a vehicle. In an example, the battery120may comprise a car battery. The battery120may supply the power source for driving an electric vehicle and/or operating the accessories of an electric vehicle. The battery120may further provide the power source for accessory functions (e.g., displaying content on the displays118a-118n, controlling power windows, controlling locks, controlling temperature, powering the capture devices102a-102n, communicating using the communication devices110, powering the sensors114, controlling the actuators116, powering the processors106a-106n, etc.). The battery120may be configured to report a capacity to the interface104. For example, the processors106a-106nmay be configured to read the remaining capacity of the battery120(e.g., a percentage of charge left).

The sensor140a(e.g., a camera imaging sensor such as a CMOS sensor) of the capture device102amay receive light from the lens112a(e.g., the signal IM_A). The camera sensor140amay perform a photoelectric conversion of the light from the lens112a. The camera sensor140amay generate a bitstream comprising pixel data values. The logic142amay transform the bitstream into a human-legible content (e.g., video data and/or video frames). In one example, the logic142amay receive pure (e.g., raw) data from the camera sensor140aand generate video data based on the raw data (e.g., the bitstream). For example, the sensor140aand/or the logic142amay be configured perform image signal processing on raw data captured and read out YUV data. In some embodiments, the sensor140amay read out raw data and the image signal processing may be performed by the processors106a-106n. In one example, the capture devices102a-102nmay provide a direct connection to the processors106a-106n. In another example, the capture devices102a-102nmay be connected to the processors106a-106nusing a serializer-deserializer pair. The logic142amay further control the lens112ain response to the signal CONTROL A. The memory buffer144amay store the raw data, frames and/or the processed bitstream. For example, the memory and/or buffer144amay be configured as a frame buffer that may store (e.g., provide temporary storage and/or cache) one or more of the video frames (e.g., the video signal). In some embodiments, each of the capture devices102a-102nmay comprise other components (e.g., a battery, a motor, a microphone, etc.).

In some embodiments, the sensor140amay implement an RGB-InfraRed (RGB-IR) sensor. The sensor140amay comprise a filter array comprising a red filter, a green filter, a blue filter and a near-infrared (NIR) wavelength filter (e.g., similar to a Bayer Color Filter Array with one green filter substituted with the NIR filter). The sensor140amay operate as a standard color sensor and a NIR sensor. Operating as a standard color sensor and NIR sensor may enable the sensor140ato operate in various light conditions (e.g., day time and night time).

The CNN module150may be configured to implement convolutional neural network capabilities. The CNN module150may be configured to implement computer vision using deep learning techniques. The CNN module150may be configured to implement pattern and/or image recognition using a training process through multiple layers of feature-detection. The CNN module150may be configured to conduct inferences against a machine learning model.

The CNN module150may be configured to perform feature extraction and/or matching solely in hardware. Feature points typically represent interesting areas in the video frames (e.g., corners, edges, etc.). By tracking the feature points temporally, an estimate of ego-motion of the capturing platform or a motion model of observed objects in the scene may be generated. In order to track the feature points, a matching algorithm is generally incorporated by hardware in the CNN module150to find the most probable correspondences between feature points in a reference frame and a target frame. In a process to match pairs of reference and target feature points, each feature point may be represented by a descriptor (e.g., image patch, SIFT, BRIEF, ORB, FREAK, etc.). Implementing the CNN module150using dedicated hardware circuitry may enable calculating descriptor matching distances in real time.

The CNN module150may be a dedicated hardware module configured to perform feature detection of the video frames. The features detected by the CNN module150may be used to calculate descriptors. The CNN module150may determine a likelihood that pixels in the video frames belong to a particular object and/or objects in response to the descriptors. For example, using the descriptors, the CNN module150may determine a likelihood that pixels correspond to a particular object (e.g., a person, a vehicle, a car seat, a tree, etc.) and/or characteristics of the object (e.g., a mouth of a person, a hand of a person, headlights of a vehicle, a branch of a tree, a seatbelt of a seat, etc.). Implementing the CNN module150as a dedicated hardware module of the processors106a-106nmay enable the apparatus100to perform the computer vision operations locally (e.g., on-chip) without relying on processing capabilities of a remote device (e.g., communicating data to a cloud computing service).

The computer vision operations performed by the CNN module150may be configured to perform the feature detection on the video frames in order to generate the descriptors. The CNN module150may perform the object detection to determine regions of the video frame that have a high likelihood of matching the particular object. In one example, the types of object to match against (e.g., reference objects) may be customized using the open operand stack module160. The CNN module150may be configured to perform local masking to the region with the high likelihood of matching the particular object(s) to detect the object.

The sensor fusion module152may be configured to analyze information from multiple sensors114, capture devices102a-102nand/or the database174for redundancy. By analyzing various data from disparate sources, the sensor fusion module152may be capable of making inferences about the data that may not be possible from one of the data sources alone. For example, the sensor fusion module152may analyze video data as well as radar, lidar, inertial, motion, V2X, location data (e.g., GPS, GNSS, ADAS, etc.), gaze direction, driver state, battery status and/or other sources to develop a model of a scenario to support decision making. The sensor fusion module152may also provide time correlation, spatial correlation and/or reliability among the data being received from the different sensors114.

In an example, the sensor fusion module152may spatially overlay an object captured by a camera with the same object captured by lidar for better identification and/or ranging (distance and relative velocity) to that object. In a time correlation example, an object may be seen by two sensors at slightly different times (e.g., side-facing sensors near the front bumper and the rear bumper). The sensor fusion module152may time shift the data from a leading sensor to align with the data from the trailing sensor. Information from motion sensors may be integrated into the time correlation to determine which sensor is leading, which sensor is trailing and/or how fast the detected object is moving.

In a reliability example, the sensor fusion module152may determine the reliability of objects detected by each sensor. The sensor fusion module152may adjust the weighting used to overlay the data to give more weight to reliable data and/or less weight to unreliable data (e.g., one of the capture devices102a-102nmay have low reliability in foggy conditions, but radar may have good reliability in foggy conditions). A confidence that the object is really there and is correctly identified may also be calculated in the sensor fusion module152. The confidence data may be presented to the driving policy block154via an on-chip bus, rather than relying on an inter-chip bus.

The driving policy module154may be configured to enable human-like intuition. The driving policy module154may allow the vehicle to share the road with human drivers. For example, sensing, mapping, and powerful computer vision may provide a model of the environment and/or reaction time of a vehicle to be better than that of a human driver. Applying machine learning to develop and evolve a driving policy may be utilized to provide a human-like intuition and/or behavior needed to analyze multi-variable situations and/or negotiate with human drivers. In an example, the driving policy module154may provide a rule set for ethics when making decisions.

The video pipeline156may be configured to encode video data and/or video frames captured by each of the capture devices102a-102n. In some embodiments, the video pipeline156may be configured to perform video stitching operations to stitch video frames captured by each of the lenses112a-112nto generate the panoramic field of view (e.g., the panoramic video frames). The video pipeline156may be configured to perform de-warping, cropping, enhancements, rolling shutter corrections, stabilizing (e.g., electronic image stabilization (EIS)), downscaling, packetizing, compression, conversion, blending, synchronizing and/or other video operations. The architecture of the video pipeline156may enable the video operations to be performed on high resolution video and/or high bitrate video data in real-time and/or near real-time. The video pipeline module156may enable computer vision processing on 4K resolution video data, stereo vision processing, object detection, 3D noise reduction, fisheye lens correction (e.g., real time 360-degree dewarping and lens distortion correction), oversampling and/or high dynamic range processing. In one example, the architecture of the video pipeline156may enable 4K ultra high resolution with H.264 encoding at double real time speed (e.g., 60 fps), 4K ultra high resolution with H.265/HEVC at 30 fps, 4K AVC encoding and/or other types of encoding (e.g., VP8, VP9, AV1, etc.). The video data generated by the video pipeline module156may be compressed (e.g., using a lossless compression and/or a low amount of lossiness). The type of video operations and/or the type of video data operated on by the video pipeline156may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The video pipeline module156may implement a digital signal processing (DSP) module configured to receive information (e.g., pixel data values captured by the sensors140a-140n) from the input signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N. The video pipeline module156may be configured to determine the pixel values (e.g., RGB, YUV, luminance, chrominance, etc.). The video pipeline module156may be configured to perform image signal processing (ISP). The video pipeline module156may be further configured to support or provide a sensor RGB to YUV raw image pipeline to improve image quality, perform bad pixel detection and correction, demosaicing, white balance, color and tone correction, gamma correction, adjustment of hue, saturation, brightness and contrast adjustment, sharpening and/or chrominance and luminance noise filtering.

The video pipeline module156may encode the raw image data into a plurality of encoded video streams simultaneously (in parallel). The plurality of video streams may have a variety of resolutions (e.g., VGA, WVGA, QVGA, SD, HD, Ultra HD, 4K, 8K, etc.). The video pipeline module156may receive encoded and/or unencoded (e.g., raw) audio data from an audio interface. The video pipeline module156may also receive encoded audio data from a communication interface (e.g., USB and/or SDIO). The video pipeline module156may provide encoded video data to the communication devices110(e.g., using a USB host interface) and/or the displays118a-118n(e.g., the signals VOUT_A-VOUT_N).

The video pipeline module156may be configured to implement a raw image pipeline for image signal processing. The video pipeline module156may be configured to convert image data acquired from the capture devices102a-102n. For example, the image data may be acquired from the image sensor140ain a color filter array (CFA) picture format. The raw image pipeline implemented by the video pipeline module156may be configured to convert the CFA picture format to a YUV picture format.

The raw image pipeline implemented by the video pipeline module156may be configured to perform demosaicing on the CFA formatted image data to obtain linear RGB (red, green, blue) image data for each picture element (e.g., pixel). The raw image pipeline implemented by the video pipeline module156may be configured to perform a white balancing operation and/or color and tone correction. The raw image pipeline implemented by the video pipeline module156may be configured to perform RGB to YUV color space conversion. The raw image pipeline implemented by the video pipeline module156may be configured to perform noise filtering (e.g., noise reduction, noise correction, etc.) and/or sharpening. The raw image pipeline implemented by the video pipeline module156may be configured to implement tone based non-smoothness detection and adjustment. Generally, noise filtering may be performed after each step, operation, and/or conversion performed to reduce any noise introduced by each step.

The video pipeline module156may implement scheduling. Scheduling may enable the video pipeline156to perform various discrete, asynchronous video operations and/or computer vision operations in parallel. The scheduling may enable data results from one video operation to be available by the time another video data operation needs the data results. The video pipeline module156may comprise multiple pipelines, each tuned to perform a particular task efficiently.

The decision making module158may be configured to generate the signal VCTRL. The decision making module158may be configured to use the information from the computer vision operations and/or the sensor fusion module152to determine which actions may be taken. For example, in an autonomous vehicle implementation, the decision making module158may determine which direction to turn. The decision making module158may utilize data from the CNN module150and/or computer vision data using a histogram oriented gradient (HOG). The sources of data for making decisions used by the decision making module158may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The decision making module158may be further configured to determine the video data to communicate to the displays118a-118n. The signals VOUT_A-VOUT_N may be cropped and/or adjusted in response to decisions by the decision making module158. For example, the decision module158may select one field of view (e.g., a wide angle field of view) instead of another field of view (e.g., a narrow angle field of view) to send to the display118aas the signal VOUT_A. In another example, the decision making module158may determine which of the displays118a-118nto use to display a notification (e.g., an advertisement) and/or where on the video data to place the notification. In yet another example, the decision making module158may adjust output characteristics of the displays118a-118n(e.g., brightness, contrast, sharpness, etc.).

The operand stack module160generally contains basic tasks used in all autonomous vehicles (e.g., object detection, correlation, reliability, etc.). The openness of the operand stack module160may enable car manufacturers to add new and/or proprietary features that could distinguish particular vehicles in the marketplace. The open operand stack module160may enable programmability.

The video processing pipeline156is shown comprising a block (or circuit)162and/or a block (or circuit)164. The circuit162may implement a computer vision pipeline portion. The circuit164may implement a disparity engine. The video processing pipeline156may comprise other components (not shown). The number and/or type of components implemented by the video processing pipeline156may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The computer vision pipeline portion162may be configured to implement a computer vision algorithm in dedicated hardware. The computer vision pipeline portion162may implement a number of sub-modules designed to perform various calculations used to perform feature detection in images (e.g., video frames). Implementing sub-modules may enable the hardware used to perform each type of calculation to be optimized for speed and/or efficiency. For example, the sub-modules may implement a number of relatively simple operations that are used frequently in computer vision operations that, together, may enable the computer vision algorithm to be performed in real-time. The computer vision pipeline portion162may be configured to recognize objects. Objects may be recognized by interpreting numerical and/or symbolic information to determine that the visual data represents a particular type of object and/or feature. For example, the number of pixels and/or the colors of the pixels of the video data may be used to recognize portions of the video data as objects.

The disparity engine164may be configured to determine a distance based on images captured as a stereo pair. Two or more of the capture devices102a-102nmay be configured as a stereo pair of cameras. The capture devices102a-102nconfigured as a stereo pair may be implemented close to each other at a pre-defined distance and/or have a symmetrical orientation about a central location. The capture devices102a-102nconfigured as a stereo pair may be configured to capture video frames from similar, but slightly different perspectives (e.g., angled inwards to capture fields of view that overlap).

The disparity engine164may be configured to perform a comparison to analyze the differences between the stereo pair of images. In an example, the processors106a-106nmay detect feature points of the same object detected in both video frames captured by the capture devices102a-102nconfigured as a stereo pair. The disparity engine164may determine distances (e.g., an offset) of the feature points and then perform calculations based on the characteristics of the stereo pair of capture devices (e.g., angle, distance apart, etc.) and the determined distances of the feature points. Based on the differences between the stereo pair of images and the pre-defined distance between the capture devices102a-102nconfigured as a stereo pair, the disparity engine may be configured to determine a distance. The distance determined by the disparity engine164may be the distance from the capture devices102a-102nconfigured as a stereo pair. In an example, the disparity engine164may determine a distance from the capture devices102a-102nconfigured as a stereo pair to a particular object (e.g., a vehicle, a bicycle, a pedestrian, driver, a vehicle occupant, etc.) based on the comparison of the differences in the stereo pair of images captured.

The look up table170may comprise reference information. In one example, the look up table170may allow the captured video data to be compared to and/or cross-referenced with some known set of data. In another example, the look up table170may allow the sensor fusion module152to compare and/or cross-reference data from the sensors114with some known sensor values (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.). Generally, the look up table170may be implemented to index pre-calculated values to save computation time.

The data storage172may comprise various data types stored by the memory108. In an example, the data storage172may correspond to detected objects, reference objects, a video file, status information (e.g., readings from the sensors114) and/or metadata information. The types of data and/or the arrangement of data stored in the memory108may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The database storage174may comprise information about user preferences for one or more users of a vehicle. In an example, different drivers may have different driving behaviors (e.g., time of day the driver travels, the usual routes the driver travels, camera view preferences, etc.). The database storage174may be comprise information about particular conditions associated with selecting particular camera views for display. The type of data stored about each driver and/or vehicle occupant in the database storage174may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The database storage174may comprise information about detected events. The decision module158may determine whether an event has occurred based on information from the CNN module150and/or the sensor fusion module152. An event may be a scenario determined by the decision module158to be worth storing information about (e.g., a collision, an unknown object detected, a near miss, etc.). The database storage174may store metadata corresponding to the detected event. The metadata may comprise a location, a time-of-day timestamp, detected weather conditions, speed of the vehicles, acceleration of the vehicles, etc.). In some embodiments, the metadata may comprise a log of all the measurements of the sensors114.

In some embodiments, the database storage174may comprise information about particular individuals. In an example, the database storage174may comprise information about faces for one or more people. The facial information may be used to perform facial recognition to identify a passenger as a particular person. In an example, the facial information may comprise descriptors and/or features corresponding to one or more individuals (e.g., the vehicle owner and the family members of the vehicle owner). The facial information stored in the database174may be used to enable the apparatus100to perform specific actions for specific people.

In some embodiments, the video data generated by the processors106a-106nmay be a panoramic video. The video data may be communicated over a network via the communication devices110. For example, the network may be a bandwidth-constrained network (e.g., a wireless network). The processors106a-106nmay combine hardware de-warping, intelligent video analytics and/or digital zooming. The processors106a-106nmay reduce wireless bandwidth consumption when communicating video data. The processors106a-106nmay increase image resolution within the available bandwidth.

In some embodiments, portions of the panoramic video may be cropped to the size of a particular one of the displays118a-118nby the processors106a-106n(e.g., portions of the panoramic video outside of the cropped portion may be discarded and/or not displayed). In some embodiments, the panoramic video may be panned in one or more directions to see additional portions of the panoramic video outside of the field of view of the displays118a-118n. For example, the panoramic video may comprise a spherical video, a hemispherical video, a 360 degree video, a wide angle video, a video having less than a 360 field of view, etc. In some embodiments, the panoramic video may provide coverage for a full 360 degree field of view. In some embodiments, less than a 360 degree view may be captured by the panoramic video (e.g., a 270 degree field of view, a 180 degree field of view, etc.). In some embodiments, each of the lenses112a-112nmay be used to capture video frames that provide a portion of a field of view that may be stitched together to provide a field of view that is wider than the field of view captured by each individual one of the lenses112a-112n. The processors106a-106nmay be configured to perform video stitching operations to stitch together video frames (e.g., arrange video frames according to position and/or time, reduce parallax effects, reduce distortions, etc.).

In some embodiments, the capture devices102a-102nmay implement a rolling shutter sensor. Using a rolling shutter sensor, a small amount of time difference may be present between some portions of each video frame. The processors106a-106nmay be configured to de-warp and/or correct a rolling shutter effect for each video frame.

In some embodiments, the apparatus100may further comprise an audio capture device (e.g., a microphone). The audio capture device may capture audio of the environment. The processors106a-106nmay be configured to synchronize the audio captured with the images captured by the capture devices102a-102n.

The processors106a-106nmay generate output video data and/or video data that may be used internally within the processors106a-106n. The signals VOUT_A-VOUT_N may be encoded, cropped, stitched and/or enhanced versions of one or more of the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N. The signals VOUT_A-VOUT_N may be high resolution, digital, encoded, de-warped, stabilized, cropped, downscaled, packetized, blended, stitched and/or rolling shutter effect corrected versions of the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N. The enhanced versions of the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N may improve upon the view captured by the lenses112a-112n(e.g., provide night vision, provide High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging, provide more viewing area, highlight detected objects, provide additional information such as numerical distances to detected objects, provide bounding boxes for detected objects, etc.).

The processors106a-106nmay be configured to implement intelligent vision processors. The intelligent vision processors106a-106nmay implement multi-object classification. In one example, multi-object classification may comprise detecting multiple objects in the same video frames using parallel processing that reduces power consumption and/or computational resources compared to detecting multiple objects one object at a time. The multi-object classification may further comprise determining multiple inferences at a time (e.g., compared to first detecting whether an object exists, then detecting that the object is a driver, then determining whether the driving is holding the steering wheel, etc.).

The processor106nis shown comprising a number of blocks (or circuits)180a-180n. While the blocks180a-180nare shown on the processor106n, each of the processors106a-106nmay implement one or more of the blocks180a-180n. The blocks180a-180nmay implement various hardware modules implemented by the processors106a-106n. The hardware modules180a-180nmay be configured to provide various hardware components that may be used by the processors106a-106nto efficiently perform various operations. Various implementations of the processors106a-106nmay not necessarily utilize all the features of the hardware modules180a-180n. The features and/or functionality of the hardware modules180a-180nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation. Details of the hardware modules180a-180nmay be described in association with U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/831,549, filed on Apr. 16, 2020, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/288,922, filed on Feb. 28, 2019 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/593,493 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,437,600), filed on May 12, 2017, appropriate portions of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The hardware modules180a-180nmay be implemented as dedicated hardware modules. Implementing various functionality of the processors106a-106nusing the dedicated hardware modules180a-180nmay enable the processors106a-106nto be highly optimized and/or customized to limit power consumption, reduce heat generation and/or increase processing speed compared to software implementations. The hardware modules180a-180nmay be customizable and/or programmable to implement multiple types of operations. Implementing the dedicated hardware modules180a-180nmay enable the hardware used to perform each type of calculation to be optimized for speed and/or efficiency. For example, the hardware modules180a-180nmay implement a number of relatively simple operations that are used frequently in computer vision operations that, together, may enable the computer vision algorithm to be performed in real-time. The processors106a-106nmay be configured to recognize objects. Objects may be recognized by interpreting numerical and/or symbolic information to determine that the visual data represents a particular type of object and/or feature. For example, the number of pixels and/or the colors of the pixels of the video data may be used to recognize portions of the video data as objects.

One of the hardware modules180a-180n(e.g.,180a) may implement a scheduler circuit. The scheduler circuit180amay be configured to store a directed acyclic graph (DAG). In an example, the scheduler circuit180amay be configured to generate and store the directed acyclic graph in response to the feature set information. The directed acyclic graph may define the video operations to perform for extracting the data from the video frames. For example, the directed acyclic graph may define various mathematical weighting to apply when performing computer vision operations to classify various groups of pixels as particular objects.

The scheduler circuit180amay be configured to parse the acyclic graph to generate various operators. The operators may be scheduled by the scheduler circuit180ain one or more of the other hardware modules180a-180n. For example, one or more of the hardware modules180a-180nmay implement hardware engines configured to perform specific tasks (e.g., hardware engines designed to perform particular mathematical operations that are repeatedly used to perform computer vision operations). The scheduler circuit180amay schedule the operators based on when the operators may be ready to be processed by the hardware engines180a-180n.

The scheduler circuit180amay time multiplex the tasks to the hardware modules180a-180nbased on the availability of the hardware modules180a-180nto perform the work. The scheduler circuit180amay parse the directed acyclic graph into one or more data flows. Each data flow may include one or more operators. Once the directed acyclic graph is parsed, the scheduler circuit180amay allocate the data flows/operators to the hardware engines180a-180nand send the relevant operator configuration information to start the operators.

Each directed acyclic graph binary representation may be an ordered traversal of a directed acyclic graph with descriptors and operators interleaved based on data dependencies. The descriptors generally provide registers that link data buffers to specific operands in dependent operators. In various embodiments, an operator may not appear in the directed acyclic graph representation until all dependent descriptors are declared for the operands.

One or more of the dedicated hardware modules180a-180nmay be configured to extract feature points from the video frames. The CNN module150may be configured to analyze pixels of the video frames and/or groups of pixels of the video frame. One or more of the dedicated hardware modules180a-180nmay be configured to perform particular mathematical operations that may be performed multiple times to perform the analysis of the pixels and/or groups of pixels. The operations performed by the dedicated hardware modules180a-180nmay be configured to calculate descriptors based on the feature points. The dedicated hardware modules180a-180nmay be configured to compare the descriptors to reference descriptors stored in the memory108to determine whether the pixels of the video frames correspond to a particular object.

Referring toFIG.2, a diagram illustrating an example embodiment200of camera systems inside and outside of a vehicle is shown. An automobile/vehicle50is shown. The apparatus100is shown as a component of the vehicle50(e.g., an ego vehicle). In the example shown, the ego vehicle50is a car. In some embodiments, the ego vehicle50may be a truck, an ATV, an airplane, a drone, etc. The type of the ego vehicle50implementing the apparatus100may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

A driver202is shown seated in the ego vehicle50. The vehicle sensors114are shown on (or in) the ego vehicle50. The apparatus100is shown in the rear of the ego vehicle50. In another example, the apparatus100may be distributed throughout the ego vehicle50(e.g., connections may be implemented between the apparatus100and the capture devices102a-102dand/or sensors114such as a direct wired connection and/or a connection using a common bus line). A location of the apparatus100may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

A camera (e.g., the lens112aand the capture device102a) is shown capturing an interior of the ego vehicle50(e.g., detecting the driver202). A targeted view of the driver202(e.g., represented by a line204aand a line204b) is shown being captured by the capture device102a. The capture device102amay also detect other objects in the ego vehicle50(e.g., a seat, a head rest, an arm rest, a rear window, a seatbelt, a center console, other occupants, etc.). By analyzing video of the driver202and/or other occupants of the ego vehicle50(e.g., extracting video data from the captured video), the processors106a-106nmay determine a body position and/or body characteristics (e.g., a distance, orientation and/or location of the body and/or head) of one or more occupants of the ego vehicle50and/or objects within the ego vehicle50.

In some embodiments, more than one of the capture devices102a-102nmay be used to capture video data of the driver202and/or other occupants of the ego vehicle50. A combination of inputs from the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N may be used to detect changes in head/face movements and/or body positions. For example, using multiple cameras (e.g., stereo cameras) may improve the accuracy of depth information. The number of cameras used and/or the type of data extracted from the video data from the driver monitoring cameras may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

A camera (e.g., a combination of the lens112cand the capture device102c) is shown capturing a targeted view from the ego vehicle50. In the example shown, the targeted view from the ego vehicle50(e.g., represented by a line206aand a line206b) is shown capturing an exterior view to the rear of (e.g., an area behind) the ego vehicle50. Similarly, other cameras may be used to capture video data of a targeted view from the vehicle (e.g., shown as the lens112cand the camera sensor102c, the lens112dand the camera sensor102d, etc.). For example, the targeted view (e.g., represented by a line208aand a line208bcaptured by the lens112e) may provide a front exterior view of an area. In another example, a redundant targeted view (e.g., represented by a line210aand a line210bcaptured by the lens112f) may provide an alternate front exterior view of an area. Redundant targeted views (e.g., targeted views that generally cover the same area) may provide a failover system and/or provide a secondary data set. The number of cameras implemented, a direction captured, an orientation of the cameras and/or an arrangement of the cameras may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The capture devices102a-102nmay be configured to capture video data of the environment around (e.g., area near) the ego vehicle50. The processors106a-106nmay implement computer vision to detect objects and/or understand what is happening near the ego vehicle50(e.g., see the environment as a human driver would see the environment). The sensors114may be implemented using proximity detection technology. For example, the vehicle sensors114may implement a radar device, an array of radars, a sonar device, an array of sonars, a lidar device, an array of lidar devices, an ultra-sound device, an array of ultra-sound devices, etc.

The sensor fusion module152may aggregate data from the sensors114, the CNN module150and/or the video pipeline156to build a model and/or abstraction of the environment around the ego vehicle50. The computer vision operations may enable the processors106a-106nto understand the environment, a state of objects, relative positions of objects and/or a meaning of objects to derive inferences (e.g., detect that the state of a streetlight is red, detect that a street sign indicates the ego vehicle50should stop, understand that a pedestrian is walking across the street from right to left, understand that brake lights of a vehicle ahead indicate that the vehicle is slowing down, etc.). The sensor fusion module152may enable a comparison and/or cross-reference of the data received from the vehicle sensors114at a particular time to the video data captured at another particular time in order to adjust a confidence level of an inference. The type of inferences made by the processors106a-106nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The processors106a-106nmay be configured to analyze the captured video signal. The processors106a-106nmay detect objects in the captured video signal of the exterior of a vehicle (e.g., automobiles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, parking spaces, etc.) and/or of an interior of a vehicle (e.g., the driver202, other occupants, physical characteristics of people in the vehicle, facial expressions of people in the vehicle, fields of view of the people in the vehicle, etc.). The processors106a-106nmay be configured to determine a presence, an absolute location and/or a relative location of the detected objects. Based on the detected objects, the processors106a-106nmay determine a position (e.g., a distance) of the objects relative to the vehicle and/or a position of the objects relative to a component of the vehicle (e.g., distance from a vehicle pillar, distance from a steering wheel, distance from a dashboard, distance from another seat, etc.).

The decision making module158may make a decision based on data received at various inputs and/or various data inferred by the processors106a-106n. For example, the data received may comprise external signals generated in response to user input, external signals generated by the sensors114and/or internally generated signals such as signals generated by the processors106a-106nin response to analysis of the video data and/or objects detected in video data.

The processors106a-106nmay process video data that may not be seen by a person (e.g., not output to the displays118a-118n). For example, the video data may be internal to the processors106a-106n. Generally, the processors106a-106nperform the computer vision operations in order to interpret the environment to emulate how a person would see the environment and/or provide greater sensory capability than a human. For example, the processors106a-106nmay interpret the environment in many directions at once (e.g., a 360 degree field of view) while a person has a limited field of view.

The video analytics performed by the processors106a-106nmay be performed on more than one video frame. For example, the processors106a-106nmay analyze a series (or sequence) of video frames. In some embodiment, the processors106a-106nmay be configured to generate motion vectors to track the movement of objects across video frames temporally. The motion vectors may indicate a direction and/or speed of movement of an object between a current video frame and previous video frames. Tracking movements of objects may enable determining gestures (e.g., to receive input commands), determine a vulnerability of an occupant (e.g., a non-moving occupant may be asleep and/or unconscious) and/or determine an expected path of a detected object (e.g., determine speed, acceleration and direction to determine a trajectory). The expected path may be further determined based on context such the type of object and/or the shape of the roadway (e.g., a vehicle with a straight trajectory will likely follow the curve of a roadway instead of continuing to drive straight off the road). In another example, tracking a static object across video frames temporally may be implemented to determine a status of an object. For example, the windshield may be tracked over time to determine that visibility has been reduced and/or increased (e.g., due to frost forming and/or disappearing).

In some embodiments, the processors106a-106nmay implement depth-sensing techniques. The depth-sensing techniques may compare knowledge of the dimensions of the ego vehicle50to the location and/or body position of the occupants. The processors106a-106nmay cross-reference a body position of the occupants with a location of the components of the vehicle (e.g., how far away the driver is from the steering wheel).

In some embodiments, the video analytics may process the captured video frames for biometric markers to determine a vulnerability of the occupants of the ego vehicle50. For example, one or more of age, height and/or weight may be the determined biometric markers. The biometric markers may be used to differentiate between a child, an adolescent, a pregnant woman, a young adult, teenager, adult, etc. Feature maps may be detected and/or extracted while the video data is processed in the pipeline module156to generate inferences about body characteristics to determine age, gender, and/or condition (e.g., wrinkles, facial structure, bloodshot eyes, eyelids, signs of exhaustion, etc.).

The processors106a-106nmay be configured to detect faces in a region of a video frame. In some embodiments, facial recognition may be implemented (e.g., based on faces stored as references in the memory108and/or an external database accessible by the communication devices110). In some embodiments, the processors106a-106nmay be configured to detect objects and classify the objects as a particular type of object (e.g., an elderly person, a child, an animal, etc.).

The processors106a-106nmay implement a “diagnosis” and/or a confidence level for recognizing and/or classifying the objects. In some embodiments, the sensor fusion module152may be used to combine information from the sensors114to adjust the confidence level (e.g., using a weight sensor in the seat to confirm that the weight of the object is consistent with a person, using temperature sensor readings to confirm that body heat is detected, using seat position preferences to confirm a known occupant, comparing a determined object location exterior to the vehicle with V2X information, etc.).

The processors106a-106nmay determine a type of the detected objects based on a classification. The classification may be based on information extracted from the video data and/or information from the sensors114(e.g., environmental factors). For example, the color histogram, the high frequency component and/or video analytics of the video data may be compared to some known reference. In another example, temperature and/or humidity information may be provided by the sensors114(e.g., to distinguish a cold person from a hot person). The processors106a-106nmay rule out and/or increase a likelihood of certain types of objects. For example, the classification may comprise a confidence level for a particular hypothesis (or diagnosis) about the condition (e.g., capability) of the detected objects. When the confidence level is above a pre-determined threshold value, the classification may be considered to be confirmed by the processors106a-106n.

A high confidence level for a particular type of object may indicate that evidence is consistent with the particular type of object. A low confidence level for a particular type of object may indicate that evidence is inconsistent with the particular type of object and/or not enough evidence is available yet. Various checks may be performed to determine the confidence level. The implementation of the classification and/or confidence level to determine the type of object may be varied based on the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The computer vision operations may be one type of video analysis performed by the processors106a-106n. The processors106a-106nmay be configured to determine a current size, shape and/or color of the objects (e.g., to perform a classification). One or more of the objects may be detected in each video frame. The processors106a-106nmay determine a number of pixels (e.g., a width, a height and/or a depth) comprising the detected objects in each video frame portion of a video frame and/or region of a video frame. Based on the number of pixels of each of the detected objects in the video frame, the processors106a-106nmay estimate a classification of the detected objects and/or adjust the confidence level.

The computer vision operations may be performed on video frames received from the various capture devices102a-102n. The capture devices102a-102nmay comprise various types of cameras (e.g., IR, depth measuring cameras such as stereo, time-of-flight and/or structured light cameras, Bayer cameras, RCCB, RCCC, etc.). The computer vision operations may be performed on the video frames FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N generated by various configurations of the capture devices102a-102n. In one example, the computer vision operations may be performed based on video frames captured by a single camera. In another example, the computer vision operations may be performed based on video frames captured by multiple cameras configured to capture images of different locations. The sensor fusion module152may enable the computer vision operations to be supplemented by the user of the sensors114(e.g., radar, occupancy sensors, temperature sensors, location/orientation sensors, etc.). The type of capture devices implemented may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The memory108may store the pre-determined locations and/or a pre-determined field of view of each of the capture devices102a-102n. The memory108may store reference data corresponding to the objects. For example, the memory108may store reference color histograms about various known types of objects. In another example, the memory108may store previously captured frames (e.g., a reference image from when the ego vehicle50was parked, when the ego vehicle50came out of production, a reference image from when a car was in operation, turned off, left unattended, etc.). The type of reference information stored by the memory108may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The CNN module150may be configured to “train” the processors106a-106nto know (e.g., store in the memory108) the objects and/or expected locations (or areas) that the objects may detect in a video frame. The video analytics performed by the processors106a-106nmay determine whether the detected objects are exterior to or interior to the ego vehicle50. The processors106a-106nmay be configured to respond differently to different types of objects. For example, if the classified object is a person, the processors106a-106nmay be further configured to estimate the age of the person via video analytics. For example, the video analytics may be configured to tell the difference between a small child (or incapacitated person), an elderly person and/or an able-bodied adult.

The video analytics may be configured to determine reference objects. For example, the CNN module150may be trained to recognize when a car seat is empty. In another example, the CNN module150may be configured to recognize when a child, person, pet and/or a type of inanimate object is present in the seat. Comparing the seat in the current video frame to a reference empty seat may enable the processors106a-106nto detect the presence of occupants even if there is no motion by the occupants.

The processors106a-106nmay determine the width of the reference objects (e.g., based on the number of pixels occupied in the video frame). The memory108may store (e.g., in the look up table170) the width of the reference objects. The processors106a-106nmay determine the width of the reference objects (e.g., the number of pixels in the video frame). The width of the current size of the reference object may be compared to the stored width of the reference object to estimate a distance of the occupants of the ego vehicle50from the lens112a-112n. For example, a number of pixels may be measured between the reference object and the head of the driver202to determine location coordinates of the head of the driver202.

In some embodiments, the processors106a-106nmay determine the position (e.g., 3D coordinates and/or location coordinates) of various features (e.g., body characteristics) of the occupants of the ego vehicle50. In one example, the location of the arms, legs, chest and/or eyes may be determined using 3D coordinates. One location coordinate on a first axis for a vertical location of the body part in 3D space and another coordinate on a second axis for a horizontal location of the body part in 3D space may be stored. In some embodiments, the distance from the lenses112a-112nmay represent one coordinate (e.g., a location coordinate on a third axis) for a depth location of the body part in 3D space. Using the location of various body parts in 3D space, the processors106a-106nmay determine body position, body characteristics and/or the vulnerability of the occupants.

In some embodiments, the processors106a-106nmay be configured to approximate the gaze of the driver202. For example, the drowsiness and/or attentiveness of the driver202may be detected (e.g., recognizing that eyes are closing, recognizing that the head is drifting down, etc.). In another example, the processors106a-106nmay present the recording of the driver202to one of the displays118a-118n(e.g., as a live stream for use in teleconferencing). The processors106a-106nmay be configured to recognize the driver202through facial recognition.

The memory108(e.g., the look up table170) may store a reference size (e.g., the number of pixels of a particular reference object in a video frame at a known distance) of particular objects. In another example, the memory108may store a reference shape (e.g., an arrangement of pixels of the reference object in the video frame at a known distance). In yet another example, the memory108may store a reference color (e.g., a RGB value and/or a YCbCr value for each of the pixels of the reference object in the video frames). The processor106a-106nmay compare the shape, size and/or colors of the reference object to detected objects in the current video frame. The comparison of the size, shape and/or color of the detected objects in the current video frame and the reference size may be used to determine the location coordinates, rotation, orientation and/or movement direction of the objects.

In some embodiments, the lenses112a-112nand/or the capture devices102a-102nmay be configured to implement stereo vision. For example, the lenses112a-112nand/or the capture devices102a-102nmay be arranged to capture multiple perspectives of a location. Using the multiple perspectives, the processors106a-106nmay generate a depth map. The depth map generated by the processors106a-106nmay be used to estimate depth, provide 3D sensing and/or provide an immersive field of view with a 3D effect (e.g., a spherical field of view, an immersive field of view, a 360 degree field of view, less than a 360 degree field of view, etc.).

In some embodiments, the processors106a-106nmay analyze reference video frames. Reference video frames may be used by the processors106a-106nto classify, analyze and/or store reference objects. The reference objects may be used by the processors106a-106nto compare with objects captured in newly acquired (e.g., current) video frames. The reference objects may be used to provide objects having known characteristics such as sizes, shapes, colors, feature maps, edges, color histograms, contrasts, orientations, etc. The characteristics of the reference objects may be used as a comparison point for detecting, recognizing and/or classifying objects in the computer vision operations. In one example, a distance to an object may be determined by comparing a number of pixels occupied by a particular object in the reference frame to the number of pixels occupied by the object in the current video frame. The types of reference objects and/or characteristics of the reference objects may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

In some embodiments, the processors106a-106nmay compare the current video frame to the reference video frame. In some embodiments, the current video frame may not be directly compared to the reference video frame. For example, the CNN module150may implement deep learning to gather information and/or statistics about various features of objects. The CNN module150may determine features of objects and/or sub-objects corresponding to the current video frame. The processors106a-106nmay compare the features extracted from the current video frame to features extracted from numerous reference video frames. For example, the reference video frame and/or the current video frame may be used as training data for the CNN module150. The types of features extracted from video frames to perform the computer vision analysis may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

Referring toFIG.3, a diagram illustrating an example visualization of training a convolutional neural network for object detection is shown. A training and/or object detection visualization250is shown. The training and/or object detection visualization250may comprise the CNN module150. Image and/or video frames252a-252nare shown. The images and/or video frames252a-252nmay be training data. In one example, the training data252a-252nmay be generated by the processors106a-106nin response to pixel data captured by the capture devices102a-102n. In another example, the training data252a-252nmay be image data from other sources (e.g., images previously captured by the camera system100, images received from a database of images (e.g., stock images), images captured by a fleet of vehicles and uploaded to a database of images, etc.). The source of the training data252a-252nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

To detect objects using computer vision, the convolutional neural network150may be trained using the training data252a-252n. The training data252a-252nmay comprise a large amount of information (e.g., input video frames). The training data252a-252nmay be labeled. The labels for the training data252a-252nmay be provided as metadata of the video frames. Labeling the training data252a-252nmay enable the CNN module150to have a ground truth basis for determining which objects are present in the training data252a-252n.

The CNN module150is shown comprising blocks (or circuits)254a-254n. The blocks254a-254nmay implement artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay be configured to be trained to detect particular objects. Each of the artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay be trained to recognize, classify and/or distinguish one or more types of objects. The number of artificial intelligence modules254a-254nimplemented by the CNN module150and/or the type(s) of objects detected by each one of the artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

In the example shown, the training data252amay comprise an image of a vehicle, the training data252bmay comprise an image of a driver and the training data252nmay comprise an image of a road obstacle (e.g., a speedbump). In one example, the training data252amay comprise a label indicating that the video frame comprises a vehicle. In another example, the training data252amay comprise a label indicating that the video frame comprises a particular make/model/year of a vehicle. If the artificial intelligence model254ais configured to detect vehicles, the training data image252amay provide a ground truth sample of a vehicle and the training data252bmay be an example image of objects that are not a vehicle. If the artificial intelligence model254bis configured to detect a driver (or driver behavior), the training data252bmay provide a ground truth sample of a person performing a particular behavior (e.g., driving).

The artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay be trained in response to the training data252a-252nwhen the CNN module150operates in the training mode of operation. In one example, the artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay be directed acyclic graphs. In the training mode of operation, the artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay analyze many examples of objects. In one example, if the artificial intelligence model254ais configured to detect vehicles, the artificial intelligence model254amay analyze many examples of vehicle images. Training the artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay determine and/or calculate parameters and/or weighting values for a directed acyclic graph.

The trained artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay be a directed acyclic graph with parameters and/or weighting values pre-programmed and/or pre-defined (e.g., based on self-directed learning) for detecting particular types of objects. In some embodiments, the trained artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay be a quantized neural network (e.g., a reduced size neural network configured to operate on an edge device that has been modeled based on a full size neural network that was trained offline).

While the apparatus100is in operation, the CNN module150may continually learn using new video frames as the input training data252a-252n. However, the processors106a-106nmay be pre-trained (e.g., configured to perform computer vision before being installed in the ego vehicle50). For example, the results of training data252a-252n(e.g., the trained artificial intelligence models254a-254n) may be pre-programmed and/or loaded into the processors106a-106n. The processors106a-106nmay conduct inferences against the artificial intelligence models254a-254n(e.g., to perform object detection). In some embodiments, the signal CV generated by the processors106a-106nmay be sent to the interface104to enable the communication devices110to upload computer vision information (e.g., to a centralized service and/or peer-to-peer communication). Similarly, the communication devices110may receive computer vision data and the interface104may generate the signal CV in order to update the CNN module150.

The CNN module150may receive the training data252a-252nin a training mode of operations. The CNN module150may analyze captured video frames (e.g., generated from the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N) to detect objects, classify objects and/or extract data about objects using the trained artificial intelligence models254a-254n. To perform the training and/or the computer vision operations, the CNN module150may generate a number of layers260a-260nfor a video frame. On each one of the layers260a-260n, the CNN module150may apply a feature detection window262. In an example, the feature detection window262is shown on a portion of the layer260a. A convolution operation may be applied by the CNN module150on each of the layers260a-260nusing the feature detection window262.

The convolution operation may comprise sliding the feature detection window262along groups of pixel data for each of the layers260a-260nwhile performing calculations (e.g., matrix operations). The feature detection window262may apply a filter to pixels that are within the current location of the feature detection window262and/or extract features associated with each layer260a-260n. The groups of pixels within the feature detection window262may be changed as the feature detection window262slides along the pixels of the layers260a-260n. The feature detection window262may slide along the layers260a-260npixel by pixel to capture and/or analyze different groupings of pixels. For example, a first location of the feature detection window262may comprise a box of pixels A0through D0and A3through D3and then the feature detection window may slide horizontally one pixel to comprise a box of pixels B0through E0and B3through E3(e.g., the pixels from B0through D0and B3through D3are used in both the first and second operation). The size of the feature detection window262and how far (e.g., a stride length) the feature detection window262moves for each operation may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The feature detection window262may be applied to a pixel and a number of surrounding pixels. In an example, the layers260a-260nmay be represented as a matrix of values representing pixels and/or features of one of the layers260a-260nand the filter applied by the feature detection window262may be represented as a matrix. The convolution operation may apply a matrix multiplication between the region of the current layer covered by the feature detection window262. The convolution operation may slide the feature detection window262along regions of the layers260a-260nto generate a result representing each region. The size of the region, the type of operations applied by the filters and/or the number of layers260a-260nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

Using the convolution operations, the CNN module150may compute multiple features for pixels of an input image in each extraction step. For example, each of the layers260a-260nmay receive inputs from a set of features located in a small neighborhood (e.g., region) of the previous layer (e.g., a local receptive field). The convolution operations may extract elementary visual features (e.g., such as oriented edges, end-points, corners, etc.), which are then combined by higher layers. Since the feature extraction window262operates on a pixel and nearby pixels, the results of the operation may have location invariance. The layers260a-260nmay comprise convolution layers, pooling layers, non-linear layers and/or fully connected layers. In an example, the convolution operations may learn to detect edges from raw pixels (e.g., the first layer260a), then use the feature from the previous layer (e.g., the detected edges) to detect shapes in a next layer (e.g.,260b) and then use the shapes to detect higher-level features (e.g., facial features, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.) in higher layers and the last layer may be a classifier that uses the higher level features.

In the training mode of operation, training the artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay comprise determining weight values for each of the layers260a-260n. For example, weight values may be determined for each of the layers260a-260nfor feature extraction (e.g., a convolutional layer) and/or for classification (e.g., a fully connected layer). The weight values learned by the artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The CNN module150may execute a data flow directed to feature extraction and matching, including two-stage detection, a warping operator, component operators that manipulate lists of components (e.g., components may be regions of a vector that share a common attribute and may be grouped together with a bounding box), a matrix inversion operator, a dot product operator, a convolution operator, conditional operators (e.g., multiplex and demultiplex), a remapping operator, a minimum-maximum-reduction operator, a pooling operator, a non-minimum, non-maximum suppression operator, a scanning-window based non-maximum suppression operator, a gather operator, a scatter operator, a statistics operator, a classifier operator, an integral image operator, comparison operators, indexing operators, a pattern matching operator, a feature extraction operator, a feature detection operator, a two-stage object detection operator, a score generating operator, a block reduction operator, and an upsample operator. The types of operations performed by the CNN module150to extract features from the training data252a-252nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The CNN module150may receive and analyze input images (e.g., the training data252a-252nin the training mode of operation and/or input video frames when deployed in the ego vehicle50) that have multiple color channels (e.g., a luminance channel and two chrominance channels). A color detection process implemented by the video pipeline module156may be configured to output images with color likelihood (or probability) values for a particular color at one or more pixel locations in the input images. For example, shared buffers between the video pipeline module156and/or the CNN module150may enable information sharing between components of the processors106a-106n. The color detection process may be used to extract features from the training data252a-252nand/or input video frames.

The color detection and/or feature extraction process is generally operational to determine a color likelihood value that pixels in each pixel location of an input image (e.g., the training data252a-252nduring training and/or input video frames during the object detection mode of operation) have a specific color. In various embodiments, the specific color may be the shade of yellow used in streets and highways to identify the center and/or edges of traffic lanes and/or other road marks. In other embodiments, the specific color may be the shade of white used on the streets and highways for similar reasons. Generally, the specific color may be any color commonly applied to roadway markings, traffic lights and/or traffic signs.

The color feature extraction may also detect colors that are commonly associated with pavement repair, such as black asphalt. A result of the color feature extraction may be a set of multiple (e.g.,16) features for each pixel of interest. The input image is typically generated by warping an original image taken by a camera (e.g., the capture device102aand/or the lens112a) through an inverse perspective mapping.

The CNN module150may implement a color classification operation. The color classification operation may determine a color likelihood value for one or more pixel locations in the input images. The color likelihood values generally define a probability that a particular pixel location is approximately similar to or matches the specified color (e.g., red, green, yellow or white). The results of the color classification operation may be arrays (or probability maps) of color likelihood values that indicate a confidence in the color at each pixel location. In some embodiments, pixel locations different from the specified color may be segmented out of the map by applying a threshold to each color likelihood value. For example, the color likelihood values below a threshold (e.g., pixels below the top N % classification probability) may be set to a default probability value (e.g., zero).

In some embodiments, the feature extraction window262may be considered by the color detection process on one of the layers260a-260n. The feature extraction window262may consider a pixel of interest. In an example, the pixel of interest may be a current pixel location being color classified. The feature extraction window262may generally represent a local context and contrast around the pixel of interest.

The pixels of the training data252a-252nmay each be represented as components in multiple color channels. In some designs, the color channels may include a luminance channel (e.g., A) and two chrominance channels (e.g., B and C). In various embodiments, the channels ABC may be representative of YUV, YCbCr, YPbPr, RGB, sRGB or YIQ color models. Other color models may be implemented to meet the design criteria of a particular application.

In various embodiments, the CNN module150may implement a common Adaboost classifier technique. Specifically, the Adaboost classifier technique combines multiple (e.g., Z) weak depth-two decision trees in a cascade to form a strong classifier. During training, each node of the weak classifiers may select one of the Z features that best separates training samples of different categories. The determination process may generate the color likelihood values that indicate a confidence in the color at each pixel location. Other classifier techniques may be implemented to meet the design criteria of a particular application.

The CNN module150generally provides a feature descriptor technique with multiple (e.g.,16) discriminative features that may be efficiently computed. When combined with the Adaboost classifier process, the feature descriptor may achieve good object (e.g., lane marking detection) and color classification accuracy. The simplicity and efficiency of the color detection technique may be well suited for embedded environments and time-critical applications, such as self-driving car. The color detection method is generally a learning-based solution trained off-line from tens of thousands of images, taken under many different scenarios and lighting conditions, and annotated by human experts for lane markings, and is therefore robust.

The CNN module150may generate one or more reference video frames264. The reference video frame264may comprise masks and/or categorized instances of the reference objects266. The reference objects266may be objects that have been sufficiently defined to enable reliable recognition using computer vision.

The processors106a-106nmay generate images that provide better image processing that allows “seeing” objects in very challenging environments (e.g., very dark and/or bright sun into the camera). The processors106a-106nmay provide hardware acceleration that allows operating on higher resolution and/or running more sophisticated computer vision techniques. High resolution video and sophisticated computer vision operating in real time are relevant to in-cabin use cases and/or exterior view use cases. The computer vision operations performed by the CNN module150may determine a size, shape, orientation and/or arrangement of a recognized object.

By analyzing a number of video frames in sequence, the computer vision operations performed by the CNN module150may determine a trajectory of a recognized object. The computer vision operations may be configured to analyze and/or understand (e.g., interpret, translate, etc.) the digital video to extract and/or produce numerical and/or symbolic information about the digital video. The numerical and/or symbolic information may enable other components to interpret the visual information analyzed by the CNN module150.

In some embodiments, machine learning may be performed by the centralized CNN module that has access to greater computing resources than the camera system100. Generally, the processing capabilities and/or computing resources available to the centralized CNN module (e.g., implemented as part of a cloud computing network) may be greater than the processing capabilities and/or computing resources available to the CNN module150implemented by the processors106a-106n. For example, the centralized CNN module may perform the machine learning using the training data252a-252n, develop a machine learning model (e.g., the artificial intelligence models254a-254n), and then provide the machine learning model to the apparatus100. In some embodiments, the artificial intelligence models254a-254ntrained using the centralized CNN module may be quantized to be used by the CNN module150of the camera system100.

Even after the artificial intelligence models254a-254nhave been trained and the CNN module150has been deployed, the processors106a-106nmay continue to receive the training data252a-252n. New training data may be used to refine the machine learning model, and then provide updates to the artificial intelligence models254a-254n. In some embodiments, the labeled training data252a-252nused to refine the artificial intelligence models254a-254nmay be received using the communication device110.

In some embodiments, the machine learning may be performed by the CNN module150implemented by the processors106a-106n. For example, the processors106a-106nand/or the apparatus100may be an edge device, and the CNN module150may implement the machine learning model adapted to the constraints of the edge device. The processors106a-106nmay be configured to compress the machine learning model (e.g., compressed compared to the machine learning model implemented by the centralized CNN module). In an example, compressing the machine learning model may comprise quantization, pruning, sparsification, etc. Compressing the machine learning model may enable the CNN module150to perform the machine learning and/or conduct inferences against the artificial intelligence models254a-254n(e.g., object detection). By performing the machine learning at the edge (e.g., locally on the processors106a-106n), there may be reduced latency compared to performing wireless communication with the centralized CNN module. Similarly, the apparatus100may be able to perform the machine learning without maintaining a wireless connection. By performing the machine learning at the edge, privacy may be maintained since the training data252a-252nwould be kept local. Whether the machine learning is performed locally (e.g., at the edge), performed using a centralized resource and/or performed using a combination of local and centralized resources may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The machine learning performed by the CNN module150may comprise supervised training. For example, the CNN module150may be self-trained using the training data252a-252n. Supervised learning may enable the CNN module150to automatically adjust the weighting values in response to metadata contained within the training data252a-252n(e.g., a designer and/or engineer may not need to program the weighting values). The metadata contained within the training data252a-252nmay provide ground truth data. Backpropogation may be implemented to compute a gradient with respect to the weighting values in response to the training data252a-252n. For example, the training data252a-252nmay comprise the metadata labels that may enable the CNN module150to extract characteristics and apply the extracted characteristics to the weighting values based on the metadata labels.

In one example, where the training data252a-252nis labeled as providing an image of a vehicle, the CNN module150may extract the features from the image and apply the extracted features to the weighting values to make future computer vision operations more accurately determine whether a vehicle is present. Similarly, where the training data252a-252nis labeled as not providing an image of a vehicle, the CNN module150may extract the features from the image and apply the extracted features to the weighting values to make future computer vision operations more accurately determine whether a vehicle is present (e.g., particular weighting values may be decreased to de-emphasize particular features that may not be associated with a vehicle). The CNN module150may implement a deep convolutional neural net (DCNN) to enable features important to determining particular classes to be learned by the CNN module150through training.

The labels for the training data252a-252nmay be acquired through various sources. In one example, the training data252a-252nmay be labeled manually (e.g., a person may provide input to indicate which objects are present in a video frame). In another example, the training data252a-252nmay be labeled using sensor fusion. For example, sensor readings may provide the label (e.g., a temperature sensor may indicate a cold environment, an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope may indicate an orientation of the ego vehicle50, an accelerometer and/or gyroscope may indicate whether an impact has been detected, a proximity sensor may provide a distance value between the ego vehicle50and another object, etc.). The sensor fusion module152may enable the metadata labels to provide a ground truth value. The source of the labels for the training data252a-252nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

Referring toFIG.4, a diagram illustrating various camera systems is shown. Camera systems100a-100nare shown. Each camera device100a-100nmay have a different style and/or use case. For example, the camera100amay be an action camera, the camera100bmay be a ceiling mounted security camera, the camera100cmay be a stereo camera, the camera100nmay be a webcam or trail camera, etc. Other types of cameras may be implemented (e.g., home security cameras, battery powered cameras, doorbell cameras, etc.). The design/style of the cameras100a-100nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The camera system100ais shown comprising the capture device102a, the processor106a, the lens112aand/or the actuator116a. The camera system100bis shown comprising the capture device102b, the processor106b, the lens112band/or the actuator116b. The stereo camera system100cis shown comprising the capture devices102c-102d, processor106c, the lenses112c-112dand/or the actuator116c. The camera system100nis shown comprising the capture device102n, the processor106n, the lens112nand/or the actuator116n. While each of the camera systems100a-100nare shown implementing one respective processor106a-106nand/or one respective actuator116a-116n, the number of processors106a-106nand/or actuators116a-116nimplemented by any of the camera systems100a-100nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The lenses112a-112nmay be configured to enable light, (e.g., the light input IM_A-IM_N) to reach the image sensors140a-140nof the capture devices102a-102n. The actuators116a-116nmay be configured to generate the vibration of the lenses112a-112nat a particular frequency. The processors106a-106nmay be configured to generate image frames from pixel data FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N generated by the image sensors140a-140n. The CNN module150may be configured to perform computer vision operations on the image frames to detect objects in the images frames and determine characteristics of the objects detected.

The CNN module150may be configured to analyze the characteristics of the objects to determine whether the objects are debris on the lenses112a-112n(e.g., distinguish debris on the lenses112a-112nfrom other objects in the video frames such as vehicles, trees, pedestrians, street signs, pets, etc.). The processors106a-106nmay be configured to present the control signal VCTRL to the actuators116a-116nin response to detecting the debris. The particular frequency of the vibration may cause the debris to be removed from the lenses112a-112n. While lenses112a-112nare shown for the example camera systems100a-100n, the vibration may also be generated for a cover (e.g., a translucent protective cover for the camera system such as a dome cover for a ceiling mounted wide-angle security camera).

The stereo camera100cis shown comprising two capture devices102c-102dconfigured to operate as a stereo pair of cameras. Each of the capture devices102c-102dmay have a respective lens112c-112d(or cover). In the example shown, one actuator116cmay be implemented to generate the vibration to clear debris from both of the lenses112c-112d. In another example, the stereo camera100cmay implement more than one of the actuators116a-116n(e.g., one actuator for the lens112cand one actuator for the lens112d).

Referring toFIG.5, a diagram illustrating a camera system with debris on a camera lens is shown. The camera system100is shown. The camera system100is shown comprising the processor106, the lens112and the actuator116. In the example shown, the camera system100may be a ceiling mounted camera. For example, for a surveillance/security camera the lens112may be an external material of the camera case (e.g., a glass cover, and/or a plastic cover, such as a dome for a ceiling mounted security camera).

Debris300a-300nis shown. The debris300a-300nis shown attached to the lens112. The attached debris300a-300nmay comprise particulate matter. For example, the attached debris300a-300nmay comprise water droplets (e.g., rain drops), snow, sleet, ice, dirt, mud, grime, dust, hair, fur, sand, bugs, etc. The attached debris300a-300nmay obstruct and/or obscure the image data captured by the capture device102. The type of the attached debris300a-300nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

Waved lines302a-302nare shown. The waved lines302a-302nmay represent vibration of the lens112. For example, the vibration302a-302nmay be generated by the actuator116. The vibration302a-302nmay cause the lens112to shake at a particular frequency.

The vibration302a-302nmay comprise a consistent movement pattern. The consistent movement pattern may be predictable. The consistent movement pattern being predictable may enable effects of the vibration302a-302non the video frames generated to be correctable. For example, the consistent movement pattern of the vibration302a-302nmay enable the processors106a-106nto perform electronic image stabilization of captured video frames while the lens112is vibrating by counteracting the consistent movement pattern.

In the example shown, the vibration302a-302nmay be performed on the lens112. Generally, the attached debris300a-300nmay be attached to a most external element (e.g., transparent or translucent element) of the camera system100(e.g., a cover). For example, if the lens112is enclosed with the camera system behind a plastic (e.g., a protective material) cover, then the vibration302a-302nmay be performed on the most external plastic cover (e.g., the most external element). Whether the vibration302a-302nis generated for the lens112or another external element may depend on which components of the apparatus100the actuators116are connected to. Whether the vibration302a-302nis generated for the lens112or another external element of the camera system100may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

In some embodiments, the processor106may be configured to perform the computer the computer vision operations on the image frames captured. The processor106may be configured to analyze the video frames to detect the attached debris300a-300non the lens112. In response to detecting the attached debris300a-300n, the processor106may generate the signal VCTRL to activate the actuator116.

In some embodiments, the vibration302a-302nmay be generated in response to a manual input (e.g., receiving an input from an external source). For example, a person monitoring the output video frames (e.g., a security guard watching the displays118a-118n) may see the attached debris300a-300non the output video frames. In one example, the person may apply the signal USER as a manual input. In another example, the person may connect to the camera system100(e.g., via a smartphone companion app) and communicate via the communication devices110. Using the companion app, the person may remotely communicate the signal COM to the interface104. The processors106a-106nmay be configured to interpret the manual input (e.g., the signal USER and/or the signal COM) and generate the signal VCTRL in response to the manual input. The signal VCTRL may be received by the actuator as an instruction to generate the vibration302a-302n.

The actuator116may generate the vibration302a-302nto clean the lens112by removing the attached debris300a-300n. For example, the vibration302a-302nmay be generated similar to cleaning an image sensor of a DSLR camera.

Referring toFIG.6, a diagram illustrating a camera system with debris being removed in response to an applied vibration is shown. The camera system100is shown. The camera system100may be the same as the camera system100shown in association withFIG.5. For example, the camera system100may be shown in association withFIG.6at a later time than shown in association withFIG.5(e.g.,FIG.6may represent a view of the camera system100at a later time than shown inFIG.5). The camera system100is shown comprising the processor106, the lens112and the actuator116. The vibration302a-302nis shown.

The loosened debris304a-304nmay be the attached debris300a-300nshown in association withFIG.5after the vibration302a-302nhas been applied. The vibration302a-302nmay be applied to shake the lens112at a particular frequency to reduce a force that attaches the attached debris300a-300nto the surface of the lens112. The vibration302a-302nmay be applied when the attached debris300a-300nis detected. The attached debris300a-300nmay eventually loosen when the vibration302a-302nsufficiently reduces an amount of force from an attachment force value that enables the attached debris300a-300nto stick to the lens112to a value below the attachment force value that enables the attached debris300a-300nto stick to the lens112(e.g., a threshold attachment force value).

When the attachment force drops below the threshold attachment force value, the vibration302a-302nmay eventually loosen. When the attachment force drops below the threshold attachment force value, then the attached debris300a-300nmay become the loosened debris304a-304n. The loosened debris304a-304nmay drop down in response to the force of gravity. When gravity pulls the loosened debris304a-304ndown away from the lens112, the debris may no longer obstruct and/or obscure the image frames generated by the processor106.

Arrows VU and arrows VD are shown. The arrows VU may be directed in an upwards direction. The arrows VD may be directed in a downwards direction. The arrows VU and the arrows VD may represent a direction of the vibration302a-302n. In one example, the vibration302a-302nmay be performed in one direction (e.g., along one axis). For example, the arrows VU and the arrows VD may represent applying the vibration302a-302nin one direction along a vertical axis (e.g., perpendicular to the ground below the camera system100). Applying the vibration302a-302nin the direction VU and VD may enable the gravity force to drag the particles of the loosened debris304a-304nout of the field of view of the lens112.

Referring toFIG.7, a diagram illustrating internal components of a camera system is shown. A view350of the camera system100. The view350may be a cross-sectional view of the camera system100.

The camera system100may comprise an enclosure352. The enclosure352may provide protection for the various components of the camera system100. For example, the enclosure352may be a protective shell (e.g., a plastic material, a metal material, etc.). The enclosure352may protect the camera system100from impact and/or liquids. The enclosure352may generally block light from entering the camera system100. In some embodiments, the enclosure352may be the cover vibrated by the vibration302a-302n(e.g., the enclosure352may be the most external element instead of the lens112).

The lens112is shown. The lens112may provide an opening in the enclosure352. The lens112may enable focused light into the camera system100to be detected by the image sensor140.

A lens barrel354is shown. The lens barrel354may direct light input from the lens112to the image sensor140. The lens barrel354may be implemented as a tube with the lens112at one end and the image sensor140at another end.

The image sensor140is shown attached to a printed circuit board (PCB)356. The PCB356may provide interconnections of the various electronic components of the camera system100. For example, the processors106a-106n, the memory108and/or the communication devices110may be interconnected using the PCB356. In some embodiments, the PCB356may be the interface104. For simplicity, various components (such as the processors106a-106n) attached to the PCB356are not shown in the cross sectional view350.

Blocks (or circuits)360a-360band/or blocks362a-362bare shown. The blocks360a-360bmay implement piezoelectric components. The blocks362a-362bmay implement connectors. In one example, the piezoelectric components360a-360bmay be the actuators116. In another example, the actuators116may control an activation of the piezoelectric components360a-360b. The connectors362a-362bmay be configured to connect the lens barrel354to the PCB356.

The piezoelectric components360a-360band the connectors362a-362bare each shown implemented on one side of the lens barrel354. In the example shown, the piezoelectric component360aand the connector362aare shown located above the lens barrel354and the piezoelectric component360band the connector362bare shown located below the lens barrel354. In another example, the piezoelectric components360a-360band the connectors362a-362bmay be located to the left and right of the lens barrel354. The arrangement of the piezoelectric components360a-360band/or the connectors362a-362bmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

In one example, the particular frequency may be a frequency of 30 kHz. In another example, the particular frequency may be 40 kHz. The particular frequency may be a constant frequency (e.g., a constant frequency of 30 kHz). In another example, the particular frequency may be a variable frequency (e.g., a frequency that starts at a lower value, such as 5 kHz and then ramps up over time (e.g., continuously, or in discrete steps) to a higher value, such as 60 kHz). The value of the particular frequency may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The connectors362a-362bmay be implemented as bendable (or flexible) cylindrical elements. The connectors362a-362bmay be configured to connect the lens barrel354to the PCB356. The connectors362a-362bmay be configured to respond to the movement caused by the piezoelectric components360a-360b. The movement of the piezoelectric components360a-360bmay be transferred through the connectors362a-362b. The connectors362a-362bmay cause the lens barrel354to vibrate, which may result in the vibration of the lens112. In one example, the connectors362a-362bmay be implemented as a rubber material. In another example, the connectors362a-362bmay be implemented as a plastic material. The type, size, shape and/or material used for the connectors362a-362bmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

In some embodiments, the connectors362a-362bmay be configured to translate and/or transfer the vibration generated by the piezoelectric components360a-360bto the lens barrel354. The connectors362a-362bmay be further configured to dampen the vibration transferred to the image sensor140. For example, stabilizing the image sensor140may prevent and/or limit an amount of distortion in the output images caused by the vibration302a-302n. The method of stabilizing the image sensor140may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

Components364a-364bare shown. The components364a-364bmay implement sealing elements. In one example, the sealing elements364a-364bmay comprise O-rings. The sealing elements364a-364bmay prevent water and/or other liquids from entering the enclosure352. The sealing elements364a-364bmay be configured to provide water proof and/or water resistant characteristics to the camera system100. For example, if the loosened debris304a-304nis rain drops, the sealing elements364a-364bmay prevent the loosened debris304a-304nfrom entering the enclosure352when the vibration302a-302nremoves the loosened debris304a-304nfrom the lens112. The sealing elements364a-364bmay maintain waterproof operation of the camera system100even during the vibration of the lens112.

In the example shown, the sealing element364ais shown located above the lens112and the sealing element364bis shown located below the lens112. In another example, the sealing elements364a-364bmay be located to the left and right of the lens112. Generally, the sealing elements364a-364bmay be located at any place of the enclosure352that may allow water in (e.g., seams, where two pieces connect together, input/output ports, around the lens112, etc.). The sealing elements364a-364bmay be implemented using a sealing material (e.g., rubber, silicone, fiber, etc.). The size, shape, location and/or material used for implementing the sealing elements364a-364bmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The image sensor140is shown comprising a block (or circuit)366. The circuit366may implement an actuator. The actuator366may be configured to perform a stabilization of the image sensor140. In an example, the actuator366may be configured to perform a five axes actuation. The actuator366may enable image stabilization. For example, the image stabilization performed by the actuator366may counteract the vibration302a-302ncaused by the piezoelectric components360a-360b.

Referring toFIG.8, a diagram illustrating a captured image with debris obstructing the captured image is shown. An example video frame400is shown. The example video frame400may comprise pixel data captured by one or more of the capture devices102a-102n. In one example, the video frame400may be provided to the processor106a-106nas the signal FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N. In another example, the video frame400may be generated by the processors106a-106nin response to the pixel data provided in the signal FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N. The pixel data may be received by the processors106a-106nand video processing operations may be performed by the video processing pipeline156to generate the example video frame400. In some embodiments, the example video frame400may be presented as human viewable video output to one or more of the displays118a-118n. In some embodiments, the example video frame400may be utilized internal to the processor106a-106nto perform the computer vision operations.

The example video frame400may comprise a view of a roadway402. In an example, the example video frame400may be captured by one of the capture devices102a-102nmounted to the ego vehicle50(e.g., a rear-mounted camera, a camera mounted on the front of the ego vehicle50, etc.). The roadway402may comprise a lane404and a lane406. A lane line408may separate the lane404and the lane406. A vehicle410is shown in the lane404. For example, the vehicle410may be approaching the ego vehicle50in the opposite lane (e.g., the ego vehicle50may be traveling in the lane406).

The oncoming vehicle410may comprise a license plate412and a windshield414. A signpost416is shown beside the lane406. The signpost416may hold up a sign418. For example, the sign418may provide a speed limit, a road shape warning, a construction warning, etc.

The attached debris300a-300nis shown in the example video frame400. In the example shown, the attached debris300a-300nmay comprise rain drops. The rain drops300a-300nmay be attached to the lens112. Since the rain drops300a-300nmay be attached to the lens112, the rain drops300a-300nmay appear regardless of whether the capture devices102a-102nzooms, pans, tilts, changes direction, etc.

The rain drops300a-300nattached to the lens112may cover other objects and/or details captured in the example video frame400. For example, regardless of what appears beyond the rain drops300a-300n, the rain drops300a-300nmay appear in front. The rain drops300a-300nmay partially and/or totally obscure content in the example video frame400. For example, the rain drops300a-300nmay act as a filter effect overlaid on top of anything captured in the video data.

The rain drops300a-300nmay be undesired content captured. In the example shown, the roadway402, the vehicle410, the license plate412, the signpost416and/or the sign418may be desired content captured. The undesired debris300a-300nmay potentially cover the desired video content. For example, the rain drop300cmay partially cover the license plate412and the rain drop300imay partially cover the sign418.

A dotted shape420and a dotted shape422are shown. The dotted shape420and the dotted shape422may represent the detection of objects by the computer vision operations performed by the processors106a-106n. The dotted shape420and the dotted shape422may comprise the pixel data corresponding to an object detected by the computer vision operations pipeline162and/or the CNN module150. The dotted shape420and the dotted shape422are shown for illustrative purposes. In an example, the dotted shape420and the dotted shape422may be a visual representation of the object detection (e.g., the dotted shapes420-422may not appear on an output video frame displayed on one of the displays118a-118n). In another example, the dotted shapes420-422may be a bounding box generated by the processors106a-106ndisplayed on the video frame to indicate that an object has been detected (e.g., the bounding boxes420-422may be displayed in a debug mode of operation). In the example shown, two objects are shown detected for simplicity. In another example, the number of objects detected may be limited, due to the rain drops300a-300nobscuring the desired content in the video frame400. The number and/or types of objects detected by the processors106a-106nmay be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The object420detected may be the vehicle410. The object422detected may be the windshield414. The computer vision operations may be configured to detect characteristics of the detected objects. In the example video frame400, characteristics of the objects420-422(e.g., a color of the vehicle410, a type of the vehicle410(e.g., a van, a sedan, a truck, etc.), a distance from the ego vehicle50, a speed of the vehicle410relative to the ego vehicle50, etc.) may be detected by the processors106a-106n. The types of characteristics detected may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

The attached debris300a-300nmay disrupt the detection of various objects in the example video frame400. In the example shown, the vehicle410is shown detected as the detected object420and the windshield414is shown detected as the detected object422. However, other desired objects may not be detected. In the example shown, the rain drop300cis located over the license plate412. The rain drop300cmay prevent the license plate412from being detected by the CNN module150. Similarly, the rain drop300iis located over the sign418. The rain drop300imay prevent the signpost416and the sign418from being detected by the CNN module150.

The vehicle410may be detected as the detected object420despite the presence of the rain drops300a-300n. The vehicle410may be an object that is large enough to still be distinguished even with the presence of the attached debris300a-300n. Similarly, the road402may be detected since the road402is relatively large compared to the size of the attached debris300a-300n. The windshield414may be detected as the detected object422since the windshield is relatively large, while the license plate412may not be able to be detected because of a relatively smaller size. The amount, size and/or density of the attached debris300a-300nmay result in various objects being able or unable to be detected by the CNN module150. For example, even a larger object such as the vehicle410may be prevented from being detected if the attached debris300a-300ncreates enough discontinuities, and/or blocks too many identifiable features.

The attached debris300a-300nmay disrupt the detection of various characteristics of the detected objects420-422in the example video frame400. For example, even if the CNN module150is capable of detecting objects despite the presence of the attached debris300a-300n, the attached debris300a-300nmay still limit the amount of information that may be extracted about the detected objects420-422. In the example shown, the windshield414may be detected as the detected object422despite the rain drop300dlocated over the windshield414in the example video frame400. However, one characteristic detected about the windshield414may be the presence and/or number of occupants within the vehicle410. For example, the processors106a-106nmay detect people within the vehicle410to shape the headlight beams to prevent shining headlights at occupants in other vehicles. The rain drop300dmay disrupt the detection of the number of occupants within the vehicle410. Similarly, even if the CNN module150was able to detect the license plate412, the rain drop300cmay prevent reading of the entire license plate number. In another example, the CNN module150may be able to detect the road402, however the rain drops300a-300nmay cause a discontinuity in the lane line408, which may disrupt the detection of the lane404and the lane406(which may prevent proper lane detection and/or lane keeping functions for autonomous driving and/or driver assistance).

The processors106a-106nmay be configured to detect the presence of the attached debris300a-300n. In one example, the processors106a-106nmay perform the object detection to detect whether there is attached debris300a-300nthe lens112. The CNN module150may be configured to distinguish between objects located in the foreground and objects located in the background. The attached debris300a-300nmay appear as a foreground object. In some embodiments, the processors106a-106nmay be configured to perform depth analysis. Generally, desired objects may be detected at a distance away from the lens112. In some embodiments, where the camera system100comprises a stereo camera, the attached debris300a-300nmay not appear with the same pattern and/or arrangement on each stereo pair of images captured (e.g., the location of the rain drops300a-300nmay be random and both lenses would likely not have rain drops located at the same positions, which may indicate the presence of the attached debris300a-300n).

In some embodiments, the CNN module150may determine whether the attached debris300a-300nobscures and/or distorts the desired objects in the example video frame400. The type of distortion may indicate the presence of the attached debris300a-300n. In some embodiments, the CNN module150may be configured to track the location of the objects detected over time (e.g., from video frame to video frame over a sequence of captured video frames). The attached debris300a-300nmay generally remain in a static position as the capture device102moves (e.g., when the ego vehicle50turns). The attached debris300a-300nmay generally remain in a static position as other objects in the example video frame400move (e.g., the vehicle410may move close to the ego vehicle50, resulting in a change in size, or turn, resulting in a change of position, etc.). The lack of movement of an object over time may indicate that the object is the attached debris300a-300n. The methods for detecting the presence of the attached debris300a-300nusing computer vision operations may be varied according to the design criteria of a particular implementation.

Each method for detecting the attached debris300a-300nmay increase or decrease of a likelihood of the decision module158determining that the attached debris300a-300nis present. For example, the more indications that attached debris300a-300nis present may increase a confidence level of the detection of the attached debris300a-300n. For example, the detection of objects that do not move relative to the movement of the camera and objects that cause a distortion effect on other objects may have a higher confidence level for detecting the attached debris300a-300nthan only detecting an object that does not move relative to the movement of the camera. When the confidence level of the presence of the attached debris300a-300nis greater than a pre-determined threshold, then the processors106a-106nmay generate the signal VCTRL to activate the vibration302a-302nof the lens112.

The amount of the attached debris300a-300ndetected may further be analyzed by the decision module158to determine whether to generate the signal VCTRL. For example, a single rain drop may not be a sufficient amount of the attached debris300a-300nto generate the signal VCTRL (e.g., one rain drop may not disrupt the detection of objects). The decision module158may activate the vibration after a pre-determined threshold for an amount of the attached debris300a-300nhas been detected. The pre-determined threshold may comprise a size of the attached debris300a-300n, a density of the attached debris300a-300n, how much of the example video frame400is obscured, where the attached debris300a-300nis located (e.g., vibration may be activated when the attached debris300a-300nis centrally located in the example video frame400but may not be activated when the attached debris300a-300nis only located towards the outer edges of the example video frame400).

Referring toFIG.9, a diagram illustrating a captured image with debris removed is shown. An example video frame450is shown. The example video frame450may be generated similar to the example video frame400shown in association withFIG.8. For example, the example video frame450may be a video frame generated by the processors106a-106nat a time later than the generation of the video frame400shown in association withFIG.8. For example, attached debris300a-300nmay have been detected on the example video frame400and the processors106a-106nmay have generated the signal VCTRL to initiate the vibration302a-302n. The example video frame450may be a video frame generated after a cleaning cycle has been completed and/or during a cleaning cycle. A cleaning cycle may comprise an amount of time that the vibration302a-302nis active (e.g., from when the vibration302a-302nis initiated until the vibration302a-302nis stopped).

In the example video frame450, the attached debris300a-300nmay no longer be present. The vibration302a-302nmay have caused the attached debris300a-300nto detach from the lens112and fall away off the lens112(e.g., become the loosened debris304a-304nshown in association withFIG.6). The processors106a-106nmay continually perform the computer vision operations on each video frame generated. The removal of the attached debris300a-300nmay enable the CNN module150to detect objects that would have otherwise been obscured by the attached debris300a-300n.

The example video frame450may comprise the roadway402. The lane404and the lane406are shown separated by the lane line408on the roadway402. The vehicle410is shown in the lane404. The signpost416and the sign418are shown beside the roadway402.

The detected objects420a-422aare shown. The detected object420amay be the vehicle410. The detected object422amay be the windshield414. The detected objects420a-422amay be the same detected objects420-422that the CNN module150was capable of detecting in the earlier example video frame400with the attached debris300a-300npresent.

With the attached debris300a-300nremoved from the lens112, the CNN module150may be able to detect more objects than the detected objects420a-422a. Dotted boxes452-454are shown. The dotted boxes452-454may be similar illustrative examples of object detection as the dotted boxes420-422as shown in association withFIG.8. The dotted boxes452-454may represent objects detected by the CNN module150after the attached debris300a-300nwas removed that was not detected before the attached debris300a-300nwas removed.

The detected object452may be the license plate412. The detected object454may be the sign418. For example, the processors106a-106nmay be configured to perform OCR operations to read text. The processors106a-106nmay perform the OCR operations on the license plate412to read the license plate number. The processors106a-106nmay perform the OCR operations on the sign418to interpret the sign418. For example, a speed limit of 50 is shown. The speed limit read from the detected object454may be used by various vehicle systems for autonomous driving (e.g., the ego vehicle50may not exceed the speed limit of the sign418).

With the attached debris300a-300nremoved from the lens112, the CNN module150may be able to detect characteristics that may have been obscured by the attached debris300a-300n. In the example shown, with the attached debris300a-300nremoved, the windshield414is not obscured by raindrops. With a clear view of the windshield414, the processors106a-106nmay be capable of determining the number and/or location of occupants within the vehicle410. The processors106a-106nmay be further configured to correct errors made in detecting objects and/or extracting data about characteristics of the detected objects420a-422athat were made as a result of the distortion caused by the attached debris300a-300n. For example, an OCR result of reading the license plate412may be corrected if one of the rain drops300a-300nwas blocking one or more characters of the license plate412.

In some embodiments, the video processing pipeline156may be configured to perform image stabilization. The vibration302a-302nimplemented to clean the attached debris300a-300nmay cause a distortion of the output video frames. The vibration302a-302nmay be performed at the particular frequency (e.g., 30 kHz). Since the vibration frequency and/or the direction of the vibration (e.g., VU and VD) may be known in advance, the image stabilization performed by the video processing pipeline156may be configured to counteract distortion caused by the vibration302a-302n. The image stabilization may enable the video frame450to be output while the vibration302a-302nis active. For example, distortion caused by the vibration302a-302nmay be temporary and correctable using video processing techniques such as image stabilization, while distortion caused by the attached debris300a-300nmay not be correctable using video processing techniques.

Referring toFIG.10, a method (or process)600is shown. The method600may remove debris from a camera. The method600generally comprises a step (or state)602, a step (or state)604, a step (or state)606, a step (or state)608, a step (or state)610, a decision step (or state)612, a step (or state)614, a step (or state)616, and a step (or state)618.

The step602may start the method600. In the step604, the processors106a-106nmay generate and/or receive pixel data. One or more of the capture devices102a-102nmay present the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N to the processors106a-106n. Next, in the step606, the processors106a-106nmay generate video frames from the pixel data. For example, one or more of the dedicated hardware modules180a-180nand/or the video processing pipeline156may generate video frames from the signals FRAMES_A-FRAMES_N. Next, the method600may move to the step608.

In the step608, the processors106a-106nmay perform computer vision operations on the video frames. In an example, the video processing pipeline156may present the video frames to the CNN module150as the video frames are generated to enable real-time computer vision operations. Next, in the step610, the CNN module150may perform object detection and/or determine the characteristics of the objects detected. The object detection, along with classification and/or segmentation may be part of the computer vision operations performed by the CNN module150. Next, the method600may move to the decision step612.

In the decision step612, the decision module158may determine whether the attached debris300a-300nhas been detected on the lens112(or a cover for the capture device102). The attached debris300a-300nmay be detected using the computer vision operations (e.g., classifying the detected objects as debris). In some embodiments, a threshold amount of the attached debris300a-300nmay be used to determine whether the attached debris300a-300nis considered to be present (e.g., a number of droplets, a percentage of the field of view being obscured, a percentage of a region of the field of view being obscured, etc.). If the attached debris300a-300nhas not been detected, then the method600may return to the step604. If the attached debris300a-300nhas been detected, then the method600may move to the step614.

In the step614, the processors106a-106nmay generate the control signal VCTRL. The control signal VCTRL may be presented to the actuators116. In an example, the actuators116may be the piezoelectric components360a-360b. Next, in the step616, the piezoelectric components360a-360bmay initiate the vibration302a-302n. The vibration302a-302nmay be performed at a particular frequency (e.g., 30 kHz). In the step618, the piezoelectric components360a-360bmay stop the vibration302a-302n. Next, the method600may return to the step604.

In the method600, the steps602-618may be shown as sequential steps. However, the steps602-618may be performed in parallel and/or substantially in parallel. For example, if electronic image stabilization is performed to correct the video frames in response to the vibration302a-302n, the pixel data and video frames may be generated during the cleaning cycle. Similarly, pixel data and/or computer vision operations may be performed while the vibration302a-302nis active.

Referring toFIG.11, a method (or process)650is shown. The method650may perform image stabilization in response to a particular vibration of a cleaning system. The method650generally comprises a step (or state)652, a step (or state)654, a step (or state)656, a decision step (or state)658, a step (or state)660, a step (or state)662, a decision step (or state)664, and a step (or state)666.

The step652may start the method650. In the step654, the processors106a-106nmay generate the video frames. Next, in the step656, the CNN module150may perform the computer vision operations on the video frames. Next, the method650may move to the decision step658.

In the decision step658, the decision module158may determine whether the attached debris300a-300nhas been detected on the camera lens112. In one example, the computer vision operations may detect and/or classify objects as the attached debris300a-300n. If the attached debris300a-300nhas not been detected, then the method650may return to the step654. If the attached debris300a-300nhas been detected, then the method650may move to the step660.

In the decision step664, the processors106a-106nmay determine whether the cleaning cycle has ended. The starting and then stopping of the vibration302a-302nmay be a cleaning cycle. In one example, the cleaning cycle may be timed (e.g., the vibration302a-302nmay last for 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, etc.). In another example, the cleaning cycle may be performed as long as the attached debris300a-300nis detected (e.g., the computer vision operations may be performed continuously while the vibration302a-302nis performed and if the attached debris300a-300nis unable to be removed a notification may be sent to the driver202and/or another user).

In the decision step664, if the cleaning cycle has not ended, then the method650may return to the step660. If the cleaning cycle has ended, then the method650may move to the step666. In the step666, the vibration302a-302nat the particular frequency may be stopped. In one example, the processors106a-106nmay send the signal VCTRL to stop the piezoelectric components360a-360b. In another example, the piezoelectric components360a-360bmay stop vibrating after a pre-determined amount of time. Next, the method650may return to the step654.

In the example method650, the video frames may continue to be captured during the cleaning cycle. For example, while the steps660-666may appear sequentially after the steps654-658, all of the steps652-666may be performed in parallel and/or substantially in parallel. For example, while the image stabilization is implemented, the camera system100may continue to generate the video frames while the vibration302a-302nis active.

Referring toFIG.12, a method (or process)700is shown. The method700may pause video capture during vibration caused by a cleaning system. The method700generally comprises a step (or state)702, a step (or state)704, a step (or state)706, a decision step (or state)708, a step (or state)710, a step (or state)712, a decision step (or state)714, and a step (or state)716.

The step702may start the method700. In the step704, the processors106a-106nmay generate the video frames. Next, in the step706, the processors106a-106nmay present the video frames to one or more of the displays118a-118n. For example, the processors106a-106nmay generate the output signals VOUT_A-VOUT_N as an input to the displays118a-118n. The video output signals VOUT_A-VOUT_N may be presented to the displays118a-118nwith or without performing computer vision operations. Next, the method700may move to the decision step708.

In the decision step708, the processors106a-106nmay determine whether a control signal has been received. In one example, the control signal may be a user-provided signal (e.g., the signal USER presented to the interface104, in response to a person pressing a button). In another example, the control signal may be a wirelessly communicated signal (e.g., the signal COM received by the communication devices110in response to a user providing an input using a remote device such as a smartphone running an app that controls the camera system100and/or using a video surveillance station). If the control signal has not been received, then the method700may return to the step704. If the control signal has been received, then the method700may move to the step710.

In the step710, the processors106a-106nmay pause generation of the video frames. For example, the video processing pipeline156may not generate the video frames in response to the pixel data. Next, in the step712, the processors106a-106nmay generate the control signal VCTRL to generate the vibration302a-302n. Next, the method700may move to the decision step714.

In the decision step714, the processors106a-106nmay determine whether the cleaning cycle has ended. In one example, the cleaning cycle may have a time limit. In another example, the cleaning cycle may be ended manually (e.g., using the signal USER and/or the signal COM provided by a user). If the cleaning cycle has not ended, then the method700may return to the step712. If the cleaning cycle has ended, then the method700may move to the step716. In the step716, the processors106a-106nmay stop the vibration302a-302n. Next, the method700may return to the step704(e.g., resume generating image frames and/or video frames).

The method700may be an example scenario when the camera system100is implemented without computer vision implemented to detect the attached debris300a-300n. A manual input may activate/deactivate the vibration302a-302n. The method700may be an example scenario when the camera system100does not perform image stabilization to counteract the vibration302a-302n. The video frames may not be generated during the cleaning cycle and the generation of the video frames may be reactivated after the cleaning cycle has been completed. In some embodiments, the output video VOUT_A-VOUT_N may still be generated during the cleaning cycle (e.g., vibration may be seen on the output video frames on the displays118a-118n). Whether the video frame generation is paused may be a user-selectable preference.

Referring toFIG.13, a method (or process)750is shown. The method750may detect debris on a camera lens using computer vision. The method750generally comprises a step (or state)752, a step (or state)754, a step (or state)756, a decision step (or state)758, a step (or state)760, a step (or state)762, a step (or state)764, a decision step (or state)766, a step (or state)768, a step (or state)770, a decision step (or state)772, a step (or state)774, a step (or state)776, and a step (or state)778.

The step752may start the method750. In the step754, the CNN module150may perform the computer vision operations on the video frames generated. Next, in the step756, the CNN module150may detect the objects and/or determine the characteristics of the detected objects in the captured video frames. Next, the method750may move to the decision step758.

In the decision step758, the decision module158may determine whether one or more of the detected objects obscure other potential objects. For example, a raindrop may obscure a potential objects by distorting the video beyond the location of the raindrop in the video frame. In another example, opaque debris, such as mud may completely block a region of the video frame. If the detected object does obscure other potential objects, then the method750may move to the step760. In the step760, the decision module158may increase a likelihood of detection of the attached debris300a-300n. Next, the method750may move to the step764.

In the decision step758, if the detected object does not obscure other potential objects in the video frame, then the method750may move to the step762. For example, the object detected may be a desired object (e.g., a vehicle, a sign, a person, etc.). In the step762, the decision module158may decrease a likelihood of detection of the attached debris300a-300n. Next, the method750may move to the step764. In the step764, the processors106a-106nmay perform a depth analysis of the objects. In one example, the processors106a-106nmay perform a monocular depth analysis. In another example, if the camera system100implements a stereo camera, a stereo depth analysis may be performed. Next, the method750may move to the decision step766.

In the decision step766, the decision module158may determine whether the object is on the lens112. For example, the depth analysis may determine how far away the detected object is from the lens112(e.g., a distance of zero may indicate the object is attached to the lens). If the object is on the lens112, then the method750may move to the step768. In the step768, the decision module158may increase a likelihood of detection of the attached debris300a-300n. Next, the method750may move to the decision step772. In the decision step766, if the object is not on the lens112, then the method750may move to the step770. In the step770, the decision module158may decrease a likelihood of detection of the attached debris300a-300n. Next, the method750may move to the decision step772.

In the decision step772, the decision module158may determine whether the attached debris300a-300nhas been detected. If the attached debris300a-300nhas not been detected, then the method750may move to the step776. If the decision module158determines that the attached debris300a-300nhas been detected, then the method750may move to the step774. In the step774, the processors106a-106nmay generate the signal VCTRL to perform the vibration302a-302nfor the cleaning cycle. Next, the method750may move to the step776.

In the step776, the CNN module150may detect objects in the video frame. For example, once the attached debris300a-300nhas been removed from the lens112, the processors106a-106nmay be capable of detecting objects (or detecting characteristics of objects) that have been obscured and/or distorted by the attached debris300a-300n. Next, the method750may move to the step778. The step778may end the method750.

The method750may provide a representative example of characteristics of the detected objects that the processors106a-106nmay use to determine the presence of the attached debris300a-300n. Other criteria may be implemented (e.g., detecting a color, size and/or shape of the detected objects to determine whether the objects detected are debris, determining whether the objects are statically positioned over time, whether the objects are arranged in different patterns on the lenses of a stereo camera, etc.). The various criteria used may have varying amounts of weight applied. For example, the object having a distance of zero from the lens may have a high value weight compared to detecting a particular color. The various weights from analyzing the various criteria may be aggregated to determine a confidence level of whether the determination of the presence of the attached debris300a-300nmay be accurate. For example, when the confidence level is above a pre-determined threshold, then the vibration302a-302nmay be activated.