Patent Description:
The following documents may be considered as disclosing the background art.

<CIT> discloses a camera mount for mounting a camera inside a windshield of a vehicle. The camera includes a lens mount and a camera housing. The front tip of the lens mount is constrained to be in close proximity to or constrained to contact the inside of the windshield for different rake angles of the windshield.

<CIT> discloses a Traffic-Light Status Remote Sensor System. The basic system consists of a set of lenses, detectors, and narrowband filters. The sensor system is capable of determining the status of a traffic light (red, amber, or green) from a distance, without any connection to the electronic boards controlling the traffic light. A portable red-light photo-enforcement system working independently from the traffic light controllers is a potential application of the remote traffic light sensor.

<CIT> discloses a traffic light detection system for a vehicle. The system may include at least one processing device programmed to receive, from at least one image capture device, a plurality of images representative of an area forward of the vehicle, the area including a traffic light fixture having at least one traffic light. The at least one processing device may also be programmed to analyze at least one of the plurality of images to determine a status of the at least one traffic light, and determine an estimated amount of time until the vehicle will reach an intersection associated with the traffic light fixture. The at least one processing device may further be programmed to cause a system response based on the status of at least one traffic light and the estimated amount of time until the vehicle will reach the intersection.

The present invention is defined by the independent claim <NUM>. Further exemplary embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

To manage traffic flow in an urban environment, a municipality (e.g., via a department of transportation, and/or the like) may position one or more traffic signals at an intersection involving two or more streets. A traffic signal, of the one or more traffic signals, may include a set of different colored lights, including a red light, a yellow light, and a green light. Depending on which light of the set of different colored lights is illuminated (e.g., based on a previously-determined schedule, based on current traffic patterns, and/or the like), a vehicle traveling along one of the two or more streets may be required, by law, to perform certain actions. For example, when the green light is illuminated, the vehicle may be required to maintain forward motion toward and/or through the intersection. As another example, when the red light is illuminated, the vehicle may be required to stop prior to reaching the intersection. As a further example, when the yellow light is illuminated, which serves as a warning that illumination of the red light is imminent, the vehicle may be required to adjust speed to either travel through the intersection prior to illumination of the red light or stop prior to reaching the intersection.

To minimize traffic disruption and/or congestion, a first traffic signal, which is positioned to direct traffic along a first street, may be configured to coordinate illumination of the set of different colored lights with a second traffic signal, which is positioned to direct traffic along a second street that intersects with the first street. For example, when the first traffic signal illuminates the green light for vehicles traveling along the first street, the second traffic signal may illuminate a red light to stop vehicles on the second street from entering the intersection with the first street. Conversely, when the first traffic signal illuminates the red light for vehicles traveling along the first street, the second traffic signal may illuminate a green light to permit vehicles on the second street to enter the intersection with the first street. In some implementations, a traffic signal may include two sets of different colored lights (e.g., for opposing traffic along a single street), four sets of different colored lights (e.g., for opposing traffic along two streets), and/or the like.

Accordingly, to avoid collision with another vehicle, a person driving the vehicle and/or the vehicle itself must be able to visually perceive light from traffic signals. In some implementations, to assist the person driving the vehicle, the vehicle may include a driver assistance system (DAS). The DAS may include one or more light detection components to perceive and analyze a light from a traffic signal and assist the person to control the vehicle accordingly. In some implementations, the vehicle may be an autonomous vehicle and thus wholly rely on one more light detection components to perceive and analyze a light from a traffic signal and cause the vehicle to react accordingly. Depending on weather, time of day, and/or an angle of view of the traffic signal, the person and/or the vehicle may experience difficulty in accurately perceiving whether the light is red, yellow, or green.

Failure to accurately perceive a color of the light, whether due to human error or an issue with the one or more light detection components, may result in the vehicle breaking one or more laws, being involved in a collision, and/or the like. For example, due the vehicle breaking one or more laws, a law enforcement agency may consume resources (e.g., computing resources, network resources, vehicle resources, and/or the like) detecting that the vehicle broke the law, identifying an owner of the vehicle, issuing a ticket to the owner of the vehicle, and/or the like. The owner of the vehicle, in turn, may consume resources responding to the ticket, correcting an issue with the one or more light detection components, and/or the like. As another example, due to the vehicle being involved in a collision, the vehicle may suffer hardware damage and/or cause hardware damage in one or more other objects. As a result, resources may be consumed repairing and/or replacing damaged hardware of the vehicle and/or the one or more other objects. Furthermore, in response to the collision, a law enforcement agency may consume resources (e.g., computing resources, network resources, vehicle resources, and/or the like) responding to calls about the collision, identifying a location of the collision, clearing a scene of the collision, and/or the like.

Some implementations described herein provide a system that is configured to accurately detect specific wavelengths of light from a traffic signal. The system includes a light sensor, a lens, and a filter arranged in a particular configuration. The lens may include a distal end positioned toward an environment and a proximal end that is opposite the distal end and positioned toward the light sensor. The filter may be situated between the light sensor and the proximal end of the lens and may be configured to permit a preconfigured set of wavelengths of light from the environment to be sensed by the light sensor. Such a configuration may permit light to sequentially pass through the lens, from the distal end to the proximal end, and the filter to reach the light sensor. By placing the filter at the proximal end of the lens, the system may avoid issues with color distortion (e.g., angle distortion effect, blue shift, and/or the like), which may prevent the system from accurately detecting a color of light from a traffic signal.

By utilizing a system that is configured to accurately detect light from a traffic signal, a vehicle may comply with traffic laws or assist a driver of the vehicle in complying with traffic laws, avoid collisions or assist the driver of the vehicle in avoiding collisions, and/or the like. For example, by complying with traffic laws, the vehicle may conserve resources (e.g., computing resources, network resources, vehicle resources, and/or the like) that might otherwise have been consumed by a law enforcement agency detecting that the vehicle broke the law, identifying an owner of the vehicle, issuing a ticket to the owner of the vehicle, and/or the like. The owner of the vehicle, in turn, may conserve resources that might otherwise have been consumed responding to the ticket, correcting an issue with the one or more light detection components, and/or the like. As another example, by avoiding collisions, the vehicle may avoid hardware damage and/or avoid causing hardware damage in one or more other objects. As a result, resources may be conserved that might have otherwise been consumed repairing and/or replacing damaged hardware of the vehicle and/or the one or more other objects. Furthermore, the vehicle may conserve resources that might otherwise have been consumed by a law enforcement agency responding to calls about the collision, identifying a location of the collision, clearing a scene of the collision, and/or the like.

To simplify explanation below, the same reference numbers may be used to denote like features. The drawings are for illustrative purposes and may not be to scale.

<FIG> is a diagram of an example vehicle <NUM> using a traffic light detection system <NUM> to detect light <NUM> from a traffic signal <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> may be an autonomous vehicle, a vehicle with a driver assistance system (DAS), and/or the like. For example, the vehicle may be an automobile (e.g., a car, a truck, a bus, and/or the like), a motorcycle, a bicycle, a cart, and/or the like. The vehicle <NUM> may be configured to transport people, animals, and/or goods via a system of roadways (e.g., streets, parkways, lanes, highways, and/or the like) and be subject to one or more traffic laws. The one or more traffic laws may require, for example, the vehicle to perform certain actions based on the traffic signal <NUM> illuminating the light <NUM>, which may be a red light, a green light, or a yellow light. For example, the one or more traffic laws may require the vehicle <NUM> to stop at the red light, go at the green light, and exercise caution at the yellow light.

To accurately perceive the light <NUM>, the vehicle <NUM> may include the traffic light detection system <NUM>. The traffic light detection system <NUM> may be mounted to a front surface of the vehicle <NUM> (e.g., a windshield, an engine hood, a grille, a front panel, and/or the like) to allow the traffic light detection system <NUM> to face the traffic signal <NUM> and detect the light <NUM> projecting therefrom. The traffic light detection system <NUM> may include a lens <NUM>, a light sensor <NUM>, and a filter <NUM>, which together define a camera.

The lens <NUM> includes one or more optical elements <NUM> (e.g., one or more glass elements, one or more plastic elements, and/or the like) to provide light to the light sensor <NUM> via the filter <NUM>. For example, the lens <NUM> may include a fisheye lens, a telephoto lens, a wide angle lens, and/or the like. The lens <NUM> may be arranged within a housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may include a distal end <NUM>, which is positioned toward an environment including the traffic signal <NUM>, and a proximal end <NUM>, which is opposite the distal end <NUM> and positioned toward the light sensor <NUM>.

The light sensor <NUM> includes an electronic device that is configured to convert the light into an electrical signal and transmit the signal to one or more other vehicle components. The light sensor <NUM> may include a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor, and/or the like. The light sensor <NUM> may be attached to a substrate (e.g., the substrate <NUM>, which will be described in further detail in connection with <FIG>), which may in turn be attached to the vehicle <NUM>.

The filter <NUM> includes a base material (e.g., a plastic material, a glass material, and/or the like) and one or more coatings that are configured to selectively absorb or reflect certain wavelengths of light while permitting remaining wavelengths of light to travel through the filter <NUM>. For example, the filter <NUM> may include a bandpass filter, a shortpass filter, a longpass filter, and/or the like. In order to filter the wavelengths of light before the light reaches the light sensor <NUM>, the filter <NUM> may be situated between the proximal end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the light sensor <NUM>.

According to the invention, filter <NUM> is configured to permit a preconfigured set of wavelengths of light from the environment to be sensed by the light sensor <NUM>. The preconfigured set of wavelengths of light is associated with colors of light of the traffic signal <NUM> (e.g., red, yellow, and green). The preconfigured set of wavelengths of light may include, for example, a first band that is within a first threshold range of <NUM> nanometers (nm) and corresponds to the color red, a second band that is within a second threshold range of <NUM> and corresponds to the color yellow, and/or a third band that is within a third threshold range of <NUM> and corresponds to the color green. In other words, the first band may be an interval comprising or being centered on <NUM> and may have a width equal to twice the first threshold range. The second band may be an interval comprising or being centered on <NUM> and may have a width equal to twice the second threshold range. The third band may be an interval comprising or being centered on <NUM> and may have a width equal to twice the third threshold range.

In some implementations, the first threshold range may be approximately <NUM>. For example, the first band may include approximately <NUM> ± <NUM>, which is approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. In some implementations, the first threshold range may be approximately <NUM>. For example, the first band may include approximately <NUM> ± <NUM>, which is approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. In some implementations, the first threshold range may be approximately <NUM>. For example, the first band may include <NUM> ± <NUM>, which is approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>.

In some implementations, the second threshold range may be approximately <NUM>. For example, the second band may include approximately <NUM> ± <NUM>, which is approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. In some implementations, the second threshold range may be approximately <NUM>. For example, the second band may include approximately <NUM> ± <NUM>, which is approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. In some implementations, the second threshold range may be approximately <NUM>. For example, the second band may include approximately <NUM> ± <NUM>, which is approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>.

In some implementations, the third threshold range may be approximately <NUM>. For example, the third band may include approximately <NUM> ± <NUM>, which is approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. In some implementations, the third threshold range may be approximately <NUM>. For example, the third band may include approximately <NUM> ± <NUM>, which is approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. In some implementations, the third threshold range may be approximately <NUM>. For example, the third band may include approximately <NUM> ± <NUM>, which is approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>.

By selectively blocking wavelengths of light that are not relevant to analysis of the traffic signal <NUM>, the filter <NUM> may conserve resources that might otherwise have been consumed by the light sensor <NUM> detecting and analyzing irrelevant colors of light, such as blue, purple, brown, and/or the like.

In use, once the traffic signal <NUM> illuminates the light <NUM> (e.g., based on a predetermined schedule, based on traffic patterns, based on receiving an instruction, and/or the like), the light <NUM> may contact a convex surface <NUM> of the one or more optical elements <NUM> at a first angle of incidence α<NUM>, which is an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the lens <NUM>. The first angle of incidence α<NUM> may be within a first angle range. For example, the first angle range may be approximately <NUM> degrees to approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. As another example, the first angle range may be approximately <NUM> degrees to approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. As a further example, the first angle range may be approximately <NUM> degrees to approximately <NUM> degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

The lens <NUM> may be shaped to direct the light <NUM> from the environment to the filter <NUM> within a threshold angle of the longitudinal axis. For example, the threshold angle may be <NUM> degrees, <NUM> degree, and/or the like. In this example, the light <NUM> may travel through the one or more optical elements <NUM> to contact the filter <NUM> at a second angle of incidence α<NUM>.

By directing the light <NUM> to enter the filter <NUM> at an angle less than or equal to the threshold angle of the longitudinal axis, the lens <NUM> may minimize color distortion (e.g., due to blue shift, angle distortion effect, and/or the like) and thus ensure effectiveness of the filter <NUM>. Otherwise, if the light <NUM> were to penetrate the filter <NUM> at an angle larger than the threshold angle (e.g., based on the lens <NUM> failing to direct the light <NUM> at an angle within the threshold angle, based on the filter <NUM> being arranged at the distal end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> such that the lens <NUM> is located between the filter <NUM> and the light sensor <NUM>, and/or the like), the filter <NUM> may distort the color of the light <NUM> prior to reaching the light sensor <NUM>. As a result, in such an example, the light sensor <NUM> may misinterpret the light <NUM> from the traffic signal <NUM> and cause the vehicle <NUM> to perform one or more ill-suited actions (e.g., drive through a red light, stop at a green light, and/or the like).

Accordingly, the configuration of the lens <NUM> and the filter <NUM> may conserve resources that might otherwise have been consumed based on misinterpretation of the light <NUM> from the traffic signal <NUM>. For example, the configuration may conserve resources (e.g., computing resources, network resources, vehicle resources, and/or the like) that might otherwise have been consumed by law enforcement responding to a collision, enforcing one or more traffic laws, and or the like. As another example, the configuration may prevent hardware damage as a result of a collision and conserve resources that might otherwise have been consumed repairing the hardware damage.

Because a wavelength of the light <NUM> is within the first band, the second band, or the third band, the filter <NUM> may permit the light <NUM> to reach the light sensor <NUM>. Once the light <NUM> contacts the light sensor <NUM>, the light sensor <NUM> may convert the light <NUM> into an electrical signal. Based on the color of the light <NUM>, the light sensor <NUM> may transmit the electrical signal to one or more other vehicle components to cause the vehicle <NUM> to perform one or more actions. For example, the one or more actions may include providing one or more warning indications to a driver of the vehicle <NUM> based on the light <NUM> being a red light or a yellow light. The one or more warning indications may include a warning message (e.g., an audio message, a visual message, an audio-visual message, and/or the like), a tactile signal (e.g., a vibrating steering wheel, a vibrating seat, and/or the like), and/or the like. The one or more warning indications may encourage the driver to reduce a speed of the vehicle <NUM> in response to the red light or the yellow light. As another example, the one or more actions may include reducing a speed of the vehicle <NUM> based on the light <NUM> being a red light or a yellow light. To reduce the speed, the vehicle <NUM> may apply one or more braking mechanisms of the vehicle <NUM> (e.g., a friction braking mechanism, a magnetic braking mechanism, an engine braking mechanism, and/or the like).

Accordingly, the filter <NUM> may be a multi-bandpass filter with specific bandwidths, which is positioned between the lens and the sensor as described above. Such a filter <NUM> may enable the light sensor <NUM> to detect every possible traffic light independent of weather and light conditions. In particular, the filter may have three bands which correspond to the colors red, green and yellow. Thus, the traffic light detection system <NUM> may be able to detect traffic lights even in high sun exposure situations. Further, through the positioning of the filter <NUM>, using e.g. a fisheye lens it may possible to detect up to <NUM> degree field of view. On top of that, with the specialization of the bandwidths of the filter <NUM>, the most noisy colors, which are useless to detect traffic light signals, may be blocked. Therefore, the accuracy and reliability of detecting traffic lights can be increased.

As indicated above, <FIG> is provided as an illustrative example, not according to the invention. While the traffic light detection system <NUM> is shown and described as having a single lens (e.g., the lens <NUM>), a single filter (e.g., the filter <NUM>), and a single light sensor (e.g., the light sensor <NUM>), it should be understood that the traffic light detection system according to the invention includes a plurality of lenses, a single filter, and a plurality of sensors.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams of two example implementations of a traffic light detection system <NUM> not according to the invention. <FIG> is a diagram of the traffic light detection system <NUM> having a first mount structure <NUM>, which is configured to attach a single lens (e.g., the lens <NUM>) with a single filter (e.g., the filter <NUM>) and a single light sensor (e.g., the light sensor <NUM>). <FIG> is a diagram of the traffic light detection system <NUM> having a second mount structure <NUM>, which is configured to attach a plurality of lenses (e.g., a first lens <NUM>-<NUM>, a second lens <NUM>-<NUM>, a third lens <NUM>-<NUM>, and/or the like) with a plurality of filters (e.g., a first filter <NUM>-<NUM>, a second filter <NUM>-<NUM>, a third filter <NUM>-<NUM>, and/or the like) and a plurality of light sensors (e.g., a first light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, a second light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, a third light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, and/or the like). <FIG> is a diagram of the traffic light detection system <NUM>, according to the invention, having a third mount structure <NUM>, which is configured to attach a plurality of lenses (e.g., the first lens <NUM>-<NUM>, the second lens <NUM>-<NUM>, the third lens <NUM>-<NUM>, and/or the like) with a single filter (e.g., the filter <NUM>) and a plurality of light sensors (e.g., the first light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, the second light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, the third light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, and/or the like).

As shown in <FIG>, to enable the light sensor <NUM> to communicate with the one or more other vehicle components, the light sensor <NUM> may be soldered or otherwise attached to a substrate <NUM>, which may in turn be attached to the vehicle <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> may be, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB), an integrated circuit chip substrate, and/or the like. To secure and align the lens <NUM>, the filter <NUM>, and the light sensor <NUM>, the lens <NUM> and the filter <NUM> may be attached to the substrate <NUM> via the first mount structure <NUM>. The first mount structure <NUM> may include an upper opening <NUM> and a lower opening <NUM> which together define a through hole <NUM>. The upper opening <NUM> may have a width smaller than a width of the lower opening <NUM>. The through hole <NUM> may include a threaded portion <NUM> that is adjacent to the upper opening <NUM> and a receptacle portion <NUM> that is adjacent to the lower opening <NUM>. The threaded portion <NUM> may have a width substantially the same as the width of the upper opening <NUM>. The receptacle portion <NUM> may have a width substantially the same as the width of the lower opening <NUM>.

To attach the lens <NUM> to the first mount structure <NUM>, a threaded projection <NUM>, extending from the housing <NUM> of the lens <NUM>, may be threadably received within the threaded portion <NUM> of the through hole <NUM>. To attach the filter <NUM> to the first mount structure <NUM>, the filter <NUM> may be received within the receptacle portion <NUM> of the through hole <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may have a width larger than the width of the upper opening <NUM>. In some implementations, the width of the filter <NUM> may be substantially the same as the width of the lower opening <NUM>. In some implementations, to ensure that the filter <NUM> does not move relative to the light sensor <NUM>, the filter <NUM> may be secured within the receptacle portion <NUM> via an attachment mechanism (e.g., a friction-fit attachment, an adhesive attachment, and/or the like). With the lens <NUM> and the filter <NUM> attached to the first mount structure <NUM>, the light sensor <NUM> may be received within the receptacle portion <NUM> of the through hole <NUM>, such that the light sensor <NUM> is adjacent to the filter <NUM>. Once the threaded projection <NUM> of the lens <NUM>, the filter <NUM>, and the light sensor <NUM> are in place within the through hole <NUM> of the first mount structure <NUM>, the first mount structure <NUM> may be attached to the substrate <NUM> (e.g., via a plurality of threaded fasteners extending through a flange of the substrate <NUM>, via soldering, via gluing, and/or the like).

In such an example, because the filter <NUM> is arranged between the lens <NUM> and the light sensor <NUM>, the width of the filter <NUM> may be greater than or equal to a width of the light sensor <NUM> and smaller than a width of the lens <NUM>. Thus, the arrangement of the filter <NUM> relative to the lens <NUM> and the light sensor <NUM> may conserve costs and/or resources that might otherwise have been consumed producing and/or obtaining the filter <NUM> in a larger size to cover the convex surface <NUM> of the one or more optical elements <NUM>.

While the traffic light detection system <NUM> of <FIG> shows a single lens (e.g., the lens <NUM>) secured to a single filter (e.g., the filter <NUM>) and a single light sensor (e.g., the light sensor <NUM>), it should be understood, as indicated above, that the traffic light detection system <NUM> according to the invention includes a plurality of lenses, a single filter, and a plurality of light sensors. For example, the traffic light detection system <NUM> may include a plurality of lenses <NUM> attached, via a respective plurality of first mount structures <NUM>, to a single filter <NUM> and a respective plurality of light sensors <NUM>.

According to the invention, the plurality of lenses <NUM> have different ranges and thus are configured to receive the light <NUM> from different fields of view. The different fields of view may comprise, for example, a long range field of view, a short range field of view, and a mid-range field of view. The long range field of view may be configured such that a first lens, of the plurality of lenses <NUM>, receives the light <NUM> from the environment beyond a first threshold distance (e.g., <NUM> meters (m), <NUM>, and/or the like). The short range field of view may be configured such that a second lens, of the plurality of lenses <NUM>, receives the light <NUM> from the environment within a second threshold distance (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or the like). The mid-range field of view may be configured such that a third lens, of the plurality of lenses <NUM>, receives the light <NUM> from the environment between the first threshold distance and the second threshold distance.

By including the plurality of lenses <NUM> rather than a single lens, the traffic light detection system <NUM> has greater ability to perceive the light <NUM> (e.g., across a wider field of view, a longer field of view, and/or the like) and, as a result, may improve responsiveness of the vehicle <NUM> to the traffic signal <NUM>. Additionally, the traffic light detection system <NUM>, by including the plurality of lenses <NUM>, may have greater accuracy in interpreting the light <NUM> (e.g., by utilizing one lens of the plurality of lenses <NUM> to confirm results from one or more other lenses of the plurality of lenses <NUM>, and/or the like). Thus, the plurality of lenses <NUM> may conserve resources that might otherwise have been consumed rectifying consequences of a delayed detection of the light <NUM> and/or a misinterpretation of the light <NUM>.

In some illustrative implementations, not according to the invention, a traffic light detection system <NUM> of <FIG> may include a plurality of filters <NUM>, attached to the vehicle <NUM> via respective first mount structures <NUM>. The plurality of filters <NUM> may include filters of the same type, filters of different types, filters permitting respective subsets of the first band, the second band, or the third band, filters permitting respective ones of the first band, the second band, or the third band, and/or the like. For example, the plurality of filters <NUM> may include a filter permitting only the first band, a filter permitting only the second band, and a filter permitting only the third band.

In such an example, the plurality of filters <NUM> may simplify analysis of the light <NUM> by transmitting the light <NUM> to respective light sensors of the plurality of light sensors <NUM> based on the color of the light <NUM>. For example, a first filter may transmit the light <NUM> to a first light sensor based on the light <NUM> being red, a second filter may transmit the light <NUM> to a second light sensor based on the light <NUM> being green, and a third filter may transmit the light <NUM> to a third light sensor based on the light <NUM> being yellow. Because the plurality of light sensors <NUM> may be configured to recognize the color of the light <NUM> merely by receiving the light <NUM>, the plurality of filters <NUM> may conserve resources that might otherwise have been consumed by the light sensor <NUM> analyzing the color of the light <NUM>.

As indicated above, <FIG> is provided as an illustrative example not according to the invention. Other examples may differ from what was described in connection with <FIG>. For example, while the lens <NUM> has been described as being attached to the first mount structure <NUM> via a threaded attachment mechanism (e.g., the threaded portion <NUM> and the threaded projection <NUM>), it should be understood that other types of attachment mechanisms are possible. For example, the lens <NUM> may include internal threads that engage with external threads of the first mount structure <NUM>. As further examples, the lens <NUM> and the first mount structure <NUM> may be attached via a friction-fit attachment, via a snap-fit attachment, via an adhesive attachment, and/or the like.

In <FIG>, it should be understood that the traffic light detection system <NUM> is substantially the same as the traffic light detection system <NUM> of <FIG>. Thus, to eliminate redundancy and simplify explanation, the description of <FIG> and <FIG> will focus on differences in structure.

As shown in <FIG>, also not according to the invention, the second mount structure <NUM> may include a first through hole <NUM>-<NUM>, a second through hole <NUM>-<NUM>, and a third through hole <NUM>-<NUM>. Similar to that described above with respect to <FIG>, the first through hole <NUM>-<NUM> may include a first threaded portion <NUM>-<NUM>, for receiving a first threaded projection <NUM>-<NUM> of the first lens <NUM>-<NUM>, and a first receptacle portion <NUM>-<NUM>, for receiving the first filter <NUM>-<NUM> and the first light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>. The second through hole <NUM>-<NUM> may likewise include a second threaded portion <NUM>-<NUM>, for receiving a second threaded projection <NUM>-<NUM> of the second lens <NUM>-<NUM>, and a second receptacle portion <NUM>-<NUM>, for receiving the second filter <NUM>-<NUM> and the second light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>. The third through hole <NUM>-<NUM> may likewise include a third threaded portion <NUM>-<NUM>, for receiving a third threaded projection <NUM>-<NUM> of the third lens <NUM>-<NUM>, and a third receptacle portion <NUM>-<NUM>, for receiving the third filter <NUM>-<NUM> and the third light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>.

By utilizing the second mount structure <NUM> to attach the plurality of lenses (e.g., the first lens <NUM>-<NUM>, the second lens <NUM>-<NUM>, and the third lens <NUM>-<NUM>) with the plurality of filters (e.g., the first filter <NUM>-<NUM>, the second filter <NUM>-<NUM>, and the third filter <NUM>-<NUM>) and the plurality of light sensors (e.g., the first light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, the second light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, and the third light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>), rather than using a plurality of mount structures (e.g., a plurality of first mount structure <NUM>), the traffic light detection system <NUM> of <FIG> may conserve resources that might otherwise have been consumed using additional material and/or process steps to produce the plurality of mount structures, attaching the plurality of mount structures to the substrate <NUM>, and/or the like.

As described above with respect to the traffic light detection system <NUM> of <FIG>, according to the invention, the first lens <NUM>-<NUM>, the second lens <NUM>-<NUM>, and the third lens <NUM>-<NUM> have different characteristics (e.g., different ranges, different focal lengths, different brands, and/or the like).

As shown in <FIG>, the third mount structure <NUM> may include a receptacle portion <NUM> that adjoins a first threaded opening <NUM>-<NUM>, a second threaded opening <NUM>-<NUM>, and a third threaded opening <NUM>-<NUM>. Similar to that described above with respect to <FIG>, the first threaded opening <NUM>-<NUM> may be configured to receive the first threaded projection <NUM>-<NUM> of the first lens <NUM>-<NUM>. Likewise, the second threaded opening <NUM>-<NUM> may be configured to receive the second threaded projection <NUM>-<NUM> of the second lens <NUM>-<NUM>, and the third threaded opening <NUM>-<NUM> may be configured to receive the third threaded projection <NUM>-<NUM> of the third lens <NUM>-<NUM>. The receptacle portion <NUM> may be configured to receive the filter <NUM> along with the first light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, the second light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, and the third light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>. In this example, the width of the filter <NUM> may be larger than a respective width of the first lens <NUM>-<NUM>, the second lens <NUM>-<NUM>, the third lens <NUM>-<NUM>, the first light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, the second light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>, and the third light sensor <NUM>-<NUM>.

By utilizing a single filter (e.g., the filter <NUM>) sized and arranged to engage with the plurality of lenses and the plurality of light sensors, rather than using a plurality of filters, the traffic light detection system <NUM> of <FIG> may conserve costs and/or resources that might otherwise have been consumed producing a plurality of the first mount structure <NUM>, using additional material to produce the second mount structure <NUM>, and/or the like.

As described above with respect to the traffic light detection system <NUM> of <FIG>, the first lens <NUM>-<NUM>, the second lens <NUM>-<NUM>, and the third lens <NUM>-<NUM> have different characteristics (e.g., different ranges, different focal lengths, different brands, and/or the like).

Other examples may differ from what was described in connection with <FIG>. For example, while the plurality of lenses have been described as being attached to the second mount structure <NUM> and the third mount structure <NUM> via threaded attachment mechanisms, it should be understood that other types of attachment mechanisms, such as those described above in connection with <FIG>, are possible. As a further example, while the plurality of lenses are shown in <FIG> as being arranged in a linear manner on the second mount structure <NUM> and the third mount structure <NUM>, it should be understood that other arrangements are possible. For example, the plurality of lenses may be arranged in a triangular shape, may include additional lenses and be arranged in a grid shape, may include fewer lenses, and/or the like.

By utilizing a traffic light detection system <NUM> that is configured to accurately detect light from the traffic signal <NUM>, the vehicle <NUM> may be configured to comply with traffic laws or assist the driver of the vehicle in complying with traffic laws, avoid collisions or assist the driver of the vehicle <NUM> in avoiding collisions, and/or the like. For example, by complying with traffic laws, the vehicle <NUM> may conserve resources that might otherwise have been consumed by a law enforcement agency enforcing the law, by an owner of the vehicle <NUM> responding to the law enforcement agency, and/or the like. As another example, by avoiding collisions, the vehicle <NUM> may avoid hardware damage and/or avoid causing hardware damage in one or more other objects. As a result, the vehicle <NUM> may conserve resources that might otherwise have been consumed repairing and/or replacing damaged hardware of the vehicle <NUM> and/or the one or more other objects.

Modifications may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations.

As used herein, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, etc., depending on the context.

Claim 1:
A traffic light detection system (<NUM>) comprising:
a plurality of lenses (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>), wherein each of the plurality of lenses (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) is configured to receive light from different fields of view;
a plurality of light sensors (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) configured to sense light received from the plurality of lenses (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>),
wherein each of the plurality of light sensors (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) is associated with a respective one of the plurality of lenses (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>); characterized in that the traffic light detection system further comprises
a single filter (<NUM>) situated between the plurality of light sensors (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) and the plurality of lenses (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>),
wherein the single filter (<NUM>) is configured to permit a preconfigured set of wavelengths of light associated with colors of a traffic signal to pass between the plurality of lenses (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) and the plurality of light sensors (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>), and
wherein the single filter (<NUM>) is sized and arranged to engage with the plurality of lenses (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) and the plurality of light sensors (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>).