Aptiv Technologies Limited

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Motional Ad LLC

Aptiv Technologies Ag

Yew Kwang Low

Kok Wee Yeo

Ronald Melvin Taylor

Chee Keng Yeo

Jayesh Dwivedi

Nijumudheen Muhassin

Ward K Everly

Binghua Pan

Morgan Daniel Murphy

Thomas Alan Degenkolb

Daniel Leong

Daniel Leong Woon Loong

Frederick F Kuhlman

James C Baar

Sim Ying Yong

William Garrison Shogren

Timothy D Garner

Gerald Stier

Ke Tan

Nathan R Faulks

William Buono

Michael D Cervoni

Thomas Hui

Piotr Szewc

William G Shogren

Provided are methods for verifying the performance of an image sensor mounted to a vehicle, which can include causing alignment of a collimator with an image sensor mounted to a vehicle, receiving sensor data associated with the image sensor based at least in part on causing the alignment of the collimator with the image sensor, determining that the sensor data does not satisfy a performance specification associated with the image sensor, determining an image sensor alert associated with the image sensor based at least in part on determining that the sensor data does not satisfy the performance specification associated with the image sensor, and routing the image sensor alert.

Performance verification of an image sensor mounted to a vehicle

Provided are methods for active alignment of an optical assembly with intrinsic calibration. Some methods described include performing a first active alignment using a multi-collimator assembly, determining a principal point of the camera assembly using a diffractive optical element (DOE) intrinsic calibration module, and adjusting the relative position of one or more of the lens and the image sensor to align the principal point of the camera assembly with an image center of the image sensor and to perform a second active alignment. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Active alignment of an optical assembly with intrinsic calibration

Provided are systems and methods used for calibration of camera/sensor systems. A calibration target system can include at least one calibration target element and at least one black body source. The calibration target element can include an outer perimeter, a modular transfer function (MTF) testing area, a through hole extending through the at least one calibration target, and a plurality of slots extending through the at least one calibration target. The MTF testing area can comprise a light-absorbing surface and at least one slant edge that is non-orthogonal with respect to any side of the outer perimeter. The black body source can be positioned behind the at least one calibration target elements and configured to emit black body radiation such that the black body radiation passes through the through hole and the plurality of slots.

Universal sensor performance and calibration target for multi-sensor imaging systems

Provided are systems and methods for camera alignment using pre-distorted targets. Some methods described include selecting a configuration of shapes, and determining targets by pre-distorting the shapes according to the inverse of the distortion function of the lens system to be aligned. Images of pre-distorted targets are then compared to the original configuration of shapes, to perform camera alignment. Alignment is thus accomplished in simpler and more accurate manner. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Systems and methods for camera alignment using pre-distorted targets

This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems for enabling multispectral object-detection with thermal imaging. A thermal sensor, a multispectral stereo camera system, and an illumination system are used in combination to provide a multispectral object-detection system for use with safety or driving systems for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. The illumination system can provide illumination for the stereo camera system and serve as a range-finder that can determine a distance between the stereo camera system and an object in the system's field-of-view. The stereo camera system can include one or more of various camera or sensor technologies, including infrared or near-infrared, thermal imaging, or visible light. The system can be used to detect objects in the field-of-view, determine a distance to the object, and estimate the object's size and relative motion. The system can reduce costs and resource usage while enabling accurate, high-quality object-detections for safety and autonomous or semi-autonomous control.

Multispectral object-detection with thermal imaging

Provided are methods for determination and correction of boresight shift caused by the installation of an optical layer over a camera assembly. Some methods described include performing a first calibration prior to installation of the window, performing a second calibration after installation of the window, and comparing the first and second calibrations to determine a transformation that corrects for the boresight shift. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Methods and systems for determination of boresight error in an optical system

An external camera for a vehicle and its method of manufacture involve providing a camera assembly comprising a lens assembly comprising a lens and a lens holder that houses at least a portion the lens assembly and defining an inner surface, forming an induction coil integrated in the inner surface of the lens holder, the induction coil being configured to generate heat energy to defrost the lens, providing a camera housing that houses the camera assembly, and housing the camera assembly within the camera housing to form the external camera.

Automotive camera with integrated induction heater

An illustrative example embodiment of a camera testing device includes a plurality of optic components in a predetermined arrangement that places a center of each of the optic components in a position to be aligned with a line of sight of a respective, predetermined portion of a camera field of view when the plurality of optic components are between the camera and at least one target.

Optics device for testing cameras useful on vehicles

An illustrative example device for steering radiation includes an optic component including a plurality of concave surfaces on at least one side of the optic component, a plurality of radiation sources respectively aligned with the plurality of concave surfaces, and at least one actuator that selectively moves the optic component relative to the plurality of light sources to selectively change a direction of respective beams of radiation passing through the plurality of concave surfaces.

Refractive beam steering device useful for automated vehicle LIDAR

A lidar system includes a laser-source configured to emit laser-beams, and a single movable-mirror positioned to reflect the laser-beams from the laser-source. The movable-mirror is operable to pivot about a single rotation-axis. The system includes a first-optical wedge configured to direct at least a first-laser-beam reflected by the movable-mirror in a first-direction with respect to a bore-axis of the system, and a second-optical-wedge configured to direct at least a second-laser-beam reflected by the movable-mirror in a second-direction with respect to the bore-axis, where the second-direction is different from the first-direction. The system also includes a first-shutter interposed between the first-optical-wedge and the movable-mirror, and a second-shutter interposed between the second-optical-wedge and the movable-mirror.

Wide field-of-view lidar optical assembly and system

A method of calibrating intrinsic parameters associated with a camera includes positioning a camera to receive collimated light from a rotatable collimator, wherein the collimated light is provided to the camera via a target having a central target aperture and a plurality of peripheral target apertures located on a periphery of the target. The method further includes rotating the collimator along a first axis extending through an entrance pupil location of the camera and recording spot positions associated with collimated light provided through one or more target apertures of the target at each first axis interval and determining a distortion profile associated with the camera based on the recorded spot positions measured at the plurality of first axis intervals.

System and method for calibrating intrinsic parameters of a camera using optical raytracing techniques

An illustrative example detection device includes a source of radiation, at least one mirror that reflects radiation from the source along a field of view having a first width, at least one optic component that is configured to refract radiation reflected from the at least one mirror, and at least one actuator that selectively moves the optic component between a first position and a second position. In the first position the optic component is outside of the field of view and does not refract any of the radiation reflected from the at least one mirror. In the second position the optic component is in the field of view and refracts at least some of the radiation reflected from the at least one mirror. The field of view has a second, larger width when the at least one optic component is in the second position.

MEMS mirror with extended field of view useful for vehicle LIDAR

An illustrative example MEMS device includes a base and a plurality of mirror surfaces supported on the base. The plurality of mirror surfaces are respectively in a fixed position relative to the base. The plurality of mirror surfaces are at respective angles relative to a reference surface. The respective angles of at least some of the mirror surfaces are different from the respective angles of at least some others of the mirror surfaces.

Multi-faceted mems mirror device useful for vehicle lidar

An illustrative example sensor device includes a plurality of range finders that each have an emitter configured to emit a selected type of radiation and a detector configured to detect the selected type of radiation reflected from an object. A plurality of cameras are configured to generate an image of an object based upon receiving the selected type of radiation from the object. A processor is configured to determine a distance between the sensor device and an object based on at least two of the images, wherein the images are each from a different camera.

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Singapore, Singapore

Yew Kwang Low