IP Library Granted Patent US 10,962,770
Granted Patent B2
US 10,962,770 · App. 16/179,720 · Granted Mar 30, 2021

Method for controlling camera exposure to augment a wiper system of a sensor enclosure

Inventors: Zhongnan Hu (Palo Alto, CA); Zuoteng Chen (San Jose, CA); Nengxiu Deng (Fremont, CA); Cheng Jin (Fremont, CA); Kai Chen (San Jose, CA); Yubo Zhang (Los Gatos, CA); Xiang Yu (Santa Clara, CA); Tiancheng Lou (Milpitas, CA); Jun Peng (Fremont, CA)
Assignee: Pony AI Inc.
G02B27/0006B60R11/04B60S1/0848B60S1/56G05D1/0231
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,962,770
App. No.
16/179,720
Granted
Mar 30, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computer implemented method for controlling camera exposure to augment a wiper system of a sensor enclosure. The computer implemented method can detect a presence of a wiper in one or more images captured by one or more cameras. An exposure time of the one or more cameras can be adjusted. Wiper speed can be adjusted such that wipers move in and out of one or more field of views of the one or more cameras while the one or more cameras are capturing images.

Claims (41)

1. A computer-implemented method for controlling camera exposure to augment a wiper system of a sensor enclosure, the method comprising:

detecting a presence of a wiper in one or more images captured by one or more cameras;

adjusting an exposure time of the one or more cameras;

adjusting wiper speed such that wipers move in and out of one or more field of views of the one or more cameras while the one or more cameras are capturing images;

capturing images based on the adjusted exposure time and the adjusted wiper speed; and

processing, based on a processing technique, the captured images to reduce motion blur, wherein the processing technique includes at least one of Lucy-Richardson or Wiener deconvolution technique.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the exposure time of the one or more cameras comprises:

increasing the exposure time of the one or more cameras.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein increasing the exposure time of the one or more cameras comprises:

decreasing shutter speeds of the one or more cameras.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein increasing the exposure time of the one or more cameras further comprises:

decreasing ISO settings of the one or more cameras.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the wiper speed such that the wipers move in and out of the one or more field of views of the one or more cameras comprises:

increasing the wiper speed of the wipers.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the processing technique further includes a machine learning technique.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the machine learning technique includes a convolutional neural network.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the wipers comprise three wipers offset to +/−120 degrees from one another.

9. A sensor enclosure, comprising:

a cover; and

a base encased by the cover, the base includes a wiper system having three wipers offset to +/−120 degrees from one another to remove moisture and debris from the cover, the wiper system configured to perform:

detecting a presence of a wiper in one or more images captured by one or more cameras anchored to the base;

adjusting an exposure time of the one or more cameras;

adjusting wiper speed such that wipers of the wiper system move in and out of one or more field of views of the one or more cameras while the one or more cameras are capturing images.

10. The sensor enclosure of claim 9 , wherein adjusting the exposure time of the one or more cameras comprises:

increasing the exposure time of the one or more cameras.

11. The sensor enclosure of claim 10 , wherein increasing the exposure time of the one or more cameras comprises:

decreasing shutter speeds of the one or more cameras.

12. The sensor enclosure of claim 10 , wherein increasing the exposure time of the one or more cameras further comprises:

decreasing ISO settings of the one or more cameras.

13. The sensor enclosure of claim 9 , wherein adjusting the wiper speed such that the wipers move in and out of the one or more field of views of the one or more cameras:

increasing the wiper speed of the wipers.

14. The sensor enclosure of claim 9 , wherein the processing technique further includes a machine learning technique.

15. The sensor enclosure of claim 14 , wherein the machine learning technique includes a convolutional neural network.

16. A sensor enclosure comprising:

a cover; and

a base encased by the cover, the base includes a wiper system to remove moisture and debris from the cover, the wiper system configured to perform:

detecting a presence of a wiper in one or more images captured by one or more cameras anchored to the base;

adjusting an exposure time of the one or more cameras;

adjusting wiper speed such that wipers of the wiper system move in and out of one or more field of views of the one or more cameras while the one or more cameras are capturing images;

capturing images based on the adjusted exposure time and the adjusted wiper speed;

processing, based on a convolutional neural network, the captured images to reduce motion blur.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2019
From: PONY.AI, INC.
To: PONY AI INC.
Reel/Frame 049434/0372 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2018
From: HU, ZHONGNAN; CHEN, ZUOTENG; DENG, NENGXIU; JIN, CHENG; CHEN, KAI; ZHANG, YUBO; YU, XIANG; LOU, TIANCHENG; PENG, JUN
To: PONY.AI, INC.
Reel/Frame 047399/0889 →
Continuity (1)
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