IP Library Patent Application 19428900
Patent Application
App. No. 19/428,900

Automatic Robotically Steered Sensor for Targeted High Performance Perception and Vehicle Control

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
19/428,900
Abstract

Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media that control an autonomous vehicle via at least two sensors. One aspect includes capturing an image of a scene ahead of the vehicle with a first sensor, identifying an object in the scene at a confidence level based on the image, determining the confidence level of the identifying is below a threshold, in response to the confidence level being below the threshold, directing a second sensor having a field of view smaller than the first sensor to generate a second image including a location of the identified object, further identifying the object in the scene based on the second image, controlling the vehicle based on the further identification of the object.

Claims (55)

1 . A method of controlling a vehicle, the method comprising:

determining, based on an attempt to identify an object in a first image, a capture location of the object;

directing a sensor to capture a second image of the object at the capture location of the object, wherein the sensor synchronizes an active illumination device to illuminate a field of corresponding to the capture location;

identifying the object based on the second image; and

controlling the vehicle based on identifying the object.

2 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:

determining an orientation of the vehicle relative to the capture location of the object; and

determining the capture location based on the orientation of the vehicle.

3 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:

determining a speed associated with the vehicle; and

determining the capture location based on the speed associated with the vehicle.

4 . The method of claim 1 , comprising:

determining a time to direct the sensor to a position associated with the capture location; and

directing the sensor based on the time.

5 . The method of claim 1 , comprising capturing the first image using another sensor.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the other sensor is associated with at least one of: a different field of view or a different resolution from the sensor.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the attempt to identify the object in the first image is associated with a probability of identifying the object in the first image.

8 . A vehicle comprising:

a sensor;

one or more processors; and

one or more non-transitory computer-readable media that store instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising:

determining, based on an attempt to identify an object in a first image, a capture location of the object;

directing the sensor to capture a second image of the object at the capture location of the object, wherein the sensor synchronizes an active illumination device to illuminate a field of view corresponding to the capture location;

identifying the object based on the second image; and

controlling the vehicle based on identifying the object.

9 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the operations comprise:

determining an orientation of the vehicle relative to the capture location of the object; and

determining the capture location based on the orientation of the vehicle.

10 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the operations comprise:

determining a speed associated with the vehicle; and

determining the capture location based on the speed associated with the vehicle.

11 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the operations comprise:

determining a time to direct the sensor to a position associated with the capture location; and

directing the sensor based on the time.

12 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the operations comprise capturing the first image using another sensor.

13 . The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the other sensor is associated with at least one of: a different field of view or a different resolution from the sensor.

14 . The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the attempt to identify the object in the first image is associated with a probability of identifying the object in the first image.

15 . A computing system for controlling a vehicle comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more non-transitory computer-readable media that store instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising:

determining, based on an attempt to identify an object in a first image, a capture location of the object;

directing a sensor to capture a second image of the object at the capture location of the object, wherein the sensor synchronizes an active illumination device to illuminate a field of view corresponding to the capture location;

identifying the object based on the second image; and

controlling the vehicle based on identifying the object.

16 . The computing system of claim 15 , wherein the operations comprise:

determining an orientation of the vehicle relative to the capture location of the object; and

determining the capture location based on the orientation of the vehicle.

17 . The computing system of claim 15 , wherein the operations comprise:

determining a speed associated with the vehicle; and

determining the capture location based on the speed associated with the vehicle.

18 . The computing system of claim 15 , wherein the operations comprise:

determining a time to direct the sensor to a position associated with the capture location; and

directing the sensor based on the time.

19 . The computing system of claim 15 , wherein the operations comprise capturing the first image using another sensor.

20 . The computing system of claim 19 , wherein the other sensor is associated with at least one of: a different field of view or a different resolution from the sensor.