3D imaging using structured light for accurate vehicle occupancy detection
US9007438B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 2012 |
| Grant date | Apr 14, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01B11/2513
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
What is disclosed is a method which combines structured illumination in the SWIR wavelength range with the detection capabilities of NIR to generate a 3D image of a scene for accurate vehicle occupancy determination. In one embodiment, structured light is projected through a customized optical element comprising a patterned grid. Wavelengths of the received structured pattern are shifted to a CCD detectable range. The shifted light comprises an image in a structured pattern. The wavelength-shifted light is detected using an infrared detector operating in the NIR. For each pixel in the detected patterned image, an amount of distortion caused by 3D surface variation at this pixel location is determined. The distortion is converted to a depth value. The process repeats for all pixels. A 3D image is constructed using each pixel's depth value. The number of occupants in the vehicle is determined from the constructed 3D image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.