Abstract: An image processing system may comprise a global shutter camera, an illumination emitter, and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the image processing system to: control the illumination emitter to illuminate a scene; control the global shutter camera to capture a sequence of images of the scene, wherein the captured sequence of images includes images that are captured without illumination of the scene by the illumination emitter and images that are captured while the scene is illuminated by the illumination emitter; and determine presence of an object in the scene based on comparison of the images captured without illumination of the scene and images captured with illumination of the scene.

Abstract: Described is phased metalens depth of focus increase for camera focusing. An objective camera lens is configured to provide a focus window across multiple radial zones within a field of view. A camera imager is configured to capture an image of the field of view. When at least two of the radial zones have different back focal lengths relative the imager and the objective lens, a phased metalens is positioned between the objective lens and the camera imager. The metalens is configured to compensate for defocus caused by the different back focal lengths by increasing, across the radial zones within the field of view, a depth of the focus window. The metalens improves focus across the field of view, which prevents variations in objective lens characteristics from reducing image quality.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A camera testing system for determining performance of a camera comprising an imaging sensor and a lens, the system comprising a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to: control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a first image through the lens of a target disposed at a first distance from the camera; determine a first modulation transfer function (MTF) value from the first image; control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a second image through the lens of the target disposed at a second distance from the camera that is different from the first distance; determine a second MTF value from the second image; and determine performance of the camera based on the first MTF value, the second MTF value and a difference between the first MTF value and the second MTF value.

Abstract: A camera testing system for determining performance of a camera comprising an imaging sensor and a lens, the system comprising a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to: control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a first image through the lens of a target disposed at a first distance from the camera; determine a first modulation transfer function (MTF) value from the first image; control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a second image through the lens of the target disposed at a second distance from the camera that is different from the first distance; determine a second MTF value from the second image; and determine performance of the camera based on the first MTF value, the second MTF value and a difference between the first MTF value and the second MTF value.

Abstract: A camera includes a phased metalens positioned between an objective lens and an imager of the camera. The phased metalens is configured to adjust a focus plane of an image in a field of view of the camera in response to changes in an operating temperature of the camera. The phased metalens adjusts the focus plane for multiple frequencies or wavelengths light such that all light wave-fronts exiting the phased metalens arrive at the imager at a same time.

Abstract: Described is camera focusing including lens centration estimation using variable focal length phased metalenses. Camera modular alignment and test (CMAT) equipment checks the modular transfer function (MTF) performance of lenses and an image sensor. The CMAT equipment positions a variable focal length phased metalens between the lenses and the image sensor. The metalens includes multiple segments that provide a variable focus depending on distance and angle from boresight of the image sensor. By measuring optical characteristics of the lenses at two opposing segments of the metalens, defocusing effects and a lens centration tilt vector can be computed. Repositioning the lenses to align the centration tilt vector with the boresight of the image sensor improves the MTF performance. A final camera assembly with lenses in precise alignment with the image sensor can be produced, which may improve production output by increasing pass rate at an end of line tester.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to actively selecting lenses for camera focus processes. Lenses to be used during camera assembly are chosen based on whether their pairing with a specific set of production components can satisfy focus performance criteria of end of line test. Test equipment may check the lenses by dry-fit aligning them to a particular set of production components. If minimum focus performance cannot be achieved, then a different set of lenses are used to with that set of production components to produce a final camera assembly. This way, because the lenses are actively selected during production to achieve satisfactory focus performance of the EOLT, each final camera assembly is more likely to pass the EOLT, thereby improving camera production output.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to actively selecting lenses for camera focus processes. Test equipment may check lenses by dry-fit aligning them to a particular set of production components. If minimum focus performance cannot be achieved, then the lenses go unused for a final camera assembly. In certain situations, the unused set of lenses is salvageable for use in another camera assembly. Advanced CMAT equipment may compute and apply a rotation for unused lenses to improve their focus performance the next time they are used in a final assembly. A maximum number of attempts to rotationally fix a set of lenses may be observed to avoid trying the same lenses again and again, possibly without ever having success. This way, because the lenses actively selected can also be rotated during production, final camera assemblies can be produced that are likely to pass the EOLT, and by minimizing waste.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a system for adjusting a focus of an image. A system includes a phased metalens configured to adjust a focus of an image detected by an imaging substrate of an image sensor to compensate for warpage of the imaging substrate. The phased metalens can achieve a near-diffraction-limited focusing over incoming light wavelengths using precisely defined nanoscale subwavelength resolution structures.

Abstract: An image processing system may comprise a global shutter camera, an illumination emitter, and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the image processing system to: control the illumination emitter to illuminate a scene; control the global shutter camera to capture a sequence of images of the scene, wherein the captured sequence of images includes images that are captured without illumination of the scene by the illumination emitter and images that are captured while the scene is illuminated by the illumination emitter; and determine presence of an object in the scene based on comparison of the images captured without illumination of the scene and images captured with illumination of the scene.

Abstract: A camera testing system for determining performance of a camera comprising an imaging sensor and a lens, the system comprising a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to: control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a first image through the lens of a target disposed at a first distance from the camera; determine a first modulation transfer function (MTF) value from the first image; control the camera to capture, using the imaging sensor, a second image through the lens of the target disposed at a second distance from the camera that is different from the first distance; determine a second MTF value from the second image; and determine performance of the camera based on the first MTF value, the second MTF value and a difference between the first MTF value and the second MTF value.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a system for adjusting a focus of an image. A system includes a phased metalens configured to adjust a focus of an image detected by an imaging substrate of an image sensor to compensate for warpage of the imaging substrate. The phased metalens can achieve a near-diffraction-limited focusing over incoming light wavelengths using precisely defined nanoscale subwavelength resolution structures.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An illustrative example object detection system includes a sensor having a field of view. The sensor is configured to emit radiation and to detect at least some of the radiation reflected by an object within the field of view. A panel in the field of view allows the radiation to pass through the panel. The panel being is configured to be set in a fixed position relative to a vehicle coordinate system. A plurality of reflective alignment markers are situated on the panel in the field of view. The reflective alignment markers reflect radiation emitted by the sensor back toward the sensor. A processor is configured to determine an alignment of the sensor with the vehicle coordinate system based on an indication from the sensor regarding radiation reflected by the reflective alignment markers and detected by the sensor.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a system for adjusting a focus of an image. A system includes a phased metalens configured to adjust a focus of an image detected by an imaging substrate of an image sensor to compensate for warpage of the imaging substrate. The phased metalens can achieve a near-diffraction-limited focusing over incoming light wavelengths using precisely defined nanoscale subwavelength resolution structures.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An illustrative example object detection system includes a sensor having a field of view. The sensor is configured to emit radiation and to detect at least some of the radiation reflected by an object within the field of view. A panel in the field of view allows the radiation to pass through the panel. The panel being is configured to be set in a fixed position relative to a vehicle coordinate system. A plurality of reflective alignment markers are situated on the panel in the field of view. The reflective alignment markers reflect radiation emitted by the sensor back toward the sensor. A processor is configured to determine an alignment of the sensor with the vehicle coordinate system based on an indication from the sensor regarding radiation reflected by the reflective alignment markers and detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A method of detecting occupants within a vehicle includes receiving camera data, thermal data and radar data with respect to the vehicle. The received data is stored to at least a first buffer and a second buffer, wherein the first buffer has a length associated with a first duration of time and the second buffer has a length associated with a second duration of time greater than the first duration of time. The camera data, thermal data, and radar data stored in the respective first and second buffers is analyzed to detect and track camera-based objects, radar-based objects, and thermal-based objects, which are utilized to generate an output indicating whether an occupant was detected.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a system for adjusting a focus of an image. A system includes a phased metalens configured to adjust a focus of an image detected by an imaging substrate of an image sensor to compensate for warpage of the imaging substrate. The phased metalens can achieve a near-diffraction-limited focusing over incoming light wavelengths using precisely defined nanoscale subwavelength resolution structures.