Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure relate to a device for determining a characteristic of a camera. The device includes a moveable fixture operable to position a target in a field of view of a camera. A face of the target has linear regions of interest, and the face is normal to a line of sight of the camera. The moveable fixture is configured to rotate the target about a center of the face to adjust an angle of the linear regions of interest relative to a horizontal axis and a vertical axis of the field of view, thereby enabling a determination of a characteristic of the camera based on the linear regions of interest. Target rotation angles can be determined for any camera field position and indexed automatically to improve testing efficiencies while increasing the number of target positions that are characterized in the camera's field of view.

Abstract: An illustrative example detector for use on a vehicle includes a radiation emitter having a near field region that is defined at least in part by a wavelength of radiation emitted by the radiation emitter. A radiation steering device includes a plurality of reflectors, an actuator, and a controller. The reflectors are situated to reflect the radiation emitted by the radiation emitter. The reflectors are in the near field region and have at least one characteristic that limits any phase shift of the reflected radiation. The actuator is configured to adjust an orientation of the reflectors. The controller is configured to determine an orientation of the plurality of reflectors relative to the radiation emitter to steer the emitted radiation reflected from the reflectors in a determined direction. The controller is configured to control the actuator to achieve the determined orientation.

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: 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: 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.

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: 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. The phased metalens is further configured to adjust a property of light that reaches the imaging substrate based on a change in a flatness of the imaging substrate. The property of the light that reaches the imaging substrate includes a phase of all the light that reaches the imaging substrate at a same time. The phased metalens accomplishes this by achieving near-diffraction-limited focusing over the incoming light wavelengths using precisely defined nanoscale subwavelength resolution structures.

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: 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.

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: 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: A camera system suitable for use on an automated vehicle, includes an imager used to detect an image of a field-of-view of the system, a light-shield operable to block a portion of the image from being received by the imager, and a controller in communication with the imager and the light-shield. The controller is configured to position the light-shield in a line-of-sight between a bright-spot and the imager.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A ground-classifier system that classifies ground-cover proximate to an automated vehicle includes a lidar, a camera, and a controller. The lidar that detects a point-cloud of a field-of-view. The camera that renders an image of the field-of-view. The controller is configured to define a lidar-grid that segregates the point-cloud into an array of patches, and define a camera-grid that segregates the image into an array of cells. The point-cloud and the image are aligned such that a patch is aligned with a cell. A patch is determined to be ground when the height is less than a height-threshold. The controller is configured to determine a lidar-characteristic of cloud-points within the patch, determine a camera-characteristic of pixels within the cell, and determine a classification of the patch when the patch is determined to be ground, wherein the classification of the patch is determined based on the lidar-characteristic and the camera-characteristic.

Abstract: A lidar unit includes a housing, a laser, a detector, a window, and a target. The housing is configured to define an opening. The laser and the detector are disposed within the housing. The laser is operable to direct (e.g. scan, steer) a beam of light through the opening toward a field-of-view. The detector is operable to detect a reflection of the beam by an object in the field-of-view. The window is disposed within the opening of the housing, and interposed between the object and the arrangement. The beam is projected by the laser and detected by the detector through the window. The target is disposed on the window. The target is configured to reflect the beam towards the detector. Operation of the laser is determined based on the reflection of the beam by the target towards the detector.

Abstract: An illustrative example detector for use on a vehicle includes a radiation emitter having a near field region that is defined at least in part by a wavelength of radiation emitted by the radiation emitter. A radiation steering device includes a plurality of reflectors, an actuator, and a controller. The reflectors are situated to reflect the radiation emitted by the radiation emitter. The reflectors are in the near field region and have at least one characteristic that limits any phase shift of the reflected radiation. The actuator is configured to adjust an orientation of the reflectors. The controller is configured to determine an orientation of the plurality of reflectors relative to the radiation emitter to steer the emitted radiation reflected from the reflectors in a determined direction. The controller is configured to control the actuator to achieve the determined orientation.

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 driver assistance system includes an imaging device mounted to a vehicle that provides an image of a vicinity of the vehicle. A mobile device carried by a driver provides range rate information regarding a change in position of the mobile device. A processor determines that there is at least one object in the vicinity of the vehicle based on the image, determines the speed of vehicle movement based on the range rate information, determines relative movement between the vehicle and the at least one object based on at least the image, and determines a risk of collision between the vehicle and the at least one object based on the determined speed and the determined relative movement. A driver assist output provides a risk indication of the determined risk of collision to the driver.

Abstract: A camera system suitable for use on an automated vehicle, includes an imager used to detect an image of a field-of-view of the system, a light-shield operable to block a portion of the image from being received by the imager, and a controller in communication with the imager and the light-shield. The controller is configured to position the light-shield in a line-of-sight between a bright-spot and the imager.

Abstract: A camera system suitable for use on an automated vehicle, includes an imager used to detect an image of a field-of-view of the system, a light-shield operable to block a portion of the image from being received by the imager, and a controller in communication with the imager and the light-shield. The controller is configured to position the light-shield in a line-of-sight between a bright-spot and the imager.