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: Provided are methods for determination and correction of boresight shift caused by the installation of an optical layer over a camera assembly. Some methods described include performing a first calibration prior to installation of the window, performing a second calibration after installation of the window, and comparing the first and second calibrations to determine a transformation that corrects for the boresight shift. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for camera alignment using pre-distorted targets. Some methods described include selecting a configuration of shapes, and determining targets by pre-distorting the shapes according to the inverse of the distortion function of the lens system to be aligned. Images of pre-distorted targets are then compared to the original configuration of shapes, to perform camera alignment. Alignment is thus accomplished in simpler and more accurate manner. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for optical metrologies in repeatable qualitative analyses of flare and ghost artifacts in camera optical systems, which can include receiving a first image of a light array captured by a camera, analyzing, using at least one data processor, the first image to detect a first light artifact, receiving a second image of the light array, captured by a camera, in which a first light source in the light array is turned off, and in response to determining that the first light artifact is absent from the second image, determining, using the at least one data processor and based on a position and/or an intensity of the first light source, a first adjustment for the camera. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determination and correction of boresight shift caused by the installation of an optical layer over a camera assembly. Some methods described include performing a first calibration prior to installation of the window, performing a second calibration after installation of the window, and comparing the first and second calibrations to determine a transformation that corrects for the boresight shift. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods used for calibration of camera/sensor systems. A calibration target system can include at least one calibration target element and at least one black body source. The calibration target element can include an outer perimeter, a modular transfer function (MTF) testing area, a through hole extending through the at least one calibration target, and a plurality of slots extending through the at least one calibration target. The MTF testing area can comprise a light-absorbing surface and at least one slant edge that is non-orthogonal with respect to any side of the outer perimeter. The black body source can be positioned behind the at least one calibration target elements and configured to emit black body radiation such that the black body radiation passes through the through hole and the plurality of slots.

Abstract: Provided are methods for correcting multi-zone motion blur, which include executing, using at least one processor, an alignment of at least one image capturing device with at least one collimating device in a plurality of collimating devices, causing a rotation of at least one collimating device, receiving at least one image of at least one target object captured by the image capturing device for processing by at least one rotating collimating device, and determining, based on the at least one processed image, a degradation of the received image of the target object.

Abstract: Provided are methods for active alignment of an optical assembly with intrinsic calibration. Some methods described include performing a first active alignment using a multi-collimator assembly, determining a principal point of the camera assembly using a diffractive optical element (DOE) intrinsic calibration module, and adjusting the relative position of one or more of the lens and the image sensor to align the principal point of the camera assembly with an image center of the image sensor and to perform a second active alignment. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are methods for verifying the performance of an image sensor mounted to a vehicle, which can include causing alignment of a collimator with an image sensor mounted to a vehicle, receiving sensor data associated with the image sensor based at least in part on causing the alignment of the collimator with the image sensor, determining that the sensor data does not satisfy a performance specification associated with the image sensor, determining an image sensor alert associated with the image sensor based at least in part on determining that the sensor data does not satisfy the performance specification associated with the image sensor, and routing the image sensor alert.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for measurement of optical vignetting, which can include causing a selective emitter array to emit at least one beam of light through an off-optical axis field position of a lens assembly, receiving, at a photo sensor array, an off-axis spot based at least in part on the emitted at least one beam of light, determining a size of the off-axis spot, and determining an off-axis F-Number of the lens assembly associated with the off-optical axis field position based on comparing the determined size of the off-axis spot with a size of an on-axis spot. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for camera alignment using pre-distorted targets. Some methods described include selecting a configuration of shapes, and determining targets by pre-distorting the shapes according to the inverse of the distortion function of the lens system to be aligned. Images of pre-distorted targets are then compared to the original configuration of shapes, to perform camera alignment. Alignment is thus accomplished in simpler and more accurate manner. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are systems for switchable wheel view mirrors, which can selectively provide views of one or more wheels of a vehicle to, for example, check for obstructions. A system for a switchable wheel view mirror can include an image sensor coupled to a vehicle, a reflective surface, and an actuator. The image sensor can capture an image within a field of view of the image sensor. The reflective surface can be coupled to the actuator which moves the reflective surface between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a view of at least a portion of a wheel of the vehicle is visible within the reflective surface and the reflective surface is disposed at least partially within the field of view of the image sensor. Methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are systems for switchable wheel view mirrors, which can selectively provide views of one or more wheels of a vehicle to, for example, check for obstructions. A system for a switchable wheel view mirror can include an image sensor coupled to a vehicle, a reflective surface, and an actuator. The image sensor can capture an image within a field of view of the image sensor. The reflective surface can be coupled to the actuator which moves the reflective surface between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a view of at least a portion of a wheel of the vehicle is visible within the reflective surface and the reflective surface is disposed at least partially within the field of view of the image sensor. Methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: An external camera for a vehicle and its method of manufacture involve providing a camera assembly comprising a lens assembly comprising a lens and a lens holder that houses at least a portion the lens assembly and defining an inner surface, forming an induction coil integrated in the inner surface of the lens holder, the induction coil being configured to generate heat energy to defrost the lens, providing a camera housing that houses the camera assembly, and housing the camera assembly within the camera housing to form the external camera.

Abstract: Provided are methods for geometric intrinsic camera calibration using a diffractive optical element. Some methods described include receiving, by at least one processor, at least one image captured by a camera based on a plurality of light beams received from a diffractive optical element aligned with an optical axis of the camera, the plurality of light beams having a plurality of propagation directions associated with a plurality of view angles. The at least one processor identifies a plurality of shapes in the image, determines a correspondence between the plurality of shapes in the image and the plurality of light beams, and identifies one or more intrinsic parameters of the camera that minimize a reprojection error function based on the plurality of shapes in the image and the plurality of propagation directions. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for camera alignment using pre-distorted targets. Some methods described include selecting a configuration of shapes, and determining targets by pre-distorting the shapes according to the inverse of the distortion function of the lens system to be aligned. Images of pre-distorted targets are then compared to the original configuration of shapes, to perform camera alignment. Alignment is thus accomplished in simpler and more accurate manner. Systems and computer program products are also provided.

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 imaging system may comprise: a lens including one or more lens elements; a programmable liquid crystal light modulator disposed adjacent to the lens; an imaging sensor; and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the imaging system to: capture an image through the lens using the imaging sensor; analyze the image to determine at least one characteristic of the lens; and based on the analysis of the image, control the programmable liquid crystal light modulator to set an effective aperture for the lens.

Abstract: An imaging system may comprise: a lens including one or more lens elements; a programmable liquid crystal light modulator disposed adjacent to the lens; an imaging sensor; and a processing system comprising at least one processor and memory. The processing system may be configured to control the imaging system to: capture an image through the lens using the imaging sensor; analyze the image to determine at least one characteristic of the lens; and based on the analysis of the image, control the programmable liquid crystal light modulator to set an effective aperture for the lens.

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.