With the first generation of Night Vision Systems (NVS) already on the market, the focus is no longer 'how the system operates'. Rather, the focus must be upon whether there is benefit to the driver, market acceptance in general, and also the improvements necessary to overcome some of the first generation system weaknesses. The paper presents the state of the art in the automotive NVS and lists the requirements based on the survey of the feedback from first generation systems users. Next generation night vision systems should address the critical issues and try to overcome them as best as possible. A simple addition of color detail to allow an easier interpretation of the image is one example that reduces the drivers workload needed to match image/display content with the street scene in front of the vehicle. An algorithm to adjust the image content to speed and movement of the car is another good example, 'aiming' the camera to where the driver is actually looking. Similar to the steering of the headlamps, the camera image can be steered to follow the road edges when the car is turning. Furthermore the seamless zoom leads to a magnification of objects ahead of the vehicle allowing for better discrimination and assimilation of important details by the driver. Also the first system with detection of objects has been announced. The thermal imaging devices are well suited to support digital image processing algorithms in order to allow the identification and even the determination of distance and trace of objects such as cars and pedestrians. The Honda Motor Company has just announced the launch of a 'stereo' far infrared system that detects and tracks pedestrians, giving a selective warning for pedestrians moving in or into the car path. These kinds of innovations are accompanied by advancements in FIR sensor technology to improve dynamic scene representation in the car. Making the FIR sensor smaller and cheaper, more reliable and higher performing is the goal.
Next generation thermal infrared night vision systems
Thermische Infrarot-Nachtsichtsysteme der nächsten Generation
2005
14 Seiten, 9 Bilder, 1 Tabelle
Conference paper
English
Next Generation Thermal Infrared Night Vision Systems
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2005
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