US 12,459,532 B2
Sunlight processing for autonomous vehicle control
Amy Rae Griffin, Boise, ID (US); Xiao Li, Boise, ID (US); Maria Pat F. Chavarria, Boise, ID (US); and Alpha Chavez Labiano, Meridian, ID (US)
Assigned to Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US)
Filed by Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US)
Filed on Dec. 2, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/109,508.
Prior Publication US 2022/0169279 A1, Jun. 2, 2022
Int. Cl. B60W 60/00 (2020.01); B60W 10/30 (2006.01); B60W 50/14 (2020.01); G01S 13/86 (2006.01); G01S 15/86 (2020.01); G01S 17/86 (2020.01); G02B 5/30 (2006.01); G02B 7/00 (2021.01); G05D 1/00 (2024.01)
CPC B60W 60/001 (2020.02) [B60W 10/30 (2013.01); B60W 50/14 (2013.01); G02B 5/3025 (2013.01); G02B 7/006 (2013.01); G05D 1/0088 (2013.01); G05D 1/0242 (2013.01); G05D 1/0251 (2013.01); B60W 2420/403 (2013.01); B60W 2555/20 (2020.02); G01S 13/867 (2013.01); G01S 15/86 (2020.01); G01S 17/86 (2020.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a polarizer;
a mechanical actuator configured to adjust an extent of polarization of light based on a position of the polarizer relative to an image sensor of a camera of a first vehicle;
at least one processing device; and
at least one memory containing instructions configured to instruct the at least one processing device to:
receive first data based on images of a scene captured by the camera, wherein a speed of the first vehicle is controlled in an adaptive cruise control mode using the first data to maintain a minimum distance from a second vehicle;
determine characteristics of the first data, the characteristics indicative of inaccuracy of measuring a distance to an object in the scene, wherein the inaccuracy is caused at least in part by light emitted from a light source towards which the first vehicle is driving, wherein determining characteristics of the first data comprises generating a score based on the characteristics, comparing the score to a threshold, and determining that the score is below the threshold for at least a selected time period;
in response to determining that the score is below the threshold for the selected time period, provide an indication regarding vehicle control to an operator of the first vehicle;
in response to determining the characteristics of the first data, instruct the actuator to adjust a position of the polarizer relative to the image sensor to polarize light from the light source prior to impinging on the image sensor, and receive second data based on images of the scene captured by at least one sensor external to and not attached to the first vehicle;
monitor an object recognition capability to process data from the camera;
adjust, based on the monitored object recognition capability, an extent of polarization of the light from the light source by automatically adjusting a threshold of the polarizer; and
generate data to control movement of the first vehicle using the second data, wherein the speed of the first vehicle is controlled in a conventional cruise control mode.