WO1998004932A1 - Procede et dispositif a mesurer la visibilite - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif a mesurer la visibilite Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998004932A1
WO1998004932A1 PCT/DE1997/001572 DE9701572W WO9804932A1 WO 1998004932 A1 WO1998004932 A1 WO 1998004932A1 DE 9701572 W DE9701572 W DE 9701572W WO 9804932 A1 WO9804932 A1 WO 9804932A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
optical axis
visibility
backscattered
zone
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/DE1997/001572
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Siegbert Steinlechner
Götz KÜHNLE
Original Assignee
Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robert Bosch Gmbh filed Critical Robert Bosch Gmbh
Publication of WO1998004932A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998004932A1/fr

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01SRADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S17/00Systems using the reflection or reradiation of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. lidar systems
    • G01S17/88Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • G01S17/95Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications for meteorological use
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/17Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
    • G01N21/47Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection
    • G01N21/49Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid
    • G01N21/53Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke
    • G01N21/538Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke for determining atmospheric attenuation and visibility
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01SRADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S7/00Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00
    • G01S7/48Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S17/00
    • G01S7/499Details of systems according to groups G01S13/00, G01S15/00, G01S17/00 of systems according to group G01S17/00 using polarisation effects
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2201/00Features of devices classified in G01N21/00
    • G01N2201/06Illumination; Optics
    • G01N2201/069Supply of sources
    • G01N2201/0696Pulsed
    • G01N2201/0699Randomly pulsed source
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A90/00Technologies having an indirect contribution to adaptation to climate change
    • Y02A90/10Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for measuring visibility, in particular for use in motor vehicles.
  • the visibility of the driver of a motor vehicle should influence the driving speed.
  • the objective detection of the visibility and inclusion of the driving speed can therefore be used to warn the driver if the driving style is inappropriate.
  • the invention is concerned with a method and a device for objective visibility measurement, the invention not being restricted to mobile use.
  • the inventive method for visibility measurement has the following steps: emitting a spatially and / or temporally limited light signal in the form of a light beam, receiving the backscattered light of the emitted light signal by detecting a first spatial zone of the light signal, receiving the backscattered light of the emitted light signal by detecting at least one further, second spatial zone of the light beam, the first spatial zone not being identical to the second spatial zone and comparing the two backscattered light results and determining the range of vision taking into account the comparison result.
  • the light of the emitted light beam is not limited to the visible range, but rather a signal with a correspondingly selected wavelength is emitted, in particular infrared light.
  • the transmission and also the detection are preferably carried out in an area that is free of external conditions, such as vehicles in front, hood, road surface, vehicles parked on the side, signs and so on, so that in fact only backscattered light is received, which is determined by visibility parameters and is not influenced by external parameters. Because the backscattered light the first spatial zone of the light beam is detected, the range of vision can already be inferred, since the intensity of the backscattered light increases, for example in the case of the fog, with the density of the fog.
  • Sources of error in the visibility measurement represent a change in the transmission power of the emitted light beam, for example due to temperature changes. Contamination of the optics and so on also represents a source of error. If the windshield of the motor vehicle is transmitted and received, the cleanliness of the window determines the measurement result.
  • the backscattered light of a further, second spatial zone of the light beam is detected according to the invention, the two spatial zones being different. For example, they may partially overlap, but they may not be identical.
  • the two backscattered light results are compared with one another, and the visual range is determined taking into account the result obtained by the comparison.
  • This procedure eliminates influences from the store, for example a dirty optic, since the measurement of the visibility does not depend on the absolute size of the received backscattered light, but on the difference between the two backscattered light results are influenced in the same way by the pollution, so that the difference between the two results is independent of this interference factor.
  • the spatially limited light beam has a first optical axis, that the detection of the first space zone takes place along a second optical axis, which is inclined and intersects the first optical axis and that the detection of the second space zone takes place along a third optical axis which is inclined with respect to the first optical axis and intersects it, the angle of inclination of the second optical axis (with respect to the first optical axis) being not equal to the angle of inclination of the third optical axis (with respect to the first optical axis) . Due to the spatial limitation of the light beam, in particular in the form of a slightly expanding cone, a certain volume of space is covered by the light beam.
  • the reception takes place on the basis of the trapping characteristic of the sensor used along a "trapping beam" which has an optical axis.
  • This also defines a reception room, preferably also conical. Where the two rooms, namely the room of the emitted light and the room defining the reception zone, intersect, there is a cut volume that is scanned during the measurement with a view to detecting the scattered light.
  • the scanning of a first cutting volume and also the scanning of a second cutting volume take place, the two cutting volumes not being identical.
  • a statement can be made about the range of vision, whereby - as already mentioned - external influences, such as pollution conditions or changing transmission powers are not taken into account.
  • first optical axis of the light beam is inclined with respect to the second optical axis of the detection zone results in the above-mentioned first cut volume. Since the third optical axis is not identical to the second optical axis, a second cutting volume results which is not identical to the first cutting volume, so that the aforementioned comparison of the two backscattered light results is possible in a simple manner.
  • the light beam Whilst in the abovementioned range of vision measurement there is a spatial limitation in the light beam and also in the two reception zones, so that defined cutting volumes can be detected, it is additionally or alternatively possible for a range of view measurement if the light beam is emitted for a limited period of time and the backscattered light is received in a first time window and the renewed reception takes place in a second time window, the two time windows lying at different times from one another and / or being of different sizes.
  • the reception within the first time window leads to the fact that - taking into account the running time of the light - only a certain room zone is scanned, that is to say the backscattered light is detected within this room zone.
  • the second time window is offset in time from the first time window and / or has a different size, a different spatial zone is detected with regard to the backscattered light than in the first measurement.
  • This has the consequence that store influences, such as the contamination of the optics, the Windshield, different transmission powers or the like can be eliminated, since only the difference between the two reception results is important and the visibility is determined from this difference.
  • this measurement method too, there is preferably a spatially limited transmission and recording.
  • the light of the light signal is modulated in intervals, that the modulated portion of the backscattered light is evaluated to determine the backscattered light and that the output brightness is determined from the unmodulated light portion.
  • the light from the light source is modulated in time (that is, not permanently, but at intervals).
  • the backscattered light then has the same modulation, so that on the one hand the backscattered light can be determined by demodulation and on the other hand the ambient brightness can be determined from the unmodulated light component, i.e. at the times when the emitted light is not being modulated.
  • a rectangular modulation of the transmission power with a duty cycle of approximately 50:50 is possible, for example.
  • the AC signal of at least one of the receivers is then proportional to the jerk scattered modulated light, while the DC component received by at least one receiver reflects the ambient brightness.
  • a pseudo-random sequence can also be used for modulation and demodulation, for example. For example, this can be technically generated by a feedback shift register.
  • the ambient brightness in a third time window during which no light signal is emitted. This is possible if the determination of the visual range takes place by means of time-limited emission and time-resolved reception of light. It is advantageous to divide the time between two transmitted light flashes into at least three time windows. In the first time window the backscattered light is measured from a first room zone, in the second time window from a second room zone and in the third time window no backscatter measurement is measured due to a missing light signal, but rather the ambient brightness. For this it is necessary that the transit time of the light from the transmitter to the geometrically defined cutting volume and back to the receiver is shorter than the time interval between two emitted light flashes. As already described above, the ambient light can in turn be obtained from the direct current component.
  • the evaluation of the received signals gnale with an evaluation logic, in particular using at least one fuzzy classification and / or neural networks.
  • This procedure can be used in the two methods described above, ie the method with geometric superimposition and / or the method with time-limited transmission and time-resolved reception.
  • signals are obtained which correspond to the ambient brightness in the backscattered light from at least two room zones, the ambient brightness being measured by the receiving optics in a preferred direction, which is in particular the direction of travel. Due to the fixed arrangement of the room zones to the transmitting / receiving device, the backscatter signals are in a well-defined relationship to one another.
  • the ratio of the backscatter signals only depends on the range of vision and the signal of the room zone further away is generally smaller than that of the room zone closer to the transmitter / receiver device.
  • These signals are processed with evaluation logic, as mentioned above, in which, for example, fuzzy classifications or neural networks can be used.
  • evaluation logic as mentioned above, in which, for example, fuzzy classifications or neural networks can be used.
  • further information can also be taken into account in the classifier.
  • the additional information can not only improve the reliability of the classifier for determining the range of vision, but can also have an effect on other units of a motor vehicle (e.g. light position, fog light / tail light, windshield wipers, intelligent cruise control and so on).
  • the entire communication between the units can preferably take place via a bus system.
  • the invention relates to devices which enable the aforementioned methods to be carried out. Please refer to the claims.
  • FIG. 1 shows a device for measuring the visibility range with a light transmitter and two light receivers
  • FIG. 2 shows a device for measuring the range of vision with a light transmitter and a light receiver, the light receiver taking measurements one after the other in time
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram for the method with geometric spatial zone formation
  • FIG. 4 shows a block diagram for determining the visibility range with temporal resolution.
  • FIG. 1 shows a device for measuring the range of vision, which has a light sensor 1, which supplies light to an optical system 2, for example a lens, from which a light beam 3 emanates, which is spatially limited because it has a conical shape or is formed, for example, by parallel beams .
  • the light beam 3 has a first optical axis 4.
  • the device also has a first light receiver 5 and a further, second light receiver 6. Both are jointly assigned an optical system 7, as a result of which “reception beams” 8 and 9 are realized, “reception beams” 8, 9 being understood to mean spatial areas which are defined by the associated light receivers 5 and 6 are scanned.
  • a second optical axis 10 is assigned to the E pfang ⁇ beam 8 and a third optical axis 11 to the reception beam 9.
  • FIG. 1 shows that the second optical axis 10 is inclined to the first optical axis 4, the two axes 4, 10 intersecting.
  • the cutting volume 12 forms a first space zone 14; the cutting volume 13 a second space zone 15.
  • the procedure for measuring the visibility is as follows.
  • the light transmitter 1 emits a light beam 3, the backscatter light of which - due to fog or the like - is detected in the space zone 14 by the first light receiver 5.
  • the second light receiver 6 detects the backscattered light in the space zone 15.
  • the thicker the fog the stronger the scattered light radiation and the greater the output signal at the two lights 5 and 6, however.
  • the absolute signal is not used to evaluate the visibility of the two light receivers 5 and 6, but rather a difference signal formed therefrom or a new signal obtained from both signals, as a result of which interference influences, such as a dirty optics 2 or 7, are eliminated. Also, fluctuations in the output power of the light transmitter 1 do not lead to incorrect results in the visibility measurement.
  • FIG. 2 shows a further device which, compared to the device of FIG. 1, does not have two light receivers, but only one ne light receiver 5 works. Otherwise, the structure corresponds to that of Figure 1, so that reference is made to the associated description.
  • a time-resolved measurement is carried out in the exemplary embodiment in FIG.
  • the light transmitter 1 emits short, preferably rectangular, flashes of light, in particular with a fixed repetition frequency.
  • a transmitted light pulse is scanned at at least two different times, which is done in that the light receiver 5 detects the backscattered light generated by the light pulse in a corresponding area of the cutting volume 12 or the space zone 14 during a first time window, and that - spaced apart in time - a second measurement takes place by means of a second time window, the light pulse being detected on the basis of the speed of propagation of the light at another location within the space zone 14, that is to say a second backscattered light result is obtained by means of the light receiver.
  • Both backscattered light results are used for the determination of the range of vision by determining their relative size to one another rather than their absolute size and the visibility being derived from this.
  • the difference evaluation leads to the elimination of disturbances which arise, for example, from soiled optics or a soiled windshield which are located in the light guide path or in the detection path.
  • FIG. 3 shows a block circuit diagram which determines the visibility range with geometric spatial zone Education according to claim 1 relates.
  • An oscillator 101 is provided which is connected to a modulator 102, a light transmitter 103 and a transmission optics 104.
  • the receiving optics 108 are connected to receivers 107 which lead to high or band fits 106.
  • the high or bandpass 106 are connected to demodulators 105, which are further connected to the oscillator 101 or modulator 102.
  • the outputs of the demodulators are connected to low-pass filters 109, which lead to an evaluation logic 201.
  • the outputs of the receivers 107 are also connected to the evaluation logic 201 via low-pass filters 109.
  • Evaluation logic 201 outputs the visibility classification on connection 202, additional information from other units on line 203 and output to other units on connection 204.
  • a bus system is identified by 205.
  • FIG. 4 shows a block diagram for determining the visibility range by means of temporal resolution.
  • An oscillator 301 is connected to a modulator 302 which is connected to a light transmitter 303 which has a transmission optics 304. With 308 the receiving optics is identified, which leads to a receiver 307, which is connected to a high-pass filter 312.
  • a connection leads from oscillator 301 or modulator 302 to three series-connected delay circuits 310, which are connected to samplers 311.
  • the output signal of the high-pass filter 312 is fed to the samplers 311 and the outputs of the samplers 311 are connected to an evaluation logic 401.
  • a connection 402 leads from the evaluation logic 401 Output signals with regard to the visibility range classification to a bus system 405.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)

Abstract

Ce procédé de mesure de la visibilité, utile notamment dans des véhicules à moteur, comprend les étapes suivantes: un signal lumineux limité dans l'espace et/ou dans le temps est émis sous forme d'un rayon de lumière (3); la lumière rétrodiffusée qui provient du signal lumineux émis est reçue par balayage d'une première zone (14) couverte par le rayon de lumière; la lumière rétrodiffusée qui provient du signal lumineux est reçue par balayage d'au moins une deuxième zone (15) couverte par le rayon de lumière, la première zone (14) n'étant pas identique à la deuxième (15); les deux résultats obtenus pour la lumière rétrodiffusée sont comparés et la visibilité est déterminée sur la base du résultat de la comparaison.
PCT/DE1997/001572 1996-07-25 1997-07-25 Procede et dispositif a mesurer la visibilite WO1998004932A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19629712.5 1996-07-25
DE19629712A DE19629712A1 (de) 1996-07-25 1996-07-25 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Sichtweitenmessung

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1998004932A1 true WO1998004932A1 (fr) 1998-02-05

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PCT/DE1997/001572 WO1998004932A1 (fr) 1996-07-25 1997-07-25 Procede et dispositif a mesurer la visibilite

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WO (1) WO1998004932A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6044632A (en) * 1998-02-05 2000-04-04 Eaton Corporation, Cutler-Hammer Products Backup proximity sensor for a vehicle
DE19931825A1 (de) * 1999-07-08 2001-01-25 Bosch Gmbh Robert Vorrichtung zur Sichtweitenmessung
DE19955249A1 (de) * 1999-11-17 2001-05-23 Bosch Gmbh Robert Verfahren zur Sichtweitenmessung
DE10005421A1 (de) 2000-02-08 2001-08-09 Bosch Gmbh Robert Radarsystem zur Bestimmung der optischen Sichtweite
DE10017840A1 (de) * 2000-04-11 2001-10-25 Bosch Gmbh Robert Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Sichtweitenbestimmung
DE10302970A1 (de) * 2003-01-25 2004-08-05 Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh Sensor zur Detektion von nebelartigen Medien
DE102015112103A1 (de) * 2015-07-24 2017-01-26 Preh Gmbh Detektionsvorrichtung zur Nebelerkennung für ein Kraftfahrzeug

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3782824A (en) * 1972-06-01 1974-01-01 Sperry Rand Corp Apparatus and method for measuring extinction coefficient of an atmospheric scattering medium
US4010357A (en) * 1975-12-08 1977-03-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Department Of Transportation Analog visibility computer
US4479053A (en) * 1981-03-11 1984-10-23 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Focal plane array optical proximity sensor
GB2224175A (en) * 1988-10-05 1990-04-25 Impulsphysik Gmbh Weather lidar
US4931767A (en) * 1987-10-17 1990-06-05 Daimler-Benz Ag Device for visibility measurement for a motor vehicle
WO1991005269A1 (fr) * 1989-09-27 1991-04-18 Neuronics Pty. Ltd. Systeme de radar a laser pour la detection des turbulences en air limpide
DE4326170A1 (de) * 1993-08-04 1995-02-09 Diehl Gmbh & Co Optronischer Sichtweitenindikator

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2000049C (fr) * 1988-10-05 1995-08-22 Christian Werner Dispositif lidar servant a mesurer les turbidites atmospheriques

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3782824A (en) * 1972-06-01 1974-01-01 Sperry Rand Corp Apparatus and method for measuring extinction coefficient of an atmospheric scattering medium
US4010357A (en) * 1975-12-08 1977-03-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Department Of Transportation Analog visibility computer
US4479053A (en) * 1981-03-11 1984-10-23 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Focal plane array optical proximity sensor
US4931767A (en) * 1987-10-17 1990-06-05 Daimler-Benz Ag Device for visibility measurement for a motor vehicle
GB2224175A (en) * 1988-10-05 1990-04-25 Impulsphysik Gmbh Weather lidar
WO1991005269A1 (fr) * 1989-09-27 1991-04-18 Neuronics Pty. Ltd. Systeme de radar a laser pour la detection des turbulences en air limpide
DE4326170A1 (de) * 1993-08-04 1995-02-09 Diehl Gmbh & Co Optronischer Sichtweitenindikator

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Publication number Publication date
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