Speckle detection systems, image capturing devices and methods

An image capturing device for a vehicle comprising:

• a housing that includes a barrel having a space and the barrel extending from a first end to a second end, the barrel comprising a bottom surface disposed at or near the second end;
• an external optical element and an internal optical element, wherein the external optical element is disposed in the space formed in an interior of the barrel at or near an outer end of the barrel, and wherein the external optical element is axially spaced from the internal optical element;
• a printed circuit board (PCB) further comprising an image sensor such that the image capturing device is configured to capture images outside the vehicle;
• and
• a system for detecting one or more speckles on a surface of the external optical element, the system comprising:
• one or more light sources configured to emit a light beam towards the external optical element, the external optical element being configured to reflect light from the light sources when speckles are located on the surface of the external optical element, and
• one or more light receivers configured to receive the light beam reflected by the external optical element such that speckles on the surface of the external optical element are detected;
• wherein the system further comprises a first optical fiber extending from a first end to a second end further extending past the internal optical element toward the external optical element and a second optical fiber extending from a first end to a second end further extending past the internal optical element and toward the external optical element, wherein, in use, the first end of the first optical fiber is located at or near the light sources to transmit the light beam via the first optical fiber toward the external optical element;
• and the first end of the second optical fiber is located at or near the light receivers to receive the reflected beam via the second optical fiber from the external optical element;
• and
• wherein the second end of the first or second optical fiber is located within the barrel and in the space formed between the external optical element and the internal optical element.

A speckles detection system for detecting one or more speckles on a surface of an optical element of an image capturing device, the system comprising:

• one or more light sources configured to emit a light beam toward an external optical element via a first optical fiber, the external optical element is positioned on an outer end of a housing and is configured to reflect light from the light sources when speckles are located on the surface of the optical element,
• one or more light receivers configured to receive the light beam reflected by the optical element via a second optical fiber such that speckles on the surface of the external optical element are detected;
• and
• an internal optical element being spaced apart from the external optical element;
• wherein the first optical fiber extends from a first end to a second end and further extending past the internal optical element toward the external optical element,
• wherein a second optical fiber extends from a first end to a second end further extending past the internal optical element toward the external optical element,
• wherein the one or more light receivers comprise broadband detectors including infrared detectors configured to operate over 700 nm;
• and
• wherein the one or more light sources generate a predetermined emission wavelength centered on absorption bands of atmosphere in a range of at least one of:
• 740 nm to 820 nm;
• and 900 nm to 980 nm;
• and 1090 nm to 1170 nm;
• and 1360 nm to 1440 nm so as to reduce sunlight being received at the one or more light receivers.