Device and method for object illumination and imaging using light pulses

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a reduced glare imaging system for motor vehicles, and more particularly to roadway illumination systems which do not cause glare for oncoming drivers.

#2. Discussion of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an imaging system for object illumination and imaging in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2A is a timing diagram representing illuminating pulses and gating periods associated with an exemplary imaging system in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2B is an exploded representation of illuminating pulses of FIG. 2A.

#The present invention relates to an imaging system for motor vehicles. The imaging system includes a pulsed light source which emits electromagnetic pulses in one or more parts of the light spectrum. Radiation resulting from the electromagnetic pulses (light pulses) being scattered by objects can be received by the imaging system during specific light reception gating periods and processed to provide accurate images of the objects. For example, the imaging system can provide accurate images of a road and oncoming vehicles.

#The amount of time that elapses during each light pulse cycle can be divided into individual time slots, and the light pulses and gating periods for each imaging system can be configured to occur in one of the timeslots. Notably, the time slots can be extremely short in duration so that a great number of time slots can be provided within a light pulse cycle. In particular, there can be significantly more than 100 time slots. For example, there can be more than 20,000 time slots in each cycle. Accordingly, a large number of imaging systems can operate in different time slots, thereby virtually eliminating glare being between oncoming vehicles. An RF timing signal can be used by the imaging systems to keep the imaging systems synchronized.

#Light Pulse Generation and Detection