Identifying Defects in Optical Detector Systems Based on Extent of Stray Light

A non-transitory, computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute a method comprising:

• receiving an image of a scene that includes a bright object, wherein the image was captured using a camera;
• determining a location of the bright object within the image;
• determining, based on the location of the bright object within the image, an extent of stray light from the bright object that is represented in the image;
• and
• determining, by comparing the extent of stray light from the bright object that is represented in the image to a predetermined threshold extent of stray light, whether one or more optical imperfections are present on an imaging optic of the camera,
• wherein the predetermined threshold extent of stray light corresponds to an expected extent of stray light,
• wherein determining the extent of stray light from the bright object that is represented in the image comprises determining how many streaks or stripes of stray light are present within the image, and
• wherein determining whether one or more optical imperfections are present on the imaging optic of the camera comprises determining, based on how many streaks or stripes of stray light are present within the image, whether optical imperfections due to a windshield wiper or water dripping across the imaging optic of the camera are present.

A camera comprising:

• an imaging optic;
• an image sensor configured to receive light from a scene via the imaging optic;
• and
• a controller configured to perform a monitoring routine, wherein the monitoring routine comprises:
• capturing, using the camera, an image of a scene that includes a bright object;
• determining a location of the bright object within the image;
• determining, based on the location of the bright object within the image, an extent of stray light from the bright object that is represented in the image;
• and
• determining, by comparing the extent of stray light from the bright object that is represented in the image to a predetermined threshold extent of stray light, whether one or more optical imperfections are present on the imaging optic,
• wherein the predetermined threshold extent of stray light corresponds to an expected extent of stray light,
• wherein determining the extent of stray light from the bright object that is represented in the image comprises determining how many streaks or stripes of stray light are present within the image, and
• wherein determining whether one or more optical imperfections are present on the imaging optic of the camera comprises determining, based on how many streaks or stripes of stray light are present within the image, whether optical imperfections due to a windshield wiper or water dripping across the imaging optic of the camera are present.