An Adaptive Curve Assist Lighting System

Abstract

The present invention discloses an adaptive curve auxiliary lighting system, which includes a smart device, an image processor, a headlamp controller, a stepping motor, and a GPS signal receiver. The smart device is connected to the image processor via Bluetooth; the image processor is connected to the headlamp controller via a CAN bus; the headlamp controller is connected to the stepping motor via an SPI bus; the image processor is connected to the GPS signal receiver via a signal line. By collecting the image information of the road ahead and obtaining the map information of the navigation map APP in the smart device, before the vehicle enters a curve, the stepping motor is controlled in advance to adjust the irradiation angle of the headlamp. While enabling the driver to obtain better night driving illumination, the relevant curve position information sent by the GPS signal receiver is stored through a memory storage unit. In special weather conditions such as rain, fog, and heavy snow, when both the image processor and the smartphone cannot be used, adaptive curve auxiliary lighting is provided for frequently traveled sections.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp lighting control system, and in particular to an adaptive curve assist lighting system. Background Art

[0002] Currently, there are many existing technologies regarding adaptive curve assist lighting systems. Most of them obtain the forward map information through in-vehicle navigation, or obtain the forward road information through a front image processor, and their fusion solutions of the former two. In addition, there are also some solutions for lighting the curve before entering the curve. For example: the patent with the application number 201010148362.7 discloses an adaptive curve assist lighting method and device, which identifies the forward lane lines or road boundaries through a front camera, then performs road fitting, calculates the radius of the curve and the distance of the vehicle from the starting position of the curve, so as to calculate the required irradiation angle and control the headlamp to provide curve lighting in advance before the vehicle enters the curve. However, the technical solution of this patent has deficiencies: since this technical solution solely relies on the front camera to obtain the forward road information, the quality of image recognition will become very low under adverse weather conditions such as rainy and foggy days, heavy snow days, etc. For example: when the lane lines and road boundaries are covered by heavy snow, or the visibility is very low on a hazy day, the effect of this technical solution will become less ideal. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To solve the above problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides an adaptive curve assist lighting system.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] An adaptive curve assist lighting system, which includes an intelligent device, an image processor, a headlamp controller, a stepper motor and a GPS signal receiver. The intelligent device is connected to the image processor via Bluetooth; the image processor is connected to the headlamp controller via a CAN bus; the headlamp controller is connected to the stepper motor via an SPI bus; the image processor is connected to the GPS signal receiver via a signal line;

[0006] The image processor is used to collect the forward road image information and obtain the forward road map information provided by the intelligent device through Bluetooth, and send the judged road condition that the vehicle is about to enter the curve to the headlamp controller in the form of a control command;

[0007] The headlamp controller is used to receive the control command to control the stepper motor to adjust the irradiation angle of the headlamp, so that the driver can obtain better night driving lighting;

[0008] The GPS signal receiver is used to send the position information of the relevant curve to the headlamp controller.

[0009] Furthermore, the headlamp controller includes a memory storage unit, which is used to store the starting position information and the ending position information of the relevant curve sent by the GPS signal receiver.

[0010] Using the above technical solution, the memory storage unit is used to help the system provide adaptive cornering assist lighting on commonly used roads when the image processor and the smart device are unable to work normally.

[0011] Furthermore, the smart device includes a first Bluetooth module and a navigation map APP.

[0012] Furthermore, the image processor includes a front camera, a second Bluetooth module and a signal processor, and the front camera and the signal processor are connected via a video cable;

[0013] The front camera is used to collect image information of the road ahead and send it to the signal processor;

[0014] The signal processor is used to receive the front road image information from the front camera and the front road map information provided by the navigation map APP in the smart device, process the information and judge the road conditions ahead, and send the judged road conditions that the vehicle is about to enter a curve to the headlight controller in the form of control commands.

[0015] Beneficial effects:

[0016] 1. For some vehicles that do not have in-vehicle navigation, the present invention can obtain map information from the navigation map APP in the smart device through the Bluetooth module built into the image processor, which has wider applicability; at the same time, the map of the smart device is updated in a timely manner, and the road condition information is more comprehensive. Compared with the expensive cost of upgrading traditional in-vehicle navigation, it has the advantages of low cost, complete map information, and timely updates.

[0017] 2. When negotiating a curve, the headlamp controller's memory storage unit records the curve's starting and ending positions. Even in adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog, and heavy snow, where the image processor and intelligent devices are unable to function properly, adaptive cornering assist lighting can still be provided during regular driving, improving nighttime driving safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a system architecture diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 1. A logic flow chart of a system control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] In the figure: 1 - smart phone, 2 - image processor, 3 - headlamp controller, 4 - stepper motor, 5 - GPS signal receiver, 11 - first Bluetooth module, 12 - navigation map APP, 21 - front camera, 22 - second Bluetooth module, 23 - signal processor. Detailed implementation

[0021] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] Taking a smart phone as an example, but not limited to smart phones, it can also be a smart watch with GPS and map navigation functions, etc.

[0023] This embodiment proposes an adaptive curve assist lighting system, as Figure 1 shown. It includes a smart phone 1, an image processor 2, a headlamp controller 3, a stepper motor 4, and a GPS signal receiver 5. The smart phone 1 includes a first Bluetooth module 11 and a navigation map APP 12; the image processor 2 includes a front camera 21, a second Bluetooth module 22, and a signal processor 23. The front camera 21 is connected to the signal processor 23 through a video cable; the smart phone 1 is connected to the image processor 2 through Bluetooth; the image processor 2 is connected to the headlamp controller 3 through a CAN bus; the headlamp controller 3 is connected to the stepper motor 4 through an SPI bus; the image processor 2 is connected to the GPS signal receiver 5 through a signal line.

[0024] The working principle of the system in this embodiment is as follows: The front camera 21 collects the image information of the road ahead and sends it to the signal processor 23. The signal processor 23 receives the image information of the road ahead from the front camera 21 and the road map information of the road ahead provided by the navigation map APP in the smart phone 1, processes and judges the road conditions ahead, and sends the judged road condition that the vehicle is about to enter a curve to the headlamp controller 3 in the form of a control command. The headlamp controller 3 receives the control command to control the stepper motor 4 to adjust the irradiation angle of the headlamp, while enabling the driver to obtain better night driving lighting, and sends the position information of the relevant curve to the headlamp controller 3 through the GPS signal receiver 5.

[0025] Further, the headlamp controller 3 includes a memory storage unit, which is used to store the start position information and end position information of the relevant curve sent by the GPS signal receiver 5. When both the image processor 2 and the smart device 1 cannot work properly, it can help the system provide adaptive curve assist lighting on common roads.

[0026] The system control flow of this embodiment is as Figure 2 shown:

[0027] (1) At least one of the smart phone 1 and the image processor 2 can work properly. The specific process is as follows:

[0028] (a) Power on the system and initialize each module;

[0029] (b) The system determines that at least one of the image processor 2 and the smart phone 1 can work properly;

[0030] (c) When only the image processor 2 can work properly, the system acquires the image information of the road ahead, processes and identifies the road conditions ahead through the signal processor 23, and turns off the GPS signal receiving module 5; when only the smart phone 1 works properly, the system identifies the road conditions ahead through the road map information provided by the navigation map APP; when both the image processor 2 and the smart phone 1 can work properly, the system turns off the GPS signal receiving module 5, and makes a comprehensive judgment mainly based on the road map information of the smart phone 1 and supplemented by the identification information of the image processor 2.

[0031] (d) When it is identified through step (c) that the road ahead is about to enter a curve, the GPS position (starting position of the curve) sent by the GPS signal receiver module 5 or the smart phone 1 is recorded, and the left / right stepping motor 4 is controlled to adjust the lighting angle of the headlamp.

[0032] (e) When it is judged that the curve has been exited according to the road image information of the image processor 2 or the road map information of the smart phone 1, the GPS position (ending position of the curve) sent by the GPS signal receiver module 5 or the smart phone 1 is recorded, and the headlamp is returned to the normal position by controlling the left / right stepping motor 4.

[0033] (f) Return to step (c).

[0034] (2) When both the image processor 2 and the smart phone 1 cannot work, the specific process is as follows:

[0035] (a) Power on the system and initialize each module;

[0036] (b) The system determines that both the image processor 2 and the smart phone 1 cannot work properly;

[0037] (c) Start the GPS signal receiving module 5, and the headlamp controller 3 receives the GPS position information;

[0038] (d) Compare the acquired GPS position information with the stored data in the memory storage unit. When the match is the starting position of the curve, control the left / right stepping motor 4 to adjust the lighting angle of the headlamp; when the match is the ending position of the curve, control the left / right stepping motor 4 to return to the normal position;

[0039] (e) Return to step (d).

[0040] Regarding the limitations on the scope of protection of the present invention, those skilled in the art should understand that, based on the technical solution of the present invention, various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative efforts are still within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adaptive curve assist lighting system, characterized in that: It includes a smart phone (1), an image processor (2), a headlamp controller (3), a stepper motor (4), and a GPS signal receiver (5). The smart phone (1) is connected to the image processor (2) via Bluetooth; the image processor (2) is connected to the headlamp controller (3) via a CAN bus; the headlamp controller (3) is connected to the stepper motor (4) via an SPI bus; the image processor (2) is connected to the GPS signal receiver (5) via a signal line; The image processor (2) is used to collect the image information of the road ahead and obtain the road map information of the road ahead provided by the smart phone (1) via Bluetooth, and send the judged road condition that the vehicle is about to enter a curve to the headlamp controller (3) in the form of a control command; The headlamp controller (3) is used to receive the control command to control the stepper motor (4) to adjust the irradiation angle of the headlamp; The GPS signal receiver (5) is used to send the position information of the relevant curve to the headlamp controller (3); The headlamp controller (3) includes a memory storage unit, and the memory storage unit is used to store the start position information and end position information of the relevant curve sent by the GPS signal receiver (5); The image processor (2) includes a front camera (21), a second Bluetooth module (22), and a signal processor (23). The front camera (21) is connected to the signal processor (23) via a video line; The front camera (21) is used to collect the image information of the road ahead and send it to the signal processor (23); The signal processor (23) is used to receive the image information of the road ahead from the front camera (21) and the road map information of the road ahead provided by the navigation map APP in the smart phone (1), process and judge the road conditions ahead, and send the judged road condition that the vehicle is about to enter a curve to the headlamp controller (3) in the form of a control command. The headlamp controller (3) receives the control command to control the stepper motor (4) to adjust the irradiation angle of the headlamp. While enabling the driver to obtain better night driving illumination, the GPS signal receiver (5) sends the position information of the relevant curve to the headlamp controller (3); When at least one of the smart phone (1) and the image processor (2) can work properly, the specific process is as follows: (a) The system is powered on and each module is initialized; (b) The system determines that at least one of the image processor (2) and the smart phone (1) can work properly; (c) When only the image processor (2) can work properly, the system acquires the image information of the road ahead, processes and identifies the road conditions ahead through the signal processor (23), and turns off the GPS signal receiver (5); when only the smart phone (1) can work properly, the system identifies the road conditions ahead through the road map information provided by the navigation map APP; when both the image processor (2) and the smart phone (1) can work properly, the GPS signal receiver (5) is turned off, and a comprehensive judgment is made mainly based on the road map information of the smart phone (1) and supplemented by the recognition information of the image processor (2). (d) When it is identified through step (c) that the road ahead is about to enter a curve, the starting position of the curve sent by the GPS signal receiver (5) or the smart phone (1) is recorded, and the left / right stepping motor (4) is controlled to adjust the lighting angle of the headlamp. (e) When it is judged that the curve has been exited based on the image information of the road ahead of the image processor (2) or the road map information of the smart phone (1), the ending position of the curve sent by the GPS signal receiver (5) or the smart phone (1) is recorded, and the headlamp is returned to the upright position by controlling the left / right stepping motor (4). (f) Return to step (c). When both the image processor (2) and the smart phone (1) cannot work, the specific process is as follows: (a-1) The system is powered on and each module is initialized. (b-1) The system determines that both the image processor (2) and the smart phone (1) cannot work properly. (c-1) The GPS signal receiver (5) is started, and the headlamp controller (3) receives the GPS position information. (d-1) The acquired GPS position information is compared with the stored data in the memory storage unit. When the match is the starting position of the curve, the left / right stepping motor (4) is controlled to adjust the lighting angle of the headlamp; when the match is the ending position of the curve, the left / right stepping motor (4) is controlled to return to the upright position. (e-1) Return to step (d-1).

2. The adaptive curve assist lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The smart phone (1) includes a first Bluetooth module (11) and a navigation map APP (12).

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