Angle Detection Device Single Image Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the angle of a towed vehicle with respect to a towing vehicle are complex and require multiple images, making them inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An angle detecting device that calculates the relative angle using a single image by detecting specific points on the towing and towed vehicles and projecting them onto a plane to determine the angle between straight lines connecting these points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two images are used to calculate the angle of the towed vehicle with respect to the towing vehicle, then the angle detection accuracy is improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for angle calculation from the image data. Instead of processing complete stereo image pairs, the system identifies and processes only the rear surface of the towing vehicle and the front surface of the towed vehicle, extracting minimal necessary data points to calculate the angle while ignoring redundant information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified virtual model of the towing vehicle and towed vehicle system. By projecting the detected vehicle surfaces onto a projection plane and creating virtual representations of their positions and orientations, the system calculates angles in this simplified virtual space rather than processing complex real-world image data, thereby reducing computational complexity while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If a stereo camera system is used to detect the angle between towing and towed vehicles, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical image processing operations with simplified mathematical calculations. Instead of performing full stereo vision algorithms to match features between two images, the system uses geometric projection and coordinate transformation mathematics to directly calculate angles from detected vehicle surfaces, significantly simplifying the operational process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the three-dimensional angle measurement problem into a two-dimensional projection plane problem. By projecting the vehicle surfaces onto a projection plane and performing angle calculations in this simplified 2D space, the system reduces computational dimensionality and makes the operation more straightforward while preserving the essential angular relationship information.
3Measurement precision
If multiple images are processed to determine the relative angle, then the angle detection accuracy is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical geometric features needed for angle calculation from image data. By identifying and processing only the rear surface of the towing vehicle and the front surface of the towed vehicle, the system obtains sufficient information for accurate angle determination while minimizing data processing requirements, thereby improving processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary projection of vehicle surfaces onto a projection plane before conducting angle calculations. By pre-processing the image data into a standardized projected coordinate system, the system prepares the data in advance for efficient angle computation, reducing the computational burden during the actual angle determination phase and improving overall processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
An angle detecting device has a processor configured to detect a first point and a second point indicating parts of rear of the towing vehicle within a first plane, a third point and a fourth point indicating parts of front of the towed vehicle within a second plane from within an image that includes the rear of the towing vehicle and the front of the towed vehicle, project the first to fourth points onto a projection plane parallel to ground and calculate fifth to eighth points, and calculate an angle formed between a first straight line connecting the fifth point and sixth point and a second straight line connecting the seventh point and eighth point in the projection plane as the relative angle of the towed vehicle with respect to the towing vehicle.