Vehicle Camera Pitch Angle Detection for Headlight Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera-based driver assistance systems struggle to accurately determine changes in the pitch angle of a vehicle, especially in dynamic conditions, leading to suboptimal illumination of the area in front of the vehicle and potential hindrance of other road users.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that determine the change in the pitch angle of a camera by analyzing the position of stationary objects across multiple images, using a straight line (epipolar line) and displacement vectors to calculate the pitch angle, allowing for real-time adjustment of headlight illumination to maintain optimal lighting without impairing other road users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the light output of the headlights is reduced to avoid impairing other road users during pitch angle changes, then the harmful effect on other road users is minimized, but the illumination intensity of the area in front of the vehicle is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight impairment to other road usersVSAvoidillumination of area in front of vehicle

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The headlight system dynamically adjusts the light output based on real-time detection of pitch angle changes. The control unit modifies headlight illumination parameters (intensity, direction) according to the detected pitch angle, allowing maximized illumination during stable conditions and reduced illumination during abrupt pitch changes that could affect other road users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the pitch angle detection (based on camera image analysis of stationary objects) to continuously adjust headlight output. The control unit receives pitch angle information and automatically regulates headlight illumination to prevent impairment of other road users while maintaining optimal lighting when safe

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Illumination intensity

If the headlight light output is maximized to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle, then the illumination intensity is improved, but other road users may be hindered by the emitted light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination of area in front of vehicleVSAvoidlight impairment to other road users

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The headlight system dynamically adjusts the light output based on real-time detection of pitch angle changes. The control unit modifies headlight illumination parameters (intensity, direction) according to the detected pitch angle, allowing maximized illumination during stable conditions and reduced illumination during abrupt pitch changes that could affect other road users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the pitch angle detection (based on camera image analysis of stationary objects) to continuously adjust headlight output. The control unit receives pitch angle information and automatically regulates headlight illumination to prevent impairment of other road users while maintaining optimal lighting when safe

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the pitch angle change is not accurately determined in dynamic conditions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of pitch angle changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of pitch angle determinationVSAvoidpitch angle change detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses stationary objects in the environment as intermediary reference elements for pitch angle measurement. The camera captures images of these stationary objects, and their apparent movement in the image sequence provides information about pitch angle changes without requiring direct sensors on the vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical pitch angle sensors with an optical measurement system using a camera. Image processing algorithms analyze the displacement of stationary objects between consecutive images to calculate pitch angle changes, substituting mechanical measurement with optical and computational methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9117272B2Method and device for determining a change in the pitch angle of a camera of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 CARIAD SE

AI summary

A method and device determine the change in pitch angle of a camera of a vehicle. At least three images, each reproducing a detection area in front of the vehicle, are sequentially recorded and corresponding image data are generated. A position of a first reproduction of a stationary object in the first image is determined as a first image position. A position of a second reproduction of the stationary object in the second image is determined as a second image position. On the basis of at least the first image position and the second image position, the course of a straight line is determined. A position of a third reproduction of the stationary object in the third image is determined as a third image position. On the basis of the distance between the third image position and the straight line, the change in the pitch angle is determined.