Hybrid Camera Radar Headlight Control for Distance Plausibilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active headlight range regulation systems can incorrectly adjust headlights based on camera-based distance determination, potentially blinding other traffic participants due to system-caused errors, especially when the light of another traffic participant is at a large distance from the ground or has a large vertical angle, leading to an upper light-dark cutoff below the other traffic participant's light.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a camera to determine the interval between vehicles and a camera-independent sensor, such as a radar sensor, to accurately determine the distance, plausibilize the interval, and provide it to the light control unit to adjust the headlight range, ensuring improved illumination without blinding other traffic participants. This involves determining the interval using camera imagery and verifying it with a radar sensor's distance measurement within a tolerance value, and optionally adjusting the headlight range based on terrain and vehicle position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If camera-based distance determination is used for headlight range regulation, then the system complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the measurement precision deteriorates with up to 15% error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines camera-based distance determination with radar-based distance determination in a hybrid sensor system. The camera provides cost-effective, low-complexity detection while the radar provides high-precision distance measurement. The two sensor systems are merged to compensate for each other's weaknesses, achieving both acceptable system complexity and high measurement precision for headlight range regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using radar to measure distance with high precision while using the camera to detect light positions and calculate intervals. By transforming the distance measurement task to radar (which excels at precise distance measurement) while keeping the light detection task with the camera, the system achieves accurate distance determination without excessive complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If the headlight range is adjusted based on camera-based distance determination, then the illumination of the roadway is improved, but other traffic participants may be blinded due to systematic errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the radar continuously monitors the actual distance to other vehicles and compares it with the camera-based distance estimation. When a discrepancy exceeds a threshold (indicating potential blinding risk), the system adjusts the headlight range control accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that roadway illumination is maintained while preventing blinding of other traffic participants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the radar system to detect potential blinding situations before they occur. The radar's accurate distance measurement allows the system to predict when camera-based control might cause blinding and take preventive action by adjusting the headlight range before the harmful effect occurs.
3Measurement precision
If a camera-independent sensor like radar is added to verify camera-based distance measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor system into two distinct functional modules: the camera module for light detection and interval calculation, and the radar module for precise distance measurement. This segmentation allows each sensor to perform its specialized function optimally while keeping the overall system architecture manageable and maintainable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary that processes data from both the camera and radar sensors. This intermediary coordinates the two sensor systems, reconciles their measurements, and generates the final headlight control signals. The control unit manages the complexity by providing a centralized interface between the sensors and the headlight actuators.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the error in headlight adjustment by up to 15% compared to purely camera-based systems, ensuring safer illumination of the roadway and preventing blinding of other traffic participants by accurately determining the distance and adjusting the headlight range accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
A camera-independent sensor, such as a radar sensor
Implementation Method 2
The distance can be determined from a runtime of the signal and a signal speed in the medium between the vehicle and the other vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a signal to a light control unit of at least one headlight of a vehicle that has a camera for acquiring a surrounding environment of a vehicle, the method including a step of determination of an interval between the vehicle and another vehicle using the camera. The method further includes a step of determination of a distance between the vehicle and the other vehicle using a camera-independent sensor. In addition, the method includes a step of plausibilization of the interval using the distance, the interval being plausibilized if a difference between the interval and the distance is smaller than a tolerance value. Finally, the method includes a step of provision the interval via an interface to a light control unit of the headlight.