Camera-Built-In Headlamp Synchronization for Exposure Timing Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle-mounted cameras, synchronization between the headlamp and camera signals is often delayed due to image processing and CAN communication delays, affecting the quality and recognition rate of captured images.

Innovation Solution

A lamp controller interlocking system that outputs horizontal and vertical synchronization signals to synchronize the headlamp and camera, controlling the light source to provide more light during the long exposure section than the short exposure section, improving image quality and energy efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If CAN communication is used to transmit camera and headlamp signals, then vehicle network integration is achieved, but synchronization delay occurs due to communication overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle network integrationVSAvoidsynchronization delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the signal transmission path by separating camera control signals from headlamp control signals, allowing them to be processed and transmitted independently rather than through a single CAN bus channel. This reduces communication contention and synchronization delays while maintaining vehicle network integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary synchronization by pre-coordinating the timing of camera exposure and headlamp activation before actual image capture. The control unit pre-calculates and prepares synchronized control signals, ensuring that the headlamp is already at the correct intensity level when the camera exposure begins, thereby eliminating runtime synchronization delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If image processing is performed to improve image quality, then recognition rate increases, but processing time increases causing synchronization delay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary image processing operations such as noise filtering and exposure optimization before the actual image capture phase. By pre-processing the captured raw data in the background while the camera is exposed, the system prepares enhanced image quality without adding delay to the critical capture-synchronization timeline.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous image processing pipelines that operate parallel to the camera exposure cycle. Multiple processing stages (denoising, contrast enhancement, feature detection) are executed continuously in the background, ensuring that when an image is captured, enhancement operations are already underway or completed, eliminating sequential processing delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the headlamp emits light during short exposure section, then energy consumption increases, but if it emits during long exposure section, then image quality improves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic modulation of the headlamp emission based on the camera exposure cycle. The headlamp emits light at high intensity specifically during the long exposure period when the camera shutter is open, and reduces or stops emission during short exposure sections. This periodic synchronization ensures optimal image quality during critical capture moments while minimizing energy consumption during non-capture intervals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different light emission intensities and durations to different exposure sections. During long exposure sections, the headlamp provides sustained high-intensity illumination to ensure adequate lighting for image capture. During short exposure sections, the headlamp emission is reduced or eliminated. This localized differentiation of light quality and intensity matches the specific lighting needs of each exposure type, optimizing both image quality and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11794635B2Lamp controller interlocking system of camera built-in headlamp and method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD

AI summary

A lamp controller interlocking system of a camera built-in headlamp inventive concepts includes a headlight module integrated with a camera and a light source, a camera controller generating a single frame image by composing an image captured in a short exposure section, in which a shutter opening time of the camera is relatively short, and an image captured in a long exposure section, in which the shutter opening time of the camera is relatively long, and a lamp controller controlling the light source to emit more light in the long exposure section more than in the short exposure section in synchronization with timings of the long exposure section and the short exposure section of the camera.