Vehicle Headlight Control System for Dynamic Object Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low light conditions impair driver perception, leading to increased collision risks due to limited windshield view and ineffective supplemental viewing techniques that do not enhance situational awareness effectively.
Innovation Solution
A headlight control system that detects relevant objects and dynamically adjusts headlight beams to optimally illuminate them, integrating data from cameras and sensors to generate optimized lighting characteristics for improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If infrared cameras and infotainment screens are used to supplement visual data, then the amount of environmental data received by the driver increases, but the driver's ability to comprehend critical environmental data does not necessarily increase and the driver may be distracted from the windshield view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor data types (infrared cameras, visible light cameras, radar, LIDAR) into a unified situational awareness display that is projected onto the windshield, merging previously disconnected information sources into a single integrated view that maintains driver focus
Solution Approach 2:
The windshield itself serves as an intermediary medium that projects sensor data directly into the driver's field of view, eliminating the need for the driver to shift attention between the windshield and separate infotainment screens
2Ease of operation
If sensor data is projected onto the windshield via heads-up display, then the driver can receive additional environmental data without disengaging from the windshield view, but the context of the sensor data becomes inconsistent with the three-dimensional windshield view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent overlays sensor data with depth cues and spatial references that map the two-dimensional projected information onto the three-dimensional windshield view, allowing the driver to perceive distance and position relationships between detected objects and the vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the windshield display are assigned different functions - some areas show traditional road view while others display sensor-detected objects with enhanced visual characteristics, allowing the driver to distinguish between direct visual information and sensor-supplemented information
3Illumination intensity
If conventional headlamps illuminate the environment in front of the vehicle, then the windshield view is increased, but objects outside the illuminated area remain undetected and drivers are oblivious to them
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of objects outside the current headlight illumination area using infrared cameras and other sensors, then pre-illuminates those specific areas by adjusting headlight beams before the driver needs to see them, ensuring objects are already visible when the driver glances forward
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a headlight control subsystem optimizes headlamps associated with a vehicle. In operation, the headlight control subsystem receives image data and performs image detection operations that identify one or more objects included in the image. The headlight control subsystem then performs lighting calculations that determine characteristics of vehicle headlights that optimally illuminates the identified objects. Subsequently, the headlight control subsystem configures the headlamps to emit the vehicle headlights, thereby illuminating the object. Notably, in low light conditions, because the headlight control system expands the effective view of the driver through the windshield, the headlight control system increases the ability of the driver to comprehend environmental hazards and perform corrective action. By contrast, supplemental low light viewing techniques that rely on secondary screens or projected data may distract and/or confuse the driver and, consequently, may not reduce the likelihood of accidents attributable to low light conditions.