Vehicle Headlight Projection for Targeted Object Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle headlights fail to adequately illuminate scenes, especially in low-light or adverse conditions such as rural roads, rain, or fog, and do not effectively highlight critical objects or surfaces, leading to reduced visibility for drivers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize sensors and a light controller to analyze the field of view, classify objects, predict their location, and project targeted illumination or images to enhance visibility, adjusting contrast and intensity based on reflectiveness and user preferences, and project indicators or images onto the road or a heads-up display to highlight important features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional headlights project uniform light onto the road, then the entire road surface is illuminated, but critical objects and surfaces are not effectively highlighted, reducing driver visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from uniform headlight illumination to selective, targeted illumination of specific objects and areas. The system uses sensors to detect objects and dynamically adjusts light projection to highlight critical elements such as pedestrians, animals, lane markers, and road edges, while reducing illumination in non-critical areas. This creates spatially varying illumination intensity that enhances driver awareness of important features without requiring uniform high-intensity light across the entire field of view.
2Use of energy by moving object
If headlights illuminate the entire road surface, then general visibility is improved, but energy is wasted on illuminating non-critical areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the illumination field into multiple zones based on detected objects and their importance. The system segments the road environment into critical areas requiring enhanced illumination (such as detected objects, lane markers, and road edges) and non-critical areas with reduced illumination needs. This segmented approach allows the headlight system to concentrate energy on important targets while reducing or eliminating illumination in less important regions, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining visibility where it matters most.
3Measurement precision
If sensors and processing systems are added to analyze the field of view, then object detection and targeted illumination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a system where sensors serve multiple functions: they detect objects for classification, determine spatial locations for targeted illumination, and provide data for both safety-critical object detection and driver awareness enhancement. The same sensor array and processing system support multiple illumination modes (highlighting objects, marking lanes, indicating road edges) simultaneously. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, devices, and the like, for controlling the projection of an array of lights or an image from a headlight of a vehicle in response to information provided by one or more sensors or user inputs. The projection may be utilized to highlight an object in or near the path of travel of a vehicle. In another example, the headlight may be controlled to adjust the contrast across the field of view of the headlight. In addition, the system may project one or more images onto an object or surface either in the path of the vehicle or within the field of view of the headlight, projecting a “next step” in a series of navigation instructions onto the road, and/or projecting an indication of a movement of the vehicle to warn people around the vehicle of the movement of the vehicle. One or more visual effects may also be incorporated into the system to enhance the visibility of objects.