Motor Vehicle Headlight Distortion Compensation via Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle lighting devices struggle to display high-resolution images on projection surfaces due to limited installation space and lack of consideration for the relative position of the projection surface, resulting in optical distortions.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a high-resolution headlight with individually controllable pixels to generate distortion-free images by adapting control signals based on sensor data describing the position and orientation of the projection surface, employing a transformation algorithm to compensate for distortions and enable high-resolution image display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a lighting device is installed in the exterior mirror to project images, then the vehicle can display images on its surface, but the installation space is limited and only very small images can be projected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the projection function with the headlight assembly, merging two functions (illumination and image projection) into a single device. This eliminates the need for separate projection devices in exterior mirrors and enables large-area image projection on the vehicle surface using the headlight's optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The headlight is designed to serve multiple functions: providing standard illumination (low beam/high beam) and projecting images simultaneously. The lighting device can switch between different operating modes, making it a universal component that performs both traditional lighting and modern projection display functions.
2Manufacturing precision
If a lighting device projects images without considering the relative position of the projection surface, then the device operation is simple, but optical distortions occur and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors (cameras, distance sensors) to detect the relative position and orientation of the projection surface in real-time. This feedback information is fed to the control unit, which adjusts the projection parameters accordingly to compensate for distortions and maintain high image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically changes projection parameters (such as projection angle, focal length, and image distortion correction) based on the detected relative position of the projection surface. This allows the system to adapt to different viewing conditions and maintain optimal image quality across various positions.
3Manufacturing precision
If a high-resolution headlight with tens of thousands of controllable pixels is used, then high-resolution image display is achieved, but the device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight is divided into tens of thousands of individually controllable pixel elements, each capable of being independently activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows for high-resolution image formation by selectively controlling which pixels emit light, enabling precise image rendering with fine detail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing vehicle sensor infrastructure (cameras, distance sensors, position sensors) to automatically determine projection parameters without requiring manual intervention. The control unit autonomously processes sensor data and adjusts projection settings, reducing the need for complex external control systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method for operating a lighting device of a motor vehicle (1), which is controlled by means of control signals determined from image data to illuminate a projection surface (2), wherein the image data describe at least one image (20) to be generated on the projection surface (2) by the lighting device, wherein a headlight (3) of the motor vehicle (1) is used as the lighting device, wherein the control signals are adapted as a function of sensor data of a sensor device (5) that detects the environment of the motor vehicle (1) describing a position and/or an orientation of the projection surface (2) with respect to the motor vehicle (1) such that an expected distortion of the image (20) when illuminating the projection surface (2) by the headlight (3) is compensated.