Motor Vehicle Headlight Control via Support Point Interpolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-resolution headlight systems face challenges in efficiently generating variable light distributions due to the need for complex calculations and high data rates, making them costly and difficult to operate.

Innovation Solution

A method that specifies light distribution properties at few support points, using interpolation and extrapolation to determine properties at other points, reducing computational effort and data requirements, allowing for simple control of deflection devices and light sources to generate adjustable light distributions with high resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-resolution light distribution is generated using conventional methods with individual pixel control, then light distribution resolution is improved, but computational complexity and data rate requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution resolutionVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the light distribution control into two segments: support points that are explicitly controlled and intermediate points that are automatically determined through interpolation. This segmentation allows high-resolution light distribution to be achieved without requiring explicit control of every pixel, thereby reducing computational complexity while maintaining resolution quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces interpolation as an intermediary process between support point control and final pixel rendering. Instead of directly controlling all pixels, the system uses interpolation to generate intermediate values, reducing the data rate requirements and computational burden while preserving the high-resolution light distribution effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution light distribution is generated using conventional methods, then light distribution resolution is improved, but cost and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution resolutionVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the control approach into support points and interpolated points, the system simplifies operation. Operators only need to specify light distribution properties at a limited number of support points, while the control device automatically handles the complex interpolation calculations, making high-resolution control more accessible and easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation where the control device automatically performs interpolation calculations based on user-defined support points. This eliminates the need for operators to manually configure every pixel or understand complex computational processes, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high-resolution output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If individual pixel control is implemented for high-resolution headlight, then light distribution precision is improved, but data rate requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution precisionVSAvoiddata rate requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Interpolation serves as an intermediary that reduces data transmission requirements. Instead of transmitting control data for every individual pixel, the system transmits only the support point information and uses interpolation to generate the remaining pixel values locally, significantly reducing data rate requirements while preserving light distribution precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses interpolation to create copies of light distribution patterns from support points to intermediate points. This copying process allows the system to generate high-resolution light distributions without requiring proportional high-resolution control data, reducing the data rate requirements while maintaining precision through the mathematical relationships established by interpolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3159214B1Method for operating a headlight on a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 AUDI AG
  • EP3159214B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating at least one headlight (12) of a motor vehicle (16) by means of which a light distribution (16) in an ambient area (18) of the motor vehicle (10) can be generated, which is variably adjustable by a control device (14) of the headlight, comprising at least the steps of: - specifying at least one property of the light distribution (16) at at least two reference points (20, 22, 24, 26) of the light distribution (16); - determining the at least one property of the light distribution (16) at further points (38) of the light distribution (16) depending on the specified property of the light distribution (16) at the two reference points (20, 22, 24, 26);and - controlling at least one deflection device of the headlight (12) and/or controlling at least one light source of the headlight (12) by means of the control device (14) depending on the respective characteristic of the light distribution (16) to generate the adjustable light distribution (16). Furthermore, the invention relates to a headlight (12) for a motor vehicle (10).