Infotainment Head Unit for Automated Trailer Property Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle backup assist systems require manual input of trailer properties, which can be inaccurate or forgotten, leading to potential safety issues during trailer operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inter-vehicle communication module and infotainment head unit that automatically detect the presence of a trailer, request images via inter-vehicle communication, perform semantic segmentation, generate a three-dimensional point cloud, and estimate trailer properties using structure from motion techniques and sensor fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual input of trailer properties is used, then the system can obtain trailer information, but the accuracy and reliability of the properties are reduced due to user error or forgotten information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical input system with an automated optical sensing system. Cameras capture images of the trailer, and image processing algorithms automatically extract trailer properties such as length, width, height, and color. This substitution eliminates human error in data entry and provides consistent, accurate measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-measurement of trailer properties without requiring user intervention. The cameras and image processing system automatically detect and record trailer characteristics, enabling the system to service itself by gathering necessary operational data without external input.
2Measurement precision
If automated image processing and three-dimensional point cloud generation are implemented, then trailer property detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infotainment head unit serves multiple functions: it acts as the camera control system, image processing unit, point cloud generation engine, and trailer property analysis system. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer (image processing algorithms and point cloud generation) between the raw camera images and the final trailer property extraction. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity by breaking down the complex task of trailer measurement into manageable processing stages, making the overall system more tractable.
3Reliability
If real-time trailer monitoring is implemented, then safety and driving dynamics are improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous real-time monitoring, the system implements periodic capture of trailer images at specific intervals or at key moments during trailer operation. This periodic action reduces energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring while still providing sufficient data for safety-critical trailer property detection and monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automated detection of trailer properties. An example vehicle includes an inter-vehicle communication module and an infotainment head unit. The infotainment head unit is configured to detect presence of an attached trailer. The infotainment head unit is also configured to, in response to a determination that the attached trailer is an unrecognized trailer broadcast a request for images via the inter-vehicle communication module, perform semantic segmentation on the images, generate a three dimensional point cloud using the segmented images, and estimate a property of the attached trailer based on the three dimensional point cloud.