Matrix Automotive Lighting Calibration for Beam Distortion Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital lighting devices in automobiles suffer from distortion in projected light beams due to lens types, which is proportional to the module resolution and LED count, causing perceptible distortion.
Innovation Solution
A method for correcting light patterns by simulating distortion maps, comparing them to a real distorted pattern, and applying corrective factors to each light source's power values to minimize distortion, using pulse width modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pixelated technology with high module resolution and more LEDs is used, then lighting precision and control capability are improved, but distortion in the projected beam increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction factors in a lookup table that compensate for lens-induced distortion. Before actual lighting operation, the system characterizes the distortion pattern of each lens and creates corresponding correction data. During operation, the control unit retrieves pre-computed correction factors based on the desired light pattern, applying them to adjust LED activation patterns and intensities, thereby canceling out the anticipated distortion effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the activation pattern and intensity parameters of individual LEDs based on lookup table data. The control unit modifies which LEDs are activated and at what intensity levels to compensate for lens distortion. This parameter adjustment transforms the ideal light pattern into a corrected pattern that, when projected through the distorting lens, produces the desired undistorted output.
2Shape
If distortion correction through lookup tables and iterative adjustment is applied, then beam distortion is reduced, but device complexity and calibration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces operational complexity by performing the complex distortion characterization and correction factor calculation during an initial calibration phase. The lookup table is pre-computed once during manufacturing or initial setup, storing correction factors for various light patterns. During normal operation, the system simply retrieves pre-computed correction data based on the desired pattern, avoiding real-time complex calculations and reducing operational device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a digital model of the lens distortion characteristics during calibration. The system captures the actual distortion pattern produced by each lens and creates a corresponding digital correction map. This copied distortion model is stored in the lookup table and reused for correcting multiple different light patterns, eliminating the need to re-measure distortion for each pattern and reducing both device complexity and calibration time.
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 2d
AI summary
The invention provides a method for correcting a first light pattern provided by a lighting device (1) with a matrix of light sources (2). This method comprising the steps of providing some resolution data (10) of the light sources (2), simulating a test map (4) of the light pattern using the resolution data (10), simulating distortion maps (5) of the test map (4), each distortion map (5) being associated to a distortion factor, obtaining a real distorted light pattern (6), comparing the real distorted light pattern with the distortion maps, finding a distortion map which is the most similar to the real distorted map and applying a correction factor to correct the real distorted light pattern, thus obtaining a corrected light pattern (7), the correction factor being related to the distortion factor of the distortion map which is the most similar to the real distorted map.