Pickup Tailgate State Detection via CHMSL Camera Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the state of a pickup vehicle's tailgate are complex and require additional components or contact switches, making them inefficient and component-heavy.
Innovation Solution
A camera system using image analysis, specifically a Center High Mount Stop Light Camera (CHMSL camera), captures images of the cargo bed and determines the tailgate's state by analyzing regions of interest through histogram backprojection, contrast comparison, and Hough transformations, allowing for the identification of the tailgate's open or closed state without additional switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional contact switches are used to determine tailgate state, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing camera system, originally designed for cargo bed monitoring, is made multi-functional by adding image analysis algorithms that enable tailgate state detection. This eliminates the need for separate contact switches while maintaining detection accuracy through the use of the same hardware component for multiple purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical contact switch system is replaced with an optical detection system using the existing camera. The camera captures images of the tailgate area, and image processing algorithms analyze these images to determine tailgate state, substituting mechanical sensing with optical sensing and computational analysis.
2Device complexity
If camera image analysis is used to determine tailgate state, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images of the tailgate area before making a state determination. The camera takes a series of images, and the system processes these images to identify the tailgate and analyze its state, ensuring accurate detection before concluding the tailgate is open or closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the analysis of captured images continuously refines the tailgate state determination. The system analyzes image features, compares them against expected patterns, and adjusts its determination based on the analysis results, ensuring high measurement precision through iterative verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a state of a tailgate (9) of a pickup vehicle (1) by a camera system (2), includes capturing a cargo bed (5) of the pickup vehicle (1) in an image (8) captured by a camera (3), determining a first region of interest (ROI1) in the captured image (8) by an electronic computing device (4) of the camera system (2), wherein the first region of interest (ROI1) includes the potential tailgate (9) at least partially, determining a parameter optically characterizing the tailgate (9) depending on the captured image (8), analyzing the first region of interest (ROI1) with regard to the characterizing parameter, and determining a closed state of the tailgate (9) as state or determining an opened state of the tailgate (9) as state depending on the analysis of the first region of interest (ROI1). A computer program product, an electronic computing device (4) as well as a camera system (2) are also disclosed.