Trailer Camera Wheelbase Estimation Using 2D-to-3D Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera monitor systems for commercial vehicles require large data sets and computationally slow algorithms to accurately determine the trailer wheel base, leading to inefficiencies in processing and memory usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes rear-facing cameras, kinematic models, and a controller to efficiently estimate the trailer wheel base by identifying two-dimensional locations, converting to three-dimensional positions, and calculating an average wheel base using a moving average technique, with optional filtering and memory management to enhance accuracy and reduce storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large data sets are used to determine trailer wheel position accurately, then measurement precision is improved, but memory requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential features needed for wheel position determination from the image data, rather than processing complete large data sets. By identifying specific wheel location parameters and extracting relevant geometric information, the system achieves accurate wheel position determination while minimizing memory requirements and avoiding the need to store and process unnecessary data.
2Measurement precision
If complex algorithms are used to process wheel location data, then measurement precision is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wheel base determination process into distinct sequential steps: identifying wheel locations in the image, determining trailer angle from steering wheel position, converting 2D wheel locations to 3D positions, and calculating wheel base. This segmentation allows each step to be processed efficiently with simple operations rather than requiring complex algorithms to process all data simultaneously, thereby maintaining processing speed while achieving accurate results.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to improve positional accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the determined trailer angle from the steering wheel position is used to validate and filter wheel location measurements. By comparing the calculated trailer angle with the actual steering wheel angle, the system can identify and correct measurement errors, thereby achieving high positional accuracy with a single camera rather than requiring multiple cameras, thus reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining wheel base for a trailer attached to a tractor includes a) identifying a two-dimensional trailer wheel location in an image, b) associating the two-dimensional trailer wheel location with a corresponding trailer angle, c) converting the two-dimensional trailer wheel location to a three-dimensional trailer wheel location, d) calculating a wheel base from the three-dimensional trailer wheel location, e) acquiring a new two-dimensional trailer wheel location, f) performing steps b)-d) for the new two-dimensional trailer wheel location, and g) calculating an average wheel base based upon a previous average wheel base and the new two-dimensional trailer wheel location.