Trailer End Position Verification Using Camera Feature Grids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera-based systems for monitoring rear traffic in vehicles with trailers struggle to accurately track the trailer end, especially at low speeds and during reversing maneuvers, due to limitations in sensor reliability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The system captures camera images from the side area of the trailer, determines feature points based on image parameters, and creates a block grid to define the distribution of these feature points. By comparing this distribution with stored block grids associated with actual trailer ends, the system selects the best match to verify and correct the trailer end position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wheel sensors are used to track the trailer end, then tracking is reliable at higher speeds, but tracking accuracy deteriorates at low speeds and during reversing maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wheel sensor system with an optical camera-based system. The camera captures images of the trailer end, and image processing algorithms determine the trailer end position from these visual data, eliminating dependence on wheel rotation signals that fail at low speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary image processing system that acts as a mediator between the camera and the trailer end position determination. The block grid and feature point analysis serve as intermediate steps to accurately extract position information from camera images, enabling reliable tracking across all speed conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the trailer articulation angle increases during cornering, then the trailer's maneuverability is improved, but the visibility of the rear traffic in the monitor image deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the determined trailer end position is continuously fed back to adjust the monitor image display. The system dynamically shifts or transforms the monitor image based on the trailer's articulation angle, ensuring the trailer end remains visible while maintaining rear traffic monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the two-dimensional monitor image display by applying spatial transformations based on the trailer's articulation angle. The image processing system adjusts the displayed image coordinates and orientation to compensate for the trailer's angular displacement, maintaining proper spatial relationships in the visual feedback.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mirrors are replaced by camera systems, then the modernization and integration with electronic systems is improved, but the accuracy of trailer end detection at low speeds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a block grid structure and storing reference images of the trailer end at various positions. This preparatory setup enables rapid and accurate position determination during operation without requiring complex real-time calculations, ensuring high precision even at low speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the camera image into a block grid structure, where each block can be independently analyzed for feature points. This segmentation approach allows precise localization of the trailer end by analyzing feature point distributions across multiple blocks, improving detection accuracy through divided computational processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A camera-based system of a vehicle with a towing unit (4) and a rearward-extending swiveling trailer (5), comprising at least one image acquisition device (2) provided on the towing unit (4) with an image sensor for capturing successive camera images (6) of the trailer (5); at least one display device (1) for displaying a camera image (6) captured by the at least one image acquisition device (2); and at least one processing device (3) configured to perform a procedure for verifying information about a trailer end obtained from an external procedure, and for determining and verifying a trailer end