Trailer Wheel Base Estimation From Rear Camera Wheel 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 uses rear-facing cameras to identify two-dimensional trailer wheel locations, associate them with trailer angles, convert to three-dimensional positions, and calculate an average wheel base using a kinematic model, with filtering and memory-efficient processing to improve accuracy and reduce computational load.
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 increase and processing speed decreases
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 minimal necessary information, the system achieves accurate wheel position determination while significantly reducing memory requirements and processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image processing task into distinct stages: initial wheel location identification, angle association, 2D to 3D conversion, and average wheel base calculation. This segmentation allows each stage to process only the specific data needed for that function, improving overall processing efficiency while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If complex algorithms are used to process wheel location data, then measurement precision is improved, but computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by calculating the average wheel base using a limited number of sampled positions rather than processing all possible wheel location data. This approach provides sufficiently accurate wheel base measurement while significantly reducing computational complexity. The system performs exactly enough processing to achieve the required precision without unnecessary computational overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from complex image data to simplified geometric parameters (wheel location, angle, 2D coordinates, 3D positions). By transforming the data into these essential parameters, the system reduces computational complexity while maintaining the precision needed for accurate wheel base determination.
3Measurement precision
If complete wheel location data is stored in memory, then measurement precision is improved, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical wheel location parameters needed for calculation from the complete image data set. By storing only these extracted parameters (wheel location coordinates, associated angles, converted 3D positions) rather than the full image data or complete wheel position data sets, the system maintains measurement precision while minimizing memory storage requirements.
Data Source
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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.