Vehicle Camera Light Synchronization to Eliminate PWM Flicker
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Solution Overview
Problem
The independent ON/OFF cycles of vehicle lamps using PWM and camera image capturing lead to screen flickering, causing driver eye fatigue and distraction due to unsynchronized frequencies.
Innovation Solution
An operation control apparatus and method that synchronize the driving frequency of the light source with the horizontal synchronization signal of the image photographing device, adjusting the PWM frequency to eliminate flickering by establishing a multiplicative relationship until the image is displayed without flickering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the light source uses PWM method for controlling LEDs with independent ON/OFF cycles, then the light source can be efficiently controlled, but the image captured by the camera will flicker due to unsynchronized frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the light source to be synchronized with the camera's horizontal synchronization signal. Specifically, the light source frequency is set to a multiple of the camera's horizontal synchronization frequency, ensuring that the light source is always on when the camera captures images, thereby eliminating flickering while maintaining PWM control efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller receives the horizontal synchronization signal from the camera, analyzes it to determine the camera's shooting frequency, and then adjusts the light source's driving frequency accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures continuous synchronization between the light source and camera operations
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera and light source operate with independent frequencies, then each device can function autonomously, but the displayed image will flicker causing driver eye fatigue and distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the operating cycles of the light source and camera by synchronizing their frequencies. The controller coordinates both devices to operate at compatible frequencies, ensuring that the light source remains active during camera capture periods, thereby eliminating flickering that causes driver fatigue while preserving the autonomous functionality of each device through coordinated control
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces driver eye fatigue by ensuring the image displayed on the camera monitor system is stable and free from flickering, enhancing driving safety by maintaining synchronized frequencies between the light source and camera image capture.
Implementation Method 1
vehicle lamps including vehicle headlights mainly use a PWM method for controlling LEDs with PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for controlling an operation of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an image driver that drives a camera such that an image is photographed at a predetermined photographing interval, a driver that drives an LED light source at a predetermined lighting interval, and a controller that changes the lighting interval of the LED light source to a multiple of the photographing interval after calculating the photographing interval when flickering is detected in the image photographed through the camera.