Vehicle Headlamp Control for Low Light Object Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle collision avoidance systems face challenges in accurately detecting objects in low light conditions due to limitations in image capturing performance of imaging devices, which can lead to ineffective collision avoidance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes an optical sensor to detect illumination, a detection sensor to gather object position and speed data, and a controller to activate the headlamp to irradiate light towards objects undetected by the imaging device, adjusting light intensity based on distance and time to collision, thereby enhancing object detection and collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the imaging device is used to detect objects in low light conditions, then the system can identify objects for collision avoidance, but the recognition performance deteriorates due to insufficient illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using the detection sensor to identify objects in low light conditions before the imaging device can effectively capture them. When an object is detected by the detection sensor and illumination is below the threshold, the headlamp is activated in advance to illuminate the object, ensuring the imaging device can then capture clear images for accurate recognition and collision avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The headlamp acts as an intermediary element between the detection sensor and the imaging device. It receives control signals from the controller based on detection sensor data and provides illumination to objects that need to be captured by the imaging device, bridging the gap between detection capability and recognition performance in low light conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the headlamp is activated to illuminate objects detected by the detection sensor, then the imaging device recognition performance improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headlamp is activated selectively only for specific objects detected by the detection sensor that require illumination for the imaging device to recognize them. The control signal is generated based on comparison of detected illumination with a predetermined threshold, ensuring energy is used locally and efficiently only where needed rather than illuminating the entire environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the illumination parameter dynamically based on environmental conditions. When detected illumination is below the predetermined threshold, the headlamp is activated to provide additional illumination. This parameter change is conditional and adaptive, optimizing energy consumption by activating the headlamp only when necessary for object recognition.
3Measurement precision
If the headlamp irradiates light toward all detected objects, then all objects become visible to the imaging device, but the system complexity increases due to multiple control parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The control system extracts and processes only the essential information from the detection sensor - specifically the position of detected objects and the ambient illumination level. It generates control signals based on these extracted parameters and the predetermined illumination threshold, avoiding the need to process all possible parameters and simplifying the control logic while maintaining effective object illumination.
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
Improves object recognition and collision avoidance by ensuring accurate detection of objects in low light conditions through enhanced image capturing performance and adjusted light irradiation, effectively preventing collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a headlamp configured to irradiate light toward the object based on the control signal
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle and method for controlling the same are provided to improve recognition performance of a camera by irradiating light from a headlamp to an object, which may be recognized by a detection sensor but not by the camera, thereby avoiding a collision by detecting the object using both the camera and detection sensor. The vehicle includes an optical sensor that detects illumination around the vehicle and a detection sensor that detects an object around the vehicle to obtain information regarding at least one of a position and speed of the object. A controller operates a headlamp to irradiate light toward the object based on the position information of the object when the detected illumination is less than a predetermined value.