Headlamp aim detection with sensors independent from host control unit
First Claim
1. A system for detecting the aim of vehicle headlamps comprising:
- one or more sensor units, each of said sensor units comprising;
a microcontroller;
a plurality of photosensors arranged in a substantially linear array;
a memory storing program code, wherein execution of said program code by said microcontroller provides for the processing of data representing illumination of said plurality of photosensors; and
a host control unit coupled to said one or more sensor units comprising;
an embedded computer subsystem with a memory storing program code wherein execution of said program code by said embedded computer subsystem implements a multi-tasking operating system;
wherein said one or more sensor units operate substantially independently from said host control unit in said processing of said data.
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Abstract
Headlamp alignment is detected using a collection of intelligent, independent sensor units, each of which incorporates a vertical array of sensing elements capable of detecting headlamp illumination. The sensor units are networked together and can be coupled to a host controller. The host controller can provide a user interface via a touch screen and a Web server, and can further communicate with a plant network for interfacing with manufacturing databases. The network of sensor units can accommodate four or more sensors, which allows multiple vehicles and multiple headlamp types to be audited without physical movement of the sensor units. The sensor units are low in power consumption and can receive power over the same cable providing network communication. Incorporation of non-volatile memory within the sensor units allows factory data to be recorded within each sensor unit and permits convenient replacement of units in the field.
43 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for detecting the aim of vehicle headlamps comprising:
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one or more sensor units, each of said sensor units comprising; a microcontroller; a plurality of photosensors arranged in a substantially linear array; a memory storing program code, wherein execution of said program code by said microcontroller provides for the processing of data representing illumination of said plurality of photosensors; and a host control unit coupled to said one or more sensor units comprising; an embedded computer subsystem with a memory storing program code wherein execution of said program code by said embedded computer subsystem implements a multi-tasking operating system; wherein said one or more sensor units operate substantially independently from said host control unit in said processing of said data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for detecting the aim of vehicle headlamps comprising the steps of:
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providing one or more sensor units, each of said sensor units comprising; a microcontroller; a plurality of photosensors arranged in a substantially linear array; a memory storing program code, wherein execution of said program code by said microcontroller provides for the processing of data representing illumination of said plurality of photosensors; providing a host control unit coupled to said one or more sensor units comprising; an embedded computer subsystem with a memory storing program code wherein execution of said program code by said embedded computer subsystem implements a multi-tasking operating system; wherein said one or more sensor units operate substantially independently from said host control unit in said processing of said data; positioning a vehicle a predetermined distance from said one or more sensor units; energizing a headlamp of said vehicle such that at least one of said one or more sensor units is illuminated by said headlamp; recording headlamp aim information that is based on a measurement of an illumination level of at least one of said one or more sensor units. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification