Method for detecting misalignment of a vehicle headlight using a camera
First Claim
1. A method for detecting a misalignment of a vehicle headlight of a motor vehicle using a camera system, whereinthe headlight comprises a headlight light emitter that emits light which provides an illuminated field of view in front of the motor vehicle for vision of a driver of the motor vehicle during normal driving operation of the motor vehicle on a roadway,for detecting a misalignment of the headlight light emitter, the headlight light emitter is nominally positioned in a predefined headlight position and is operated to emit light in an actual light distribution pattern in front of the motor vehicle, and the camera system is arranged on or in the vehicle and is oriented in such a manner that the actual light distribution pattern of the headlight light emitter in front of the motor vehicle is detected by the camera system,the actual light distribution pattern of the headlight light emitter is recorded using the camera system and is compared with a desired light distribution pattern for the predefined headlight position, andif the actual light distribution pattern differs from the desired light distribution pattern, then thereby the misalignment of the headlight is detected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for detecting misalignment of a vehicle headlight using a camera system is specified. For this purpose, the headlight is in a predefined position and the camera system is arranged on or in the vehicle and is oriented in such a manner that the light distribution pattern of the headlight in front of the motor vehicle is detected. With a predefined headlight position, an actual light distribution pattern of the headlight is recorded using the camera system and is compared with a desired light distribution pattern for the predefined headlight position. If the actual light distribution pattern differs from the desired light distribution pattern, misalignment of the headlight is detected.
42 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for detecting a misalignment of a vehicle headlight of a motor vehicle using a camera system, wherein
the headlight comprises a headlight light emitter that emits light which provides an illuminated field of view in front of the motor vehicle for vision of a driver of the motor vehicle during normal driving operation of the motor vehicle on a roadway, for detecting a misalignment of the headlight light emitter, the headlight light emitter is nominally positioned in a predefined headlight position and is operated to emit light in an actual light distribution pattern in front of the motor vehicle, and the camera system is arranged on or in the vehicle and is oriented in such a manner that the actual light distribution pattern of the headlight light emitter in front of the motor vehicle is detected by the camera system, the actual light distribution pattern of the headlight light emitter is recorded using the camera system and is compared with a desired light distribution pattern for the predefined headlight position, and if the actual light distribution pattern differs from the desired light distribution pattern, then thereby the misalignment of the headlight is detected.
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12. A motor vehicle with a device for detecting misalignment of a headlight, comprising
a controllable headlight comprising a headlight light emitter that emits light which provides an illuminated field of view in front of the motor vehicle for vision of a driver of the motor vehicle during normal driving operation of the motor vehicle on a roadway, a control device adapted to control the headlight, a camera system, which is arranged on or in the motor vehicle and is oriented in such a manner that a light distribution pattern of the headlight light emitter in front of the motor vehicle is detected, and an evaluation unit, which is connected with the control device and the camera system, and which stores a program for executing a method for detecting a misalignment of the vehicle headlight using the camera system, wherein for detecting the misalignment, the headlight light emitter is nominally positioned in a predefined headlight position and is operated to emit light in an actual light distribution pattern in front of the motor vehicle, and the camera system is arranged on or in the vehicle and is oriented in such a manner that the actual light distribution pattern of the headlight light emitter in front of the motor vehicle is detected by the camera system, wherein the actual light distribution pattern of the headlight light emitter is recorded using the camera system and is compared with a desired light distribution pattern for the predefined headlight position, and wherein if the actual light distribution pattern differs from the desired light distribution pattern, then thereby the misalignment of the headlight is detected.
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13. A method of detecting a misalignment of a headlight of a motor vehicle, wherein said headlight includes a headlight light emitter that emits light which provides an illuminated field of view in front of said motor vehicle for vision of a driver of said motor vehicle during normal driving operation of said motor vehicle on a roadway, said method comprising the steps:
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a) emitting light from said headlight light emitter positioned nominally at a predefined position and, with said light, illuminating an environment in front of said motor vehicle and thereby forming an actual light distribution pattern of said light emitted from said headlight light emitter on at least one surface in said environment; b) using a camera mounted in or on said motor vehicle, recording said actual light distribution pattern of said light on said at least one surface in said environment; c) comparing said actual light distribution pattern with a previously stored desired light distribution pattern; d) detecting that a misalignment of said headlight exists in response to said comparing having determined that said actual light distribution pattern differs unacceptably from said desired light distribution pattern; and e) when said misalignment has been detected, issuing a misalignment signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification