Vehicle headlight control using imaging sensor
US5796094A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/45
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle headlamp control method and apparatus includes providing an imaging sensor that senses light in spatially separated regions of a field of view forward of the vehicle. Light levels sensed in individual regions of the field of view are evaluated in order to identify light sources of interest, such as oncoming headlights and leading taillights. The vehicle's headlights are controlled in response to identifying such particular light sources or absence of such light sources. Spectral signatures of light sources may be examined in order to determine if the spectral signature matches that of particular light sources such as the spectral signatures of headlights or taillights. Sensed light levels may also be evaluated for their spatial distribution in order to identify light sources of interest.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.