Vehicle headlight control using imaging sensor with spectral filtering
US7402786B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J1/0488
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.