Camera based headlight control system
A lighting system for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting system comprises an imager configured to capture image data in a plurality of image frames in a rearward field of view. The system further comprises at least one headlamp configured to output an emission of light at a plurality of elevations and a controller. The controller is in communication with the imager and the headlamp. The controller is operable to process the image data to identify features in a first frame and a second frame. The controller is further operable to identify a movement of the features from the first frame to the second frame and adjust the elevation of the output emission in response to the movement.
1. An apparatus for controlling a lighting system for a vehicle comprising:
an imager configured to capture image data in a plurality of image frames in a field of view; and
a controller in communication with the imager and at least one headlamp configured to output an emission of light at a plurality of elevations, wherein the controller is configured to:
process the image data identifying at least one feature in a first frame and a second frame of the plurality of image frames;
identify a movement of the feature from the first frame to the second frame, wherein the movement is identified based on a comparison of the movement to the field of view of the imager;
predict a future elevation for the emission for an elevation adjustment at a future time, wherein the future elevation is predicted based on a plurality of previously identified inter-frame movements and a delay in a response of the lighting system; and
output a signal configured to adjust a current elevation of the emission to the future elevation in response to the movement.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the delay is in response to the capture of the image data, the processing of the image data, or a response time of the at least one headlamp controlling the elevation of the emission of light.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one headlamp corresponds to a first headlamp and a second headlamp.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
output a signal configured to adjust a first elevation of the first headlamp and a second elevation of the second headlamp based on the movement.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the first elevation is different than the second elevation.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to:
identify the movement as an upward elevational shift in an orientation of the vehicle.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to output a signal configured to adjust a projected elevation of the at least one headlamp in response to identifying the elevational shift.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one headlamp comprises a plurality of light emitting sources arranged in a matrix.
9. A method for controlling a lighting system for a vehicle comprising:
processing the image data identifying at least one feature in a first frame and a second frame of a plurality of image frames in a field of view;
identifying a movement of the feature from the first frame to the second frame, wherein the movement is identified based on a comparison of the movement to the field of view of the imager;
controlling at least one headlamp configured to output an emission of light at a plurality of elevations;
predicting a future elevation for the emission for an elevation adjustment at a future time, wherein the future elevation is predicted based on a plurality of previously identified inter-frame movements and a delay in a response of the lighting system; and
outputting a signal configured to adjust a current elevation of the emission to the future elevation in response to the movement.
10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the delay is in response to the capture of the image data, the processing of the image data, or a response time of the at least one headlamp controlling the elevation of the emission of light.
11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one headlamp corresponds to a first headlamp and a second headlamp.
12. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising:
outputting a signal configured to adjust a first elevation of the first headlamp and a second elevation of the second headlamp based on the movement.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the first elevation is different than the second elevation.
14. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising:
identifying the movement as an upward elevational shift in an orientation of the vehicle.
15. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising:
outputting a signal configured to adjust a projected elevation of the at least one headlamp in response to identifying the elevational shift.
16. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one headlamp comprises a plurality of light emitting sources arranged in a matrix.