METHOD FOR DETECTING THE DIRECTION OF ORIENTATION OF A VEHICLE AND USE OF THE METHOD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for detecting the direction of the orientation of a vehicle, wherein the direction of the orientation of the vehicle is the direction of the axis of symmetry of the vehicle. In this case, the currently imaged vehicle represents its own reference in that, from the photographic image of the front side of the vehicle, a correlation is determined between the parts of the photographic image of the front side of the vehicle that are located in different parts of the photographic image of the front side of the vehicle with respect to an optical axis of symmetry of the front side of the vehicle, wherein the direction of the orientation of the vehicle relative to the imaging direction of the photographic image is derived from the correlation. The detected direction of the orientation of the vehicle can be used in test procedures of vehicle units, which, in terms of the radiation and/or reception direction of beams are to be aligned with the direction of the orientation of the vehicle or its geometrical axis of travel. The evaluation can be effected both with a photographic image of the front side of the vehicle, as well as also with a photographic image of the rear side of the vehicle.

Claims

1. Method for detecting the direction of the orientation of a vehicle, wherein the direction of the orientation of the vehicle is the direction of the axis of symmetry of the vehicle, characterized in that a correlation is determined, from a photographic image of the front side and/or of the rear side of the vehicle, between the parts of the photographic image of the front side, or of the rear side of the vehicle, which are located in different parts of the photographic image of the front side or of the rear side of the vehicle with respect to an optical axis of symmetry (1) of the front side or the rear side of the vehicle, wherein the direction of the orientation of the vehicle relative to the imaging direction of the photographic image is derived from the correlation.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that certain parts (4; 5.1; 5.2; 6.1, 6.2) of the photographic image are weighted weaker than other parts of the photographic image in the determination of the correlation.

3. Use of the method according to one of the preceding claims, for the control or regulation of the orientation of a testing device for vehicle units for performing a test procedure, or for performing a testing and adjustment procedure, wherein the testing device (303) has a defined direction in such a way that using the testing device daring a test procedure, or during the testing and adjustment procedure, the radiation and/or reception direction of at least one vehicle unit is tested as to whether this radiation and/or reception direction matches the defined direction of the testing device (303), in that the testing device (303) is oriented, prior to the performing of the test procedure, in such a way that the defined direction of the testing device (303) is aligned with respect to the direction of the orientation of the vehicle.

4. Use of the method according to one of claims 1 to 3 for testing the radiation and/or reception direction of at least one unit relative to the direction of the orientation of the vehicle with a testing device, wherein the testing device (303) has a defined direction in such a way that during the test procedure, the radiation and/or reception direction of at least one vehicle unit is tested with the testing device (303) as to whether this radiation and/or reception direction matches the defined direction of the testing device (303), wherein, during the test procedure, the testing device (303) is oriented into such an orientation position, that the radiation and/or reception direction of the at least one vehicle unit in this orientation position of the testing device (303) matches the defined direction of the testing device (303), wherein the radiation and/or reception direction of the at least one unit relative to the direction of the orientation of the vehicle is derived from the detected direction of the orientation of the vehicle and the orientation position of the testing device (303).

5. Use of the method according to one of claims 1 to 3, to derive a corrective value in the evaluation of test results in the performing of test works for vehicle units by means of a testing device (303), which has a defined direction in such a way that, during the test procedure, the radiation and/or reception direction of at least one vehicle unit is tested with the testing device (303) as to whether this radiation and/or reception direction matches the defined direction of the testing device (303), wherein the testing device (303) is constantly oriented in such a way that the defined direction of the testing device (303) is constant in as far as that it is parallelly displaceable along with a displacement of the testing device (303), if need be, wherein the corrective value is determined dependent upon the deviation of the detected direction of the orientation of the vehicle with respect to the defined direction of the testing device (303).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] One exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing. Shown are in:

[0059] FIG. 1: a photographic image of a vehicle in a front view,

[0060] FIG. 2: a photographic image of another vehicle in a front view, and

[0061] FIG. 3: a gantry system for measuring the orientation of a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a photographic image of a vehicle in a view from the front.

[0063] A symmetrical plane 1 is illustrated as a dotted line. This symmetrical plane is represented by the illustrated line. The symmetrical plane results as a plane which is oriented parallel to the imaging direction of the camera or in which the imaging direction of the camera is located within said axis of symmetry. In addition, the dashed-dotted vertical center line of the vehicle (dashed-dotted line with the reference character 1 of FIG. 1) is in said symmetrical plane.

[0064] According to the present invention, the part left-hand from the vertical symmetrical plane 1 of the vehicle in the photographic image correlates with the part right-hand from the vertical symmetrical plane 1 of the vehicle 1 in the photographic image.

[0065] The correlation of a vehicle, the orientation of which is straight, is e.g. determined by means of position and shape of the headlamps 2.1 and 2.2 with respect to a mirror-symmetrical arrangement to the symmetrical plane 1. Further elements causing the correlation are lines running mirror-symmetrically to the symmetrical plane 1. This is e.g. the case with line 3, representing the edge of the hood, or with the edge line 7 of the radiator grille.

[0066] Furthermore, in the illustration of FIG. 1, parts 4, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.1 and 6.2 of the photographic images are marked in dashed-dotted lines, which are not mirror-symmetrical to the symmetrical plane 1, even if the orientation of the vehicle is straight.

[0067] The interior mirror of the vehicle is located in part 4 of the photographic image. This mirror is adapted to the seating position of the driver. Due to the rotation of the interior mirror, said mirror is no longer symmetric to the symmetrical plane 1.

[0068] In the two parts 5.1. and 5.2, the exterior mirrors are located on the right or on the left, respectively. These exterior mirrors often have different dimensions in vehicles, so that the two exterior mirrors in parts 5.1 and 5.2 of the photographic image are likewise non-symmetrical to the symmetrical plane 1.

[0069] In part 6.2 of the photographic image, a bulge of the dash panel upward to accommodate the instrument cluster and the steering wheel is located in part 6.2 of the photographic image. These elements are not present on the other side of the vehicle, so that these elements are likewise non-symmetrical to the symmetrical plane 1. This is why the part 6.2 of the photographic image is illustrated in dash-dotted lines as well. The respective part 6.1 of the photographic image on the other side of the vehicle is also illustrated in dash-dotted lines.

[0070] It is particularly advantageous if these dash-dotted parts of the photographic image are weighted weaker or are completely hidden when determining the correlation.

[0071] Other examples for such asymmetries are explained in conjunction with claim 2.

[0072] Apart from that, it can be seen that the photographic image of the vehicle reaches a maximum value of correlation in view of both parts to the left and to the right of the symmetrical plane 1, if the vehicle's orientation is straight. In conjunction with FIG. 1, this means that the orientation of the vehicle coincides with the imaging direction of the camera, if the imaging direction of the camera is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0073] This maximum of correlation is also determined by means of other elements which are not separately denoted with reference characters in FIG. 1, such as e.g. the fog lights, the contour line of the bumper, the wheels of the vehicle and the outer contour of the vehicle.

[0074] For example, the correlation can be determined as a normalized value, in that one of the two parts of the photographic image to the left or to the right of the symmetrical plane is mirrored by way of calculation, and subsequently, the correlation between the non-mirrored part of the photographic image and the mirrored part of the photographic image is determined. Advantageously, this correlation is determined in a normalized manner, so that the value 1 corresponds to the maximum of the correlation. In a smaller correlation, it can be concluded that the vehicle's orientation is not straight.

[0075] The corresponding relations are illustrated for a different vehicle in FIG. 2. The symmetrical plane is also illustrated by the dashed line 1 there.

[0076] It can be taken from the illustration of FIG. 2 that the normalized correlation of the two parts of the photographic image to the left and to the right of the symmetrical plane 1 will yield a value of the correlation which is significantly smaller than 1. This is also true in the case in which the parts illustrated in dash-dotted lines of the photographic image in FIG. 1 are hidden.

[0077] This is due to the fact that because of the oblique orientation of the vehicle in the photographic image (i.e. in the plane of the image) the symmetry around the symmetrical plane 1 is significantly reduced. By the oblique orientation of the vehicle, part of the vehicle is shifted to the right part of the photographic image to a great extent.

[0078] The illustration of FIG. 2 represents a significantly oblique orientation of the vehicle. However, the same effect also occurs if the orientation of the vehicle is less oblique. Not sooner than with a straight orientation of the vehicle, the maximum value of correlation is again achieved.

[0079] Besides a shifting of part of the vehicle into only one part of the photographic image, the perspective distortion of the image of the vehicle, in an oblique orientation of the vehicle, also reduces the correlation as a consequence of the oblique orientation of the vehicle.

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a gantry system 301 for measuring the orientation of a vehicle. It can be seen that a camera 302 is attached to the gantry system 301. Advantageously, the imaging direction of the camera is oriented in such a way that the latter is perpendicular to the gantry system 301 and therefore also to the drawing plane.

[0081] Furthermore, a testing and measuring device 303 can be discerned, which, according to the directions of arrows 304, can be displaced to the left or to the right. Advantageously, such an arrangement according to the explanations in conjunction with claims 3 to 5 allows a measurement and orientation of vehicle units.

[0082] Accordingly (not explicitly illustrated here), camera 302 can also be laterally-displaceable. In accordance with the explanations of the position of the symmetrical axis in conjunction with FIG. 1, it becomes possible to laterally shift the camera 302 in such a way that the imaging direction of the camera 302 intersects the illustrated, dash-dotted line 1. It is also possible to maintain the camera 302 stationary, and to laterally-shift the captured photographic illustration of the vehicle, in a calculated or graphical manner by means of image post-processing, to the side until the then newly-resulting dash-dotted line 1 is located in the imaging direction of the camera.

[0083] The orientation of the vehicle can subsequently be determined in that the camera is rotated until a maximum correlation of the image halves results. The orientation of the vehicle relative to a desired value of orientation corresponds to the angle, by which the camera had been rotated until the maximum of the correlation was achieved.

[0084] As an alternative to the rotation of the camera, the latter can also remain stationary-fixed, wherein in this case, the photographic image is rotated by means of computing or by means of graphics until the maximum correlation is achieved. In this case, the angle of this computational or graphical rotation of the photographic image corresponds to the deviation of the orientation of the vehicle from a desired value of the orientation.

[0085] The testing and measuring device 303 can also be displaced laterally as far as until the opening below the gantry becomes accessible, so that a vehicle can drive through below the gantry. This is advantageous in testing work on vehicles, because in this case, one vehicle can exit the testing position and at the same time, another vehicle can enter the testing position.

[0086] In the illustrations of FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicles are each illustrated from the perspective of a substantially horizontal imaging direction. It can be seen that the photographic image can also take place in that the vehicle is imaged obliquely from above.