Vehicle component with image sensor aimed at fiducial marker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11768281-B2
Application number	US-202016804184-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 28, 2020
Priority date	Feb 28, 2020
Publication date	Sep 26, 2023
Grant date	Sep 26, 2023

Abstract

An assembly includes a base member having a fiducial marker, a vehicle component having a housing mounted to the base member, and an image sensor fixed to the housing and aimed at the fiducial marker. A method includes mounting the vehicle component to the base member of a vehicle, capturing a baseline image of the fiducial marker, capturing a subsequent image of the fiducial marker, comparing the subsequent image to the baseline image, and adjusting operation of the vehicle component in response to the identification of differences between the baseline image and the subsequent image.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly comprising:
a base member having a fiducial marker;
a vehicle component having a housing mounted to the base member, the vehicle component having an operational device in the housing;
an image sensor fixed to the housing and aimed at the fiducial marker; and
a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to
capture a baseline image of the fiducial marker with the image sensor,
capture a subsequent image of the fiducial marker with the image sensor,
compare the subsequent image to the baseline image to determine if differences exist between the subsequent image and the baseline image resulting from movement of the vehicle component relative to the base member, and
adjust operation of the vehicle component if differences are identified between the baseline image and the subsequent image indicating movement of the vehicle component relative to the base member.

2. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the vehicle component is fastened directly to the base member with fasteners.

3. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the operational device is adjustable relative to the housing.

4. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the memory stores instructions to calibrate the vehicle component before capturing the baseline image.

5. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the image sensor includes photodetectors and a light source each aimed at the fiducial marker.

6. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the vehicle component is a lidar sensor including a lidar light source and a lidar light detector, wherein adjusting operation of the vehicle component includes adjusting the aim of the lidar light source and/or the lidar light detector.

7. The assembly as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to calibrate the aim of the lidar light source and/or the lidar light detector of the lidar sensor before capturing the baseline image.

8. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the vehicle component is a lidar sensor and the operational device is a lidar light source and a lidar light detector.

9. The assembly as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the image sensor includes photodetectors and a light source each aimed at the fiducial marker.

10. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the base member includes a second fiducial marker spaced from the fiducial marker, and further comprising a second image sensor aimed at the second fiducial marker.

11. The assembly as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the fiducial marker and the second fiducial marker are in orthogonal planes.

12. A method comprising:
mounting a housing of a vehicle component to a base member of a vehicle, the vehicle component having an operational device in the housing;
capturing a baseline image of a fiducial marker on the base member with an image sensor of the vehicle component;
capturing a subsequent image of the fiducial marker with the image sensor;
comparing with a computer the subsequent image to the baseline image and identifying differences between the subsequent image and the baseline image resulting from movement of the vehicle component relative to the base member, the computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor; and
adjusting operation of the vehicle component in response to the identification of differences between the baseline image and the subsequent image indicating movement of the vehicle component relative to the base member.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12 , further comprising calibrating the vehicle component after mounting the vehicle component to the base member and before capturing the baseline image.

14. The method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein mounting the vehicle component to the base member includes fastening a housing of the vehicle component directly to the bae member with a fastener.

15. The method as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the vehicle component is a lidar sensor and adjusting the operation of the vehicle component includes adjusting the aim of a lidar light source of the lidar sensor.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 , wherein adjusting the operation of the vehicle component includes adjusting the aim of a lidar light detector of the lidar sensor.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16 , further comprising calibrating the aim of the lidar light source and/or the lidar light sensor of the lidar sensor before capturing the baseline image.

Assignees

• Continental automotive systems inc
• Continental Autonomous Mobility Us Llc

Inventors

• Villalobos-Martinez Luis Alfredo
• Fernandez Aguilera David
• Rayford Ii Cleveland Eugene

Classifications

• G01S7/4972 Primary

  Alignment of sensor · CPC title

• B60R11/04

  Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle · CPC title

• G01B11/14

  for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C3/00) · CPC title

• G01B11/26

  for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes · CPC title

• G01B11/272

  using photoelectric detection means · CPC title