Adaptive Rear Vision System Using Electronic Image Cropping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear vision systems for vehicles are either costly and complex or require expensive sensors to adapt the displayed image based on user and driving conditions, failing to provide a simple and cost-effective solution for improving driving safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A rear vision system utilizing a camera and controller to selectively display different areas of the captured image based on vehicle driving information and user input, such as changes in direction, speed, and pitch/roll angles, without the need for additional sensors, thereby providing a more detailed view of the area of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical mirror movement or additional distance sensors are used to adapt the displayed image to driving conditions, then the driving assistance is improved, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mirror movement with electronic image processing. The control unit selectively displays different areas of the captured image based on driving conditions (reverse gear, parking detection, speed thresholds) without any mechanical movement of mirrors or cameras. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic control resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability while eliminating mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single camera to capture the entire rear scene and then creates multiple virtual views by displaying different areas of the captured image. Instead of using multiple physical sensors or cameras, the system creates copied representations of the scene through software processing, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining multiple viewing options.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are added to monitor driving environment and adapt the displayed image, then the adaptability is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing camera and control unit perform multiple functions. The same camera used for basic rearview display is also used for adaptive image selection based on various driving conditions. The control unit handles both image processing and decision-making for displaying different areas, eliminating the need for dedicated sensors and reducing system cost while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing vehicle data (gear position, parking detection signals, speed from existing sensors) to automatically adapt the displayed image without requiring additional external sensors. The system serves itself by utilizing already-available vehicle information, avoiding the need for extra sensing hardware while achieving environment-aware adaptation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to a rear vision system (1) for a motor vehicle comprising a camera (2) for capturing an image (3) within a field of view, and a system controller (6) adapted for: displaying a first area (5) of the captured image (3), receiving and processing vehicle driving and/or user information, and selecting a second area (8' - 8""') of the captured image (3) depending on the received information, where each of the first and second areas (5, 8' - 8""') are smaller than the area of the captured image (3). The vehicle driving information may refer to a change in driving direction from a forward driving direction to a reverse driving direction or vice versa, an increase or decrease in driving speed with respect to a predefined value, a change in lane, a change in steering angle, a change in pitch angle, a change in roll angle, and road monitoring.