Driver-Adaptive Rearview Displays for Vehicle Blind Spot Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle rearview and side mirrors are limited in their ability to provide comprehensive rearward and outward visibility, especially in blind spots, and do not adapt to the driver's head movements for optimal viewing.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle viewing system utilizing electronic image displays that incorporate left and right side video cameras, interior driver monitoring cameras, and an electronic processor to adjust the field of view based on the driver's head position and movements, enhancing visibility by simulating mirror functionality and expanding the field of view during turns or in specific conditions like roundabouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sideview mirrors and rearview mirrors are used, then the driver can see rearward and side views, but the visibility in blind spots is limited and does not adapt to driver head movements
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic image displays dynamically adjust the field of view based on detected driver head movements. The system continuously monitors driver position and modifies the displayed video feed accordingly, transitioning from a static mirror view to a dynamic, adaptive view that maintains optimal visibility as the driver moves their head.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses driver monitoring cameras to detect head position and provides feedback to the electronic processor, which then adjusts the field of view on the electronic image displays. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the display adapts in real-time to driver movements, optimizing blind spot coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic image displays with fixed field of view are used, then the system is simpler to implement, but the visibility does not adjust to driver movements or specific driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic processor performs multiple functions: it processes video feeds from side cameras, detects driver head movements via monitoring cameras, determines optimal field of view portions, and adjusts displays accordingly. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single versatile processing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses driver monitoring cameras to create a digital representation of the driver's head position and uses this copied information to control the field of view adjustment. Rather than direct mechanical coupling between head movement and mirror adjustment, the system creates and processes digital copies of the driver's position data.
3Area of stationary object
If the field of view is expanded to cover more blind spot area, then visibility improves, but the image quality and detail may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different quality levels to different portions of the video feed based on their importance. The electronic processor identifies critical areas such as detected objects, blind spot regions, and areas near the vehicle, and ensures these portions are displayed with higher quality and detail while allowing less critical areas to have reduced resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional flat mirror reflection to a multi-dimensional video feed that can be selectively processed. By capturing video in multiple dimensions and allowing selective portion display, the system can prioritize certain spatial regions and enhance their detail while maintaining overall wide coverage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method provide rearward viewing for a vehicle driver. The rearward viewing system includes left side and right side video cameras for obtaining video image rearwardly outwardly from the sides of the vehicle. Left side and right side electronic image displays display portions of the images. A vehicle interior driver monitoring camera senses an upper body position of a driver. An electronic processor is configured to receive an upper body position and determine portions of the left side video images to display on the left side electronic image display, and to determine portions of the right side video images to display on the right side electronic image display. Additional movements of a driver adjust a field of view of the left side video images by changing portions thereof that are provided to the left side electronic image display. Right side and rearview images are also adjusted.