Driver Assistance Sensors with Variable Fields of View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle driving assistance systems are inadequate in detecting hazardous situations and providing timely warnings or interventions due to limitations in camera calibration, field of view, and driver alertness assessment, leading to potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A computer vision-based driver assistance system utilizing a combination of adjustable and fixed image/video sensors with different field of views, along with interior sensors to assess driver alertness, processes images to identify hazardous situations and react accordingly, including issuing warnings and activating vehicle controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single fixed image sensor is used in current driving assistance systems, then the device complexity is low, but the field of view is limited and hazardous situations cannot be detected timely
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring task into multiple segments by using multiple image sensors with different fields of view. A wide-angle sensor monitors broad areas for potential hazards, while narrow-angle sensors focus on specific regions of interest, allowing comprehensive coverage without requiring a single complex sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-sensor perspective to a multi-sensor spatial arrangement, capturing images from different angles and distances. This dimensional approach enables the system to detect hazardous situations that would be invisible to a single fixed sensor
2Measurement precision
If camera calibration is not performed accurately, then the ease of operation is high, but the measurement precision of hazardous situation detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs camera calibration in advance before actual hazard detection begins. By pre-calibrating the multiple sensors and establishing their spatial relationships beforehand, the system ensures high detection accuracy without requiring complex real-time calibration operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses reference objects or calibration patterns as intermediaries to establish accurate spatial relationships between multiple sensors. These intermediaries facilitate precise calibration by providing known reference points for coordinate transformation and sensor alignment
3Adaptability or versatility
If interior sensors are added to assess driver alertness, then the adaptability of the system improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses interior sensors to serve multiple functions: monitoring driver alertness, detecting driver presence, and assessing driver state. This multi-functionality increases system adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same sensor infrastructure supports various detection goals
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes computer vision based driver assistance devices, systems, methods and associated computer executable code (hereinafter collectively referred to as: “ADAS”). According to some embodiments, an ADAS may include one or more fixed image/video sensors and one or more adjustable or otherwise movable image/video sensors, characterized by different dimensions of fields of view. According to some embodiments of the present invention, an ADAS may include improved image processing. According to some embodiments, an ADAS may also include one or more sensors adapted to monitor/sense an interior of the vehicle and/or the persons within. An ADAS may include one or more sensors adapted to detect parameters relating to the driver of the vehicle and processing circuitry adapted to assess mental conditions/alertness of the driver and directions of driver gaze. These may be used to modify ADAS operation/thresholds.