Around-View Image Boundary Adjustment for Continuous Object Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional around view providing apparatuses often result in objects located at image boundaries disappearing or overlapping, leading to potential accidents due to the abrupt changes in the synthesized view, which can cause drivers to miss critical information.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus enlarges the synthesis area adjacent to the boundary line to include overlapping areas, smoothly transitions between image areas, and displays additional camera images on separate screens to maintain object visibility and driver attention, using a processor to modulate the around view image and provide identification bars for clear boundary recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If images are synthesized from multiple cameras to provide around view, then the driver can view around the vehicle in real time, but objects at boundary lines may overlap or disappear causing safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject visibilityVSAvoidimage synthesis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synthesis area boundaries are made dynamic rather than fixed. The processor adjusts the synthesis area to follow moving objects, expanding the area when objects approach boundary lines and contracting it when objects move away. This dynamic adjustment prevents objects from disappearing or overlapping at boundaries while maintaining a manageable synthesis process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the synthesis area, specifically its size and position, based on object detection results. When an object is detected near a boundary line, the synthesis area parameters are modified to include the overlapping region, ensuring continuous object visibility. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the synthesis process to object positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the synthesis area is enlarged to include overlapping areas for object continuity, then object visibility is maintained, but the image processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewpoint continuityVSAvoidsynthesis area adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of objects near boundary lines before final image synthesis. By detecting objects first and determining their proximity to boundary lines, the system can pre-adjust the synthesis area parameters before combining images. This preliminary action ensures viewpoint continuity while organizing the processing complexity in a structured sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The image synthesis system automatically adjusts its own parameters based on detected object positions. The processor monitors boundary line proximity and self-adjusts the synthesis area without external intervention, maintaining viewpoint continuity while managing processing complexity through automated feedback control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If multiple cameras are used to capture images from different directions, then comprehensive around view is achieved, but boundary artifacts and object disappearance occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidobject recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges images from multiple cameras with adjusted synthesis areas that include overlapping regions. By combining images with expanded synthesis areas that cover boundary zones, the system maintains comprehensive coverage while ensuring objects are continuously visible across camera transitions, preventing object disappearance at boundaries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The synthesis area adjustment is applied locally at boundary regions where objects are detected. Rather than uniformly processing all images, the system selectively expands synthesis areas at specific boundary locations where objects are present, maintaining high object recognition accuracy while preserving comprehensive coverage from multiple cameras.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3569461B1Apparatus for providing around view
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP3569461B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3569461B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3569461B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An apparatus for providing an around view comprises: first and second cameras for acquiring first and second image information; and a processor. The processor can generate an around view image including a first area including a subject overlapping area and a second area excluding the subject overlapping area, on the basis of first and second images. The subject overlapping area is disposed between first and second boundary lines in the first and second images. The first boundary line is located in the first area, and the second boundary line adjoins the second area. If it is predicted that a first object will pass through the second boundary line due to the first object approaching within a predetermined distance thereto, the processor can generate an around view image in which the second area is changed so that the second area includes the subject overlapping area.