Auto-Panning Camera Mirror for Real-Time Trailer Angle Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual panning systems in camera mirror systems for commercial vehicles, used during trailer reversing maneuvers, often require frequent stopping and provide insufficient granularity in view adjustments, as they rely on stationary views that fail to present a full view of the operation, especially when the trailer angle changes.
Innovation Solution
An auto-panning feature that analyzes a first view to determine the position of a vehicle feature, estimates its expected position in a subsequent view, defines a region of interest, and adjusts the view based on the trailer angle to maintain the feature within the view, using image-based trailer angle detection and iterative image analysis to continuously monitor and adjust the trailer angle in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual panning systems are used to adjust camera views during trailer reversing, then the operator can adjust the view, but the system requires frequent stopping and provides insufficient granularity in adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical panning systems with an automated image processing system that uses computer vision algorithms to detect trailer features and automatically adjust camera views. The system processes images from fixed cameras to generate dynamic pan/tilt commands, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining continuous maneuver execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-adjustment of camera views by automatically detecting trailer position and orientation from captured images. The algorithm independently determines optimal viewing angles and adjusts the displayed view without operator input, allowing the system to serve itself in maintaining appropriate visualization during reversing maneuvers.
2Device complexity
If stationary camera views are used during trailer reversing, then the system structure is simple, but the full view of the operation is not presented when trailer angle changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static camera views into dynamic adaptive views by implementing real-time image processing that responds to changing trailer positions. The system continuously analyzes trailer orientation from captured images and dynamically adjusts the displayed view parameters (pan, tilt, zoom) to maintain optimal visualization of the reversing operation throughout the maneuver.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed field of view cameras are used, then the system is simple to implement, but desirable information is not presented to the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the dimension of digital image processing to the physical camera system. By layering computational analysis on top of fixed camera captures, the system extracts additional operational information (trailer angle, position, orientation) from the same hardware setup, effectively creating virtual viewing dimensions without adding physical camera complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An method for automatically panning a view for a commercial vehicle includes analyzing a portion of a first view at a first time to determine a position of a vehicle feature within the first view, wherein the first view is a subset of a second view, estimating an expected position of the vehicle feature in the first view at a second time subsequent to the first time, defining a region of interest centered on the expected position of the vehicle feature in the second view and analyzing the region of interest to determine an exact position of the vehicle feature at the second time, and determining a current trailer angle based on a position of the vehicle feature within the second view.