Vehicular Cabin Camera with Spectral Mirrors for Obstructed View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integration of a camera behind a rearview mirror in vehicles results in visibility limitations, making it difficult to capture perspectives such as hands on the steering wheel, passengers, or objects in obstructed areas like footwells, due to field-of-view and perspective constraints.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular cabin monitoring system with a camera positioned at the interior rearview mirror assembly, utilizing multiple mirrors to reflect and enhance the camera's view of obstructed areas, combined with near-infrared light emitters for improved visibility in low-light conditions, processes image data to detect objects and provide comprehensive monitoring of the cabin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a camera is integrated behind the rearview mirror, then the system structure is simplified and cost is reduced, but the field of view is limited and obstructed areas cannot be monitored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mirrors as intermediary elements to redirect light paths from obstructed areas to the camera. The mirrors act as mediators that enable the camera to view areas that would otherwise be hidden behind the rearview mirror assembly, thereby expanding the effective field of view without adding multiple cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses mirrors to change the spatial dimension of light propagation, redirecting light from obstructed areas at different angles and positions to reach the camera sensor. This dimensional redirection allows the single camera to capture images from multiple virtual perspectives that would normally require multiple physical cameras.
2Area of stationary object
If mirrors are added to expand the field of view, then obstructed areas become visible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the mirror assembly to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a cosmetic cover for the camera and as an optical element to expand the field of view. The mirrors are integrated into the existing rearview mirror structure, allowing the same component to perform both aesthetic and optical functions, thereby minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mirrors with the cosmetic cover of the rearview mirror assembly, merging two separate elements into one integrated component. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device structure while achieving the field of view expansion goal.
3Shape
If the camera is positioned behind the rearview mirror, then the design is compact and aesthetically pleasing, but visibility of hands on steering wheel and lower body areas is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The mirrors serve as intermediary optical elements that bridge the gap between the camera's limited direct line of sight and the obstructed areas. By reflecting light from hands on the steering wheel, lower body areas, and other hidden zones, the mirrors enable the compactly positioned camera to detect these areas effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirrors change the light path dimensions, allowing the camera to capture images from directions that would otherwise be blocked. This optical dimensionality change enables the camera to see around obstacles without moving the camera itself, maintaining the compact design while improving detection capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively captures and processes image data from obstructed areas, enhancing the monitoring of drivers, passengers, and the vehicle environment, reducing blind spots and enabling hazard detection and notification, while maintaining a cost-effective solution without the need for additional cameras.
Implementation Method 1
The camera views the plurality of mirrors, and images reflected off the plurality of mirrors provide views to the camera of obstructed areas in the cabin of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
combined with near-infrared light emitters for improved visibility in low-light conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular cabin monitoring system includes a camera disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle and viewing at least the head of a driver of the vehicle. A first subset of image data captured by the camera is representative of the head of the driver and is processed for monitoring the driver. A plurality of spectrally reflecting mirror elements are disposed within the interior cabin of the vehicle and spectrally reflect light toward the camera representative of at least a portion of light incident at respective obstructed regions within the interior cabin that are remote from the head of the driver and not directly viewed by the camera. A second subset of the image data is representative of light reflected from at least one spectrally reflecting mirror element. Based on processing the second subset of image data, the system determines presence of an object within a respective obstructed region.