Driver Seat and HUD Pre-Adjustment Using Camera-Based Height Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle systems require manual adjustment of the driver's seat position, which can be inconvenient and may not accurately account for the driver's body information before they board the vehicle, potentially affecting safety and comfort.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle equipped with a camera monitoring system that captures images of the driver approaching and identifies their height, allowing the controller to adjust the seat, steering wheel, and head-up display to optimal positions based on pre-registered data, using image processing to determine the driver's height and hip point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment of driver's seat position is used, then the driver can control the position, but the convenience and safety are decreased due to lack of automatic adaptation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver convenienceVSAvoidautomatic seat position adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing the driver's body information through camera imaging before the driver actually enters the vehicle. The controller processes this information in advance and pre-adjusts the driver's seat, steering wheel, and other components to the appropriate positions, so that when the driver enters, everything is already optimized for their body dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the driver's body information to be automatically captured and processed without manual input. The camera monitoring system and controller work together to automatically determine body measurements and adjust the interior components, eliminating the need for the driver to manually operate adjustment controls or input data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If seat sensor is used to correct driver posture, then posture can be monitored, but the driver's body information cannot be recognized before boarding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody information recognitionVSAvoidtime to acquire body information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing the driver's body information through camera imaging before the driver actually enters the vehicle. The controller processes this information in advance and pre-adjusts the driver's seat, steering wheel, and other components to the appropriate positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical seat sensor-based measurement system with an optical imaging system. Instead of using physical sensors that require the driver to be seated, the camera monitoring system uses optical imaging to capture body information from a distance, eliminating the need for direct physical contact or presence in the seat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If driver must input body information or manipulate input device, then accurate body data can be obtained, but the driver is inconvenienced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebody information accuracyVSAvoiddriver convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the driver's body information to be automatically captured and processed without manual input. The camera monitoring system and controller work together to automatically determine body measurements and adjust the interior components, eliminating the need for the driver to manually operate adjustment controls or input data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the manual input device interface with an automated optical recognition system. The camera monitoring system captures images and the controller processes them to extract body information, substituting the need for manual manipulation of input devices with automated image processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12065102B2Vehicle and method of controlling the same

Publication Date: 2024.08.20 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle includes: a camera disposed on left and right sides of an exterior of the vehicle and configured to acquire image data by photographing a surrounding area of the vehicle. A controller is configured to, upon a touch of a user on a door handle of a driver door being identified based on image processing on the image data, determine a height of the user based on the image processing on the image data and to adjust positions of a driver's seat, a steering wheel, and a head up display (HUD) to correspond to the determined height of the user.