Vehicle Camera Orientation Correction for Trailer Reversing Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reversing and maneuvering a vehicle with a trailer is challenging due to limited driver visibility, and existing camera systems require precise optical alignment, which users often fail to achieve, leading to incorrect camera fitting and varying guidance during maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A controller for vehicles equipped with imaging devices, including accelerometers, that identifies alignment artefacts and corrects image data orientation using imaging accelerometer data, ensuring accurate image representation for the driver, regardless of the camera's alignment or the vehicle's terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If cameras are fitted by users to improve visibility and spatial awareness, then drivers can see better during reversing and maneuvering, but the cameras are often fitted incorrectly due to the difficulty of achieving precise optical alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-alignment by automatically detecting alignment artifacts in the captured images and calculating correction parameters without requiring manual intervention. The processor identifies misalignment automatically and generates correction transformations, allowing the system to self-correct the camera positioning errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment process (manual camera positioning and optical alignment) with an automated image processing system. Instead of physically adjusting the camera to achieve perfect alignment, the system captures misaligned images and uses computational methods to correct the alignment errors software-based.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vehicles or trailers share the same camera to reduce costs, then equipment versatility improves, but the user must achieve precise alignment each time the camera is fitted which is not reasonable to expect
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the approach from fixed physical alignment parameters to dynamic computational correction parameters. By detecting alignment artifacts and calculating correction transformations based on actual image content, the system adapts to different mounting conditions without requiring precise physical installation each time.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting its own alignment errors through image analysis and generating appropriate correction parameters, eliminating the need for user intervention in the alignment process when installing on different vehicles or trailers.
3Ease of operation
If cameras are fitted incorrectly to simplify installation, then ease of fitting improves, but the guidance displayed to the driver varies and becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from image analysis to detect alignment artifacts and automatically generates correction parameters. By continuously monitoring the captured images for misalignment patterns and adjusting the correction transformations accordingly, the system maintains reliable guidance output even when the camera is installed incorrectly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement for precise camera installation with a computational correction system that processes images software-based to eliminate alignment errors, thereby maintaining guidance reliability without requiring precise physical installation.
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 controller quantifies and corrects alignment errors in image data from cameras, RADAR, or LIDAR devices, providing the driver with a correctly oriented view of the reversing or maneuvering area, improving safety and reducing the risk of incorrect camera fitting.
Implementation Method 1
the imaging device further comprising an imaging accelerometer for generating imaging accelerometer data for determining the orientation of the imaging device relative to the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising an imaging device for generating image data and the imaging device further comprising an imaging accelerometer for generating imaging accelerometer data for determining the orientation of the imaging device relative to the vehicle, the controller comprising: an input for receiving a signal indicative of the imaging accelerometer data and the generated image data; a processor arranged to identify alignment artefacts in the received image data in dependence on the received imaging accelerometer data; and an output for outputting an error signal in dependence on the identified alignment artefacts.