Camera Wing View Panning for Continuous Trailer Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear-view systems for vehicles, especially when towing trailers, fail to maintain a clear view of the trailer during turns on curvy roads, leading to unsafe driving conditions.
Innovation Solution
A camera wing system that automatically adjusts the presented view to keep a point of interest, such as the trailer, within the driver's field of view by panning the displayed image rather than the camera itself, using optical recognition software and an illumination system to ensure visibility in various driving situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mirror positions are adjusted for trailers, then the rear view shows the trailer, but the mirror cannot continuously track the trailer during turns on curvy roads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror adjustment system with an electronic image processing system. The camera captures the rear view, and the control unit processes the image to pan and follow the trailer's position dynamically, eliminating the need for mechanical mirror movements while achieving continuous trailer visibility during turns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the displayed image based on the trailer's real-time position. The control unit continuously pans the presented view to follow the trailer's movement during turns, making the rear-view system adaptive to changing driving conditions rather than using fixed mirror positions.
2Reliability
If the camera field of view is fixed, then the camera structure is simple, but the trailer moves out of view during turns on curvy roads
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the presented view dynamic by processing and panning the camera image through software control. Instead of mechanically moving the camera, the control unit dynamically adjusts which portion of the captured image is displayed, allowing the trailer to remain in view during turns while keeping the camera structure simple and fixed.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple mirrors are used to cover the rear view, then the coverage area increases, but non-visible zones appear between mirrors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple mirror functions into a single camera system. The camera captures a comprehensive rear view in one field of view, and the control unit processes the image to provide continuous coverage without the gaps that occur between multiple separate mirrors.
4Reliability
If the presented view is panned to follow the trailer, then the trailer remains visible during turns, but the camera must adjust frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces frequent mechanical camera adjustments with electronic image processing. The control unit pans the presented view by software manipulation of the captured image, allowing frequent and smooth adjustments without mechanical constraints, thereby maintaining accurate trailer tracking during turns.
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
Enables safe driving conditions on curvy roads by maintaining the trailer in the driver's view, enhancing visibility through infrared imaging and adaptive display adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the light sources (32), preferably all light sources (32), is an infrared light source, preferably an infrared LED or an array of infrared LEDs
Implementation Method 2
the camera (2) being sensitive to the light emitted by the illumination system (3)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a camera wing system (1), to a vehicle comprising such camera wing system and a method (100) to operate such a camera wing system comprising at least one camera (2) to record a field of view (FOV) of the camera (2) in a scenery at least around a rear part of the vehicle (10), where a presented view (PV) is provided to a driver (60) of the vehicle (10) as a part of the field of view (FOV), wherein the camera wing system (1) is adapted to automatically panning the presented view (PV, PV1) of the camera (2) to another presented view (PV, PV2) different from the previous presented view (PV, PV1) in order to keep a point of interest (50) of the rear part of the vehicle (10), preferably of a trailer (40) of the vehicle (10), within the presented view (PV) provided to the driver (60) regardless of a driving situation (DS) of the vehicle (10).