Camera Wing View Updating for Trailer Rear-End Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current trailer tracking systems struggle to accurately identify and monitor the rear end of a trailer, leading to difficulties in updating the field of view to ensure the trailer's end is always in view.
Innovation Solution
A camera-wing-system for vehicles, equipped with at least one camera and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor, updates the image section based on changes in the trailer's angle, ensuring the rear part of the vehicle remains within the camera's view, regardless of the driving situation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current trailer tracking systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot accurately identify and monitor the rear end of the trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated camera-wing system. The camera is mounted on a movable wing structure that can both capture images and physically adjust its position to track the trailer. This merging of imaging and tracking functions into one system achieves accurate trailer monitoring without requiring separate complex tracking devices, thus improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wing structure as an intermediary component between the camera and the trailer. The wing acts as a mechanical mediator that translates vehicle motion and trailer angle changes into corresponding camera position adjustments. This intermediary mechanism enables accurate trailer tracking by providing a physical linkage that automatically positions the camera to maintain optimal viewing angles of the trailer rear end.
2Area of stationary object
If the camera is positioned close to the vehicle chassis, then the device complexity is low, but the field of view is restricted by the chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic camera positioning system where the camera is mounted on a movable wing rather than a fixed chassis location. The wing can dynamically adjust its position and angle based on vehicle motion and trailer orientation. This dynamic positioning capability allows the camera to maintain an unobstructed field of view of the trailer rear end during various driving maneuvers, overcoming the limitation of fixed chassis-mounted cameras while using a relatively simple wing structure.
3Reliability
If the image section is not updated based on trailer angle, then the system operation is simple, but the rear end of the trailer cannot be kept within the presented view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors trailer angle and uses this information to update the image section displayed to the driver. The camera captures images, the system calculates the trailer angle from these images, and then adjusts the displayed image section based on this angle information. This closed-loop feedback ensures the trailer rear end remains visible in the presented view while using a relatively simple image processing and display update mechanism.
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 tracks and monitors the rear end of the trailer, ensuring it remains within the camera's view, even during changes in the trailer's angle, thereby enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A camera-wing-system for vehicles, equipped with at least one camera and a Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A camera-wing-system for a vehicle comprising at least one camera for recording a field of view (FOV) in a scene at least around a rear part of the vehicle, wherein a presented view is provided to a driver of the vehicle as a part of the field of view, the camera-wing-system is adapted to update an image section from the presented view of the at least one camera to another presented view different from the previous presented view to keep a point of interest of the rear part of the vehicle, preferably a trailer as the rear part of the vehicle, within the presented view provided to the driver regardless of a driving situation of the vehicle, and the image section is updated basis on a distance between the at least one camera and a geometric calculation of a triangle between a center of rotation, a salient point, and the at least one camera of the vehicle.