Curved Virtual Projection Surface for Vehicle Surround View Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image display systems for vehicles generate composite images of the vehicle's periphery using virtual projection surfaces that can create a misperception of object distances, leading users to believe objects are farther away than they actually are, due to the projection of objects onto a flat area rather than a curved surface that accurately represents their proximity.
Innovation Solution
An image generator that projects shot images from multiple cameras onto a virtual projection surface with a curved area having a higher slope closer to the vehicle and a lower slope farther away, allowing objects to be displayed closer to the vehicle, reducing the perceived distance and improving spatial awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flat virtual projection surface is used to generate composite images, then the image generation process is simple, but objects appear farther away than they actually are, causing misperception of distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the virtual projection surface by introducing a curved area that凸向 vehicle interior, replacing the conventional flat projection surface. This curved surface causes images of objects to be projected closer to the vehicle location, accurately reflecting the actual proximity of objects and eliminating the distance misperception problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating a curved area with different geometric properties than the surrounding flat areas. The curved area is specifically positioned to handle objects in the vicinity of the vehicle, while other areas maintain the standard projection characteristics, thus locally improving distance perception where it matters most.
2Measurement precision
If a curved projection surface with high slope near the vehicle is used, then object distance perception is improved, but the projection surface becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual projection surface into distinct regions: a curved area with high slope for objects near the vehicle, and flat areas for other regions. This segmentation allows the complex curved geometry to be applied only where needed for improving distance perception, rather than making the entire projection surface complex.
Data Source
AI summary
An image acquisition part acquires a plurality of shot images captured by a plurality of cameras disposed on a vehicle, each of the plurality of shot images showing a periphery of the vehicle. An image composer projects data of the plurality of shot images onto a virtual projection surface corresponding to the periphery of the vehicle, and generates a composite image showing the periphery of the vehicle viewed from a virtual viewpoint, using the data projected onto the virtual projection surface. The image composer uses, as the virtual projection surface, a special virtual projection surface that includes a curved area having an upward convex curve. The curved area includes an area where a distance from a location of the vehicle is relatively short and a slope is relatively high, and another area where the distance from the location of the vehicle is relatively long and the slope is relatively low.