Vehicle Display Controller Sensor Shifting for Wide Field of View

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rearview systems with mirror members face challenges in achieving a wide field of view without increasing device size, leading to higher air resistance and decreased fuel economy.

Innovation Solution

A display controller system that includes a camera and a sensor capable of shifting its position relative to the optical axis, allowing for an adjustable angle of view to capture blind areas and display a wide field of view without the need for a mirror member, utilizing a processor to control the sensor movement and generate images for display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mirror member with curved portions is used to achieve a wide field of view, then the field of view is widened, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of viewVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical mirror member system with an electronic imaging system consisting of a camera and display device. The camera captures images from multiple positions (achieved through sensor shifting within the camera) and the display device synthesizes these into a wide field of view display, eliminating the need for physical curved mirrors and their associated space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent shifts from a two-dimensional mirror surface to a three-dimensional imaging approach by capturing images at multiple sensor positions and synthesizing them computationally. This dimensional transition allows achieving wide field of view without the space-consuming physical mirror structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a large-size device is used to achieve a wide field of view, then the field of view is widened, but air resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of viewVSAvoidair resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the large mechanical mirror assembly with a compact electronic imaging system. The camera and display device occupy significantly less space, reducing the frontal area of the vehicle and thereby decreasing air resistance and improving fuel economy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a mirror member is used for rearview, then the rearview function is provided, but fuel economy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverearview functionVSAvoidfuel economy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical mirror with an electronic rearview system using a camera and display. This electronic system achieves the same rearview function while requiring minimal space, thereby reducing air resistance and improving fuel economy without compromising the ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the reference position of the imaging element is moved away from the optical axis, then the angle of view is adjusted to capture blind areas, but image quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle of viewVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic sensor positioning that allows the imaging element to shift its reference position relative to the optical axis. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to capture blind areas and modify the angle of view while maintaining image quality through controlled sensor movement rather than uncontrolled peripheral imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the positional parameter of the imaging element relative to the optical axis to adjust the angle of view. By controlling the shift amount of the reference position, the system can capture different fields of view including blind areas while managing image quality through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 a smaller camera size, reduced air resistance, and improved fuel economy by achieving a wide field of view through sensor movement rather than image processing, while maintaining image quality and reducing display delay.

Implementation Method 1

an imaging element that receives light from an image-capturing target through an optical system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight: Light

Data Source

PatentUS10412308B2Display controller and display control method

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A display controller is provided that controls a camera capturing an image of an area diagonally behind a vehicle and including an imaging element that receives light from an image-capturing target through an optical system, the display controller including a processor that calculates a shift amount of a reference position of the imaging element with respect to an optical axis of the optical system, performs a control to move the reference position of the imaging element in a direction away from the optical axis according to the shift amount, and generates a display image based on the image captured by the camera so as to cause the display image to be displayed on a display device.