Driver Monitoring Camera Mirror Positioning for Edge Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle driver monitoring systems face challenges in capturing high-resolution images of drivers' heads across varying positions and environments, as cameras with wide fields of view often sacrifice resolution near the edges, leading to increased costs and functionality issues in extreme temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a rotatable or adjustable mirror within the vehicle to reflect light from the driver's head onto a camera, allowing the camera to capture high-resolution images by adjusting the mirror to position the driver's head within the center, high-resolution area of the camera's field of view, thereby maintaining accurate monitoring without the need for high-resolution imaging at the edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a camera with wide field of view is used to capture driver's head across varying positions, then the coverage area is improved, but the resolution near the edges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by sequentially adjusting the mirror angle to different positions, allowing the system to capture multiple images at different field of view positions over time. This transforms a spatial resolution problem into a temporal sequence of measurements, enabling high-resolution capture across the entire field of view without requiring a single wide-angle high-resolution lens
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable mirror is dynamically repositioned between different angles to redirect light from various regions of the driver's head to the camera sensor. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt the field of view positioning based on the detected driver position, maintaining high resolution by concentrating the optical path through the mirror rather than relying on a fixed wide-angle lens
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution imaging across the entire field of view is implemented, then the image quality is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates multiple optical copies of the driver's head image by redirecting light from different spatial positions through the adjustable mirror to the same camera sensor. Each mirror position generates a copy of the image from a different field of view region, allowing the single camera to capture what would otherwise require multiple simultaneous high-resolution sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable mirror serves as an intermediary optical element that redirects light paths between the driver's head and the camera sensor. By positioning the mirror at different angles, it mediates the optical path to bring different regions into the camera's high-resolution capture zone, eliminating the need for expensive wide-angle high-resolution lenses or multiple cameras
3Measurement precision
If the camera is positioned to capture the driver's head at the center, then the resolution is improved, but the field of view coverage for varying positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the mirror angle based on the detected driver position to maintain the driver's head image at the center of the field of view. This dynamic repositioning allows the camera to consistently capture high-resolution images at the center position while adapting to accommodate drivers at various seating positions and head orientations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from initial image capture and driver position detection to determine the appropriate mirror angle adjustment. Based on this feedback, the mirror is repositioned to optimize the field of view positioning, ensuring that subsequent images capture the driver's head at the center with high resolution while adapting to the specific driver position
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 consistent high-resolution imaging of the driver's head across different positions and environments, improving driver monitoring accuracy without increasing camera costs or compromising functionality in extreme temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustable mirror reflects light reflected off a driver's head into the field of view of the camera
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a camera disposed within and viewing within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The camera includes a lens and an image sensor. The camera is operable to capture image data. Electronic circuitry of an electronic control unit (ECU) includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the camera. With a driver of the vehicle sitting in a driver seat of the vehicle, light is reflected off a portion of the driver to impinge at the lens of the camera. The vehicular driver monitoring system, via processing at the ECU of image data captured by the camera, determines a deficiency in captured image data arising from light impinging at the lens. The determined deficiency in captured image data arises from an occlusion at the lens of the camera.