Dynamic Projection Surface for Vehicle Surroundings View

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional driver assistance systems for vehicles, especially construction and agricultural vehicles, experience image distortions when projecting camera images onto a virtual projection surface due to irregularly shaped environments, leading to inaccurate views of the vehicle surroundings.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that dynamically adapt the virtual projection surface based on the movement space of vehicle components and navigation data, using cameras with wide angles and image processing units to generate a 360° surround view, reducing distortions and improving image quality by reflecting actual environmental changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a fixed virtual projection surface is used for displaying vehicle surroundings, then the system structure is simple and easy to implement, but image distortions occur in irregular environments such as ditches, debris piles, and walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection surface structureVSAvoidimage mapping accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed projection surface into a dynamic, adaptable one. The system determines the actual ground topology using sensor data (such as from depth cameras or LIDAR) and continuously adjusts the projection surface to match the irregular terrain. This allows the projection surface to dynamically adapt to ditches, debris piles, walls, and other environmental features, eliminating image distortions while maintaining system feasibility through software-based adaptation rather than complex hardware changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the projection surface parameters (shape, position, orientation) based on detected environmental parameters. When the ground topology changes due to ditches, debris, or walls, the system changes the projection surface parameters to align with the actual ground geometry, thereby maintaining accurate image mapping without requiring a completely different system architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the projection surface is adapted to reflect actual environmental changes, then image quality and accuracy are improved, but the system complexity and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurroundings view accuracyVSAvoidimage processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - a ground model or digital terrain representation - that mediates between the raw sensor data and the projection surface adaptation. This intermediary model simplifies the processing by providing a structured representation of the ground topology, which can then be used to adjust the projection surface parameters without requiring direct complex calculations from raw sensor data, thereby reducing processing requirements while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-determining the ground topology using sensor data before projecting the camera images. By first creating a model of the actual ground surface (including ditches, debris piles, walls), the system prepares the projection surface parameters in advance, which streamlines the subsequent image projection process and reduces real-time processing requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3162964B1Device and method for providing a view around a vehicle for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH
  • EP3162964B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3162964B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3162964B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Device (1) for providing a vehicle environment view (FUA) for a vehicle (F) with vehicle cameras (2) that provide camera images (KB) of a vehicle environment (FUA) of the vehicle (F); and with an image data processing unit (3) which, based on a determined movement space of at least one vehicle component (FK) of the vehicle (F) and/or the entire vehicle (F), adapts a projection surface (PF) onto which the camera images (KB) supplied by the vehicle cameras (2) are projected to generate the vehicle environment view (FUA).