Electronic Mirror Field of View Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic mirrors in vehicles have a fixed field of view, which limits visibility and obstructs the driver's forward view, and they do not effectively utilize the full field of view provided by commodity image sensors, especially when more visibility is needed, such as when backing up.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a sensor and a processor that adjusts the field of view displayed on an electronic mirror based on user input and vehicle state, allowing for a cropped version of the captured video signal to be presented, which can include physically tilting or digitally moving the camera to optimize the view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the electronic mirror uses a fixed field of view to match conventional mirror placement, then driver familiarity and safety are improved, but visibility behind the vehicle is limited and the full sensor field of view is not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic mirror system dynamically adjusts the field of view based on vehicle state (reverse gear detection) and driver input (gaze direction), transforming a static fixed FOV system into an adaptive dynamic one that optimizes visibility while maintaining simplicity through software-based control
2Area of stationary object
If the sensor utilizes full horizontal width to comply with rear view mirror aspect ratio, then cost is reduced by using commodity sensors, but vertical visibility is cropped and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the active sensor parameters dynamically - switching between using the full horizontal width for normal operation and adjusting the vertical crop ratio when reverse gear is engaged or driver gaze indicates need for enhanced rear visibility, thereby maximizing information capture from commodity sensors
3Length of moving object
If a taller vertical size mirror is used to increase rear visibility, then visibility behind the vehicle is improved, but obstruction to driver's forward view increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system resolves the vertical size conflict by transitioning from a purely spatial solution (taller mirror) to a temporal/dimensional solution - using the same physical mirror location but dynamically adjusting the displayed field of view dimensions based on vehicle state and driver needs, effectively adding a time-based dimension to the mirror functionality
4Ease of manufacture
If the electronic mirror displays a cropped field of view to match display aspect ratio, then display compatibility is improved, but hidden portions of the sensor field of view are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cropping of the sensor field of view to match display aspect ratios under normal conditions, but prepares and stores the full uncropped sensor data, enabling rapid switching to utilize hidden portions when reverse gear is detected or driver gaze indicates need for additional visibility
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising an interface to a sensor and a processor. The sensor may be configured to generate a video signal having a first field of view based on a targeted view from a vehicle. The processor may be configured to (A) receive the video signal from the interface, (B) generate a second field of view from the video signal based on (i) the first field of view, (ii) a shape of a display and (iii) an input and (C) present the second field of view from the video signal to the display. The second field of view is a cropped version of the first field of view. The second field of view is generated by adjusting video data in the first field of view. Portions of the first field of view not in the second field of view are hidden portions of the video signal.