Light Field Camera Driver Sight Line Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driving information systems in vehicles are limited by single-focus cameras, which obstruct the driver's view and are costly to implement, and struggle to provide comprehensive information about the driver's sight line and surrounding environment effectively.
Innovation Solution
A driving information providing apparatus and method utilizing a light field camera to detect the driver's sight line and output three-dimensional depth information, along with traffic and navigation information, by analyzing pupil movement and image data to provide a clear and dynamic view of the vehicle's surroundings, including road status changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If several cameras are provided in the vehicle to capture images at different positions, then the driver's field of vision coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field of vision coverage into multiple focal planes, with each camera module capturing images at a specific depth. By segmenting the imaging function across different focal distances rather than using multiple cameras at different positions, the system achieves comprehensive coverage while reducing the number of physical camera units required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional approach (multiple cameras at different lateral positions) to a three-dimensional approach (single camera capturing multiple focal planes at different depths). This dimensional shift allows the system to achieve the same field of vision coverage with fewer camera modules by utilizing the depth dimension for multi-focus imaging.
2Device complexity
If a normal single-focus camera is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the information provided to the driver is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the focal parameter of the camera system by providing multiple focal planes within a single camera module. This allows the camera to capture images at different depths of field, thereby obtaining depth information without increasing device complexity. The focal plane parameter is varied to achieve multi-focus capability while maintaining a single-camera architecture.
3Measurement precision
If cameras are positioned at every position of the driver's sight line, then the sight line detection accuracy is improved, but the cost and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single camera module universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: capturing images at different focal planes, detecting driver sight line position, and providing depth information. This multi-functional camera module replaces the need for multiple specialized cameras positioned at different sight line locations, thereby improving manufacturing ease while maintaining detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a driving information providing apparatus, including: a light field camera which photographs an image in at least one direction of a vehicle to output image information; a driver sight line detecting unit which outputs a position of a view point in which a driver of the vehicle views the outside of the vehicle; a depth information calculating unit which outputs three-dimensional depth information from the image information; and an image outputting unit which outputs a predetermined image to the driver of the vehicle based on the position of the view point of the driver of the vehicle and the three-dimensional depth information, and a driving information providing method.