Rearview Mirror Camera View Adjustment for Driver Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems face challenges in optimizing the field of view for driver monitoring and occupant monitoring, particularly due to variations in driver height, seat positions, and differences between left-hand and right-hand drive vehicles, which can lead to suboptimal imaging and irrelevant field of view coverage.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular driver monitoring system that includes a camera adjustable by shifting the position of the imaging array sensor relative to the lens or the lens relative to the imaging array sensor, allowing for dynamic adjustment of the field of view in real-time to optimize imaging of the driver and occupants, while also performing autofocus and adjusting illumination sources as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera field of view is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different driver positions and heights deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the camera field of view by mechanically shifting the imaging array sensor relative to the lens using an actuator. This allows the camera to adapt its viewing angle in real-time to different driver positions and heights, transforming a static camera system into a dynamic one that can optimize its field of view based on detected driver location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameters of the camera by physically relocating the imaging array sensor to different positions relative to the lens. This parameter adjustment enables the camera to capture different fields of view, optimizing the monitoring angle for various driver configurations without requiring multiple cameras or complex mechanical rotations.
2Measurement precision
If the imaging array sensor position is adjusted to optimize driver monitoring, then the measurement precision of driver body portions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic positioning system where the imaging array sensor can be shifted to different locations relative to the lens based on real-time detection of driver position. This dynamic adjustment ensures that critical body portions such as eyes and hands are always captured with optimal precision, regardless of driver height or seat position variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a feedback mechanism where the ECU processes image data to detect driver body portion positions and subsequently controls the actuator to adjust the imaging array sensor position. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the camera continuously optimizes its imaging angle to maintain high measurement precision for driver monitoring.
3Productivity
If the camera field of view is widened to capture more area, then the productivity of monitoring coverage is improved, but the measurement precision of critical areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic field of view adjustment system that can switch between wide-angle monitoring mode and focused precision mode. By mechanically repositioning the imaging array sensor, the system can expand its coverage area when needed while maintaining the ability to concentrate on specific critical areas like the driver's eyes or hands when high precision is required, thus dynamically balancing coverage and resolution.
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
The system effectively optimizes the field of view to enhance driver and occupant monitoring by dynamically adjusting the camera's focus and illumination, thereby improving visibility and resolution on critical areas, such as the driver's eyes and hands, while maintaining rearview mirror alignment.
Implementation Method 1
The camera views interior of the vehicle and captures image data
Implementation Method 2
The camera includes an imaging array sensor and a lens
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular driver monitoring system includes a camera disposed at an interior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, an electronic control unit (ECU) with an image processor for processing image data captured by the camera. The camera is disposed at a mirror head of the interior rearview mirror assembly and moves in tandem with the mirror head when the mirror head is adjusted relative to a mounting portion of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The camera includes an imaging array sensor and a lens. The vehicular driver monitoring system, responsive to processing at the ECU of image data captured by the camera, monitors a body portion of a driver of the vehicle. The vehicular driver monitoring system adjusts viewing of the body portion of the driver by the camera to accommodate a change in a scene viewed by the camera.