Electronic Mirror Image Orientation Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electronic mirror systems where a display unit is positioned at an upper position on a front window shield and can be inclined, users face difficulty in grasping the horizontal direction of scenery in the displayed image, leading to an unnatural image orientation that does not match the actual space.

Innovation Solution

The system includes a display unit with a half mirror, a display, and an inclination angle detection sensor, allowing the display control device to adjust the image orientation based on the detected inclination angles, ensuring the horizontal direction of the scenery matches the actual horizontal direction, even when the display unit is largely inclined.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the display unit is largely inclined from the horizontal direction to improve usability or user preference, then the ease of operation is improved, but the image becomes unnatural and the user has difficulty grasping the backward scene

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveusabilityVSAvoidhorizontal direction information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the orientation parameter of the displayed image based on the detected inclination angle of the display unit. When the display unit is inclined, the control device rotates the displayed image by the corresponding angle to compensate, maintaining the horizontal direction information and preventing distortion of the backward scene.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the display unit orientation is changed to match user preference, then the adaptability is improved, but the image orientation becomes misaligned with the actual horizontal direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay orientation flexibilityVSAvoidimage orientation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an inclination angle detection sensor to detect the actual orientation of the display unit and feeds this information back to the control device. The control device then adjusts the image orientation based on this feedback, ensuring that the displayed image remains accurately aligned with the actual horizontal direction regardless of display unit inclination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the display unit is used as both a mirror and a display, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of inclination angle is required to maintain proper image orientation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem integrationVSAvoidinclination angle detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an inclination angle detection sensor as an intermediary device to measure the display unit's orientation. This sensor provides accurate inclination angle data to the control device, enabling precise image orientation adjustment while maintaining the integrated mirror-display functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This adjustment ensures that the displayed image remains upright and aligned with the vehicle's horizontal direction, enhancing user understanding of the backward scene, and allowing the display unit to function as both a mirror and a display, regardless of its inclination.

Implementation Method 1

an inclination angle detection sensor, allowing the display control device to adjust the image orientation based on the detected inclination angles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclination angle detection:

Implementation Method 2

a display unit with a half mirror, a display, and an inclination angle detection sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3628539B1Electronic mirror system
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 ALPINE ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3628539B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3628539B1 patent drawingFigure 2A1~2C
  • EP3628539B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inclination angle of a display unit having a display is detected, the inclination angle being around an axis of the display unit in the fore-aft direction of a vehicle. The left and right of an image representing a scene behind the vehicle, the image being obtained by photography with a camera, is reversed. The reversed image is inclined through an angle that has the same absolute value as the detected inclination angle in a direction opposite to the direction of the inclination of the inclination angle. A display image range is set on the inclined image. An image in the display image range is extracted and displayed on the display.