Rear-View Mirror Control Using Driver Posture Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current rear-view mirror systems in vehicles have limited adjustability, leading to suboptimal visibility during changes in driving position or scenarios like curved roads and hills, as they are typically adjusted for straight driving and require manual adjustment, which is unsafe while driving.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses a camera to monitor the driver's body movements and adjust the rear-view mirror's field of view dynamically, either gradually over time or temporarily in response to immediate movements, to maintain optimal visibility based on the driver's vantage point, compatible with both physical and camera-based mirrors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mirror field of view is fixed in the vehicle's reference frame, then the mirror adjustment is simple and stable, but the visibility becomes suboptimal when the driver changes position or driving scenario changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the mirror field of view adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the mirror's viewing angle based on detected driver position and driving scenario, allowing the mirror to adapt to varying conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors that monitor driver position, seat orientation, and driving conditions to automatically adjust the mirror field of view. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the mirror to maintain optimal visibility without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of mirrors is allowed during driving, then the visibility can be optimized for different positions, but the driver's attention is diverted from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror system performs self-adjustment based on sensor data about driver position and driving conditions. The system serves itself by automatically detecting when adjustment is needed and executing the adjustment without driver intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation while eliminating the safety risk of manual adjustment during driving.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electronic control system. Sensors detect driver position and trigger electronic actuators to adjust the mirror, substituting the mechanical manual adjustment process with an automated system that improves safety while maintaining adjustability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mirror adjustment is optimized for normal straight driving, then the setup is simple and stable, but the visibility is inadequate on curved roads or hills
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror adjustment system is designed to handle multiple driving scenarios (straight roads, curves, hills, parking) through a single unified automated system. By making the system universal and scenario-agnostic, it can adapt to any driving condition without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms for each scenario, thereby managing complexity while maximizing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes mirror adjustment parameters (viewing angle, field of view) based on detected driving scenario parameters (steering wheel angle, yaw rate, GPS coordinates, seat position). By dynamically changing these parameters in response to driving conditions, the system achieves scenario adaptability through a relatively simple parameter-based control approach.
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
AI summary
A vehicle control system (10) and corresponding method for controlling rear view devices, e.g. mirrors (12), utilising a driver monitoring system (13) to monitor the vantage point (14) and movement of a driver (11) to detect and classify a behaviour/characteristic such as leaning into or away from the mirror (12). Detection of the movement is used to dynamically deflect the mirror to adjust its field of view. Such an adjustment is useful in scenarios such as prior to overtaking (e.g. to see into a blind spot) and when parking (e.g. to automatically alter the field of view to a lower angle for seeing a rear wheel and its proximity to a curb). The system may alternate between modes, such as from a default driving mode where long-term posture of the driver is monitored to determine whether subtle adjustment is needed to the rear view mirror to compensate for a driver slouching over time.