Electronic Rearview Mirror Raindrop Notification Without Rain Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic inner mirror devices for vehicles become expensive due to the necessity of a rain sensor for detecting raindrops on the rear window glass, and drivers may unnecessarily switch the operation modes from electronic mirror mode to optical mode without removing raindrops.
Innovation Solution
An electronic inner mirror device with a raindrop removing device, such as a rear wiper or rear cleaning device, and an electronic control unit that notifies the occupant of the possibility to remove raindrops when switching from electronic mirror mode to optical mode, thereby avoiding the need for a rain sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rain sensor is installed to detect raindrops on the rear window glass, then the reliability of raindrop detection is improved, but the device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the raindrop detection function from a dedicated rain sensor and relocates it to the rear camera system. The camera, which already exists for capturing rear window images, is enhanced to detect raindrops by analyzing image data, thereby eliminating the need for a separate rain sensor and reducing device cost while maintaining detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The rear camera is given multiple functions: it serves both as an imaging device for the electronic inner mirror and as a raindrop detection device. By processing the captured images to identify raindrop patterns, the single camera component performs dual roles, reducing overall system complexity and cost
2Reliability
If the electronic mirror mode is switched to optical mode when raindrops are present, then the image display reliability is improved, but the loss of information about raindrop removal capability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring raindrop presence through the camera and providing real-time notifications to the driver. When raindrops are detected, the system informs the driver that the wiper can remove them, enabling informed decision-making about mode switching rather than automatic switching that would lose information about removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of raindrops using the camera before any mode switching occurs. By identifying raindrops in advance and notifying the driver of the wiper's capability, the system prepares the driver to take appropriate action while preserving knowledge about how to resolve the raindrop issue
3Ease of operation
If the driver switches from electronic mirror mode to optical mode without using the wiper, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity of raindrop removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system acts as an intermediary between the driver and the wiper function. It provides information about raindrop presence and wiper capability, mediating the driver's decision-making process to choose the most effective action (using the wiper) while maintaining ease of operation through simple notification interfaces
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 solution reduces the likelihood of unnecessary operation mode switches and eliminates the need for a rain sensor, making the electronic inner mirror device more affordable while allowing occupants to effectively remove raindrops and maintain normal image display.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic inner mirror and a rear camera that is installed at a rear portion of a vehicle and acquires an image behind the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
an optical mirror mode in which it reflects an area behind the vehicle by optical reflection
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
An electronic inner mirror device (100) comprising a camera (14) installed at a rear portion of a vehicle to acquire an image behind the vehicle, an electronic inner mirror (12) that has two operation modes of an electronic mirror mode in which it displays the image and an optical mirror mode in which it reflects an area behind the vehicle, and a raindrop removing device (26, 28) that removes raindrops existing on a rear side of the vehicle with respect to the camera, and further comprises an electronic control unit (10) that notifies an occupant or occupants that raindrops can be removed by the raindrop removing device (26, 28) when the operation modes are switched from the electronic mirror mode to the optical mirror mode in a situation where it is estimated that raindrops exist at a position other than the rear portion of the vehicle.