Obstacle Overlay Display for Vehicle Surround View Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing obstacle detection systems in vehicles rely on pattern direction and color to indicate obstacles, which are insufficient for determining the shape and orientation of obstacles, limiting driver understanding.
Innovation Solution
A display control apparatus that includes an image acquiring unit, an obstacle identifying unit, and a control unit to generate and superimpose mark images onto a peripheral image, varying properties based on obstacle shape and tilt, allowing drivers to easily ascertain obstacle shape and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a pattern indicating obstacle direction and distance is displayed with the captured image, then the driver can know the approximate direction and distance of the obstacle, but the information is insufficient for ascertainment of specific properties including the shape and orientation of the obstacle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the 2D captured image into a 3D bird's-eye-view image through coordinate transformation, adding depth information and enabling the display of obstacle properties such as shape and orientation that cannot be perceived in the original 2D image alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a mark image that copies and represents the obstacle's properties (shape, orientation, position) and superimposes it onto the bird's-eye-view image, allowing the driver to perceive obstacle characteristics that are not directly visible in the captured image
2Ease of operation
If the mark image properties are varied based on obstacle tilt, then the driver can easily ascertain the shape and tilt of the obstacle, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual properties (color, shape, orientation) of the mark image to different local characteristics of the obstacle, such as using the orientation of the mark image to represent the tilt of the obstacle section facing the vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes multiple parameters of the mark image (position, color, shape, orientation) based on the identified obstacle properties, enabling the driver to easily ascertain obstacle characteristics through varied visual representations
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing unit identifies the shape of an obstacle that is identified from an area that appears in a peripheral image based on an image captured by a camera. The shape of the obstacle includes at least a tilt of a section of the obstacle in a road-surface direction. The section of the obstacle faces a vehicle. The image processing unit generates a superimposed image in which a mark image that is generated as a pattern that indicates the identified obstacle is superimposed onto a position that corresponds to the obstacle in the peripheral image. At this time, the image processing unit variably changes properties of the mark image based on the tilt of the obstacle identified by an obstacle identifying unit. The image processing unit then displays the generated superimposed image on display apparatus.