Off-Center Rear Camera Lens for Vehicle Vision Distortion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems using cameras suffer from low resolution in the horizontal view area, particularly when using high distortion lenses with centered imagers, which limits the ability to capture the left and right rear edges of the vehicle, essential for safe maneuvering and cross traffic views.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle vision system employing a rear camera with a high distortion fish eye lens assembled off-center along the short side of the imager, combined with side cameras having shifted lenses, to enhance the resolution and field of view, allowing the capture of the vehicle's left and right rear edges and providing a panoramic image with improved clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a high distortion fish eye lens with a centered imager is used, then the field of view is increased, but the resolution in the horizontal view area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by offsetting the imager from the optical center of the fish eye lens along the short side of the imager. This asymmetric arrangement allows the lens to capture a wider field of view while directing the higher resolution imaging area toward the horizon region, where it is most needed for detecting objects during reversing maneuvers. The asymmetric positioning resolves the contradiction by sacrificing uniform resolution across the entire field of view in exchange for enhanced resolution in the critical horizontal viewing area.
2Area of moving object
If a high distortion fish eye lens with a centered imager is used, then the field of view is increased, but the ability to capture left and right rear edges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric offset of the imager along the short side enables the lens to capture the left and right rear edges of the vehicle by positioning the imaging plane strategically. This offset configuration allows the distorted periphery of the fish eye lens to cover the extreme lateral areas while the central region maintains adequate resolution for edge detection.
3Measurement precision
If the imager is offset along the short side of the lens, then the resolution along the horizon region is improved, but the distortion in other areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the imaging configuration specifically for the horizon region, where objects during reversing maneuvers are most critical. The imager is offset to concentrate resolution and minimize distortion in the horizontal viewing area, accepting increased distortion in vertical or peripheral areas that are less critical for safety. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction by prioritizing quality where it matters most.
Data Source
AI summary
A vision system for a vehicle includes a rear backup camera that is operable to capture image data. The rear backup camera is configured to be disposed at the vehicle so as to have a rearward field of view. The rear backup camera has an imager and a wide angle lens, which is disposed at the imager with its center axis offset from a center region of the imager so as to be disposed at and to image at an upper region of the imager. A distant central horizon region is imaged at the upper region of the imager and a closer region is imaged at the center region and the lower region of the imager. Video images derived from image data captured by the rear backup camera are displayed on a video display for viewing by a driver of the vehicle during the reversing maneuver of the vehicle.