Omnidirectional to Rectilinear Panel Transform for Vehicle Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Omnidirectional camera images used in vehicle imaging systems are distorted, making it difficult for drivers to accurately determine the distance and speed of surrounding vehicles, limiting safety benefits.

Innovation Solution

A method that converts omnidirectional camera images into rectilinear images using a panel model relationship, reducing distortion and allowing for more accurate distance and speed assessments by mapping omnidirectional image pixels to rectilinear image pixels and world coordinates, enabling improved image processing and display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If an omnidirectional camera is used to capture ultra-wide angle views, then the field of view is extended and drivers can detect vehicles approaching perpendicular to the driver's vehicle, but the image becomes distorted making it difficult to determine distance and speed of surrounding vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of viewVSAvoiddistance and speed determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the omnidirectional image by changing the projection parameters from a spherical/fisheye projection to a rectilinear projection. This parameter change in the image representation allows the same visual information to be displayed in a geometrically corrected form, enabling accurate distance and speed measurement while preserving the wide field of view capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate processing step that acts as a mediator between the omnidirectional camera capture and the final display. This intermediary transformation process converts the distorted omnidirectional image into a rectilinear image, allowing the system to maintain both the extended field of view and the measurement precision without directly compromising either

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3326145B1Panel transform
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3326145B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3326145B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3326145B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

System and method of performing various transformations between an omnidirectional image model and a rectilinear image model for use in vehicle imaging systems. In particular, a panel transform system and method for transforming an omnidirectional image from an omnidirectional camera positioned on a vehicle to a rectilinear image. The rectilinear image is then displayed to the driver for use while performing vehicle maneuvers. The panel transform system and method also provide a rectilinear image model based on the omnidirectional camera for use with existing rectilinear imaging processing systems. The rectilinear image model is determined based on a variable set of input parameters that are defined by both automatic and manual system inputs such as a steering wheel angle sensor and a user interface.