Outside Mirror Adjustment Using Eye-Point Coordinate Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adjusting outside mirrors in vehicles are either limited by pre-defined look-up tables or require time-consuming manual input, failing to provide reliable adjustments for varying driver eye positions.
Innovation Solution
An automated method that uses a light source outside the vehicle to project a beam onto the mirror surface, coordinating actuator positions with spatial coordinates within the vehicle to align the mirror surface with the driver's eye point, allowing continuous swiveling and precise adjustment without reliance on pre-defined values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a look-up table with pre-defined eye positions and mirror adjustments is used, then the mirror adjustment can be read out automatically, but reliable mirror adjustment cannot be done for eye positions not present in the look-up table
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static look-up table approach to a dynamic coordinate system approach. Instead of relying on pre-defined discrete eye positions, the system continuously calculates mirror adjustments based on the driver's actual eye point coordinates detected by the interior camera, enabling adaptation to any eye position within the detection range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from discrete look-up table entries to continuous spatial coordinates. By detecting the eye point's x, y, z coordinates and using these to calculate actuator positions through coordinate transformation, the system achieves continuous adaptation rather than discrete selection.
2Measurement precision
If the driver manually specifies desired target values for mirror adjustment, then the viewing direction can be adapted to the eye position, but the process becomes time consuming and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-adjustment by detecting the driver's eye point and computing the appropriate mirror orientation without requiring manual input. The control device autonomously determines actuator positions based on detected eye coordinates, eliminating the time-consuming manual specification process while maintaining precise adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process with an automated optical-detection-and-calculuation system. Instead of manual specification and mechanical actuation, the system uses camera-based eye point detection, coordinate transformation calculations, and electronic actuator control to achieve mirror adjustment automatically.
3Extent of automation
If an interior camera is used to detect the eye point, then the mirror surface can be pointed at the eye point, but the system requires complex coordinate transformation and calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by establishing the relationship between the interior camera's coordinate system and the vehicle's coordinate system before actual operation. By pre-defining the projection points and calculating actuator positions for various eye positions during calibration, the system reduces the complexity during actual use to simply detecting eye coordinates and looking up or calculating the corresponding actuator positions.
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
Enables flexible and precise automated adjustment of outside mirrors to match the driver's eye point, improving traffic safety by eliminating limitations of pre-defined values and reducing the complexity of manual input.
Implementation Method 1
a light source is arranged outside the motor vehicle such that the light emitted by the light source falls on the mirror surface
Implementation Method 2
The light source so positioned is projected or reflected or deflected by the mirror surface into the interior of the motor vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for adapting an adjustment of a mirror surface of an outside mirror of a motor vehicle to an eye point of a driver of the motor vehicle, as well as a motor vehicle having the outside mirror, wherein the outside mirror comprises an actuator, wherein the mirror surface is mounted in a housing of the outside mirror able to swivel by adjusting a respective actuator position on the actuator. In the method, an actuator position is coordinated with a projection point in an interior of the motor vehicle, the projection point being described by spatial coordinates in the interior of the motor vehicle on which a known light source is projected from outside the motor vehicle and directed at the mirror surface of the outside mirror. The eye point of the driver is determined, coordinating the eye point with spatial coordinates in the interior of the motor vehicle. The adjustment of the mirror surface is adapted to the eye point by adjusting at the actuator that actuator position which is coordinated with the projection point whose spatial coordinates correspond to the spatial coordinates of the eye point.