Overhead View System for Blind Spot Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of reducing the risk of accidents during lane changes in motor vehicles due to 'blind spots' and the limitations of existing solutions like wide angle lenses and radar systems, which impair visibility or are less reliable, especially for soft objects like pedestrians and cyclists.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that automatically generates an overhead view of adjacent traffic lanes when necessary, using existing vehicle functions, such as cameras and image processing, to provide the driver with enhanced visibility before and during lane changes, activated only at relevant speeds or when lane changes are intended, thereby reducing accident risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wide angle lens (Fresnel lens) is provided on the passenger-side window to enable the driver to see more of the area outside the truck's cab, then the visibility of adjacent traffic lanes is improved, but direct visibility is markedly impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of cameras and display units that mediate between the driver and the adjacent traffic lanes. Instead of using optical lenses that physically block the driver's view, the system uses electronic intermediaries (cameras positioned to capture blind spot areas and displays positioned within the driver's field of view) to convey information about adjacent lanes without obstructing direct visibility.
2Reliability
If radar systems are mounted on cabs to provide support when changing lanes, then warning capability is improved, but reliability is reduced because drivers cannot see for themselves the reason for the warning and radar works less well on soft objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates visual copies of the actual traffic situation in blind spots by using cameras to capture images and displaying them on display units. Instead of relying on radar warnings that provide no visual confirmation, the system creates visual replicas of what is physically present in adjacent lanes, allowing drivers to see for themselves the reason for any warning and making soft objects like pedestrians and cyclists clearly visible.
3Loss of information
If an overhead view incorporating traffic information about adjacent traffic lanes is provided, then the driver's understanding of surroundings is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the overhead view function universal by enabling it to serve multiple purposes: it can display traffic information in adjacent lanes for lane change assistance, provide general surroundings overview, and work in conjunction with existing flasher signals. The same overhead view infrastructure is used for different driving scenarios and information display needs, reducing the need for separate specialized systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for improving safety during driving of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of gathering (S1) information about traffic in traffic lanes adjacent to the vehicle and, when necessary, presenting (S2) said information for the vehicle's operator, comprising the steps of activating (S3) an existing function of the vehicle for generating an overhead view of the vehicle, and causing (S4) said existing function to provide an overhead view which comprises traffic information about adjacent traffic lanes in accordance with the operator's intentions with regard to the driving of the vehicle. The present invention relates also to a system for improving safety during driving of a motor vehicle. The present invention relates also to a motor vehicle. The present invention relates also to a computer programme and a computer programme product.