Vehicle Parking Guidance Icons for Accurate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle parking systems are either expensive due to the need for multiple distance sensors, unreliable in ensuring accurate alignment of the vehicle with the parking space, or fail to provide real-time environmental updates during the parking process, requiring drivers to make steering adjustments without direct support.
Innovation Solution
A method using a display system that distinguishes characteristic phases of the travel path into a parking space by fading in multiple parking-space icons, allowing drivers to align the vehicle with the parking space in segments, while continuously monitoring the real-time environment, using a camera and image processing to guide the driver through the parking procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple distance sensors are used to measure parking space size, then measurement reliability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture optical images of the parking space and surrounding environment, then processes these images to create a digital representation that replaces the need for multiple physical distance sensors. The image processing unit extracts spatial information from the captured images to determine parking space dimensions and vehicle positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based measurement system with an optical system using cameras and image processing. Instead of using multiple distance sensors to physically measure the parking space, the system uses visual information from cameras to calculate spatial relationships and guide parking maneuvers.
2Device complexity
If a single camera system is used to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and alignment accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the parking guidance process into distinct phases (approach phase and execution phase) with different icon types (first parking-space icon and second parking-space icon) displayed at different times. This segmentation allows each icon to be optimized for its specific function while using the same camera system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent overlays graphical icons on top of the real-time camera image, creating a composite display that combines actual visual information with processed guidance information. This adds a graphical dimension to the visual information, enabling precise alignment guidance without requiring additional physical sensors.
3Loss of information
If real-time camera images are displayed during parking, then situational awareness is improved, but the ability to provide precise alignment guidance deteriorates without overlay icons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the real-time camera image with processed graphical icons in a composite display. The first parking-space icon shows the approach trajectory overlaid on the real-time image, and the second parking-space icon shows the final alignment position, combining actual visual information with processed guidance information in a single unified display.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical icons serve as intermediaries between the raw camera image and the driver's understanding of vehicle position and orientation. The icons translate complex spatial relationships into simple visual cues that guide the driver's steering actions without obscuring the real-time environmental view.
4Measurement precision
If multiple parking-space icons are displayed in sequence, then alignment accuracy is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates and displays the first parking-space icon during the approach phase, showing the trajectory the vehicle should follow to reach the correct starting position. This preliminary guidance prepares the driver for the subsequent execution phase where the second icon provides final alignment guidance, breaking down the complex parking task into manageable sequential steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a display system in a vehicle (03) when driving into a parking space (06), uses a camera (01) with an image processing unit in which the image data obtained by the camera (01) can be processed and a display screen (02) in the interior of the vehicle. After the vehicle has moved to the vehicle position in which the first parking-space icon (07) has been brought to overlay the parking space (06) shown in the real-time image, a second parking-space icon (09) is faded into the real-time image on the display screen (02) by the image processing unit, with this second parking-space icon (09) in the real-time image in true scale indicating a region which after moving along a first segment (15) of the travel path (14) towards the parking space (06) must be brought to overlay the parking space (06) shown in the real-time image. After the vehicle has moved to the vehicle position in which the second parking-space icon (09) has been brought to overlay the parking space (06) shown in the real-time image, a third parking-space icon (11) is faded into the real-time image on the display screen (02) by the image processing unit, with said third parking-space icon (11) in the real-time image in true scale indicating a region which after moving along a second segment (16) of the travel path towards the parking space (06) must be brought to overlay the parking space (06) shown in the real-time image.