Parking Camera View Synthesis With Predicted Trajectory Guidance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Drivers face difficulties in parking due to challenges in measuring distances to obstructive objects, especially in narrow spaces, leading to potential collisions, and existing camera systems do not effectively provide all-around views or accurate travel trajectory guidance.

Innovation Solution

A parking camera system equipped with multiple cameras (front, rear, left, and right) that synthesizes images to provide all-around views and generates an estimated travel trajectory, displayed on a unit connected to a display, allowing drivers to adjust their steering to align with parking guide lines and avoid obstacles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single camera is used for parking assistance, then the device complexity is low, but the driver cannot view images of substantially all directions of the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveall-around view capabilityVSAvoidnumber of cameras
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The parking camera system divides the vehicle's surrounding environment into multiple viewing zones by installing separate cameras at the front, rear, left, and right sides of the vehicle. Each camera captures a specific directional view, and these segmented views are then synthesized into a comprehensive all-around image displayed on the display unit, enabling the driver to see all directions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-point viewing perspective to a multi-dimensional spatial representation by arranging cameras at different locations around the vehicle and synthesizing their images into a panoramic view that represents three-dimensional space around the vehicle on a two-dimensional display screen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If traditional camera systems are used, then the device complexity is low, but the driver cannot view the estimated travel trajectory of the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel trajectory informationVSAvoidprocessing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The estimated travel trajectory is pre-calculated and generated before the actual parking maneuver begins. The trajectory generating processor computes the predicted path based on current vehicle state and steering input, and this pre-computed trajectory information is then overlaid on the synthesized camera images to guide the driver in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges multiple types of information including real-time camera images from all directions, calculated estimated travel trajectory, and parking guide lines into a single integrated display. This combination provides the driver with comprehensive visual information that integrates actual vehicle surroundings with predicted motion paths and guidance cues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If no trajectory guidance is provided, then the device complexity is low, but the driver cannot perform accurate parking in narrow spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidguidance system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous visual feedback to the driver by displaying the estimated travel trajectory overlaid on the real-time camera images. As the driver maneuvers the vehicle, the trajectory updates to reflect the predicted path, allowing the driver to compare the actual vehicle position with the desired trajectory and make real-time steering adjustments to achieve accurate parking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The estimated travel trajectory acts as an intermediary visual element between the driver's steering actions and the actual vehicle movement. It translates complex vehicle dynamics and steering inputs into an intuitive visual representation of the predicted path, helping the driver understand the relationship between steering angle and vehicle trajectory without needing to mentally calculate the path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Area of stationary object

If multiple cameras are installed to provide all-around views, then the image quality and coverage are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveviewing coverage areaVSAvoidcamera system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each camera in the system is designed to serve multiple functions: capturing images for the all-around view synthesis, providing directional-specific views when needed, and contributing to the trajectory calculation accuracy. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized sensors or devices, managing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3560782B1Parking camera system and method of driving the same
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 LG INNOTEK CO LTD
  • EP3560782B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3560782B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3560782B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A parking camera system, the system including: a plurality of cameras equipped with a vehicle; an image synthesizer for synthesizing at least one image photographed by at least one of the plurality of cameras; a memory storing a parking guide line of the vehicle and a parking area image and outputting to the image synthesizer the parking guide line or the parking area image; and an estimated travel trajectory generating and overlaying processor for generating an estimated travel trajectory of the vehicle by receiving steering angle information of the vehicle, and synthesizing the estimated travel trajectory of the vehicle with the at least one image synthesized by the image synthesizer, wherein the image synthesizer synthesizes at least one or more of the parking guide line and the parking area image with the at least one images photographed by the at least one of the plurality of cameras.