Rear Camera Blind Spot Detection Using Existing Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blind spot detection systems rely on dedicated sensors, which can be costly and redundant when vehicles already have sensors and cameras for other functions, such as parking assist and rear-view systems, not fully utilizing existing equipment for blind spot detection.
Innovation Solution
A blind spot detection system utilizing a rear-view camera and existing ultrasonic sensors to capture images and track vehicles, determining when a second vehicle enters the blind spot and activating an indicator to alert the driver, thereby integrating existing vehicle components for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated sensors (ultrasonic, radar) are used for blind spot detection, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using existing vehicle sensors (ultrasonic sensors from parking assist systems, rear-view cameras from backing assist systems) for dual purposes: their original functions plus blind spot detection. This eliminates dedicated blind spot sensors, reducing system complexity while maintaining detection reliability through software-based vehicle presence determination in mirror blind spots.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated blind spot sensors are installed, then detection precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention reuses existing vehicle sensors (ultrasonic sensors and rear-view cameras) for both their original functions and blind spot detection, eliminating the need for dedicated blind spot sensors and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate detection precision through image processing and vehicle position determination algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image data from existing rear-view cameras to create a visual representation of blind spot areas, processing these images to determine vehicle presence without requiring additional specialized sensing hardware, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining detection capability.
3Device complexity
If existing sensors are reused for blind spot detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces image processing algorithms and control unit processing as intermediaries between the existing rear-view camera sensors and the blind spot detection function. These intermediaries enhance the precision of vehicle presence determination by processing camera images to accurately identify vehicles in blind spot areas, compensating for the original sensors not being optimized for this specific function.
Data Source
AI summary
A blind spot detection system. The system includes a camera mounted at the rear of a vehicle, a controller coupled to the camera, and an indicator coupled to the controller. The camera is configured to capture images in a field-of-view to the rear of the vehicle. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the camera indicative of the images, and controller determining when a second vehicle in the images enters a blind spot of the vehicle. The controller activates the indicator when the second vehicle enters the blind spot of the vehicle.