Dual-Mode Rearview Mirror Display for Adaptive Camera Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular camera monitoring systems (CMS) face challenges such as reduced depth perception, distorted image views, and difficulty in varying the field of view, which hinder effective parking and normal driving maneuvers, and lack redundancy in failure modes, posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A dual-camera system with driver-side and passenger-side video displays that automatically switch between parking and driving assist views, incorporating ultrasonic or radar sensors for real-time graphic overlays, and a central ECU for image processing to mitigate confusion and ensure redundancy in case of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single camera is used for both parking and normal driving, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot provide optimized views for different maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different camera views based on the current maneuver type. During normal driving, the driver-side camera provides a forward-driving view, while during parking maneuvers, the system switches to parking assist views with adjusted field of view and zoom levels. This dynamic adaptation allows a single camera system to provide optimized views for different operational contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters of the camera output including field of view angle, zoom level, and image processing parameters based on the detected maneuver type. During parking, the system adjusts these parameters to provide enhanced ground visibility and distance estimation, while during normal driving, it maintains parameters optimized for road visibility and traffic monitoring.
2Area of stationary object
If the field of view is widened to see ground area during parking, then parking assistance is improved, but depth perception is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for the loss of depth perception in wide-angle views by introducing electronic graphic overlays that provide distance and depth information in an additional visual dimension. These overlays include distance markers, curvature indicators, and reference objects that restore depth perception without requiring a narrow field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
Electronic graphic overlays act as an intermediary between the wide-angle camera view and the driver's depth perception needs. These overlays provide virtual reference information that bridges the gap between the distorted wide-angle image and the driver's need for accurate depth judgment during parking maneuvers.
3Measurement precision
If zoomed images are used to view objects close to the vehicle, then obstacle detection is improved, but the field of view is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the zoom level based on the detected maneuver and detected objects. During parking maneuvers, the system automatically zooms in on areas where obstacles are likely to be present (such as curbs, pedestrians, or other vehicles close to the vehicle), while maintaining a wider field of view for general situational awareness. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to provide both detailed obstacle detection and broad area coverage.
4Measurement precision
If electronic graphic overlays are added to provide distance information, then parking precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing camera infrastructure and basic image processing capabilities to generate electronic graphic overlays. By leveraging already-captured image data and simple computational geometry, the system provides distance and depth information without requiring additional expensive sensors or complex processing hardware. The overlays are generated self-service from the available visual information.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular camera monitoring system includes a rearward-viewing camera, a driver-side camera, a passenger-side camera and a dual-mode interior rearview mirror assembly disposed at an interior cabin of a vehicle. The dual-mode interior rearview mirror assembly is operable in a mirror mode and a display mode. With the vehicle traveling along a road, and with the dual-mode interior rearview mirror assembly operating in the display mode, a video display screen displays video images derived at least in part from image data captured by the rearward-viewing camera, the driver-side camera and/or the passenger-side camera. The video display screen displays at least passenger-side video images of a passenger-side region sideward and rearward of the passenger side of the vehicle until a period of time elapses following a passenger exiting the vehicle from a passenger seat of the vehicle.