Rearview Mirror Video Display for Side-Lane Blind Spot Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle vision systems struggle to effectively monitor side lane blind spots, relying on complex and costly mirror-based or multi-camera solutions that compromise driver visibility and increase system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A single rearward-facing camera and video display screen system that selectively displays video images captured by the rear camera, providing real-time video of rearward blind zones during reversing maneuvers and side lane blind spot monitoring during forward driving, using a video processor to enhance and crop images for optimal viewing by the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cameras and multiple displays are used to provide improved blind spot detection, then the detection capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single rearward-facing camera to serve dual purposes: providing rearward visibility during reversing maneuvers and monitoring side lane blind spots during forward driving. The video display screen similarly performs multiple functions by displaying different video feeds based on vehicle state. This eliminates the need for separate camera systems for reverse viewing and blind spot detection, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the rearward visibility system and blind spot monitoring system into a unified system. The same rearward-facing camera captures video that is processed and displayed on the video display screen for both reverse maneuver assistance and blind spot detection. This consolidation reduces the number of components needed while achieving both functional requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If mirrors are used to expand field of view for blind spot monitoring, then the visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mirror-based blind spot monitoring systems with an electronic video-based system. Instead of using additional mirrors to expand the driver's field of view, the system uses a rearward-facing camera to capture video images of the blind spot area and displays them on a video display screen. This substitution eliminates the mechanical complexity of mirror assemblies while achieving the same goal of expanded visibility.
3Device complexity
If a rearward-facing camera is used for both reverse viewing and blind spot monitoring, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality for different functions may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the video display screen's content dynamic based on vehicle operating conditions. The system displays rearward scene video when the vehicle is in reverse gear and switches to displaying blind spot area video when the vehicle is in forward gear. This dynamic adaptation allows a single camera system to provide optimized visual information for different driving scenarios, maintaining image quality relevance for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the display parameter (video content) based on vehicle state. The video display screen dynamically switches between displaying rearward scene video and blind spot video feed depending on whether the vehicle is reversing or driving forward. This parameter change allows the system to optimize image presentation for the current operational context without requiring separate camera systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular vision system includes a video display screen disposed behind a transflective mirror reflector of an electrochromic mirror reflective element of an interior rearview mirror assembly. Image data captured by a rearward-viewing camera is provided to the mirror assembly as digital signals carried by a coaxial cable. Electronic circuitry of the mirror assembly includes (i) auto dimming circuitry and (ii) video processing circuitry. The video display screen (i) displays at a left display region video images derived from captured image data to display a scene occurring in a left side lane, (ii) displays at a right display region video images derived from captured image data to display a scene occurring in a right side lane and (iii) displays at a middle display region video images derived from captured image data to display a scene occurring rearward of the vehicle in the lane the equipped vehicle is travelling in.