Rearview Mirror DMS Camera Layout for Adjustable Driver Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interior rearview mirrors require manual adjustment by drivers for optimal rearward view, lacking integrated systems for automatic adjustment and driver monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An interior rearview mirror assembly with a driver monitoring camera and a forward viewing camera, both integrated into the mirror assembly, processes image data to adjust the mirror head for optimal rearward view and monitor driver attentiveness and hazards, using processors to accommodate adjustments and provide alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a driver monitoring system with multiple cameras is integrated into the mirror assembly, then driver safety and monitoring capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driver monitoring camera and forward viewing camera into a single mirror assembly structure. The driver monitoring camera is disposed at the mirror head while the forward viewing camera is disposed at the mounting structure, integrating multiple monitoring functions into one compact unit. This merging approach improves driver safety through comprehensive monitoring while managing device complexity by consolidating components rather than distributing them separately throughout the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the traditional rearview mirror function, houses a driver monitoring camera for attentiveness detection, and includes a forward viewing camera for hazard detection. This multi-functionality allows the single mirror assembly to improve reliability across multiple safety domains while avoiding the need for separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby managing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the driver monitoring camera is disposed at the mirror head that moves during adjustment, then the camera maintains optimal positioning relative to the driver, but the processing complexity increases to accommodate mirror adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the mirror's adjustment mechanism to dynamically adjust the field of view parameters of the driver monitoring camera. When the mirror head is adjusted by the driver, the system receives information about the adjustment and compensates by modifying the camera's monitoring parameters accordingly. This feedback loop maintains measurement precision for driver monitoring while managing processing complexity through systematic parameter adjustment rather than requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver monitoring camera's field of view is made dynamic to accommodate the movable mirror head. As the mirror head adjusts its position and angle, the camera's monitoring parameters are dynamically modified to maintain optimal driver monitoring. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain measurement precision across different mirror positions without requiring a fixed, overly complex mechanical mounting system.
3Device complexity
If manual adjustment of the mirror is required for optimal rearward view, then device complexity is reduced, but driver convenience and safety are worsened due to distractions
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly performs self-adjustment functions by using the forward viewing camera to detect hazards and the driver monitoring camera to assess driver attentiveness. The system automatically adjusts the mirror head position and camera field of view parameters based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for manual driver intervention. This self-service capability improves driver convenience and safety by reducing distractions while managing device complexity through automated control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and detection actions continuously in the background, assessing driver attentiveness and detecting hazards before they become critical issues. This preliminary action allows the system to proactively adjust mirror and camera parameters to prevent safety issues rather than reacting to them, improving driver convenience by eliminating the need for manual adjustments while the driver is focused on the road.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular vision system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror head adjustable about a mounting base. At least one near infrared light emitter is accommodated by the mirror head and is operable to emit near infrared light toward a head region of the driver of the vehicle that does not pass through a transflective mirror reflector of an electrochromic mirror reflective element of the mirror assembly. A driver monitoring camera is accommodated by the mirror head and moves in tandem with the mirror head when the mirror head is adjusted relative to the mounting base to adjust a driver's rearward view. The driver monitoring camera does not view through the transflective mirror reflector of the electrochromic mirror reflective element. The system adjusts processing of captured image data to accommodate adjustment of the mirror head when the driver adjusts the mirror head to adjust the driver's rearward view.