Vehicle Vision Reticle Array for Pathway Delineation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle pathway vision systems struggle to help drivers distinguish between in-path and out-of-path objects and determine their distance from the vehicle, especially in wide field-of-view displays that include both regions.

Innovation Solution

A reticle array is integrated between the video camera chip and lens, featuring a conical or frustro-conical region of un-attenuated light transmissivity for in-path objects and a region of attenuated transmissivity for out-of-path objects, with additional reduced transmissivity lines creating stadia lines to indicate distance, allowing easy differentiation and distance measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a wide field-of-view is displayed to include both in-path and out-of-path objects, then the coverage area is improved, but the driver's ability to determine object position and distance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield-of-view coverage areaVSAvoidobject position and distance information

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The reticle array segments the wide field-of-view into distinct in-path and out-of-path regions using a conical or frustro-conical pattern of light-transmissive and light-attenuating elements. This segmentation allows the driver to immediately distinguish which objects are in the vehicle's travel path versus peripheral areas, preserving critical position information across the entire wide field-of-view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the reticle array apply different light transmissivity qualities: the conical or frustro-conical central region allows un-attenuated light transmission for in-path objects, while the surrounding regions attenuate light for out-of-path objects. This local differentiation enables the driver to quickly assess object relevance without losing peripheral awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If a reticle array is added to delineate in-path regions, then object position discrimination is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject position discriminationVSAvoidcamera assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reticle array serves as an optical intermediary element positioned between the camera chip and lens. This single passive optical component performs the complex function of region delineation, distance indication, and hazard identification without requiring additional sensors, processors, or active components, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electronic or software-based region identification systems with a passive optical reticle array that physically modulates light transmission. This substitution eliminates the need for complex image processing algorithms and electronic overlays, achieving precise position discrimination through simple optical means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If light transmissivity is reduced in out-of-path regions, then in-path object visibility is improved, but the overall scene information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvein-path object visibilityVSAvoidout-of-path scene information

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The reticle array changes the light transmissivity parameter spatially: un-attenuated transmission in the conical or frustro-conical in-path region enhances visibility of critical objects, while partial attenuation in surrounding out-of-path regions maintains sufficient scene awareness. This parameter modulation achieves selective emphasis without complete information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables drivers to reliably distinguish between in-path and out-of-path objects and accurately gauge their distance, enhancing safety during vehicle maneuvering, particularly in low-light or obstructed conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The array including a conical or frustro-conical region of substantially un-attenuated light transmissivity surrounded by a region of perceptibly attenuated light transmissivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption and transmissivity modulation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS7423665B2Vehicle pathway vision system having in-path delineation reticle

Publication Date: 2008.09.09 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG

AI summary

A vehicle vision system displays a vehicle pathway image that includes a reticle for visually identifying the in-path portion of the image. A reticle array is disposed between a video camera chip and a lens, and includes a conical or frustro-conical region of substantially un-attenuated light transmissivity surrounded by a region of perceptibly attenuated light transmissivity, such that in-path portions of the displayed image are substantially unchanged and out-of-path portions of the displayed image are perceptibly attenuated. The reticle array may also include a number of reduced transmissivity lines traversing its conical or frustro-conical region to produce a series of receding stadia lines in the in-path portion of the displayed image, enabling the driver to reliably discern the range of displayed objects.