Retrofit Backup Camera System for Vehicle Rear Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle safety systems, particularly in larger vehicles, face challenges in providing adequate rear visibility due to limited effectiveness of traditional mirrors and existing camera systems, which are often complex to install and prone to environmental interference, leading to inadequate detection of objects behind the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit kit comprising a camera assembly with wireless image transmission and a display device that can be easily installed on vehicles, featuring a hermetically sealed camera to prevent fogging and adjustable mounting for optimal viewing angles, allowing for both wired and wireless signal transmission and integration with video players.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mirrors are used to view areas behind the vehicle, then the vehicle operator can see the rear area, but the view is obstructed and does not provide an unobstructed view of the area directly behind the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mirror system with an electronic camera system that captures and transmits images to a display device. This substitution eliminates the inherent obstructions of mirrors while providing clear, unobstructed views of the area directly behind the vehicle through electronic imaging and display technology.
2Reliability
If cameras are mounted on vehicles to detect objects behind the vehicle, then object detection is improved, but the mounting complexity increases and proper placement and orientation become difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the camera system into separate functional modules: the camera unit, the image processing unit, and the display device. This segmentation allows the camera to be mounted in various locations without requiring complex integration, as each module can be independently positioned and configured to achieve proper placement and orientation for optimal object detection.
3Reliability
If cameras are mounted on vehicles exposed to environmental effects, then the camera can detect objects, but moisture forms on the lens decreasing the effectiveness of the camera
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an image processing unit that acts as an intermediary between the camera and the display device. This intermediate component processes the images captured by the camera, correcting for moisture distortion and other environmental effects before displaying the corrected image. This allows the camera to continue detecting objects effectively even when the lens is affected by environmental conditions.
4Reliability
If factory installed camera systems are used in high-end vehicles, then object detection is improved, but older and less expensive vehicles do not have such sensors and cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a camera system with universal mounting capabilities that can be adapted to different vehicle types and price ranges. The modular architecture and flexible mounting options allow the system to be installed in both new and older vehicles, as well as in vehicles from different price segments, making the object detection technology accessible to a broader range of vehicles beyond just high-end factory installations.
Data Source
AI summary
A backup camera system for monitoring an area around a vehicle. In one aspect, the system comprises a camera assembly, a display device and a stand for supporting the display device; the camera assembly comprising: (i) a camera adapted to produce an image signal corresponding to a perceived image, (ii) means for supplying power; (iii) a base having first and second holes that are configured and spaced from one another so as to facilitate attachment to the vehicle using the vehicle's license plate mounting bolts, (iv) a transmitter operably coupled to the camera for wirelessly transmitting the image signal; and the display device comprising: (i) a receiver for receiving the wirelessly transmitted image signal, (ii) means for supplying power, (iii) an image processing unit operably coupled to the receiver for converting the received image signal into a display image that is displayed on the display device, the display image corresponding to the perceived image. The backup camera system can form a retrofit kit.