Car Reverse Camera Viewing Angle Adjustment via Digital Image Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The car reverse video system has a limited viewing angle, which results in blind spots and requires a movable lens to adjust the shooting angle, increasing costs and the risk of damage.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a distance detector to calculate a scaling ratio based on the distance from an obstacle, adjusting pixel pitches in the scene image to deform it, effectively changing the viewing angle without moving the lens, using a common, wide-angle, or fisheye lens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a movable lens is used to dynamically calibrate the shooting angle, then the viewing angle can be adjusted to reduce blind spots, but the device complexity and cost increase, and the reliability decreases due to higher damaging probability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle adjustment capabilityVSAvoidlens mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical movable lens system with an image processing method that digitally transforms the captured image. By applying geometric transformation algorithms to the image data, the system achieves viewing angle adjustment without any mechanical moving parts, thereby reducing device complexity and improving reliability while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a transformed copy of the original captured image through digital image processing. Instead of physically changing the lens angle, the system generates a new image representation with altered viewing characteristics by manipulating pixel coordinates and applying transformation matrices, achieving the same effect as a movable lens without the mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If a movable lens is used to dynamically calibrate the shooting angle, then the viewing angle can be adjusted to reduce blind spots, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle adjustment capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive mechanical lens adjustment mechanisms with software-based image processing algorithms. This substitution eliminates the need for costly motors, sensors, and precision mechanical components, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the capability to dynamically adjust viewing angles through digital transformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent generates transformed image copies through computational methods rather than physical optical changes. By processing the captured image data algorithmically to create views from different apparent angles, the system achieves viewing angle flexibility without investing in expensive movable lens hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If the shooting viewing angle is adjusted downwards using a movable lens, then the driver has a distinct sense of distance, but the device complexity and damaging probability increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance perception accuracyVSAvoidlens durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fragile movable lens mechanism with robust software-based image transformation. The system achieves accurate distance perception by applying geometric transformation algorithms that simulate downward angle adjustment, eliminating mechanical components that are prone to damage while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the reverse radar system is used to detect obstacles, then warning sound is generated, but the position where the reverse radar is mounted creates dead angles and cannot detect obstacles below a preset critical point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle detection capabilityVSAvoidblind spot coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the viewing angle parameter of the captured image through digital transformation algorithms. By dynamically adjusting the apparent shooting angle of the captured scene, the system expands the effective detection coverage and reduces blind spots without physically relocating the camera or radar components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8218008B2Method of displaying shot image on car reverse video system

Publication Date: 2012.07.10 ALTEK CORP

AI summary

A method of displaying a shot image on a car reverse video system is described, which is applicable for adjusting an image displaying angle of the car reverse video system with a fixed lens according to a distance from an obstacle. Firstly, a scene image behind the car is shot through using the lens. Then, a distance detector is activated to detect a distance from the obstacle behind the car. If the distance from the obstacle is smaller than a preset distance, a scaling ratio is set according to a ratio of the preset distance to the distance from the obstacle. Finally, according to the scaling ratio and a distance between each pixel in the scene image and a reference point, all pixel pitches are adjusted, such that the scene image is deformed, and thus achieving an effect of switching a viewing angle of the scene image.