Vehicle Side Camera Optics for Front and Rear Blind-Spot Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic rearview cameras in vehicles are limited to capturing a side rear view and require additional sensors to compensate for blind spots, resulting in a restricted driving view and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A new electronic side camera system utilizing a lens group with a first lens for capturing a side front view and a second lens for capturing a side rear view, combined with an optical path guiding module and a control module to adjust the optical path direction based on viewing modes, allowing for comprehensive front and back viewing without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional sensors are used to compensate for blind spots, then the driving view is expanded, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single sensor module to perform multiple functions: capturing both side rear views and side front views through optical path switching. This eliminates the need for additional sensors to cover blind spots, thereby expanding the driving view without increasing system cost. The sensor module serves dual purposes by alternating between different viewing directions based on driving scenarios.
2Device complexity
If a single sensor is used for both front and back viewing, then the system cost is reduced, but the measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by alternating the optical path between the first lens (side front) and second lens (side rear) at different time intervals. The switching module directs optical images alternately to the sensor module based on driving scenarios, ensuring that each lens captures images at appropriate moments. This periodic switching maintains measurement precision for both views while using a single sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the optical path configuration based on real-time driving scenarios. The switching module adjusts which lens connects to the sensor module depending on whether the vehicle is accelerating, decelerating, or maintaining speed, ensuring optimal viewing accuracy for each specific driving condition while maintaining system simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical path is switched between front and back viewing, then the driving view is expanded, but the response time may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the optical path switching based on predicted driving scenarios. The processor determines switching timing in advance based on vehicle acceleration, deceleration, and speed maintenance patterns, ensuring that the appropriate lens is already connected to the sensor when needed. This reduces response time by avoiding delayed switching decisions.
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
Expands the driving view by enabling simultaneous capture and display of side front and rear views, enhancing driving safety by providing clear visibility in obstructed conditions and reducing the need for additional sensors, thus lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
a lens group comprising a first lens that captures a side front view of the vehicle and a second lens that captures a side rear view of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
an optical path guiding module configured to guide the optical image from the corresponding first lens or second lens in the lens group to the sensor module according to an optical path direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides an electronic side camera system, control method for a vehicle, corresponding vehicle and computer-readable storage medium, the system comprising: a lens group comprising a first lens that captures a side front view of the vehicle and a second lens that captures a side rear view of the vehicle; a sensor module configured to receive an optical image from the first lens or the second lens and output a corresponding digital image signal; an optical path guiding module configured to guide the optical image from the corresponding first lens or second lens to the sensor module according to an optical path direction; a control module communicatively coupled with the optical path guiding module configured to control the optical path direction of the optical path guiding module according to a viewing mode; and a computing module communicatively coupled with the sensor module configured to process the output digital image signal to generate a view image for display.