Side-Mounted Vehicle Camera Layout for Low-Distortion Blind Spot Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle camera systems for electronic room mirrors and backward direction confirmation face challenges in achieving high-resolution images with low distortion, especially when multiple cameras are used, leading to complex in-vehicle image processing and reduced safety in blind spots during vehicle reversing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a camera system with different-angle-of-view lenses, where high-resolution regions provide low distortion and high precision, while low-resolution regions cover wider angles with acceptable distortion, allowing for a reduced number of cameras to capture both front, side, and rear views effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are installed for electronic room mirror and backward direction confirmation, then image coverage and resolution are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image pickup field into a center region and peripheral regions. The center region uses fine pixels for high-resolution imaging suitable for electronic room mirrors, while peripheral regions use large-size pixels for wide-angle coverage suitable for backward direction confirmation. This segmentation allows a single camera to fulfill multiple functions that previously required separate cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single camera unit perform multiple functions by configuring different regions of the image pickup element with different pixel characteristics. The same camera serves both as an electronic room mirror camera (center region) and a backward direction confirmation camera (peripheral regions), eliminating the need for separate camera systems.
2Device complexity
If ultra-wide-angle lens is used to reduce camera number, then device complexity is reduced, but image distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different pixel characteristics to different regions of the image pickup element. The center region uses fine pixels that provide low distortion suitable for electronic room mirrors, while peripheral regions use large-size pixels that tolerate higher distortion in exchange for wider field coverage. This local differentiation resolves the distortion issue while maintaining wide-angle capability.
3Measurement precision
If fine pixels are used for high resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but light sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the center region of the image pickup element with fine pixels for high-resolution imaging where precision is prioritized, while the peripheral regions use large-size pixels with higher light sensitivity for wide-angle coverage where sensitivity is more important. This local differentiation optimizes pixel characteristics according to the specific requirements of each imaging region.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a mobile object, a camera unit including an optical system that forms an optical image having a high-resolution region and a low-resolution region on a light receiving surface of an image pickup element and is disposed on a side of the mobile object, wherein the camera unit is installed to meet the following conditions: Atan (h/(dl+x)) - θv/2 < ϕv < Atan (h/(d2+x)) + θv/2, ϕh_limit=max (Atan ((wl-y)/(dl+x)) - θh/2, Atan ((w2-y)/(d2+x)) - θh/2), ϕh_limit <cph < -Atan (y/(dl+x)) + θh/2, where θv and θh denote a vertical and a horizontal field angle of the high-resolution region, ϕv and ϕh denote a vertical and a horizontal direction angle of the optical axis of the optical system, x, y, and h denotes offsets, and w1 and w2 denote predetermined widths on the ground at the distances dl and d2.