Side-Mirror Camera Display for Obstructed Driver View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle monitoring systems do not account for obstacles inside the vehicle that obstruct the driver's view, potentially leading to accidents during lane changes or turns.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system with imaging sensors at side mirrors, a displaying unit in the driver's visual range, and a control unit that captures and displays real-time environment data based on the turning indicator status, providing a rectified bird's eye view to ensure the driver's outside view is not obstructed, even if a side mirror is obscured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monitoring systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the driver's view is obstructed by internal obstacles such as child car seats or airbag deactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of imaging sensors mounted on side mirrors, a control unit, and a display unit. This intermediary system captures images of the external environment and presents them to the driver when the side mirror is obstructed, thereby maintaining reliable outside view without requiring the driver to physically move or remove the obstructing object
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging sensors create visual copies of the external environment that are displayed on the display unit. Instead of directly viewing the side mirror reflection, the driver sees a copied image captured by the imaging sensor, which is then presented in a format that compensates for the obstruction
2Reliability
If the driver removes internal obstacles to improve view, then the outside view is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional manual intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system automatically detects when a side mirror is obstructed and activates the imaging sensor and display unit without requiring driver intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operational status and automatically providing the alternative view when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback from sensors that detect the obstruction status of the side mirror and automatically adjusts the display output accordingly. When obstruction is detected, the system activates the imaging sensor and presents the captured image on the display unit, creating a closed-loop feedback system that responds to changing conditions
3Reliability
If imaging sensors are added to side mirrors, then the outside view reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging sensors mounted on side mirrors serve multiple functions: they capture images for the monitoring system, can potentially be used for other driver assistance features, and maintain the aesthetic and functional appearance of the original side mirrors. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing multiple benefits from a single addition
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring system for a vehicle. The monitoring system includes at least one imaging sensor arranged at a side mirror of a front-seat passenger side of the vehicle, a displaying unit arranged in a visual range of a driver of the vehicle, and a control unit configured to receive information on a status of at least a turning indicator. The imaging sensor is configured to capture image data of an environment of the vehicle. The displaying unit is configured to display the image data of the imaging sensor. The control unit is configured to control the display of the image data by means of the displaying unit based on the information of the status of the turning indicator.