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 receives information on the turning indicator and obstruction status, enabling the display of real-time environment images to ensure a clear view, even if the side mirror is obscured by an obstacle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If imaging sensors and display units are added to provide real-time environment views, then the driver's view reliability is improved when side mirrors are obstructed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver's view reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses imaging sensors to create a visual copy of the environment that would normally be visible through the side mirror. This digital copy is then displayed on a display unit, allowing the driver to see the obscured area without adding complex mechanical or optical components to the mirror itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives signals from both the imaging sensor and the side mirror obstruction detection system. It processes this information and controls the display unit to show the appropriate view, mediating between the physical mirror and the digital representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system continuously monitors and displays environment data through imaging sensors, then the safety during lane changes and turns is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety during lane changes and turnsVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging sensor and display unit operate periodically based on triggering events such as turning indicator activation or detected obstruction, rather than continuously. This reduces energy consumption while maintaining safety during critical maneuvers like lane changes and turns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on driving conditions. The imaging sensor activates and the display shows environment data only when needed (during lane changes, turns, or when obstruction is detected), rather than operating at constant high power throughout all driving conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4105083B1Monitoring system for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 VOLVO CAR CORP
  • EP4105083B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4105083B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4b
  • EP4105083B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A monitoring system (10) comprises at least one imaging sensor (12) arranged at a side mirror (11) of a front-seat passenger side (42) of the vehicle (100), a displaying unit (30) arranged in a visual range of a driver of the vehicle, and a control unit (50) 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.