Vehicle Surround View Overlay Using Camera-Based Depth Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for displaying a vehicle's environment on a display device distort raised objects when projected onto a reference plane, making geometric interpretation difficult and requiring additional sensors for compensation.
Innovation Solution
A method using at least two cameras with overlapping fields of view to record the environment, generate a panoramic image, and ascertain depth information through structure-from-motion, allowing for the creation of overlay structures that are displayed on or adjacent to objects in the panoramic image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If individual images are projected onto a reference plane to create a panoramic image, then a complete environmental view is achieved, but raised objects are distorted and tilted backward making geometric interpretation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces depth information as a third dimension to the traditional 2D panoramic image. By calculating depth values for objects in the environment and representing them with depth indicators (such as height bars or color-coded depth layers), the system restores the vertical dimension that was lost during projection onto the reference plane. This allows raised objects to be correctly interpreted geometrically while maintaining the comprehensive field of view coverage.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional sensors are used to ascertain height information and compensate for distortion, then geometric accuracy is improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing camera system as an intermediary to obtain depth information indirectly through triangulation and structure-from-motion algorithms. Instead of adding direct height-sensing devices, the system processes multiple 2D images from different viewpoints to reconstruct 3D depth information. This mediator approach (image processing algorithms) replaces the need for additional height sensors, maintaining geometric accuracy while avoiding hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing devices (additional height sensors) with computational methods (image processing and triangulation algorithms). By substituting the mechanical sensing approach with optical-mechanical triangulation using existing cameras and subsequent computational reconstruction, the system achieves the same geometric accuracy without adding sensor hardware.
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are used to record the environment, then depth information can be ascertained through triangulation, but hardware effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing camera system multi-functional by using it both for capturing panoramic images and for ascertaining depth information through triangulation. The same cameras that provide the panoramic view are also used to capture multiple viewpoints necessary for depth calculation. This universal use of existing hardware achieves depth measurement accuracy without adding dedicated depth-sensing devices.
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
This method enables easy orientation in the vehicle's environment with minimal hardware and computation effort, compensates for distortion of raised objects, and eliminates the issue of objects disappearing in overlapping regions without the need for additional sensors.
Implementation Method 1
recording the environment with at least two cameras
Implementation Method 2
the depth information is ascertained by triangulation from at least two differing individual images
Data Source
AI summary
A method for displaying an environment of a vehicle on a display includes: recording the environment with at least two cameras, each having a different field of view, wherein fields of view of adjacent cameras overlap; creating a panoramic image from at least two images taken by differing cameras, the images being projected into a reference plane for creating the panoramic image; ascertaining depth information pertaining to an object in the environment by triangulation from at least two differing individual images taken by the same camera; and generating an overlay structure as a function of the ascertained depth information, the overlay structure having been uniquely assigned to an imaged object; and, representing the created panoramic image, containing the at least one object, and the at least one generated overlay structure on the display such that the overlay structure is displayed on, and/or adjacent to, the assigned object.