Surround View Control for Road Gradient Blind Spot Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles lack the ability to automatically display surround view images based on road surface gradients, relying on manual user operation, which limits their utility and safety features.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system equipped with sensors, a surround view monitor system, and a controller that estimates road surface gradients and automatically controls the display of surround view images based on preset conditions related to these gradients, including longitudinal and lateral slopes, to provide visual indicators for blind spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the vehicle provides surround view image only in response to manual operation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the extent of automation is insufficient and driver assistance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The controller pre-estimates road gradient using sensor data (accelerometer, gyroscope, steering angle) before the driver actually needs the surround view image. When the vehicle approaches a curve or hill detected by gradient estimation, the system proactively displays the surround view image in advance, rather than waiting for manual activation after the blind spot is already problematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, steering angle sensor) that are already part of the vehicle's basic instrumentation for gradient estimation. Instead of requiring separate dedicated sensors, the system makes the existing sensor network serve the additional function of road gradient detection and automatic surround view triggering.
2Reliability
If the vehicle estimates road gradient and automatically displays surround view image, then driver safety is improved, but the use of energy increases due to continuous sensor processing and display activation
Solution Approach 1:
The controller estimates only the necessary parameters (road gradient, vehicle orientation) using existing sensor data that is already being collected for other vehicle functions. Rather than implementing a complete dedicated road scanning system, the patent uses partial information from available sensors to achieve sufficient safety improvement without excessive energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors gradient conditions and activates the surround view display periodically when threshold conditions are met (e.g., when gradient exceeds a certain value or when curvature is detected). The display is activated only during critical moments rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining safety benefits.
3Loss of information
If the surround view image is displayed based on gradient conditions, then situational awareness is improved, but the loss of time occurs due to processing and display activation delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously estimates road gradient in real-time using sensor data, maintaining an up-to-date understanding of road conditions before critical situations arise. This preliminary estimation allows the system to trigger the surround view display immediately when gradient thresholds are exceeded, rather than requiring processing time after the situation is already detected.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle and a control method thereof are capable of automatically displaying a surround view image depending on a condition of a road surface. The vehicle includes at least one sensor, a display, a surround view monitor system, and a controller. The surround view monitor system is configured to obtain a surround view image. The controller is configured to estimate a gradient of the road surface based on a sensor value received from the at least one sensor and to control the display to display at least a part of the surround view image based on a preset condition related to the gradient of the road surface being satisfied.