Touchscreen Electronic Rearview Mirror Camera Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic rearview mirrors with display devices lack intuitive and easy-to-understand options for adjusting the viewing angle, particularly for drivers, as they offer numerous complex settings beyond just panning and zooming, including display parameters and interactions with driver assistance systems.

Innovation Solution

A touch-sensitive, multi-touch capable display system is integrated into the electronic rearview mirror, allowing drivers to intuitively control camera orientation, image section selection, and other vehicle systems through familiar gestures and settings, such as panning, zooming, and adjusting display parameters like brightness and contrast, with the ability to configure additional information and vehicle system parameters directly on the touchscreen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a display device with multiple setting options is provided in the electronic rearview mirror, then the functionality and adaptability are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the complexity of adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay parameter adjustmentVSAvoiddriver operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a touch-sensitive display interface. The driver can adjust display parameters, camera angles, and image sections by touching the display surface, eliminating the need for physical knobs, switches, or buttons. This substitution maintains full adjustability while dramatically improving ease of operation through intuitive touch gestures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The display device allows the driver to independently adjust all settings directly through the display interface without requiring external controls or complex mechanical systems. The touch-sensitive display serves both as the output medium and the control interface, enabling the system to serve itself for both display and adjustment functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a touch-sensitive display is used for controlling multiple parameters, then the ease of operation is improved through intuitive gestures, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegesture-based controlVSAvoidsystem integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch-sensitive display serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays camera images, allows adjustment of display parameters (brightness, contrast, color), controls camera pivoting angles, selects image sections, and interfaces with driver assistance systems. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate controls into a single universal interface, improving ease of operation while managing complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the display function and control function into a single touch-sensitive display unit. The display surface itself becomes the control interface, combining visual output and input reception into one component. This merging eliminates the need for separate mechanical controls, buttons, or switches, thereby improving ease of operation while consolidating system complexity into a single integrated device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2822814B1Motor vehicle with an electronic rear view mirror
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 AUDI AG
  • EP2822814B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2822814B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2822814B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1), comprising at least one electronic rear-view mirror (2a, 2b, 2c), in particular an outer and/or side mirror, which has a display device (4a, 4b, 4c), in particular a display, for images (24) captured by an outer camera (3) that is provided in particular outside of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the display device (4a, 4b, 4c) is configured as an in particular multi-touch-capable touchscreen (5) for adjusting a pivoting of the outer camera (3) and/or a section (11, 11', 11'') of the image (24) that is to be displayed.