Tow Vehicle Composite Imaging With Dynamic Camera Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems for towing vehicles face issues with objects appearing at different sizes due to camera offsets, leading to distortion and inaccurate representation in composite images.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system that applies dynamic scaling factors based on vehicle parameters, such as reference speed and offset distances, to ensure objects appear at consistent sizes in the composite image, adjusting the field of view accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If cameras are physically displaced from one another to capture images for composite generation, then the system can capture a broader field of view and enable virtual camera functionality, but objects appear at different sizes due to perspective imaging, causing distortion and reducing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies scaling transformations to image data based on camera position parameters. The processor determines scaling factors based on the offset distances between cameras and adjusts image dimensions accordingly, transforming the parameter space of image representation to compensate for perspective distortion caused by physical camera displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric scaling where different regions of the composite image are scaled by different factors. The scaling factor varies based on the position and offset of each camera, creating non-uniform transformation that corrects distortion while preserving the expanded field of view enabled by multiple displaced cameras.
2Device complexity
If a constant scale factor is applied to complete images, then processing is simplified, but objects at different distances in the scene do not appear at correct relative sizes, failing to achieve satisfactory scaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local scaling where different portions of the image receive different scaling factors based on their distance from the camera and position in the scene. This local quality approach ensures that objects at various depths maintain correct relative sizes, with each image region processed according to its specific geometric context rather than applying a uniform scale.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic scaling factors that are calculated based on real-time parameters including camera offset distances, object positions, and depths. The scaling is not static but adapts to the specific geometric relationships in each scene, allowing accurate size representation while the system processes multiple variables to determine appropriate scaling for each image region.
3Manufacturing precision
If image scaling is varied across the image to correct object sizes, then objects appear at correct relative sizes, but the image becomes skewed or warped like a keystone, distorting nearby objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls parameter changes in scaling transformations by using mathematically determined scaling factors based on camera geometry and object positions. This approach adjusts size accuracy while minimizing distortion by constraining the transformation parameters to maintain geometric relationships, avoiding excessive skewing or warping that would occur with arbitrary scaling variations.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to an imaging system (1) for a towing vehicle (V1). The imaging system (1) includes a processor configured to determine a reference speed (Vref) of the towing vehicle (V1). First image data (D1) is received from a first imaging device (C1); and second image data (D2) is received from a second imaging device (C2). The first imaging device (C1) may be disposed on the towing vehicle (V1); and the second imaging device (C2) may be disposed on a towed vehicle (V2). A first scaling factor (SF1, SF2) is applied to the second image data (D2) to generate scaled second image data (D2). The first scaling factor (SF1, SF2) is determined in dependence on the determined reference speed (Vref) of the towing vehicle (V1). Composite image data (D3) is generated by combining at least a part of the scaled second image data (D2) with at least a part of the first image data (D1). The composite image data (D3) is output for display on a display screen (10). Aspects of the present invention also relate a vehicle (V1) having an image system (1); a method of generating a composite image (IMG3); and a non-transitory computer-readable medium.