Towed Vehicle Indicator Superimposed on Surrounding Camera Image
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surroundings monitoring systems for towing vehicles do not effectively display the position and orientation of towed vehicles, making it difficult for drivers to imagine the circumstances surrounding the towed vehicle, which can lead to obstacles and collisions.
Innovation Solution
A surroundings monitoring apparatus that includes a control unit to display a towed vehicle indicator superimposed on a vehicle surrounding image, acquired by an imaging unit, and adjusts the display mode based on towed vehicle information, allowing for easier visualization of the towed vehicle's position and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a captured image is displayed without superimposing an indicator showing the towed vehicle, then the display is simple and clear, but the driver cannot easily imagine the position and orientation of the towed vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual indicator that copies and represents the towed vehicle's position and orientation on the display. This virtual indicator is generated based on detected towed vehicle information and superimposed on the captured image, allowing the driver to visualize the towed vehicle without adding complex physical sensing equipment to the actual vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that includes a detector to identify towed vehicle information, a generator to create the indicator based on this information, and a superimposer to combine the indicator with the captured image. This intermediary system bridges the gap between the simple captured image and the need for comprehensive towed vehicle position information.
2Measurement precision
If multiple captured images are acquired and processed to show towed vehicle position, then the visualization accuracy improves, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively processing only the necessary captured images and generating an indicator with essential towed vehicle information rather than processing all possible image data. This approach achieves sufficient visualization accuracy without the computational burden of exhaustive image processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A surroundings monitoring apparatus according to embodiments, as an example, includes a control unit causing a display device to display a display image where an indicator which indicates a towed vehicle coupled to a towing vehicle is superimposed on a vehicle surrounding image including the towing vehicle and surroundings of the towing vehicle based on a captured image obtained by being imaged by an imaging unit which images the surroundings of the towing vehicle, the control unit acquiring towed vehicle information related to the towed vehicle and changing a display mode of the indicator based on the towed vehicle information. Thus, according to the surroundings monitoring apparatus of the embodiments, the towed vehicle may be easily imagined from the display image.