Trailer Blind Spot Detection With Augmented Transparent View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle blind spot detection systems do not effectively cover the additional blind spots introduced by trailers, posing a safety risk when vehicles are towing trailers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a camera, sensor, and controller that captures images and sensor data of objects relative to the trailer, determines blind spots, and generates augmented images to display on a vehicle display, including proximity information and object representations within blind spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vehicle blind spot detection system is used, then driver awareness of blind spots is improved, but the system does not cover additional blind spots introduced by trailers
Solution Approach 1:
The blind spot detection system dynamically adapts its detection zones and alert thresholds based on whether a trailer is detected and its relative position. The system transitions from a static blind spot configuration to a dynamic one that adjusts in real-time to the trailer presence, ensuring reliable detection coverage while maintaining adaptability to different towing configurations.
2Measurement precision
If radar and camera systems are integrated to detect objects near trailers, then detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges radar and camera sensor data through sensor fusion algorithms, combining the long-range detection capability of radar with the visual identification capability of cameras. This integration improves measurement precision for object detection while managing complexity through unified processing architecture that handles multiple sensor types coherently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives data from both radar and camera systems, performs sensor fusion, and generates unified detection results. This intermediary layer manages the complexity of integrating multiple sensor types by providing a standardized interface between sensors and the control system, thereby improving detection accuracy without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Loss of information
If augmented images with proximity information are displayed, then driver awareness is enhanced, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The augmented display system applies local quality enhancement by providing detailed proximity information only in the specific regions where blind spots are detected, rather than processing and displaying information uniformly across the entire display area. This approach enhances driver awareness of critical areas while minimizing energy consumption by focusing processing resources only on relevant regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial action by selectively processing and displaying augmented information only for objects that pose a potential safety risk, rather than processing all detected objects equally. The proximity information is generated and displayed only when objects enter critical zones, reducing overall processing requirements while maintaining enhanced awareness where it is most needed for safety.
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
Enhances driver awareness of objects within blind spots by providing augmented images and proximity information, potentially leading to improved safety by preventing collisions when towing trailers.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor is configured to capture sensor data about the object... analyze the sensor data for radar data associated with the object... calculate the position of the object relative to the blind spot
Data Source
AI summary
A system of object detection for a trailer. In one example, the system includes a camera configured to capture images of the trailer, where the images include an object other than the trailer. The system also includes a sensor configured to capture sensor data, a display configured to display images from the perspective of the camera, and a controller on the vehicle. The controller includes an electronic processor configured to receive the image data from the camera, receive the sensor data from the sensor, determine a blind spot, analyze the sensor data for radar data associated with the object, calculate the position of the object relative to the blind spot and the trailer, determine that the object is within the blind spot using an object detection algorithm, and in response to the determining that the object is within the blind spot, generate an augmented image.