Trailer-Aware Rear Camera View for Reversing Obstacle Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current camera systems for vehicles fail to provide adequate views of additional areas of interest when towing a trailer, particularly when reversing, which can lead to reduced occupant awareness and increased risk of collisions.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a camera system, display, and controller programmed to capture and display specific images of the environment surrounding the vehicle, with the controller determining the activation state based on towing status, transmission shift state, and trailer angle, and displaying a second portion of the image adjacent to the rear edge of the trailer to enhance occupant awareness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard camera system is used for vehicles, then the system provides basic rear views for parking maneuvers, but it fails to provide adequate views of additional areas of interest when towing a trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system divides the captured image into multiple portions (first portion showing the trailer and second portion showing additional areas of interest) and displays them separately on the display device, allowing the occupant to view both the trailer position and surrounding obstacles simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single unified view to a multi-portions view by displaying different sections of the captured image in different locations on the display device, creating an expanded visual dimension that shows both the trailer and additional areas of interest
2Area of stationary object
If the camera system captures a wide area to include the trailer, then the trailer becomes visible, but the detail and size of the image for additional areas of interest decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the wide captured image into multiple portions and displays them as separate regions on the display device, allowing each portion to be displayed at an appropriate size and detail level without compromising the overall coverage area
Solution Approach 2:
By displaying multiple portions of the image in different spatial locations on the display device, the system effectively expands the visual information space, allowing detailed views of multiple areas to coexist without reducing individual image quality
Data Source
AI summary
A system for enhancing occupant awareness for a vehicle includes a camera system for capturing images of an environment surrounding the vehicle, a display for displaying information to the occupant of the vehicle and a controller in electrical communication with the camera system and the display. The controller is programmed to determine an activation state of the system. The controller is further programmed to capture an image of the environment surrounding the vehicle using the camera system in response to determining that the activation state is the activated state. The image has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the image includes a trailer connected to the vehicle and the second portion of the image. The controller is further programmed to display the second portion of the image to the occupant using the display based at least in part on the first portion of the image.