Trailer Camera Panning Using Vector-Based Reference Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear view systems, including mirrors and camera-based systems, face challenges in providing a natural and undistorted panning operation for vehicles with trailers, often resulting in an unnatural and confusing experience for drivers due to reliance on object recognition and high computational demands.
Innovation Solution
An automatic panning system that identifies an elongated element of the trailer, projects a vector, and establishes a reference vector to determine an interception point, allowing for consistent and accurate panning independent of the trailer's size, shape, or position, with the option to adjust panning speed for a smoother experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If object recognition is used to pan the image by tracking features on the trailer, then the panning can be automated, but the computational requirements increase and the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential panning function from complex object recognition algorithms. Instead of tracking multiple features or logos on the trailer, the system uses a simplified approach: identifying the trailer's position in the image and panning the camera to keep the trailer centered. This extraction of the core function reduces computational complexity while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by not trying to make the camera follow the trailer through complex tracking, but rather by panning the camera field of view to maintain a consistent view of the trailer. The system determines the trailer's position and adjusts the camera angle accordingly, reversing the conventional tracking paradigm.
2Area of stationary object
If the camera captures a wider area to compensate for lack of panning, then the driver can see more surroundings, but the resolution of the image decreases making it difficult to distinguish smaller objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the camera field of view adjustable and movable. Instead of using a fixed wide-angle view, the system dynamically pans the camera to follow the trailer's movement, allowing the camera to maintain a focused view on the trailer while still capturing relevant surrounding information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the dimension of camera movement and panning control. By adding the ability to move the camera in pan and tilt dimensions, the system can maintain high resolution on the trailer while selectively expanding the field of view to include surrounding areas when the trailer's position and movement patterns indicate it's safe to do so.
3Ease of operation
If manual mirror adjustment is used, then the driver can control the view, but it adds an additional task to maneuvering the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the camera system to automatically adjust and pan to follow the trailer without driver intervention. The system monitors the trailer's position and movement, and autonomously controls the camera to maintain an optimal view, freeing the driver to focus on vehicle maneuvering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from trailer position detection and image analysis to continuously adjust the camera view. The feedback loop monitors the trailer's location in the captured images and automatically pans the camera to keep the trailer centered, providing adaptive view control without manual input.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic panning system and method adapted for a vehicle with an attached trailer. The automatic panning system comprises an image capturing means adapted to capture image data with a view of the trailer and the automatic panning system is adapted to analyze the image data to identify at least one elongated element of the trailer, project a vector in the image data based on said elongated element, establish at least one reference vector, and identify an interception point of the reference vector and said projected vector.