Trailer Panoramic View Stitching for Articulation Blind Spots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tow vehicle drivers face challenges maneuvering the vehicle-trailer system in the rearward direction due to the inability to see behind the trailer.
Innovation Solution
A trailer imaging system that provides a panoramic view of the rearward environment of the trailer by stitching images from rear and side trailer cameras, and projecting this view within a boundary of a trailer representation on a display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple trailer cameras are used to capture rear and side environments, then the visibility and panoramic view are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the trailer's rearward environment into multiple viewing zones (rear, right-side, left-side) and assigns dedicated cameras to each zone. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the blind area while organizing the complex monitoring task into manageable segments, each handled by a specific camera unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines images from multiple separate camera sources (rear trailer camera, right-side trailer camera, left-side trailer camera) into a single integrated panoramic view. This merging of multiple visual feeds creates a comprehensive rearward environment display that eliminates blind spots while presenting unified information to the driver.
2Area of stationary object
If a panoramic view is generated by stitching multiple images, then the comprehensive viewing area is improved, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously capturing and pre-processing images from all trailer cameras in real-time, even before the driver needs the panoramic view. This ongoing preparation ensures that when the driver activates the feature, the image stitching and panoramic view generation can occur rapidly with minimal delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual image acquisition and processing with an automated electronic system that continuously captures images from multiple cameras and automatically stitches them into a panoramic view. This electronic automation eliminates the need for manual intervention and enables real-time panoramic view generation without significant processing delays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the viewing area is dynamically adjusted based on trailer angle, then the relevance of displayed information is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensor data about trailer angle and position as feedback to dynamically adjust the panoramic viewing area. This feedback mechanism allows the display to adapt to the vehicle-trailer system's current state, showing relevant portions of the rearward environment based on actual trailer orientation and movement conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the viewing area based on real-time trailer angle and sensor data. Instead of a static panoramic view, the system continuously modifies which portions of the stitched images are displayed, allowing the relevant rearward environment to be highlighted as the trailer articulates and changes position relative to the tow vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a panoramic view (152) of an environment behind a trailer (106) of a vehicle-trailer system (100). The method includes receiving a first image (133, 133b) from a rear trailer camera (132, 132b), a second image (133, 133c) from a right-side trailer camera (132, 132c), and a third image (133, 133d) from a left-side trailer camera (132, 132d). The method includes determining a panoramic view (152) based on the first image (133, 133b), the second image (133, 133c), and the third image (133, 133d). Additionally, the method includes determining a trailer angle (α) based on sensor system data (131) received from a sensor system (130). The method includes determining a viewing area (154) within the panoramic view (152) based on the trailer angle (α) and sending instructions (156) to a display (122) to display the viewing area (154).