Vehicle Control Device Illumination Range Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Despite advancements in vehicle environment recognition using cameras, radar, and laser scanners, drivers still rely heavily on visual checks for safety, especially in dark conditions, leading to potential overconfidence in automated systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control device equipped with an environment recognition unit, image generation unit, and illumination range detector that displays only information within the headlights' illumination range, preventing reliance on unverified recognition data by limiting displayed information to what can be visually confirmed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If environment recognition units (cameras, radar, laser scanners) are used to display detailed information on obstacles and objects, then driving assistance capability is improved, but the risk of occupant overconfidence in automated system recognition results increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the display treatment based on spatial location: objects within the illumination range are displayed with full detail and confidence, while objects outside the illumination range are displayed with reduced detail or marked as uncertain. This spatial differentiation allows the system to provide comprehensive driving assistance information while simultaneously indicating to the occupant which portions of the displayed information are visually verifiable and which are not, thereby preventing overconfidence in automated recognition results.
2Loss of information
If the display device shows all recognized environment information regardless of illumination range, then information completeness is improved, but visual verification capability by the occupant deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the displayed environment information into two distinct categories: information within the illumination range (visually verifiable) and information outside the illumination range (not visually verifiable). This segmentation is achieved by detecting the illumination range of headlights and comparing it with detected objects, then applying different display treatments to each segment. The segmentation allows the system to maintain information completeness while enabling the occupant to easily distinguish which information can be visually verified and which cannot.
3Area of stationary object
If the system displays objects detected outside the illumination range, then detection coverage is improved, but the accuracy of visual confirmation by the driver deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the illumination range detection result as an intermediary element that mediates between the environment recognition units and the display output. The illumination range acts as a reference framework that determines how detected objects are presented: objects within the illumination range are displayed as visually confirmable, while objects outside are displayed as non-visualizable. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain broad detection coverage while clearly indicating to the driver which detections lack visual confirmation accuracy.
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
Prevents overconfidence in automated systems by ensuring drivers only rely on verified visual information within the headlights' range, enhancing safety during nighttime driving by clearly indicating the limits of recognized data and alerting users to objects entering the illumination area.
Implementation Method 1
the illumination range is illuminated by the headlights
Implementation Method 2
the imaging unit detects reflection light of illumination light of the headlights
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle including headlights. The vehicle control device includes an environment recognition unit, an image generation unit, an image display unit, and an illumination range detector. The environment recognition unit acquires surrounding environment formation around the vehicle. The image generation unit generates, on a basis of the surrounding environment information, an environment image that includes forward environment information on environment forward of the own vehicle. The image display unit displays the environment image. The illumination range detector detects an illumination range, in which the illumination range is illuminated by the headlights. The environment image solely includes information acquired inside the illumination range.