Vehicle Hazard Display Using Rectified Wide-Angle Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems fail to provide an accurate and enhanced display of objects moving relative to the vehicle, particularly in hazardous situations, often relying on distorted images and lacking true-to-scale estimation.

Innovation Solution

A method combining state-of-the-art sensors and image capturing systems to deliver real-time wide-angle video images, processed for accurate display on a vehicle's display unit, using optical sensors, image rectification, and graphical/audio representations to enhance the driver's perception of the vehicle's surroundings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a wide-angle lens is used to capture images of the vehicle surroundings, then the field of view is increased, but the image distortion is greatly increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of viewVSAvoidimage distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the captured image into multiple blocks and processes each block separately through rectification algorithms. This segmentation approach allows for more precise control of distortion correction in different regions of the image while maintaining the overall wide-angle field of view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies image rectification algorithms that transform the distorted wide-angle image parameters back to a more accurate representation. By changing the geometric parameters of the image blocks through mathematical transformation, the system recovers true-to-scale spatial relationships while preserving the expanded field of view.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If image rectification is applied to correct distortion, then the true-to-scale estimation is improved, but the processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrue-to-scale estimationVSAvoidimage processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the image into blocks, the patent reduces the computational complexity of rectification. Each block can be processed independently with simpler algorithms, rather than applying complex transformations to the entire image at once, thus reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary rectification of image blocks before final image assembly. This preliminary processing prepares the data in advance, making subsequent processing steps more efficient and reducing the overall computational burden of achieving true-to-scale estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple cameras and sensors are used to detect objects and provide comprehensive views, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display device multi-functional by integrating both the rectified wide-angle view and the true-to-scale object detection display on the same device. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated displays for different functions, reducing system complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy through the use of multiple cameras and sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3413287B1Method for indicating to a driver of a vehicle the presence of an object at least temporarily moving relative to the vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SMR PATENTS S A R L
  • EP3413287B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3413287B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3413287B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention refers to a method to indicate to a driver (9) of a vehicle (8) the presence of an object (103,104) moving relative to the vehicle. The method begins by collecting data using a camera (114) or other such image capturing device. The data is analyzed to detect a hazard created by the presence of the object, regardless of whether it is moving or not. A warning associated with the hazard is created. Both the hazard and the warning are displayed using the display device (20).