Vehicle Image Display System with Virtual Viewpoint Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image display systems on vehicles make it difficult for drivers to intuitively determine the positional relation between the vehicle and surrounding objects, as the visual field direction of captured images is not aligned with the driver's viewpoint, leading to confusion and potential crashes.
Innovation Solution
An image generating apparatus that creates synthetic images viewed from a virtual viewpoint behind the vehicle, aligning the visual field direction with the driver's perspective, and allows for dynamic adjustment of image sizes based on driver input, enabling intuitive recognition of the vehicle's position relative to objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If images are displayed from the optical axis direction of vehicle mounting cameras or from directly above the vehicle, then the driver can recognize the positional relation between objects and the vehicle through coordinate transformation in his/her mind, but it is difficult to determine the positional relation in a moment and the driver may be confused of the direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by displaying images from a viewpoint positioned behind the vehicle rather than from the camera optical axis or directly above. This inversion allows the displayed image direction to match the driver's actual visual field direction, eliminating the need for coordinate transformation and enabling immediate recognition of object positions without confusion about direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the viewpoint position parameter from the conventional camera optical axis or top-down view to a position behind the vehicle. This parameter change transforms the image display direction to align with the driver's visual field direction, allowing the driver to intuitively recognize object positions without mental coordinate transformation.
2Area of stationary object
If the front side and the left and right sides of the vehicle are displayed on one screen, then the driver can see multiple areas, but the images are different in terms of visual field direction so the driver may be confused of the direction toward which an object exists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a synthetic image that functions as a universal visual representation covering the front side and left and right sides of the vehicle simultaneously. By generating this synthetic image from a viewpoint behind the vehicle, it provides consistent directional information across all displayed areas, allowing the driver to recognize object positions and directions intuitively without confusion.
3Reliability
If the driver needs to conduct avoidance driving to avoid crash, then the driver needs to make a momentary decision, but in the conventional image display system it is difficult to determine the positional relation between the vehicle and an object around the vehicle in a moment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the visual information in advance by generating a synthetic image from a viewpoint behind the vehicle that aligns with the driver's visual field direction. This preliminary preparation of directional information allows the driver to immediately recognize object positions and make avoidance decisions without time-consuming coordinate transformation, improving both response time and crash avoidance reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A technology for intuitively recognizing a positional relation between a vehicle and an object is provided. In an image display system, in a display image provided to a driver, the side region of the vehicle in a direction indicated by a direction instructing device is displayed in large size. Accordingly, the object that may contact with the vehicle is easily found out, so that a minor crash accident can be effectively prevented. Since a synthetic image viewed from a virtual viewpoint directed from a rear position of the vehicle toward the front side of the vehicle is displayed, the side area of the vehicle is displayed in the same visual field direction as the direction of the visual field of the driver. Accordingly, the driver can intuitively recognize the positional relation between the vehicle and the object, without undertaking complicated determination such as conducting coordinate transformation in his/her mind.