Vehicle Mirror Replacement System with Driver-Adaptive Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mirror systems in vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, face limitations in providing comprehensive and distortion-free fields of view, leading to blind spots and difficulties in maintaining situational awareness, especially with the introduction of camera systems which lack depth perception and flexible viewing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A mirror replacement system that utilizes an image display unit with adaptable settings such as aspect ratio, zoom, resolution, contrast, and graphical overlays, controlled by an operation controller to ensure continuous, real-time display of legally-prescribed fields of view, while allowing driver input for preference adjustments within safety parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If mirrors are made convex to expand the field of view, then the coverage area increases, but image distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical mirror system with an electronic camera-based imaging system. Instead of using convex mirrors that inherently distort images, the system uses cameras with adjustable lenses and digital image processing to achieve wide-angle views without the same degree of optical distortion. The electronic system can capture and transmit images to display units, providing both wide coverage and relatively accurate representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable parameters in the camera system including focal length, aperture, and digital zoom capabilities. By changing these parameters, the system can optimize the balance between field of view coverage and image accuracy. The display system also allows adjustment of image parameters such as brightness, contrast, and digital scaling to compensate for any remaining distortion and enhance the overall image quality.
2Reliability
If multiple mirrors are installed to eliminate blind spots, then coverage improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single camera system that performs multiple functions traditionally requiring multiple mirrors. The camera can capture wide-angle views, provide close-up details, and offer different perspectives through digital processing. This multi-functional electronic system replaces several specialized mirror components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining or improving blind spot coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple mirrors into a single integrated camera-based system. Instead of having separate mirrors for different viewing angles and distances, the system uses one or a few cameras with versatile capabilities to cover all necessary fields of view. The images from these cameras are processed and displayed in a way that consolidates the information that would otherwise require multiple separate mirror components.
3Ease of operation
If the driver adjusts mirror settings for personal preference, then ease of operation improves, but compliance with legal field of view requirements may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system monitors and tracks driver adjustments to camera and display settings. The system provides visual feedback to the driver about the current field of view coverage and can alert the driver when adjustments may be approaching limits that would compromise legal requirements. This feedback loop allows driver customization while maintaining compliance through real-time monitoring and guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary constraints and guidelines that prevent the driver from making adjustments that would violate legal field of view requirements. The system pre-configures safe adjustment ranges and provides guidance information to the driver before adjustments are made, ensuring that personalization does not lead to non-compliance. This proactive approach allows ease of operation while safeguarding legal requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror replacement system for a vehicle. At least one image capturing unit adapted to be mounted around the exterior of the vehicle and capture images of at a field of view, an image display unit adapted to be visibly mounted for a driver, at least one driver sensor adapted for detecting information input from the driver, an operation controller adapted for controlling reformatting parameters based on driver parameters received from the at least one driver sensor, and an image capturing unit controller adapted for reformatting video data received from the at least one image capturing unit according to the reformatting parameters and for forwarding the reformatted video data to the at least one image display unit for displaying.