Vehicle Object Detection System Using Faux Surface Representations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle object detection systems do not provide accurate distance measurements or proximity indications to objects as vehicles approach, limiting the ability of operators to avoid collisions during maneuvers like parking and backing up.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle object detection system comprising sensors and cameras that determine the distance between the vehicle's outer surfaces and detected objects, displaying this information on a video display in various modes, including parallel parking and backup modes, to assist operators in avoiding collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional video cameras are angled downward to indicate object presence, then objects within the field of view can be detected, but accurate distance measurement or proximity indication is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives video signals from conventional cameras and inserts graphical overlays (such as distance bars, proximity indicators, and virtual representations of vehicle surfaces) to provide accurate distance measurement. This mediator layer adds measurement capability without requiring fundamental changes to the camera hardware, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and cameras are added to provide accurate distance measurement, then collision avoidance capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the video display system multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a conventional visual indicator and as a precise distance measurement device. The same display infrastructure is used to show both object presence and numeric distance information, eliminating the need for separate dedicated measurement devices and reducing overall system complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies or graphical representations of the vehicle's outer surfaces and projected paths on the display. These faux representations are overlaid with distance measurement data, allowing the system to provide accurate collision avoidance information without physically extending the vehicle with additional sensors, thus improving reliability while controlling complexity.
3Loss of information
If numeric distance representation is displayed in real-time, then operator awareness of proximity is improved, but processing and display requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing detailed numeric distance information specifically at critical locations where proximity matters most (such as near the vehicle's outer surfaces and projected path areas). The display shows faux representations of specific vehicle surfaces with corresponding distance measurements, rather than providing uniform information across the entire display, thus reducing processing complexity while preventing information loss at critical points.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle object detection system having a controller configured to process object information received from the plurality of sensors and determine the distance between an outer surface of a vehicle body structure and an object. The controller displays on a video display a faux representation of the object, a faux representation of the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and a numeric representation of the distance between the outer surface of the vehicle body structure and the object. The controller is further configured to switch between operating the video display in display modes including a parallel parking view mode and a backup mode.