3D Projection Plane Segmentation for Vehicle Route Display

Solution Overview

Problem

In three-dimensional projection systems for vehicles, narrow projection planes distort the moving route and lane boundaries, while wide planes project obstacles, leading to uncomfortable composite images.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device that projects captured images onto a three-dimensional projection plane, adjusts the projection area to keep the moving route on a horizontal plane while maintaining other areas, preventing distortion and elongation of obstacles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the flat projection plane is made narrow to include the vehicle, then the vehicle is properly included in the projection, but the moving route and lane boundary lines become distorted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprojection plane areaVSAvoidroute projection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The projection plane is divided into multiple regions: a first projection area for displaying the vehicle's current position and immediate surroundings, and a second projection area for displaying the moving route. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently, preventing distortion of the route while maintaining proper vehicle inclusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The projection system transitions from a traditional two-dimensional flat plane to a three-dimensional space. The projection plane is extended in the vertical dimension, allowing the moving route to be displayed above the current position without distorting the lane boundary lines or vehicle representation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If the flat projection plane is made wide to show the moving route, then the route can be displayed, but obstacles around the vehicle are also projected and become distorted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroute information visibilityVSAvoidobstacle projection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The projection plane is divided into multiple regions: a first projection area for displaying the vehicle's current position and immediate surroundings, and a second projection area for displaying the moving route. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently, preventing distortion of the route while maintaining proper vehicle inclusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the projection plane are assigned different display characteristics. The first projection area maintains high fidelity for obstacle representation, while the second projection area is optimized for route visualization. This local differentiation allows route information to be displayed without compromising obstacle projection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If obstacles are projected onto the flat projection plane, then comprehensive surrounding information is displayed, but the composite image becomes uncomfortable due to distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurroundings information completenessVSAvoidvisual comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The projection system transitions from a traditional two-dimensional flat plane to a three-dimensional space. The projection plane is extended in the vertical dimension, allowing the moving route to be displayed above the current position without distorting the lane boundary lines or vehicle representation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The projection plane is divided into multiple regions: a first projection area for displaying the vehicle's current position and immediate surroundings, and a second projection area for displaying the moving route. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently, preventing distortion of the route while maintaining proper vehicle inclusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10540807B2Image processing device

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 AISIN SEIKI KK

AI summary

An image processing device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires an image by imaging surroundings of a vehicle; a generation unit that projects the image onto a three-dimensional projection plane including the vehicle at a first time point and a first projection area rising above the vehicle, and generates a composite image seen on the plane from a virtual viewpoint; a calculation unit that calculates a moving route of the vehicle from the first time point to a second time point on the plane; a change unit that changes a projection destination of at least a part of the moving route in the first projection area to a second projection area; and a display control unit that displays the composite image on the plane that includes the vehicle at the first time point, and the first and second projection areas seen from the virtual viewpoint on a display unit.