Vehicle Video Interface for Multi-Display Rear Camera Views
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack an efficient system to present multiple representations of images from a camera on various displays, such as rearview mirrors and head unit displays, while maintaining the operator's forward-facing view, especially when towing trailers or vehicles with wireless cameras.
Innovation Solution
A video interface with a microcontroller and ports is used to process and distribute digital signals to multiple displays on a vehicle, allowing for cropped or magnified image representations on different displays, including a digital rearview mirror and head unit, using wired and wireless camera configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple displays are used to present image representations, then the operator's rearview and forward-facing visibility is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to the need for signal processing and distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The video interface divides the incoming video signal into multiple separate output streams, each tailored for specific displays. The microcontroller segments the signal processing tasks, allowing different displays (rearview mirror, head unit, side mirrors) to receive customized image representations simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The video interface is designed to serve multiple functions: it processes signals from various camera sources (wired and wireless), distributes them to multiple displays, and performs different processing operations (cropping, magnifying, standard display) on the same input signal to suit different display requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If wireless cameras are used in the towing vehicle, then installation is simplified and connectivity challenges are reduced, but the ability to transmit high-quality video signals may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The video interface acts as an intermediary that receives wireless video signals from cameras in the towing vehicle, processes them, and converts them into appropriate formats for the displays. This mediator role allows the system to bridge the gap between wireless transmission limitations and display requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates multiple copies of the video signal from the wireless camera, distributing identical or processed versions to different displays. This allows the same wireless signal source to serve multiple display locations simultaneously without requiring additional cameras.
3Ease of operation
If cropped or magnified image representations are provided on different displays, then specific viewing requirements are met, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different displays receive different processed versions of the same video signal tailored to their specific requirements. The rearview mirror display may receive a cropped view focused on specific areas, while the head unit receives a full or magnified view, optimizing the viewing experience for each display location.
Solution Approach 2:
The video interface performs preliminary processing of the video signal, creating cropped and magnified versions in advance before distribution to displays. This preprocessing approach simplifies the overall system architecture by handling all processing requirements in a single centralized unit rather than requiring multiple separate processing systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A video interface for signals between a camera and displays, disposed on a vehicle, can include a microcontroller, a first port, and a second port. The microcontroller can be configured to process received signals to produce first digital signals and second digital signals. The received signals can represent images produced by the camera. The first digital signals can be for first representations of the images. The second digital signals can be for second representations of the images. The first port can be configured to be connected to a cable for a first display. The second port can be configured to be connected to a cable for a second display. For example: (1) the first representations can mimic images produced by a reversing camera and (2) the second representations can mimic a view observable in a rearview mirror. The video interface can be configured to be disposed on the vehicle.