Vehicle Viewing System Seamless Camera Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle viewing systems face challenges in seamlessly switching between different camera views, particularly during situations like curve travel where the main camera's field of view is restricted, leading to a need for switching to a wide-angle camera, which can result in noticeable changes and flickering, disrupting the driver's perception of the vehicle surroundings.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that switch between first and second image areas captured by cameras with different optical properties, ensuring minimal perceived difference by aligning and crossfading images based on a pivot angle between the towing vehicle and trailer, using a pivot angle determination device to manage switching conditions and prevent rapid changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the main camera's aperture angle is restricted to achieve high resolution, then image resolution is improved, but the field of view is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing system employs multiple cameras with different optical characteristics (main camera for high resolution, wide-angle camera for broader view) that can be switched between based on driving situations. This multi-functional approach allows the system to provide both high-resolution detailed views and wide-angle overview capabilities, resolving the contradiction between resolution and field of view by making the camera system universally adaptable to different viewing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different cameras and image areas based on real-time driving conditions, particularly the pivot angle between towing vehicle and trailer. The switching is not static but adapts continuously to changing situations, allowing the system to optimize between resolution and field of view depending on the specific operational context.
2Adaptability or versatility
If switching between different camera acquisition areas is performed, then relevant surrounding information becomes visible, but noticeable changes and flickering occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment and matching of image areas from different cameras before switching occurs. By pre-processing the images to ensure proper geometric correspondence and using the pivot angle determination to anticipate switching conditions, the system prepares the transition in advance, minimizing perceptible disruptions and flickering during the actual switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses image processing and coordinate transformation as intermediary steps between capturing images from different cameras and displaying them to the driver. This intermediary processing layer reconciles the different optical perspectives and ensures smooth transitions, acting as a mediator that stabilizes the visual output during camera switching.
Data Source
AI summary
A viewing system for a vehicle having a towing vehicle (5) and a trailer (6) pivotally mounted on the towing vehicle (5), with a first acquisition device (2a, 2b) for capturing first image data of a first area; a second acquisition device (3a, 3b) for capturing second image data of a second area overlapping the first area, wherein the first and second acquisition devices (2a, 2b, 3a, 3b) have different optical characteristics; a device (4a, 4b) for processing the first and second image data to extract first (7) and second (8) image areas; display (1a, 1b) for same-filed displaying the image areas; a pivot angle determining device to determine pivot angle between towing vehicle (5) and trailer (6); and a display switch for switching display of the first area and second area on a switching condition.