Vehicular Display Control Device Sensor Detection Area Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers cannot intuitively grasp the detection area covered by obstacle sensors in vehicles, which is a concern for safety, especially during autonomous driving where visual cues are limited.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular display control device that superimposes a detection target image onto the vehicle's surrounding view, representing the detection area of the obstacle sensor as expanding from the vehicle along the road surface, allowing drivers to visually understand the sensor's coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If obstacle sensor detection results are displayed as simple notifications, then the device complexity is reduced, but the driver's intuitive understanding of detection area coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the detection area by generating an image that replicates the sensor's field of view and overlays it on the driver's actual view through the windshield. This virtual detection area image serves as a visual copy that conveys spatial information without requiring physical modifications to the vehicle or sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a display device as an intermediary between the obstacle sensor and the driver. This intermediary transforms raw sensor data into a visual representation that the driver can intuitively understand, bridging the gap between sensor detection capabilities and human perception.
2Loss of information
If the detection area is displayed as a transformed image from driver's viewpoint, then the driver's intuitive grasp of detection area improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the detection area representation by changing the dimensional perspective from sensor coordinates to driver's visual field coordinates. This dimensionality change allows the detection area to be displayed in a form that naturally aligns with the driver's spatial understanding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic transformation of the detection area image based on the driver's viewpoint and vehicle motion. The display automatically adjusts to maintain accurate spatial representation as the vehicle moves or the driver's position changes.
3Loss of information
If detection area is shown expanding from vehicle along road surface, then distance perception improves, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color variations in the detection area image to encode distance and spatial information. Different colors or shading intensities represent different distances from the vehicle, allowing the driver to quickly perceive depth and spatial relationships without requiring precise numerical measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent represents the detection area as an expanding region that follows the curvature of the road surface rather than a simple geometric shape. This curved representation naturally conveys distance and spatial extent along the road, improving the driver's intuitive understanding of detection coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular display control device includes: a display control unit for controlling a display device to superimpose an image on a surrounding view of the vehicle; and a sensor operation detecting unit for detecting whether an obstacle sensor detecting an obstacle around the vehicle is in operation. When the obstacle sensor is in operation, the display control unit: transforms a detection target area, which falls in a detection range of the obstacle sensor and expands from the vehicle to a periphery along a road surface, into a detection target image represented from a viewpoint of a driver of the vehicle; and displays a transformed image to be superimposed on the surrounding view of the vehicle.