Camera power management system and vehicle

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of intelligent driving, and provides a camera power management system and a vehicle. The system comprises a primary chip, a plurality of secondary chips, one or more camera groups, and a deserializer corresponding to each camera group. The primary chip is used for determining a to-be-powered chip from all the secondary chips, and outputting a primary power supply voltage to the to-be-powered chip to a first output end according to a vehicle power supply. The secondary chip outputs a secondary power supply voltage corresponding to each camera group to a second output end according to the primary power supply voltage. Each camera group comprises one or more cameras and a third input end, and the third input end is used for supplying power to all the cameras in the camera group according to the secondary power supply voltage. Each deserializer is used for transmitting data between the camera group and the secondary chip. The power supply reliability of the camera group can be guaranteed by arranging the plurality of secondary chips, so that the camera group can normally work.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of intelligent driving technology, and in particular to a camera power management system and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of intelligent driving, there are many perception requirements for algorithmic modules and scenario requirements for business functions, especially camera-based visual perception, which plays a crucial role in intelligent driving. Camera-based visual perception mainly utilizes image information from cameras, using methods such as deep learning to train the system to recognize various objects such as people, vehicles, lane lines, and traffic cones. Different cameras have different application scenarios. For example, a dashcam, or in-vehicle DVR (Digital Video Recorder), often uses a front-view wide-angle camera, a surround-view camera, or a panoramic camera, plus a rear-view camera to record image information. In sentry mode, only a surround-view camera is typically used. In scenarios requiring low power consumption, only front-view wide-angle and narrow-angle cameras are used. Therefore, different cameras installed in vehicles have different usage requirements. Typically, vehicle cameras include front-view wide-angle cameras, front-view narrow-angle cameras, panoramic cameras, surround-view cameras, and rear-view cameras.

[0003] However, in the current industry standard for camera power management, a single SOC (System on a Chip) chip manages the power supply, power on / off operations, and all cameras uniformly. In this solution, the proper functioning of the SOC chip directly affects whether all cameras can be powered; if the SOC chip fails, all cameras will be unable to operate.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a solution to the above-mentioned technical problems is a problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a camera power management system and a vehicle to solve the problem of unreliable camera power supply in the prior art.

[0006] A first aspect of this application provides a camera power management system, including a primary chip, multiple secondary chips, one or more camera groups, and a deserializer corresponding to each camera group, wherein:

[0007] The first-level chip includes a first input terminal and a first output terminal. The first input terminal is connected to the vehicle power supply. The first-level chip is used to determine the chip to be powered from all the second-level chips and output a first-level power supply voltage to the chip to be powered according to the vehicle power supply.

[0008] Each secondary chip includes a second input terminal and multiple second output terminals. The second input terminal is connected to the first output terminal, and each second output terminal is connected to the third input terminal of each camera group. The secondary chip outputs the corresponding secondary power supply voltage of each camera group to the second output terminal according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0009] Each camera group includes one or more cameras and a third input terminal, which is used to power all cameras in the camera group according to the secondary power supply voltage;

[0010] Each deserializer includes a first data terminal and a second data terminal. The first data terminal is connected to the data output terminal of the corresponding camera group, and the second data terminal is connected to the data input terminal of one or more secondary chips.

[0011] A second aspect of this application provides a vehicle including a camera power management system as described above.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application compared with the prior art include at least the following: By setting up multiple secondary chips, each secondary chip is connected to all camera groups and can supply power to all camera groups. If a secondary chip fails, other secondary chips can continue to supply power to the camera groups, thus ensuring the reliability of the power supply to the camera groups and ensuring that the camera groups can work normally. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a camera power management system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle sentry mode provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle temporary parking mode provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a whole-vehicle camping mode provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In the following description, specific details such as particular system architectures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this application may also be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as not to obscure the description of this application with unnecessary detail.

[0019] A camera power management system and a vehicle according to embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] This embodiment discloses a camera power management system, including a primary chip, multiple secondary chips, one or more camera groups, and a deserializer corresponding to each of the camera groups, wherein:

[0021] The first-level chip includes a first input terminal and a first output terminal. The first input terminal is connected to the vehicle power supply. The first-level chip is used to determine the chip to be powered from all the second-level chips and output a first-level power supply voltage to the chip to be powered according to the vehicle power supply.

[0022] Each secondary chip includes a second input terminal and multiple second output terminals. The second input terminal is connected to the first output terminal, and each second output terminal is connected to the third input terminal of each camera group. The secondary chip outputs the corresponding secondary power supply voltage of each camera group to the second output terminal according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0023] Each camera group includes one or more cameras and a third input terminal, which is used to power all cameras in the camera group according to the secondary power supply voltage;

[0024] Each deserializer includes a first data terminal and a second data terminal. The first data terminal is connected to the data output terminal of the corresponding camera group, and the second data terminal is connected to the data input terminal of one or more secondary chips.

[0025] Taking a two-level chip and four camera group as an example, the structure of the camera power management system is shown below. Figure 1As shown, the first input terminal of the primary chip is connected to the vehicle power supply, and the first output terminal of the primary chip outputs the primary power supply voltage. The two secondary chips are SOC-A and SOC-B. SOC-A includes a second input terminal A-in and four second output terminals, namely A-o21, A-o22, A-o23 and A-o24. SOC-B includes a second input terminal B-in and four second output terminals, namely B-o21, B-o22, B-o23 and B-o24. The four camera groups are camera group A, camera group B, camera group C and camera group D, and the corresponding four deserializers are deserializer A, deserializer B, deserializer C and deserializer D. The third input terminals of each camera group are A-i3, B-i3, C-i3 and D-i3, respectively.

[0026] Understandably, in terms of the physical power supply circuit connection, the vehicle power supply is connected to the first-level chip through the first input terminal, and the first-level chip is powered by the vehicle power supply; the first output terminal of the first-level chip is connected to the second input terminal of each second-level chip, and each second-level chip can receive power from the first-level chip; the multiple second output terminals of each second-level chip are respectively connected to the third input terminal of all camera groups. At this time, if any second-level chip is powered by the first-level chip, then that second-level chip can power all the camera groups connected to it.

[0027] It is understandable that the power supply for all camera groups can be any secondary chip, determined by the status of the secondary chip and the selection of the secondary chip by the primary chip. For example, if the primary chip determines a particular secondary chip as the power supply chip, then that secondary chip can directly power all camera groups. Furthermore, if a secondary chip malfunctions, the primary chip will exclude the faulty secondary chip and select the power supply chip from the remaining secondary chips. By flexibly selecting the power supply chip, this embodiment improves the reliability of power supply to all camera groups and overcomes the problem of high dependence on a single secondary chip when there is only one secondary chip.

[0028] The rated voltage of each camera group may not be the same. Therefore, the secondary power supply voltage output by each secondary chip's second output terminal will be determined according to the rated voltage of the specific camera group being powered. For example, if the rated voltage of a camera group is 1.8V, the actual value of the secondary power supply voltage output by the second output terminal connected to the third input terminal of that camera group should be 1.8V. If the rated voltage of a camera group is 3.3V, the actual value of the secondary power supply voltage output by the second output terminal connected to the third input terminal of that camera group should be 3.3V. It is clear that the secondary power supply voltage is merely a name for the voltage of the second output port. The actual voltage values ​​of the secondary power supply voltage output by multiple second output terminals of the same secondary chip are not required to be consistent. The actual value of the secondary power supply voltage output by each second output terminal is set according to the rated voltage of the camera group it is connected to. When pre-setting the function of the second chip, the second chip is configured according to the rated voltage of all camera groups, so that the second output terminal of the second chip outputs the corresponding secondary power supply voltage for each camera group.

[0029] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the vehicle power supply is usually KL30. The first-level chip is the highest-level management chip of the system. Usually, an MCU (Micro Control Unit) chip can be selected. Each second-level chip is a secondary management chip of the system. Multiple SOC chips with the same parameters can be selected, or multiple SOC chips with different parameters can be selected according to the actual working conditions or needs, and replaced in different scenarios.

[0030] It is known that the primary chip is used to determine the chip to be powered from all secondary chips. This chip refers to the secondary chip that powers all camera modules. The primary chip determines the chip to be powered based on user requirements, actual operating conditions, and the operating status of the secondary chips. There are at least two approaches to determining the primary chip:

[0031] One approach is to simultaneously designate all secondary chips as chips to be powered. In this case, no matter which secondary chip fails, there will be a normal secondary chip supplying power to the camera assembly. Specifically, the primary chip is used to designate all secondary chips as chips to be powered and to output a primary power supply voltage to the chips to be powered based on the vehicle's power supply.

[0032] Another method involves determining one or more secondary chips corresponding to a power supply command as the chips to be powered, based on the power supply command. In this case, the chips to be powered are specific secondary chips. The power supply command is generally issued by the vehicle system to the primary chip. The vehicle system determines one or more specific secondary chips as the chips to be powered based on the vehicle scenario mode, power consumption strategy, etc., and generates a power supply command accordingly. In this case, the primary chip is specifically used to: determine the chips to be powered corresponding to the power supply command from all secondary chips according to the power supply command, and output the corresponding primary power supply voltage to the chips to be powered at the first output terminal according to the vehicle power supply.

[0033] Furthermore, based on the actual working requirements of the in-vehicle camera group, the camera group also needs a deserializer to complete the transmission of image data during normal operation. Therefore, in this embodiment, the system also includes one or more deserializers corresponding to each camera group. Each deserializer includes a first data terminal and a second data terminal. The first data terminal is connected to the data output terminal of the corresponding camera group, and the second data terminal is connected to the data input terminal of one or more secondary chips.

[0034] At this point, the number of deserializers is the same as the number of camera groups. Each camera group has one deserializer responsible for image output. Specifically, each camera group outputs image data through its data output terminal. The corresponding deserializer receives this image data through its first data terminal and outputs it through its second data terminal. The secondary chip receives the image data output by the deserializer through its data input terminal. The secondary chip then performs specific image recording, processing, and analysis on the image data. Furthermore, because the deserializer has low power consumption and a relatively stable state, it can be directly powered by the primary chip.

[0035] Similar to the operation of the primary chip determining the chip to be powered in the secondary chip, the secondary chip can also determine the camera group to be powered among all camera groups. If there is only one camera group in the camera power management system, there are two situations for the camera group to be powered determined by the secondary chip: one is that the camera group to be powered is the current camera group, and the other is that the camera group to be powered is empty. From the perspective of the camera group, these two situations can be regarded as the camera group being powered or not being powered.

[0036] Similarly, if the camera power management system has multiple camera groups, the secondary chip can determine many possible camera groups to be powered. Each camera group has two options: either powered or not powered. The overall situation of the camera groups to be powered is a combination of these two options. Therefore, in this embodiment, when multiple camera groups are included, the secondary chip is specifically used to: determine the camera groups to be powered from all camera groups, and output the corresponding secondary power supply voltage for each camera group to be powered to the second output terminal based on the primary power supply voltage.

[0037] Furthermore, the secondary chip is specifically used to: determine the camera group to be powered corresponding to the current vehicle scene mode from all camera groups, and output the corresponding secondary power supply voltage to the second output terminal of each camera group to be powered according to the primary power supply voltage. It is understandable that the secondary chip determines the camera group to be powered based on the vehicle scene mode, such as vehicle sentry mode, vehicle temporary parking mode, vehicle camping mode, etc., which can be sent by the vehicle system to the primary or secondary chip. The parameters and positions of the cameras in each camera group differ. Depending on the vehicle scene mode, the corresponding camera group can be selected to work, while the unselected camera groups can be suspended. The entire camera power management system will power the working camera groups as the camera groups to be powered, while the unselected camera groups will not be powered, thereby achieving low-power operation under specific vehicle scene modes.

[0038] In one exemplary embodiment, the multiple camera groups include multiple of the following camera groups:

[0039] A rear-view camera group including multiple rear-view cameras;

[0040] A surround-view camera group including multiple surround-view cameras;

[0041] A panoramic camera group including multiple panoramic cameras;

[0042] A front-view camera group including multiple front-view cameras.

[0043] It is understood that, depending on the vehicle configuration, the camera group in the camera power management system in this embodiment may include any and multiple of the following: rear-view camera group, surround-view camera group, panoramic camera group, and front-view camera group. It may also include camera groups in other locations or described in other ways, which is not limited here.

[0044] Furthermore, taking the camera group in the camera power management system of this embodiment, which includes a rear-view camera group, a surround-view camera group, a panoramic camera group, and a front-view camera group, as an example, according to different vehicle scene modes, the corresponding camera group is selected as the camera group to be powered. The secondary chip only supplies power to the camera group to be powered and does not supply power to the other camera groups. For example, if the current vehicle scene mode is the vehicle sentry mode, the surround-view camera group can be identified as the camera group to be powered; if the current vehicle scene mode is the vehicle temporary stop mode, the front-view camera group, the panoramic camera group, and the surround-view camera group can be identified as the camera group to be powered; if the current vehicle scene mode is the vehicle camping mode, the front-view camera group can be identified as the camera group to be powered. At this time, the secondary chip is specifically used for:

[0045] If the current vehicle scene mode is the vehicle sentry mode, the surround view camera group is identified as the camera group to be powered, and the secondary power supply voltage of the camera group to be powered is output to the second output terminal of the surround view camera group according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0046] If the current vehicle scenario mode is the vehicle temporary parking mode, the front view camera group, the panoramic camera group and the surround view camera group are identified as the camera groups to be powered, and the secondary power supply voltage of each camera group to be powered is output to the second output terminal of the corresponding camera group according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0047] If the current vehicle scene mode is the vehicle camping mode, the front-view camera group is identified as the camera group to be powered, and the secondary power supply voltage of the camera group to be powered is output to the second output terminal of the camera group to be powered according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0048] It is understandable that each secondary chip has the functions described above. However, since the chip to be powered by the primary chip is a specific secondary chip, the actual power supply line required at this time is that the primary chip powers the chip to be powered, and the chip to be powered powers the camera group to be powered.

[0049] Specifically, taking the camera power management system in this embodiment, which includes two secondary chips, as an example, assuming that these two secondary chips are SOC-A chip and SOC-B chip respectively, and that the power consumption of SOC-A chip is higher than that of SOC-B chip, the camera group includes a front-view camera group, a panoramic camera group, a surround-view camera group, and a rear-view camera group, and the corresponding deserializers are deserializer A, deserializer B, deserializer C, and deserializer D respectively. The power supply line in a specific vehicle scenario mode can be as follows:

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, when the vehicle scene mode is in vehicle sentry mode, only the surround-view camera group needs to work, while other camera groups are turned off, minimizing power consumption. Therefore, the SOC-B chip can be designated as the chip to be powered, and the surround-view camera group can be designated as the camera group to be powered. The SOC-B chip pulls the level of the third input terminal of the other camera groups that are not to be powered low, i.e., disconnects the power supply, and only retains the power supply to the surround-view camera group. At this time, the SOC-A chip can stop supplying power to all camera groups, and the first-level chip can stop supplying power to the SOC-A chip. Alternatively, the first-level chip can continue to supply power to the SOC-A chip, and the SOC-A chip enters a sleep state. The SOC-B chip controls the deserializer C to process the image data.

[0051] like Figure 3As shown, when the vehicle scene mode is the vehicle temporary parking mode, the front-view camera group, the panoramic camera group, and the surround-view camera group need to work, while the rear-view camera group is turned off. Therefore, the SOC-A chip can be identified as the chip to be powered, and the front-view camera group, the panoramic camera group, and the surround-view camera group can be identified as the camera groups to be powered. The SOC-A chip pulls the level of the third input terminal of the rear-view camera group (which is not a camera group to be powered) low, that is, disconnects the power supply, while retaining the power supply to the front-view camera group, the panoramic camera group, and the surround-view camera group. At this time, the SOC-B chip can stop powering all camera groups, and at the same time, the first-level chip stops powering the SOC-B chip, or the first-level chip continues to power the SOC-B chip, and the SOC-B chip enters a sleep state. The SOC-A chip controls the deserializer A, deserializer B, and deserializer C to process the image data.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown, when the vehicle scene mode is the vehicle camping mode, only the front-view camera group needs to work, while the other camera groups are turned off, minimizing power consumption. Therefore, the SOC-B chip and the front-view camera group can be designated as the power-requiring chip. The SOC-B chip pulls the level of the third input terminal of the other camera groups (not the power-requiring camera groups) low, i.e., disconnects the power supply, and only retains the power supply to the front-view camera group. At this time, the SOC-A chip can stop supplying power to all camera groups, and the first-level chip can stop supplying power to the SOC-A chip. Alternatively, the first-level chip can continue to supply power to the SOC-A chip, and the SOC-A chip enters a sleep state. The SOC-B chip controls the deserializer A to process the image data.

[0053] It should be noted that the system in this embodiment must have a secondary chip to control the deserializer corresponding to the camera group to be powered. This secondary chip is generally selected as the secondary chip that powers the camera group to be powered.

[0054] Furthermore, once the vehicle's scene mode exits from the aforementioned specific mode and returns to normal mode, the previously dormant secondary chips will be awakened. All secondary chips will pull the level of the third output terminal high through the second output terminal to power the camera group. At the same time, the control of the deserializer will be returned to a specific secondary chip that is set by default, for example... Figures 2-4 The SOC-A chip in it.

[0055] It is understood that the camera power management system in this embodiment decouples the original power supply relationship between the SOC chip and the camera, reserving feasible space for the handover of camera power management between secondary chips; using the camera power management system in this embodiment, different strategies can be adopted to power the camera group, thereby flexibly meeting different needs; at the same time, the camera power management system in this embodiment can reduce the power consumption of cameras or sensors in various unnecessary scenarios, achieving relatively optimal power planning and control.

[0056] The system in this embodiment of the application sets up multiple secondary chips. Since each secondary chip is connected to all camera groups, it can supply power to all camera groups. If a secondary chip fails, other secondary chips can continue to supply power to the camera groups, thus ensuring the reliability of the power supply to the camera groups and ensuring that the camera groups can work normally.

[0057] All the above-mentioned optional technical solutions can be combined in any way to form the optional embodiments of this application, and will not be described in detail here. It should be understood that the sequence number of each step in the above embodiments does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0058] On the other hand, embodiments of this application also disclose a vehicle, including a camera power management system as described in any of the above, specifically:

[0059] This embodiment provides a camera power management system, including a primary chip, multiple secondary chips, one or more camera groups, and a deserializer corresponding to each camera group, wherein:

[0060] The first-level chip includes a first input terminal and a first output terminal. The first input terminal is connected to the vehicle power supply. The first-level chip is used to determine the chip to be powered from all the second-level chips and output a first-level power supply voltage to the chip to be powered according to the vehicle power supply.

[0061] Each secondary chip includes a second input terminal and multiple second output terminals. The second input terminal is connected to the first output terminal, and each second output terminal is connected to the third input terminal of each camera group. The secondary chip outputs the corresponding secondary power supply voltage of each camera group to the second output terminal according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0062] Each camera group includes one or more cameras and a third input terminal, which is used to power all cameras in the camera group according to the secondary power supply voltage;

[0063] Each deserializer includes a first data terminal and a second data terminal. The first data terminal is connected to the data output terminal of the corresponding camera group, and the second data terminal is connected to the data input terminal of one or more secondary chips.

[0064] The vehicle in this embodiment is equipped with multiple secondary chips. Since each secondary chip is connected to all camera groups, it can supply power to all camera groups. If a secondary chip fails, other secondary chips can continue to supply power to the camera groups, thus ensuring the reliability of the power supply to the camera groups and ensuring that the camera groups can work normally.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, when the camera power management system includes multiple camera groups, the secondary chip is specifically used for:

[0066] Identify the camera group to be powered from all camera groups, and output the corresponding secondary power supply voltage to the second output terminal of each camera group according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0067] It is understandable that the power supply for all camera groups can be any secondary chip, determined by the status of the secondary chip and the selection of the secondary chip by the primary chip. For example, if the primary chip determines a particular secondary chip as the power supply chip, then that secondary chip can directly power all camera groups. Furthermore, if a secondary chip malfunctions, the primary chip will exclude the faulty secondary chip and select the power supply chip from the remaining secondary chips. By flexibly selecting the power supply chip, this embodiment improves the reliability of power supply to all camera groups and overcomes the problem of high dependence on a single secondary chip when there is only one secondary chip.

[0068] In one exemplary embodiment, the secondary chip is specifically used for:

[0069] Identify the camera group to be powered from all camera groups that corresponds to the current vehicle scene mode, and output the secondary power supply voltage corresponding to each camera group to the second output terminal according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0070] Understandably, the determination of which camera group to power is made by the secondary chip is usually based on the vehicle's scene mode, such as sentry mode, temporary parking mode, camping mode, etc. The specific scene mode can be sent by the vehicle system to the primary or secondary chip. The parameters and positions of the cameras in each camera group differ. Depending on the vehicle's scene mode, the appropriate camera group can be selected to operate, while the unselected camera groups can be suspended. The entire camera power management system will power the operating camera groups as those to be powered, while the unselected camera groups will not be powered, thus achieving low-power operation under specific vehicle scene modes.

[0071] In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of camera groups includes a plurality of the following camera groups:

[0072] A rear-view camera group including multiple rear-view cameras;

[0073] A surround-view camera group including multiple surround-view cameras;

[0074] A panoramic camera group including multiple panoramic cameras;

[0075] A front-view camera group including multiple front-view cameras.

[0076] It is understood that, depending on the vehicle configuration, the camera group in the camera power management system in this embodiment may include any and multiple of the following: rear-view camera group, surround-view camera group, panoramic camera group, and front-view camera group. It may also include camera groups in other locations or described in other ways, which is not limited here.

[0077] In one exemplary embodiment, the secondary chip is specifically used for:

[0078] If the current vehicle scene mode is the vehicle sentry mode, the surround view camera group is identified as the camera group to be powered, and the secondary power supply voltage of the camera group to be powered is output to the second output terminal of the surround view camera group according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0079] If the current vehicle scenario mode is the vehicle temporary parking mode, the front view camera group, the panoramic camera group and the surround view camera group are identified as the camera groups to be powered, and the secondary power supply voltage of each camera group to be powered is output to the second output terminal of the corresponding camera group according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0080] If the current vehicle scene mode is the vehicle camping mode, the front-view camera group is identified as the camera group to be powered, and the secondary power supply voltage of the camera group to be powered is output to the second output terminal of the camera group to be powered according to the primary power supply voltage.

[0081] It should be noted that in this embodiment, there must be a secondary chip to control the deserializer corresponding to the camera group to be powered. This secondary chip is generally selected to power the camera group to be powered, and the other secondary chips can enter a sleep state.

[0082] In addition, once the vehicle scene mode exits from the above specific mode and returns to the normal mode, the previously dormant secondary chips will be awakened. All secondary chips will pull the level of the third output terminal high through the second output terminal to power the camera group. At the same time, the control of the deserializer will be returned to a specific secondary chip that is set by default.

[0083] In one exemplary embodiment, the camera power management system further includes one or more deserializers corresponding one-to-one with each camera group;

[0084] Each deserializer includes a first data terminal and a second data terminal. The first data terminal is connected to the data output terminal of the corresponding camera group, and the second data terminal is connected to the data input terminal of one or more secondary chips.

[0085] At this point, the number of deserializers is the same as the number of camera groups. Each camera group has one deserializer responsible for image output. Specifically, each camera group outputs image data through its data output terminal. The corresponding deserializer receives this image data through its first data terminal and outputs it through its second data terminal. The secondary chip receives the image data output by the deserializer through its data input terminal. The secondary chip then performs specific image recording, processing, and analysis on the image data. Furthermore, because the deserializer has low power consumption and a relatively stable state, it can be directly powered by the primary chip.

[0086] In one exemplary embodiment, the primary chip is an MCU chip, and each secondary chip is a SOC chip.

[0087] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the vehicle power supply is usually KL30. The first-level chip is the highest-level management chip of the system. Usually, an MCU (Micro Control Unit) chip can be selected. Each second-level chip is a secondary management chip of the system. Multiple SOC chips with the same parameters can be selected, or multiple SOC chips with different parameters can be selected according to the actual working conditions or needs, and replaced in different scenarios.

[0088] It is known that the primary chip is used to determine the chip to be powered from all secondary chips. This chip refers to the secondary chip that powers all camera modules. The primary chip determines the chip to be powered based on user requirements, actual operating conditions, and the operating status of the secondary chips. There are at least two approaches to determining the primary chip:

[0089] One approach is to simultaneously designate all secondary chips as chips to be powered. In this case, no matter which secondary chip fails, there will be a normal secondary chip supplying power to the camera assembly. Specifically, the primary chip is used to designate all secondary chips as chips to be powered and to output a primary power supply voltage to the chips to be powered based on the vehicle's power supply.

[0090] Another method involves determining one or more secondary chips corresponding to a power supply command as the chips to be powered, based on the power supply command. In this case, the chips to be powered are specific secondary chips. The power supply command is generally issued by the vehicle system to the primary chip. The vehicle system determines one or more specific secondary chips as the chips to be powered based on the vehicle scenario mode, power consumption strategy, etc., and generates a power supply command accordingly. In this case, the primary chip is specifically used to: determine the chips to be powered corresponding to the power supply command from all secondary chips according to the power supply command, and output the primary power supply voltage to the chips to be powered at the first output terminal according to the vehicle power supply.

[0091] It is understood that the vehicle's camera power management system in this embodiment decouples the original power supply relationship between the SOC chip and the camera, reserving feasible space for the handover of camera power management between secondary chips; using the camera power management system in this embodiment, different strategies can be adopted to power the camera group, thereby flexibly meeting different needs; at the same time, the camera power management system in this embodiment can reduce the power consumption of cameras or sensors in various non-essential scenarios, achieving relatively optimal power planning and control.

[0092] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the above-described division of functional units and modules is merely an example. In practical applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional units and modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional units or modules to complete all or part of the functions described above. The functional units and modules in the embodiments can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0093] If an integrated module / unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium, such as a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can also be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a readable storage medium, and when executed by a processor, it can implement the steps of the various method embodiments described above. The computer program may include computer program code, which can be in the form of source code, object code, executable files, or certain intermediate forms. A readable storage medium may include: any entity or device capable of carrying computer program code, a recording medium, a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a computer memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an electrical carrier signal, a telecommunication signal, and a software distribution medium, etc.

[0094] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and should all be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A camera power management system, characterized in that, It includes a primary chip, multiple secondary chips, one or more camera groups, and a deserializer corresponding to each of the camera groups, wherein: The first-level chip includes a first input terminal and a first output terminal. The first input terminal is connected to the vehicle power supply. The first-level chip is used to determine the chip to be powered from all the second-level chips and output a first-level power supply voltage to the chip to be powered to the first output terminal according to the vehicle power supply. Each of the secondary chips includes a second input terminal and multiple second output terminals. The second input terminal is connected to the first output terminal, and each second output terminal is connected to the third input terminal of each of the camera groups. The secondary chip outputs the corresponding secondary power supply voltage for each camera group to the second output terminal according to the primary power supply voltage. Each secondary chip has the function of determining the corresponding camera group to be powered according to the vehicle scene mode. Each of the camera groups includes one or more cameras and a third input terminal, the third input terminal being used to power all cameras in the camera group according to the secondary power supply voltage; Each of the deserializers includes a first data terminal and a second data terminal. The first data terminal is connected to the data output terminal of the corresponding camera group, and the second data terminal is connected to the data input terminal of one or more of the secondary chips.

2. The camera power management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, When multiple camera groups are included, the secondary chip is specifically used for: The camera group to be powered is determined from all the camera groups, and the secondary power supply voltage corresponding to each camera group to be powered is output to the second output terminal corresponding to the camera group to be powered according to the primary power supply voltage.

3. The camera power management system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The secondary chip is specifically used for: The system determines the camera group to be powered corresponding to the current vehicle scene mode from all the camera groups, and outputs the secondary power supply voltage corresponding to each camera group to the second output terminal corresponding to the camera group to be powered according to the primary power supply voltage.

4. The camera power management system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The plurality of camera groups includes a plurality of the following camera groups: A rear-view camera group including multiple rear-view cameras; A surround-view camera group including multiple surround-view cameras; A panoramic camera group including multiple panoramic cameras; A front-view camera group including multiple front-view cameras.

5. The camera power management system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The secondary chip is specifically used for: If the current vehicle scene mode is the vehicle sentry mode, the surround view camera group is determined to be the camera group to be powered, and the secondary power supply voltage corresponding to the camera group to be powered is output to the second output terminal corresponding to the surround view camera group according to the primary power supply voltage; If the current vehicle scenario mode is the vehicle temporary parking mode, the front-view camera group, the panoramic camera group and the surround-view camera group are identified as the camera groups to be powered, and the secondary power supply voltage corresponding to each camera group to be powered is output to the second output terminal corresponding to the camera group to be powered according to the primary power supply voltage. If the current vehicle scene mode is vehicle camping mode, the front-view camera group is determined to be the camera group to be powered, and the secondary power supply voltage corresponding to the camera group to be powered is output to the second output terminal corresponding to the front-view camera group according to the primary power supply voltage.

6. The camera power management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the deserializer is in the ON state, the first data terminal of the deserializer is used to receive image data output from the data output terminal of the corresponding camera group; the second data terminal of the deserializer is used to forward the image data to the data output terminal of each of the secondary chips.

7. The camera power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The primary chip is an MCU chip, and each of the secondary chips is a SOC chip.

8. The camera power management system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The primary chip is specifically used for: All the secondary chips are identified as the chips to be powered, and the primary power supply voltage is output to the chips to be powered according to the vehicle power supply to the first output terminal.

9. The camera power management system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The primary chip is specifically used for: According to the power supply command, the chip to be powered corresponding to the power supply command is determined from all the secondary chips, and the primary power supply voltage is output to the chip to be powered according to the vehicle power supply to the first output terminal.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Includes the camera power management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images