Adaptive Vehicle Camera Settings for Road Line Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing onboard cameras for vehicles face challenges in detecting road lines in adverse conditions such as tunnels or rainfall, and there is a lack of proposals for cameras specifically designed for vehicles in mixed automatic and manual driving environments.
Innovation Solution
An image capture device for vehicles that adjusts image capture conditions based on vehicle states and external conditions, including setting higher frame rates and lower pixel decimation ratios for critical regions, such as near leading vehicles or road lines, to enhance detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a camera continuously acquires images for automatic cruise control and driving support, then the ability to detect road lines and vehicles is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates in adverse conditions such as tunnels or rainfall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making image capture conditions adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes capture conditions (frame rate, resolution, exposure time) based on detected vehicle states (speed, acceleration) and environmental conditions (tunnel, rainfall, nighttime), allowing the system to optimize detection accuracy for current operating conditions while maintaining continuous monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying image capture parameters (frame rate, pixel decimation ratio, exposure time, gain) according to different vehicle states and environmental conditions. For example, increasing frame rate during high-speed travel or reducing pixel decimation ratio in adverse conditions to maintain detection accuracy while continuing image acquisition
2Measurement precision
If image capture conditions are adjusted for each region or pixel based on vehicle state and external conditions, then detection accuracy in adverse conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the image capture device into independently controllable regions or pixel groups. The control unit can set different image capture conditions (frame rate, resolution, exposure) for different regions of the image sensor based on their importance for detection, allowing selective optimization without controlling every single pixel individually, thus managing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions: detecting vehicle state, detecting external conditions, determining appropriate image capture conditions, and controlling the image capture device. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex subsystems into a single intelligent controller, managing overall system complexity while achieving adaptive detection
3Measurement precision
If higher frame rates and lower pixel decimation ratios are used for critical regions, then detection accuracy for road lines and vehicles is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different image capture conditions to different regions or pixels based on their importance. Critical regions (such as areas containing road lines or leading vehicles) receive higher frame rates and lower pixel decimation ratios for improved detection accuracy, while non-critical regions use lower resource consumption settings, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture device is mounted in a vehicle. The image capture device includes: an image capture unit; and a setting unit that sets an image capture condition for each region of the image capture unit each having a plurality of pixels, or for each pixel, based upon at least one of a state exterior to the vehicle and a state of the vehicle.