Asynchronous Camera Monitoring for Parked Vehicle Battery Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle monitoring systems with synchronous cameras cannot be left active for extended periods when parked due to high electricity consumption, leading to inability to monitor the vehicle's environment effectively over several days.

Innovation Solution

Employing an asynchronous camera with low power consumption, which detects movement by changes in pixel intensity, allowing for continuous monitoring of a parked vehicle's environment while minimizing battery discharge, and includes features like alert signaling and computer activation for various applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synchronous cameras are activated continuously to monitor the vehicle environment, then monitoring reliability is improved, but power consumption increases causing battery discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system uses periodic action by activating the synchronous camera only at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. The control unit wakes up the synchronous camera from standby mode at specific time intervals to capture images, then returns it to standby mode. This periodic operation maintains monitoring capability over extended periods while dramatically reducing power consumption, enabling the system to operate for days without depleting the vehicle battery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Duration of action of stationary object

If synchronous cameras operate continuously for several days, then monitoring duration is improved, but battery discharge prevents vehicle restart

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring durationVSAvoidbattery discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic action by operating the synchronous camera in alternating cycles of active monitoring and standby modes. During standby, the camera consumes minimal power, allowing the system to operate for several days without significant battery discharge. When activated periodically, it performs monitoring tasks and then returns to standby, extending the overall monitoring duration while preserving sufficient battery energy for vehicle restart.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit autonomously manages the power consumption by automatically transitioning the synchronous camera between active and standby modes based on predetermined criteria. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous high-power operation, enabling the system to extend monitoring duration while self-regulating power usage to prevent battery depletion that would prevent vehicle restart.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If asynchronous camera is used for motion detection, then power consumption is reduced, but detection precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmotion detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the advantages of both asynchronous and synchronous camera technologies. The asynchronous camera continuously monitors for motion with very low power consumption, serving as an always-on motion detector. When motion is detected, the system activates the synchronous camera to capture high-precision images of the moving object. This combination maintains high detection precision for both motion detection and object identification while keeping overall power consumption low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The asynchronous camera acts as an intermediary between the low-power standby state and the high-precision synchronous imaging. It continuously monitors the environment with minimal power consumption and serves as a trigger mechanism that activates the synchronous camera only when motion is detected. This intermediary role allows the system to maintain high detection precision through the asynchronous camera's continuous monitoring while using it as a gatekeeper to prevent unnecessary activation of the power-intensive synchronous camera.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables continuous, low-power monitoring of a parked vehicle's environment, providing alerts and activating vehicle systems as needed, thereby enhancing security and functionality without rapid battery depletion.

Implementation Method 1

a motion detection step in which the monitoring system detects whether an object is moving in the vehicle environment by means of motion detection by the asynchronous camera

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMotion detection by intensity change:

Data Source

PatentEP3752394B1Method for monitoring an environment of a parked motor vehicle comprising an asynchronous camera
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 RENAULT SA
  • EP3752394B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3752394B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3752394B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for monitoring an environment of a parked motor vehicle, the vehicle comprising an engine, a computer and a monitoring system comprising an asynchronous camera, the monitoring method comprising the following steps: - a parked vehicle detection step (10) in which the monitoring system detects that the vehicle is parked, the engine being stopped, - a movement detection step (11) in which the monitoring system detects if an object is moving in the vehicle environment by means of movement detection by the asynchronous camera, - a step of waking up the computer (12) in which the monitoring system wakes up said computer.