Automotive Imaging System Exception Event Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive imaging systems are specialized and dedicated to specific functions, lacking the ability to interconnect and utilize digital images for multiple purposes, such as accident recording and reporting, and are not cost-effective for comprehensive accident coverage.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle system that integrates digital cameras with an image memory and wireless communication capabilities, allowing periodic image capture and storage for exception events, and automatic transmission to a central reporting service, enabling multiple uses like accident reporting and security monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital camera systems are separately integrated as specialized modules for specific applications, then the system can be optimized for that specific function, but the system cannot interconnect or utilize images for multiple purposes and requires separate hardware and software for each application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling digital camera systems to serve multiple functions beyond their original specialized purposes. The forward-looking camera system, originally designed for night vision and collision avoidance, is repurposed to capture and store images of exception events such as accidents. The system integrates with the vehicle's existing communication infrastructure to transmit images for various purposes including accident reporting, security monitoring, and law enforcement assistance, thereby achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated systems for each application.
2Reliability
If digital image data is continuously captured and stored for all cameras, then comprehensive accident coverage is achieved, but the memory requirements become very large and capture irrelevant information at the same rate and resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a FIFO (First-In-First-Out) buffer memory system that continuously captures and stores images at a reduced resolution and frame rate during normal operation. This preliminary continuous capture ensures that when an exception event occurs, the system already has recent images available in the buffer, eliminating the need to start capturing at high quality only after the event is detected. The buffer maintains a rolling window of recent imagery that is ready for immediate transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by capturing images at different quality levels for different purposes. During normal operation, the system captures images at a lower resolution and frame rate suitable for general monitoring and exception event detection. When an exception event is detected, the system can then transmit these partially captured images immediately, and optionally continue capturing at higher quality if needed for detailed analysis, thereby avoiding the excessive storage requirements of continuous high-quality capture.
3Reliability
If dedicated accident recording systems are installed in vehicles, then comprehensive accident detection and reporting is achieved, but the cost effectiveness decreases compared to utilizing existing camera systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by repurposing existing digital camera systems already installed in vehicles for multiple functions including their original purposes (night vision, blind spot monitoring, etc.) and adding exception event recording capabilities. This eliminates the need to install separate dedicated accident recording cameras, reducing hardware costs while maintaining comprehensive accident detection and reporting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies merging by integrating the exception event recording function with the existing camera system's image processing and transmission infrastructure. The system combines the existing camera hardware, image processing unit, and communication module to create a multi-functional system that performs both original applications and accident recording, thereby eliminating redundant hardware and reducing overall system cost.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing digital camera systems are used for multiple functions including exception event recording, then cost effectiveness is improved, but the systems must be modified to add periodic capture and storage capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the exception event recording function with the existing camera system's image processing and transmission infrastructure. The system combines the existing camera hardware, image processing unit, and communication module to create a multi-functional system that performs both original applications and accident recording, thereby eliminating redundant hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by enabling digital camera systems to serve multiple functions beyond their original specialized purposes. The system integrates with the vehicle's existing communication infrastructure to transmit images for various purposes including accident reporting, security monitoring, and law enforcement assistance, thereby achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated systems for each application.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle system for automatically reporting exception events, comprising: one or more digital cameras, at least one digital camera having a primary function; an image memory system for storing digital images; means for detecting exception events; and a wireless communications system for communicating with a central reporting service. A program memory stores executable instruction for causing a processor to perform the steps of: using at least one of the digital cameras to periodically capture digital images at a specified capture frequency; storing the periodically captured digital images in the image memory for a specified period of time; and receiving input from the means for detecting an exception event. In response to the detection of an exception event a communication link is opened to the central reporting service using the wireless communications system, and one or more of the captured digital images are transmitted to the central reporting service.