Autonomous Driving Control with Camera Malfunction Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing autonomous driving control systems face challenges in continuously performing autonomous driving when one of the in-vehicle cameras malfunctions, as they often require switching to manual driving mode, which complicates safe vehicle operation and reduces usability.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous driving control apparatus and program product that include at least two cameras capturing different directional regions, with a camera monitor unit to detect malfunctions and limit autonomous driving conditions based on the affected region, allowing the vehicle control unit to adjust and continue autonomous driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system switches to manual driving mode when a camera malfunctions, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous driving control apparatus dynamically adjusts the autonomous driving conditions based on the malfunction status of cameras. When a camera malfunctions, the system modifies driving conditions (such as limiting speed or restricting to specific lanes) rather than switching to manual mode, allowing continuous autonomous operation adapted to the reduced sensing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (autonomous driving conditions) in response to camera malfunction. Instead of binary switching between autonomous and manual modes, the system adjusts parameters like speed limits, lane selection, or monitoring frequency to maintain safe autonomous operation with degraded sensors
2Reliability
If the system switches to manual driving mode when a camera malfunctions, then safety is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains dynamic autonomous driving capability by adapting conditions rather than switching to manual mode. This allows the vehicle to continue autonomous operation (maintaining productivity) while adjusting to the malfunction state to preserve safety
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous autonomous driving operation even when cameras malfunction by modifying driving conditions. This avoids interruption of the useful action (autonomous driving) and maintains productivity while still ensuring safety through adapted operational parameters
3Reliability
If multiple cameras are installed to cover different directional regions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring function across multiple cameras, with each camera responsible for specific directional regions. When a camera malfunctions, only the corresponding region's monitoring is affected, while other regions continue to be monitored by their respective cameras, maintaining overall system reliability without requiring complete redundancy
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous driving control apparatus serves multiple functions: it controls autonomous driving, monitors camera status, and dynamically adjusts driving conditions based on sensor status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
In an autonomous driving control apparatus, a drive control unit determines, based on first and second images respectively captured by first and second cameras and an autonomous driving condition, a value of at least one controlled variable for autonomous driving of a vehicle, and outputs, to a vehicle control unit, the value of the at least one controlled variable to thereby cause the vehicle control unit to carry out a task of autonomously driving the vehicle. A camera monitor unit determines whether at least one of the first and second cameras has malfunctioned. The camera monitor unit limits, based on the at least one of the first and second directional regions corresponding to the at least of the first and second cameras, the autonomous driving condition when determining that the at least one of the first and second cameras has malfunctioned.