Autonomous Vehicle View Management for External Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of autonomous driving and parking systems face challenges in monitoring vehicle operations from outside the vehicle, as existing technologies do not provide a user-friendly method for real-time observation of autonomous driving or parking operations from external positions.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing portable electronic devices wirelessly connected to the vehicle, with cameras installed at various positions, allows users to observe live videos of the vehicle's operations in real-time, featuring view-management algorithms that automatically select the most relevant camera views based on situational context, and provides additional information through video overlays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple cameras are installed at different positions of the vehicle to capture comprehensive views, then the monitoring coverage is improved, but the device complexity and data processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is segmented into multiple independent camera units positioned at different locations on the vehicle (front, rear, side mirrors), each capturing specific zones. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage while maintaining modular simplicity, where each camera unit can be independently selected and configured based on specific monitoring needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system integrates multiple camera functions into a single unified platform that can capture live videos, record footage, transmit data wirelessly, and provide various viewing modes (live, recorded, selected). This multi-functional integration reduces overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If live videos from multiple cameras are transmitted to the portable device, then the real-time monitoring capability is improved, but the energy consumption and communication bandwidth increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time monitoringVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously transmitting all camera feeds at full resolution, the system transmits only selected or partially processed video streams based on monitoring priorities. The portable device can request specific views or receive reduced-resolution streams, consuming less energy and bandwidth while maintaining effective real-time monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The video transmission operates in periodic intervals rather than continuous streaming, with the system capturing and transmitting video frames at optimized intervals. This periodic transmission reduces energy consumption and communication bandwidth usage while maintaining the perception of real-time monitoring, as the intervals are short enough to provide timely updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the user can select and view specific camera views on the portable device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to view-management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidview-management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automatic view selection and management features that operate without requiring complex user configuration. The portable device automatically receives and displays relevant video streams based on pre-configured preferences or current vehicle status, eliminating the need for users to manually manage complex view settings while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows users to select from predefined view parameters (such as front view, rear view, side views) rather than requiring customization of complex camera settings. By changing only simple selection parameters rather than managing complex camera configurations, the system maintains ease of operation while reducing the effective complexity the user must deal with.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4120218B1System and method for monitoring an autonomous driving or parking operation
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
  • EP4120218B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4120218B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4120218B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system and method for monitoring an autonomous driving or parking operation of a vehicle (1). To provide a user-friendly system and method that allows a user to monitor (and observe) an autonomous driving or parking operation of the vehicle (1) from outside the vehicle (1), the system comprises view-management means configured to automatically select a camera-view of which the corresponding live-video is shown to the user (5) on a portable electronic device (30).