Vehicle Cabin Camera Light Intensity Switching for Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-cabin monitoring systems face challenges in detecting objects and changes within vehicle cabins due to varying ambient light conditions, which complicates the detection of items left behind or dirt, especially in car rental and sharing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An in-cabin monitoring system comprising a camera and a light source that emits two different intensities of light, with a controller capturing images before and after a person enters or exits the vehicle using the stronger light to reduce ambient light influence and detect changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If ambient light is used for cabin monitoring, then energy consumption is reduced, but detection precision deteriorates due to varying light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures a reference image of the cabin interior before the user enters, when ambient light conditions are stable and known. This preliminary action establishes a baseline that can be compared against post-use images, enabling detection of changes (such as left-behind objects or dirt) without requiring controlled lighting conditions during actual monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the cabin state at a reference time point (before use) and compares it with the current state (after use). This copying approach allows the system to detect changes by comparing two ambient light images rather than requiring controlled illumination, thus maintaining low energy consumption while achieving reliable detection.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light intensities are used for cabin monitoring, then detection precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is configured to dynamically switch between two light intensities (first and second light) based on the detection phase. During reference image capture, one intensity is used, while during actual monitoring, the other intensity is applied. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize detection precision for different stages without requiring multiple simultaneous light sources, thereby controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the light intensity parameter of the existing light source between two discrete levels rather than using a continuous range or multiple independent light sources. This parameter change approach enables the system to achieve varied illumination conditions for different detection phases while utilizing a single light source device, thus improving detection precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If images are captured before and after vehicle use, then object detection accuracy improves, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures the reference image of the cabin interior at the moment before the user enters the vehicle, utilizing the natural transition period when the door is opening. This preliminary capture requires minimal additional time as it coincides with the normal vehicle access routine, yet establishes the baseline needed for accurate post-use comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback by comparing the post-use image with the pre-captured reference image and notifying the user of any detected changes (such as forgotten items or dirt). This feedback mechanism is integrated into the vehicle's existing notification systems, allowing rapid communication of results without requiring manual analysis, thus minimizing the perceived time loss for the user.
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
This approach allows for effective detection of objects and changes within the cabin with reduced ambient light interference, enabling users to identify missing items, dirt, or maintenance needs by comparing pre- and post-use images.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits light to be used when an inside of a cabin is to be imaged
Data Source
AI summary
An in-cabin monitoring system includes a camera which captures an image of an inside of a cabin of a vehicle, a light source which irradiates the inside of the cabin with light, and a controller which controls the camera and the light source. The light source is capable of emitting first light which is light to be emitted when checking whether a person is present using the camera and second light which is stronger than the first light. The controller captures an image of the inside of the cabin using the camera while causing the light source to emit the second light, before the person gets in the vehicle and after the person gets out of the vehicle.