Infrastructure Camera Backup Switching for Remote Moving-Body Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote support systems using infrastructure cameras for moving bodies face accuracy issues when abnormalities occur in the video feed, leading to inadequate support during remote monitoring or driving.

Innovation Solution

A remote support system that includes processors to acquire and present videos from infrastructure cameras, with an abnormality determination and handling process to resolve issues by executing substitute video presentation or video recovery, ensuring continuous accurate support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an infrastructure camera is used to shoot video of the moving body and surroundings, then the accuracy of remote support is improved, but when an abnormality occurs in the video, the support accuracy cannot be sufficiently maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote support accuracyVSAvoidvideo feed reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring videos from multiple infrastructure cameras in advance and determining abnormalities before they critically impact remote support. The abnormality determination process continuously monitors video quality metrics (brightness, contrast, noise levels) and prepares substitute videos ahead of time, ensuring that when an abnormality is detected, the system can immediately switch to a pre-acquired alternative video without interruption to remote support accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements beforehand cushioning by acquiring multiple videos from different infrastructure cameras and storing them as backup options. When an abnormality is detected in the current video feed, the system has already prepared substitute videos that can be presented to the remote supporter, cushioning against the potential loss of support accuracy. This is achieved by maintaining a pool of pre-acquired videos that can be quickly deployed when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If multiple infrastructure cameras are used to provide substitute videos, then video availability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo availabilityVSAvoidcamera system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies universality by designing the infrastructure cameras to serve multiple functions: primary video acquisition for remote support, abnormality detection sources, and substitute video providers. The same camera infrastructure that captures the main video feed also provides backup videos when abnormalities occur, eliminating the need for separate dedicated backup camera systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high video availability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses copying by creating duplicate video feeds from multiple infrastructure cameras that capture the same or overlapping scenes. Instead of requiring complex multi-camera systems with different functions, the system acquires multiple copies of the video feed from different camera positions and uses abnormality determination to select the appropriate copy, simplifying the system architecture while ensuring video availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4407982A1Remote support system and remote support method
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4407982A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4407982A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4407982A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A remote support system (1) performs a remote support of a moving body. The remote support system (1) includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to acquire, via communication, a first video (IMG-1) shot with a first infrastructure camera (400-1) installed in a target area in which the moving body moves. The one or more processors are configured to present the first video (IMG-1) to a remote supporter (X) to perform the remote support for the moving body. When an abnormality occurs in the first video (IMG-1), the one or more processors are configured to execute an abnormality handling process to resolve the abnormality in the first video (IMG-1) or to present a substitute video (SIMG) to the remote supporter (X) instead of the first video (IMG-1).