Vehicle Camera Mounting Position Determination via Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiple-camera systems for vehicles, such as surround view and mirror replacement systems, the central electronic control unit (ECU) faces challenges in identifying which image signal comes from which camera due to identical connectors and mechanical coding, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to determine the mounting positions and orientations of multiple cameras using image processing, where cameras are connected to the ECU via identical connectors, and the positions and orientations are identified by evaluating optical flow, detecting specific markers, or matching overlapping image regions, allowing the ECU to correctly associate image signals with their respective cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different connectors or mechanical coding are used for each camera to identify mounting positions and orientations, then the ECU can correctly identify which image signal comes from which camera, but the manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical identification system (different connectors or mechanical coding) with an image processing system. The ECU uses image processing algorithms to analyze captured images and automatically determine which camera is at which mounting position and orientation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical coding while maintaining reliable camera identification
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system performs self-identification through image processing. Each camera captures images that are processed by the ECU to automatically determine its own mounting position and orientation, allowing the system to configure itself without requiring pre-installed mechanical coding or complex connector differentiation
2Ease of manufacture
If identical connectors are used for all cameras, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the ECU cannot identify which image signal comes from which camera
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical identification methods with image processing. Instead of using different connectors to encode camera identity, the system uses identical connectors for all cameras and relies on image processing algorithms to extract position and orientation information from the captured images, thereby preserving manufacturing simplicity while recovering the lost identification information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image processing as an intermediary between the identical connectors and the ECU. The image processing unit acts as a mediator that extracts camera identification information from the visual data, allowing the ECU to correctly associate image signals with their respective cameras despite using identical connectors
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining mounting positions and/or orientations of multiple cameras (11-14) of a camera system of a vehicle (1), the cameras (11-4) being arranged on the vehicle (1) and having different mounting positions and/or orientations, wherein images (101-104) are captured by the cameras (11-14) and the mounting positions and/or orientations of the cameras (11-14) are determined by means of image processing of the captured images (101-104). The invention further relates to camera system and image processing means adapted to execute the method.