Camera Module Script Setup for Flexible ECU Configuration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera module setups in vehicles are inflexible, lacking the ability to adapt to future changes in the camera or control unit configurations, and require fixed firmware coding during production.

Innovation Solution

A camera module with a non-volatile memory storing a script for setup instructions, executed by an electronic device's interpreter to configure the module, allowing flexible setup and secure access through CRC, cryptographic signatures, and encryption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ECU codes the camera module setup operations in firmware during production, then the setup process is automated and reliable, but the system becomes inflexible and cannot adapt to future changes in camera or ECU configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup process reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static firmware-based configuration into a dynamic script-based system. The camera module includes a non-volatile memory storing executable scripts that can be interpreted by the ECU at runtime. This allows the configuration to evolve from fixed during production to flexible and updatable after deployment, resolving the contradiction between reliability through automation and adaptability to changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of how configuration information is stored and executed. Instead of hardcoding setup operations in firmware, the system uses stored scripts with executable instructions that can be modified. This parameter change enables the system to maintain reliable automated setup while allowing future adaptability through script updates without requiring firmware reflash.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the camera module uses fixed firmware configuration, then the setup is simple and fast during production, but the system cannot accommodate later changes in camera capabilities or ECU requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup speedVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static firmware to dynamic scripts that can be executed and modified. The non-volatile memory stores executable script instructions that the ECU interprets at runtime, enabling fast initial setup while allowing subsequent updates to adapt to new camera capabilities or ECU requirements without slowing down the setup process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing the script in the camera module's non-volatile memory during production. This ensures the setup instructions are ready immediately upon connection to the ECU, maintaining fast setup speed while the script content itself remains adaptable through future updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If the ECU stores camera characteristics in non-volatile memory during production, then the camera can be identified and processed, but the setup operations remain fixed and cannot be modified later

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera characteristic retentionVSAvoidsetup configurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the nature of stored information from static camera characteristics to executable setup scripts. The non-volatile memory now stores scripts with executable instructions that define setup operations, allowing the system to retain camera information while enabling flexible modification of setup procedures through script updates without losing any characteristic data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3961459B1System including a camera module connected to an electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 APTIV TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP3961459B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The camera module (1) includes a non-volatile memory (12) storing a script that includes instructions for setting up the camera module. The electronic device (2) includes an interpreter (20) that executes at least partially the script stored in the non-volatile memory (12) of the camera module (1) to set up the camera module.