Overlapping Camera Synchronization for Vehicle Object Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing external environment recognition systems for autonomous mobile objects waste processing resources by performing synchronous processing periodically, even when synchronization is not necessary, and require complex correction processing, especially with increased camera installations and frame rates.

Innovation Solution

An external environment recognition device that performs synchronous processing only when positional deviations occur between overlapping camera regions, allowing for reduced processing load and resource conservation by synchronizing signals at the stage of signal output from recognition sensors, and includes an abnormality notification system for displaced sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synchronous processing is performed periodically by cameras using a synchronizing signal, then synchronization between cameras is maintained, but processing resources are wasted when synchronization is not necessary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidprocessing resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static periodic synchronization to dynamic event-driven synchronization. The system continuously monitors imaging timing information and dynamically activates synchronous processing only when timing deviations exceed a threshold, making the synchronization mechanism adaptive to actual system conditions rather than operating continuously at fixed intervals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting timing deviations between cameras through monitoring imaging timing information. When deviations are detected, the system autonomously triggers synchronous processing without external intervention, and returns to normal operation when deviations are corrected, enabling the system to self-regulate synchronization needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If correction processing is performed by the image processing device to align imaging timings, then positional accuracy of identical objects is improved, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional accuracyVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary detection of timing deviations by monitoring imaging timing information before correction processing is needed. By detecting deviations early and triggering synchronization only when necessary, the system avoids the continuous processing load of correction while maintaining positional accuracy when deviations occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and monitors specific timing information from camera operations separately from the main image processing workflow. By isolating the timing detection function and using it to trigger correction only when needed, the system removes unnecessary processing load from the image processing device while preserving correction capabilities when required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3982625B1Outside environment recognition device
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP3982625B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3982625B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3982625B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An external environment recognition device includes: a plurality of external environment recognition sensors (20) each having an information detection unit (20a) that detects information of an object outside a vehicle, the plurality of external environment recognition sensors (20) being arranged such that a detection range of the information detection unit (20a) includes an overlapping region (RF) where at least part of the detection range of the information detection unit (20a) overlaps with at least part of the detection range of another one of the information detection units (20a); and a synchronous processing unit that extracts identical objects in the overlapping region (RF) from detection results of the external environment recognition sensors (20), and performs synchronous processing to synchronize the plurality of external environment recognition sensors(20) if there is a deviation in position between the identical objects in the overlapping region (RF).