Dashcam Image Matching for Road-Feature-Free Motion Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dashcams struggle to estimate the movement behavior of a moving object, such as a vehicle, in a simple and redundant manner without relying on specific road features like white lines.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus equipped with an imaging unit to capture exterior views and an estimation unit that analyzes differences between manipulated images of a second taken image and a first taken image to estimate the movement amount of the moving object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a dashcam operates independently without communicating with vehicle systems, then it can be installed after purchase and provides portability, but it cannot directly obtain accurate vehicle behavior data from vehicle sensors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidvehicle behavior detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dashcam creates a virtual model of vehicle behavior by processing and analyzing images captured by its own imaging device. Instead of relying on direct data from vehicle sensors, the system copies the function of vehicle behavior detection through image-based analysis, generating virtual vehicle behavior data that reflects actual movement patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/sensor-based vehicle behavior detection system with an image processing-based system. The imaging device and image processing unit substitute for traditional vehicle sensors (accelerometers, GPS, etc.), using optical information rather than mechanical sensing to determine vehicle behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the dashcam processes images to estimate vehicle behavior independently, then it provides driver-assistance functions without vehicle system integration, but the computational complexity increases processing time and resource requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver-assistance functionalityVSAvoidimage processing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The image processing is divided into multiple stages and components: the imaging device captures images, the image processing unit performs initial analysis, and the vehicle behavior estimation unit generates final results. This segmentation allows parallel processing and optimization at each stage, improving overall throughput while maintaining comprehensive analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system processes a selected region of the captured image rather than the entire image frame. By focusing computational resources on the relevant region containing the movement amount information, the system achieves sufficient accuracy for driver-assistance functions while significantly reducing processing time and resource requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If the dashcam uses simple image difference methods to estimate movement, then processing is fast and computationally efficient, but accuracy decreases when specific road features like white lines are absent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidmovement amount estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an image processing unit that acts as an intermediary between the raw captured image and the vehicle behavior estimation. This unit enhances the image data by identifying and processing specific regions, creating an intermediate representation that preserves movement information while being independent of specific road features like white lines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter being measured from specific road feature positions to movement amount derived from image region analysis. By transforming the measurement parameter from absolute position (requiring white lines) to relative movement (detectable through image differencing), the system maintains accuracy without depending on specific road markings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12272075B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium for estimating movement amount of moving object

Publication Date: 2025.04.08 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus, for estimating a movement amount of a moving object to which the information processing apparatus is attached, captures an image taken of an exterior view seen from the moving object. The apparatus estimates the movement amount of the moving object based on a first taken image taken at a first time and a second taken image taken at a second time earlier than the first time. The apparatus estimates the movement amount of the moving object based on a difference between image information on a predetermined region of each manipulated image obtained by manipulating the second taken image based on mutually different predicted movement amounts and image information on a predetermined region cut out from the first taken image.