Driver Camera Recording Mode Adjustment for Privacy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current driver-facing camera systems invade driver privacy during rest periods and are overly restrictive when turned off, leading to gaps and desynchronization in data collection.

Innovation Solution

A system that adjusts recording modes of driver-facing cameras based on detected events, using multiple recording modes including an obscuring mode to minimize privacy invasion, with sensors and a processor determining mode changes and altering camera settings such as gain and exposure to obscure or halt video recording.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the driver facing camera is turned off to protect driver privacy during rest periods, then driver privacy is improved, but data collection completeness deteriorates due to gaps and desynchronization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver privacy invasionVSAvoiddata collection completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system is divided into multiple recording modes (first recording mode for normal operation, second recording mode for privacy protection) that can be independently activated based on detected events. This segmentation allows the system to collect necessary data while protecting driver privacy during rest periods by switching between different recording states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recording mode of the camera is made dynamic and adjustable based on detected events. The system transitions between different recording modes (full recording, obscured recording, selective area recording) depending on whether the driver is working or resting, allowing the recording parameters to adapt to current operational conditions rather than being static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If the driver facing camera operates continuously in normal mode to ensure complete data collection, then data collection completeness is improved, but driver privacy deteriorates during rest periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection completenessVSAvoiddriver privacy invasion

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses event detection mechanisms that continuously monitor driver status and provide feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback (detecting whether the driver is working or resting), the system automatically adjusts the recording mode, creating a closed-loop control system that balances data collection needs with driver privacy protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The recording parameters of the camera (such as recording area, obscuration level, and recording mode) are dynamically changed based on detected events. When the driver is detected to be resting, the system changes parameters to obscure or limit recording in the bunk area, whereas during working hours, full recording is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the driver facing camera is manually operated to protect privacy, then driver privacy control is improved, but system complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to manual intervention requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver privacy controlVSAvoidmanual operation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs privacy protection automatically without requiring manual driver intervention. The event detection mechanism autonomously monitors driver status and triggers appropriate recording mode changes, allowing the system to serve itself in managing privacy concerns while the driver focuses on operating the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the driver facing camera records in obscured mode during rest periods to protect privacy, then driver privacy is improved, but recording effectiveness deteriorates due to insufficient detail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver privacy protectionVSAvoidrecording detail quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The camera system applies different recording qualities to different areas of the field of view. During rest periods, the bunk area is obscured or recorded with reduced detail to protect privacy, while other areas may continue to be recorded with full quality. This local differentiation allows privacy protection in sensitive areas while maintaining recording effectiveness in other regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11657647B2System and method for adjusting recording modes for driver facing cameras

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 RM ACQUISITION LLC

AI summary

A system for recording vehicle occupants and their immediate environment includes a driver-facing camera for capturing video data, an input that receives data from one or more sensors configured to detect vehicle related data and a processor. The processor is configured to embed, based on the sensor data, at least one indicator in a portion of the video data. The indicator designates that the portion of the video data is to be obscured during playback of the video data.