Vehicular Vision System with Dynamic Camera Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle vision systems lack dynamic camera orientation and efficient data processing to provide a comprehensive surround view and collision avoidance capabilities, especially during low-speed maneuvers and varying driving conditions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle vision system utilizing CMOS cameras with dynamically adjustable orientation via stepper motors and a time multiplexed camera control system, integrated with an EYEQ3 architecture, to capture and process image data for surround view and collision avoidance, adjusting camera fields of view based on speed and user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single camera is used for vehicle vision systems, then the system cost is reduced, but the ability to provide comprehensive surround view and collision avoidance capabilities is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem costVSAvoidsurround view capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic camera orientation adjustment through motorized mounting structures that enable a single camera to change its field of view dynamically. The camera can be rotated and tilted to capture images from multiple directions (front, rear, left, right) sequentially, providing comprehensive surround view capability without requiring multiple fixed cameras. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by making one camera adaptable to multiple viewing positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic action by sequentially capturing images at different orientations over time. The camera alternates between different viewing angles in a systematic sequence, capturing front, rear, left, and right views in periodic cycles. This temporal multiplexing allows a single camera to gather data that would traditionally require multiple simultaneous cameras, reducing system cost while maintaining comprehensive surveillance capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Device complexity

If camera orientation is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to different driving conditions and speeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera control mechanismVSAvoidresponse to driving conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the camera control unit receives signals about vehicle speed and driving conditions, then automatically adjusts camera orientation accordingly. During low-speed maneuvers, the system prioritizes capturing ground-level images for parking assistance, while during high-speed driving, it captures distant objects for collision avoidance. This feedback-driven adaptation enables the system to respond intelligently to varying operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If multiple cameras are used to capture images at different orientations, then the surround view quality is improved, but the data processing load and system cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurround view qualityVSAvoidnumber of cameras

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Measurement precision

If the camera captures ground area images for surround view, then the parking assistance is improved, but the collision avoidance capability at higher speeds is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground area detectionVSAvoidspeed-dependent detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters based on vehicle speed. During low-speed maneuvers, the camera is positioned to capture ground-level images with a downward tilt for optimal parking assistance. During high-speed driving, the system adjusts the camera orientation to capture distant objects on the road horizon for collision avoidance. This parameter adaptation allows the same hardware to optimize performance for different operational contexts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11563919B2Vehicular vision system with dual processor control

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A vehicular vision system includes a forward viewing camera at a windshield of a vehicle and a plurality of color cameras, and includes a display device operable to display video images derived from image data captured by the color cameras. A processing unit includes a first processing chip that has an image processor for machine-vision processing of captured image data, and a second processing chip that receives vehicle data and receives image data captured by the color cameras. The first processing chip machine-vision processes image data captured by the cameras for object detection and classification of objects. The first processing chip controls operating parameters of the color cameras to enhance object detection based on machine-vision processing by the first processing chip of image data captured by the color cameras. The second processing chip controls operating parameters of the color cameras for display at the display device of video images.