Vehicle Image Sensor Chip Processing for Secure Scene Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image processing systems often execute uncomplicated tasks like noise removal in the image sensor's DSP while complex tasks such as face authentication are handled by an application processor, raising concerns about security and privacy due to direct output of captured images.

Innovation Solution

The image capturing device integrates a DSP within the image sensor chip to perform fabrication processing, including face detection and image manipulation, thereby preventing direct output of raw images to external devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If image data is directly output from the image sensor to external devices, then processing simplicity is maintained, but security and privacy are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the DSP functionality directly into the image sensor chip, creating an integrated processing system. This allows fabrication processing to be executed within the sensor itself, preventing raw image data from leaving the chip and thus resolving the security-privacy issue while maintaining processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer within the image sensor chip that handles fabrication processing before data output. This intermediary structure ensures that sensitive operations are performed securely within the sensor while still allowing processed results to be transmitted externally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If fabrication processing is executed within the image sensor chip, then security and privacy are enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidchip structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (image capture, processing, and fabrication) into a single integrated chip structure. This merging approach enhances privacy protection by keeping all operations within the sensor while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If complex processing such as face authentication is executed at the application processor, then processing capability is sufficient, but data transmission security is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission securityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges complex fabrication processing capabilities directly into the image sensor chip, eliminating the need to transmit raw image data to external processors. This integration maintains processing efficiency while significantly enhancing data transmission security by keeping sensitive operations local to the sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3833005B1Imaging device and vehicle control system
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP3833005B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3833005B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3833005B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Fabrication processing is executed in a chip of an image sensor. An image capturing device includes an image capturing unit (11) mounted on a vehicle and configured to generate image data by performing image capturing of a peripheral region of the vehicle, a scene recognition unit (214) configured to recognize a scene of the peripheral region based on the image data, and a drive control unit (12) configured to control drive of the image capturing unit based on the scene recognized by the scene recognition unit.