Key Fob Selfie Button for Vehicle Camera Flash Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle cameras are primarily used for operational purposes like backing up and monitoring, but they do not facilitate easy image or video capture for vehicle occupants during road trips, and there is a need for better timing and lighting in capturing scenic views or selfies.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a photo button into the key fob that sends signals to the vehicle's processor and camera modules to capture images or videos, with optional automatic features using radar sensors for motion detection and lighting adjustments, allowing for seamless image or video capture and transfer to connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicle cameras are used for operational purposes only, then vehicle safety and monitoring are improved, but accessibility for personal use cases is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle camera system is designed to serve multiple functions: it maintains its original operational purposes (safety, monitoring, backing up, parking, security) while simultaneously enabling personal use cases (selfies, scenic photos, videos). The system allows both vehicle occupants and external users to capture images and videos, making the camera system universally applicable for both safety-critical and recreational purposes.
2Ease of operation
If a photo button is added to the key fob, then ease of operation for capturing images is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The key fob is enhanced by adding a photo button that leverages the existing vehicle camera system. This allows the key fob to serve its traditional remote locking/unlocking functions while also enabling image and video capture control, making it a multi-functional device without requiring a separate dedicated camera controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines which cameras to activate based on the key fob's location relative to the vehicle. The processor selects appropriate cameras from the plurality of vehicle cameras, and the system autonomously manages the image capture process, reducing the operational burden on the user.
3Productivity
If automatic features use radar sensors for motion detection, then productivity of image capture is improved, but use of energy is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses radar sensors to detect motion and automatically trigger image capture only when motion is detected, rather than continuously operating the radar or continuously capturing images. This partial action approach improves productivity by capturing images at relevant moments while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables vehicle occupants to easily capture and share images or videos of scenic views or selfies while ensuring proper lighting, with automatic features ensuring only the owner is photographed and reducing data usage by correlating location and identity.
Implementation Method 1
In automatic mode, the radar sensor may be used to detect motion of a person or object in proximity to the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a camera module may be used to capture the image data
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for logging images using integrated cameras, lights, and sensors of a vehicle are provided. The system may include a handheld actuator, e.g., a key fob, having a button for initiating the taking of a photo or the start or stop of the recording of a video by the integrated cameras of the vehicle. Moreover, the actuator may select lighting settings such that the integrated lights of the vehicle may illuminate the vicinity of the vehicle to create a flash effect for a photo, or illuminate the vicinity of the vehicle for a video. The image data captured by the cameras may be at least temporarily stored, and transmitted to, e.g., a mobile device within a predetermined range of the vehicle.