Parked Vehicle Incident Capture Using Rear Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack effective mechanisms for recording incidents of damage or theft, as specialized systems are either not available or are implemented using additional sensors and cameras primarily for security purposes, which are not integrated with existing vehicle systems.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes existing vehicle sensors and cameras, connected to an electronic controller, to detect changes in conditions and store images indicative of damage or theft, with a user interface for managing and viewing incident images, allowing for efficient capture and storage of relevant data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized vehicle security systems with dedicated sensors and cameras are installed, then incident detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling existing vehicle cameras and sensors to serve dual purposes: their original functions (rear viewing, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring) plus incident detection and documentation. The electronic controller integrates multiple functions into a unified system that captures images for both navigation assistance and security incident recording, eliminating the need for dedicated security cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges existing vehicle security systems with camera systems by integrating the electronic controller to coordinate between sensor-based detection and camera-based documentation. The system combines data from multiple existing sources (sensors, cameras, head unit) into a unified incident capture and management system, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If additional dedicated security cameras and sensors are added to the vehicle, then incident capture capability is improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables existing vehicle cameras to perform multiple functions including their original purpose and incident documentation, eliminating the need for additional dedicated security cameras and simplifying installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's existing infrastructure (cameras, sensors, controllers, power supply) to provide security incident capture capabilities, allowing the vehicle to serve itself without requiring external specialized components or complex installation procedures.
3Device complexity
If existing vehicle cameras are used for incident capture, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of incident detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the electronic controller continuously monitors sensor data and camera images, comparing current readings against baseline conditions to detect incidents. The head unit provides user feedback for verifying captured incidents, allowing the system to adapt and improve detection accuracy over time while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously capturing and storing images in the image stack before incidents occur, with the electronic controller pre-configured to recognize incident patterns. When an incident is detected, the system has already have relevant imagery ready for immediate review, improving detection reliability without adding complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Incident capture systems and methods for a vehicle. One example system includes a head unit that displays a user interface to view and manage incident images. The system also includes an existing vehicle sensor configured to sense conditions outside of the vehicle, an existing vehicle camera configured to capture conditions outside of the vehicle, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller is configured to detect a change in the conditions outside of the vehicle from the existing sensor; determine a state of the system, wherein the state of the system is one selected from the group consisting of an on state and an off state; and in response to determining an on state, receive at least one image from the existing vehicle camera; and store the at least one image in a stack located in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.