Rearview Camera Architecture Using Head Unit Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle imaging systems are complex and costly, with high development costs and long vehicle development cycles leading to outdated driver assistance and safety systems, necessitating a simplified and cost-efficient architecture that reduces the number of variants and eliminates dedicated vision system control devices.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves transferring the graphic engine and image processing from cameras to the head unit or mobile devices, using a simplified data transfer interface for raw image data, and implementing a control line for camera control, reducing camera electronics to essential functionalities and using LVDS or Ethernet for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated vision system control devices and complex camera electronics are used, then image processing capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the graphic engine and image processing functionality from dedicated vision system control devices and relocates it to the head unit. This eliminates the need for separate vision system controllers and complex camera electronics, reducing system complexity while maintaining processing capability through the existing head unit infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The head unit is designed to perform multiple functions including audio processing, navigation, and now image processing for vision systems. By making the head unit universal and multi-functional, the patent eliminates dedicated vision control devices and reduces the number of variants needed in the system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated vision system control devices are used, then image processing is improved, but development cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vision system control functions with the head unit, combining multiple system functions into a single integrated platform. This consolidation reduces development costs by eliminating the need for separate dedicated vision control devices and reduces the number of system variants, thereby easing manufacturing and development processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex camera electronics with integrated processing are used, then system integration is improved, but system cost and variant complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of integrating processing electronics into each camera module (the conventional approach), the patent inverts the architecture by having cameras output raw data to a centralized graphic engine in the head unit. This inversion simplifies camera electronics while maintaining system integration through the head unit's processing capability, reducing the number of variants needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular vision system includes a rearward-viewing camera disposed at a vehicle and viewing at least rearward of the vehicle. The rearward-viewing camera connects with a control via a cable. The cable carries control data from the control to the rearward-viewing camera and carries image data captured by the rearward-viewing camera from the rearward-viewing camera to the control. The control generates an output provided to a video display device of the vehicle. The video display device includes a video display screen viewable by a driver of the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver of the vehicle, the video display screen displays video images of an area rearward the vehicle derived from image data captured by the rearward-viewing camera and carried to the control by the cable. Image data captured by the rearward-viewing camera is processed at an image processor to detect an object present rearward of the vehicle.