Retrofit Vehicle Camera Alignment Using Fixed Reference Overlays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dashcams struggle with accurate attachment to vehicle surfaces, leading to inconsistent monitoring performance due to variations in positioning and attitude, which affects the precision of distance measurement and warning functions.
Innovation Solution
An image recording device with a fixing member, main body, cameras, adjuster, output unit, memory, and processor that allows for precise adjustment of the device's attitude by synthesizing reference images with captured images to ensure accurate alignment and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the camera is attached as a part of the vehicle at the time of manufacture, then the attachment accuracy is high and the accuracy in monitoring the surroundings is also high, but it is difficult to accurately retrofit a vehicle body with the dashcam at a predetermined position and in a predetermined attitude
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing reference images captured at predetermined positions and attitudes before the actual retrofit process. These reference images serve as templates that guide the adjustment process, allowing the dashcam to be retrofitted without requiring precise pre-positioning. The system captures images, compares them with reference images, and adjusts the attitude accordingly, thus achieving high attachment accuracy through preparatory reference data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical adjustment system with an image-based feedback system. Instead of relying solely on physical positioning mechanisms to achieve precise attachment, the system uses image capture, comparison with reference images, and digital signal processing to determine and adjust the camera's attitude. This substitution of mechanical positioning with optical-digital feedback enables easier retrofitting while maintaining high precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the camera is retrofitted to achieve driving assistance functions, then the device can be installed on existing vehicles, but the accuracy in monitoring the surroundings and measuring distances is insufficient due to attachment position variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by capturing images with the retrofitted dashcam, comparing these images with pre-stored reference images captured at known predetermined positions and attitudes, and using the comparison results to adjust the camera's attitude. This closed-loop feedback system continuously refines the camera positioning, ensuring that distance measurement accuracy is maintained despite the initial variations inherent in retrofit installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-capturing and storing reference images at exact predetermined positions and attitudes before the retrofit process. These reference images contain known geometric relationships and distance information that serve as the basis for subsequent comparison and adjustment, enabling the system to compensate for attachment position variations and achieve accurate distance measurement.
3Ease of operation
If the dashcam is adjusted manually without reference images, then the adjustment process is simple, but the attitude adjustment accuracy is insufficient for high-precision monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference images as an intermediary between the manual adjustment process and the final attitude accuracy. The reference images serve as a mediator that translates simple manual adjustment operations into precise attitude positioning. The operator performs simple adjustments while observing the comparison between captured images and reference images, and the system automatically calculates the required adjustments, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording device capable of being retrofitted to a vehicle has a fixing member configured to be fixed to the vehicle; a main body fixed to the vehicle by the fixing member; at least one camera provided in the main body and configured capture an image in surroundings of the vehicle; an adjuster configured to adjust an attitude of the main body; an output unit configured to output the image captured by the at least one camera to a display. The image recording device performs processing including, in a case where an adjustment mode is designated, causing the output unit to output another image obtained by synthesizing a reference image with the image captured by the at least one camera, a position of the reference image with respect to a frame of the image being fixed.