Vehicle Sensor Recording Control in No-Recording Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles face restrictions in recording sensor data in certain prohibited zones due to security concerns, limiting their operating space and requiring time-consuming detours.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that detects no-recording zones using a digital NORA map, allowing sensors to pause recording when in prohibited areas while maintaining detection capabilities, and defining an approved field of view for each sensor based on the map, enabling continuous operation and expanded navigable areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensor data recording is continuously performed in all areas, then data quality and completeness for algorithm training and safety analysis are improved, but security restrictions in prohibited zones cannot be complied with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata qualityVSAvoidsecurity violation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the recording space into multiple sensor fields of view, each with its own independent recording control. The space is segmented into recordable zones and no-recording zones based on digital map data, allowing selective recording in different spatial regions. This enables compliance with security restrictions while maintaining recording capability in permitted areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements different recording qualities and modes for different spatial regions. In no-recording zones, recording is completely interrupted or switched to a reduced mode, while in recordable zones, full recording continues. This local differentiation allows the system to adapt to varying security requirements across different geographic areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If detours are taken to avoid no-recording zones, then security restrictions are complied with, but travel time and operational efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity complianceVSAvoidtravel time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the recording function from the vehicle's operational constraints. By implementing selective recording control based on geographic zones, the system removes the need for detours while maintaining security compliance. The vehicle can freely navigate through no-recording zones without interruption, as recording is simply paused or reduced in those specific areas rather than requiring route avoidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If sensor recording is completely interrupted in no-recording zones, then security restrictions are complied with, but detection capability and operating space are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity complianceVSAvoidoperating space

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic recording control that adapts to the vehicle's position and orientation relative to no-recording zones. The recording mode is dynamically adjusted based on which sensors are pointing toward restricted areas, allowing maximum operational flexibility while maintaining security compliance. The system can switch between full recording, reduced recording, and interrupted recording depending on the current situation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If all sensors continue recording regardless of location, then detection coverage is maximized, but data storage requirements and processing load increase in restricted areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection coverageVSAvoiddata volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial recording action by selectively interrupting or reducing recording only for sensors pointing toward no-recording zones, while maintaining full recording for other sensors. This partial action approach maintains sufficient detection coverage for safe vehicle operation while significantly reducing the volume of restricted data that would require storage and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250328145A1Method for controlling the recordal of sensor data in a no recording zone

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 TORC ROBOTICS INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for operating an ego vehicle. Image data of an environment is detected and recorded during a trip using an environment detecting sensor system including multiple different sensors. Static no recording zones for which a recording ban exists are recognized using a digital map stored in the ego vehicle. It is determined whether a no recording zone lies in a detection range of at least one of the sensors. If so, the recording of sensor data of the respective sensor is interrupted and an approved field of view is determined in the map for each affected sensor. The field of view defines which data may be recorded at which location, and a dynamic no recording zone is formed as a moving object which is detected by at least one of the sensors based on external features.