Vehicle Side Camera Mode Switching for Parking Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dashboard cameras struggle to capture views in directions other than the front/rear of a vehicle without increasing cost by adding additional cameras for left/right monitoring during parking, and semi-spherical cameras are inadequate for appropriate recording.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle video system with front, rear, left, and right cameras, supported by rotatable arms, switches between electronic mirror and dashboard camera modes to capture and record views in all directions using existing camera hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a semi-spherical camera is used to monitor lateral directions during parking, then the monitoring coverage is improved, but the recording quality and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into multiple specialized cameras: front camera, rear camera, left camera, and right camera. Each camera is responsible for a specific directional view, allowing high-quality recording in each sector while collectively achieving comprehensive 360-degree coverage during parking monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing dashboard cameras and electronic mirror cameras are made multi-functional by enabling them to operate in both driving modes (electronic mirror) and parking modes (dashboard camera). This allows the same hardware to serve dual purposes, providing reliable recording quality without requiring additional specialized equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional cameras are installed to monitor left/right directions, then the monitoring capability is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system reuses existing dashboard cameras and electronic mirror cameras for dual purposes. During driving, these cameras function as electronic mirrors; during parking, they function as dashboard cameras for monitoring. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated cameras, maintaining monitoring capability while avoiding increased hardware costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera functions dynamically switch between different modes based on vehicle state. The control unit determines whether the vehicle is in driving or parking mode and accordingly switches the camera operation between electronic mirror function and dashboard camera function, maximizing the utility of existing hardware.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle is equipped with both dashboard camera and electronic mirror functions, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The same camera hardware serves multiple functions: during driving operations, the cameras provide electronic mirror functionality for side views; during parking operations, the same cameras provide dashboard camera functionality for comprehensive surrounding monitoring. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity by eliminating redundant hardware while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts camera functionality based on vehicle state. The control unit switches between electronic mirror mode and dashboard camera mode according to whether the vehicle is in use or parked, allowing a single hardware configuration to handle multiple operational requirements without increasing complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle video control apparatus (20) includes a support control unit (2) configured to control left and right support parts (35, 36) so that they can be positioned at first positions and at second positions, the left and right support parts (35, 36) being configured to support left and right image-pickup apparatuses (33, 34) disposed on left and right sides of a vehicle (50), the first positions being positions at which the left and right image-pickup apparatuses (33, 34) face in directions to the left-rear and right-rear of the vehicle (50), and the second positions being positions at which the left and right image-pickup apparatuses (33, 34) face in directions to the left/right of the vehicle (50), a display control unit (10) configured to display video images taken by the left and right image-pickup apparatuses (33, 34) on a monitor (43, 44), the monitor (43, 44) being configured so that a driver of the vehicle (50) can see the monitor (43, 44), a recording control unit (7) configured to use the video images taken by the left and right image-pickup apparatuses (33, 34) as monitoring information for monitoring the vehicle (50), and a mode change unit (11) configured to display the video images taken by the left and right image-pickup apparatuses (33, 34) on the monitor when the left and right support parts (35, 36) are positioned at the first positions, and use the video images as the monitoring information when the left and right support parts (35, 36) are disposed at the second positions.