Smartphone Remote Parking Using Camera-Based Distance Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote parking systems using general-purpose mobile terminals, such as smartphones, face challenges in accurately determining the operable range for remote vehicle control due to the lack of ultrasonic communication functions, making it difficult to restrict the area where remote parking can be performed safely and legally.
Innovation Solution
A program installed on a mobile terminal with a camera, processor, and communication device estimates the distance to a registered vehicle based on the vehicle's image size in a photographed image, determining if it's within a prescribed threshold to allow or deny remote parking operations, using standard communication modes like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic wave transmission and reception is used to measure distance between vehicle and mobile terminal, then distance measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases because ultrasonic communication function must be mounted on mobile terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/acoustic ultrasonic measurement system with an optical imaging system. Instead of using ultrasonic waves to measure distance, the system uses the camera to capture images of the vehicle and calculates distance based on the vehicle's image size and pre-stored reference data, eliminating the need for ultrasonic communication hardware in mobile terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation method that uses image processing as a mediator between the camera and distance measurement. The system captures the vehicle image, extracts its size, and uses this intermediate data along with pre-stored reference information to calculate distance, rather than directly measuring with ultrasonic waves.
2Ease of operation
If remote parking operation is allowed without distance restriction, then ease of operation is improved, but safety decreases because operable area cannot be restricted within legal range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback by repeatedly measuring the distance between the mobile terminal and vehicle during remote parking operations. Based on this feedback, the system determines whether to permit or prohibit operation instructions, ensuring the vehicle remains within the legally prescribed operable range while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If general-purpose mobile terminal is used for remote parking, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of ultrasonic communication function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables general-purpose mobile terminals to perform distance measurement using their existing camera functionality. Instead of requiring additional ultrasonic hardware, the system uses the camera's image capture capability combined with pre-stored reference data to achieve distance measurement, allowing any smartphone to function as a remote parking controller.
Data Source
AI summary
A program stored in a mobile terminal including a computer, a camera, a display, and a communication device, the program being configured to operate an operation target vehicle from outside with use of the mobile terminal, the operation target vehicle being registered in advance, the program causing the computer to execute: a step of estimating a distance from the mobile terminal to the operation target vehicle based on a size of an image of the operation target vehicle included in a photographed image of the camera; a step of determining whether or not the estimated distance is less than a prescribed threshold; a step of receiving an operation instruction with respect to the operation target vehicle when the estimated distance is less than the threshold; and a step of causing the communication device to output a signal instructing an operation in response to the received operation instruction.