Smartphone-Based Driver Assistance Using Wiper Motion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle upgrade systems lack the ability to independently assist drivers without relying on fixed vehicle architecture or communication systems, limiting their functionality and compatibility with older vehicles without built-in driver assistance systems.
Innovation Solution
A portable communication appliance, such as a smartphone, uses image data from a camera to infer the state of a windscreen wiper's movement, determining rain intensity and providing driver assistance functionalities, even in vehicles without fixed driver assistance systems, by communicating directly with additional upgrade components via wireless interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If upgrade systems are completely independent of vehicle architecture, then compatibility with older vehicles is improved, but functionality for driver assistance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The portable communication appliance serves multiple functions: it acts as both a universal platform for driver assistance functionalities and a processing unit for camera data. This allows the system to be compatible with various vehicle types while providing comprehensive driver assistance features including rain detection, obstacle warning, and road sign recognition.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera serves as an intermediary component that bridges the independent portable communication appliance with the vehicle's windscreen wiper system. By capturing images of the windscreen and analyzing wiper movement patterns, the camera enables the portable appliance to infer environmental conditions without direct connection to vehicle systems.
2Device complexity
If upgrade systems only connect to onboard power supply, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement capability for environmental conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct mechanical or electrical connections to vehicle systems with an optical measurement approach. The camera captures visual information about windscreen wiper movement, and the portable communication appliance processes this optical data to infer rain intensity, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors or electrical connections to wiper motors.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable communication appliance uses its own processing capabilities and the camera's visual data to independently determine environmental conditions. The system self-services by analyzing image data to infer rain intensity without requiring external sensors or complex vehicle system integrations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If portable communication appliance processes all data independently, then independence from vehicle systems is improved, but processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable communication appliance processes only the necessary portion of data - specifically, it analyzes camera images to infer wiper movement patterns and environmental conditions. It does not process all possible vehicle data, focusing only on the minimal set of information needed to provide driver assistance functionalities, thereby reducing overall processing load.
Data Source
AI summary
The field of use of a portable communication appliance (2)—for example a mobile telephone—is intended to be extended for assisting a driver in driving a motor vehicle (1). An upgrade system (10) for a motor vehicle (1) is provided, having a portable communication appliance (2) for providing at least one functionality which assists a driver in driving the motor vehicle (1). The portable communication appliance (2) can use image data from a camera (9) to infer a state of movement of a windscreen wiper (16, 17) on the motor vehicle (1). The portable communication appliance (2) then factors in this state of movement when providing the at least one functionality for driver assistance. An appropriate method is also provided.