Vehicle Camera Calibration via External Computing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current camera systems in motor vehicles require computationally powerful signal processors for calibration, which can divert resources from other functionalities and are inefficient due to the need for on-board processing of computationally intensive algorithms.

Innovation Solution

Transmitting image data to an external computing device for processing, where algorithms for camera calibration and other functionalities like object identification can be performed, with results sent back to the vehicle to enable errorless camera operation and resource conservation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If computationally intensive algorithms for camera calibration are performed on-board using powerful signal processors, then calibration accuracy is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera calibration accuracyVSAvoidsignal processor complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the computationally intensive calibration algorithms from the on-board signal processor and relocates them to an external computing device. This allows the vehicle's signal processor to remain simple while still achieving accurate calibration through external computation, directly resolving the contradiction between calibration accuracy and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication interface as an intermediary between the camera system and an external computing device. This intermediary enables the transfer of image data for calibration processing without requiring the vehicle's onboard system to possess complex computational capabilities, thus maintaining calibration accuracy while reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If computationally intensive algorithms are executed on-board, then calibration functionality is provided, but productivity is reduced due to resource diversion from other functionalities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera system functionalityVSAvoidresource availability for other functionalities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the computationally intensive calibration algorithms from the on-board signal processor, the patent frees up valuable computational resources within the vehicle system. This allows other safety-critical and productivity-enhancing functionalities to utilize the now-available processing power while calibration accuracy is maintained through external computation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Use of energy by moving object

If image data is transmitted to external computing device, then computational resources are saved on-board, but loss of time occurs during data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveon-board computational energy consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by enabling the vehicle to perform calibration using its existing communication infrastructure and external computing resources. Rather than requiring dedicated high-speed transmission hardware or sacrificing onboard computational capacity, the system leverages available resources to achieve calibration with minimal energy expenditure and acceptable time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2530651B1Method for operating a camera system of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle as well as system with a motor vehicle and a separate computing device
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 CONNAUGHT ELECTRONICS
  • EP2530651B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A solution is to be demonstrated, how the of application of a camera system (2) of a motor vehicle (1) can be extended compared to the prior art. In a method according to the invention for operating a camera system (2) of a motor vehicle (1), at one image is captured by a camera (3, 4, 13, 14, 15) of the camera system (2). Image data representing the at one image is transmitted to a computing device (11) separate from the motor vehicle (1) via a wireless communication network. The computing device (11) processes the image data and transmits a result of this processing to the camera system (2) of the motor vehicle (1). Within the scope of the processing of the image data, an algorithm for a calibration of the camera (3, 4, 13, 14, 15) is performed by the computing device (11) and the result of the algorithm is transmitted to the camera system (2) via the wireless communication network.