Vehicle Camera Impact Detection for Parked Door-Ding Evidence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting door-dings on parked vehicles, such as using door guards, incur additional costs and affect aesthetics, while existing vehicle infrastructure elements are not utilized effectively for impact detection.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system incorporating internal and external cameras, impact detecting sensors, and a processor to detect external impacts by analyzing image data and generating an impact event when a threshold is exceeded, with optional seating and door sensors to adjust detection sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a door guard is attached to detect door-ding, then impact detection capability is improved, but additional cost is incurred and aesthetics are impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing vehicle infrastructure elements (cameras and sensors) perform multiple functions. The internal camera not only captures interior scenes but also detects external impacts by analyzing image data changes. The external camera similarly serves both its primary function and impact detection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate door guard hardware while maintaining impact detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's existing camera and sensor systems serve themselves to detect impacts. The internal camera continuously captures images and the processor analyzes these images to detect impacts without requiring external assistance or additional dedicated impact detection hardware. The system uses its own existing resources to solve the impact detection problem.
2Device complexity
If existing vehicle infrastructure elements are utilized for impact detection, then device complexity is reduced, but detection precision may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The internal camera continuously captures images of the vehicle interior and exterior before an impact occurs. This preliminary action of continuously imaging allows the system to have baseline data ready for comparison. When an impact happens, the processor can immediately compare the new image data with the pre-captured images to detect the impact, improving detection speed and accuracy without additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors image data from the internal and external cameras, comparing current images with previously captured images. This feedback mechanism allows the processor to detect changes indicating an impact. The continuous monitoring and comparison provide real-time feedback on the vehicle's environmental state, enabling accurate impact detection using existing infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If the threshold for impact detection is lowered to increase sensitivity, then detection precision is improved, but false detection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold for impact detection is not fixed but dynamically adjusted based on the vehicle's operational state. The processor considers signals from seating sensors (whether a passenger is present) and door sensors (whether the door is closed) to adaptively set the threshold. When the vehicle is parked with the door closed and no passenger present, the threshold is lowered to increase sensitivity. This dynamic adjustment maintains high detection sensitivity while reducing false detections by adapting to contextual conditions.
4Measurement precision
If image data is continuously stored to provide evidence, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously storing all image data, the system periodically captures images and stores them in memory. The internal camera takes images at regular intervals, and the processor stores these in the memory device. This periodic action ensures that image evidence is available when needed while consuming less energy than continuous storage would require. The system balances evidence availability with energy efficiency by using periodic rather than continuous data capture and storage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Accurately detects external impacts without additional hardware, providing evidence through stored image data and alerting users promptly, enhancing impact detection performance.
Implementation Method 1
an impact detecting sensor configured to detect an external impact and generate an impact detection signal
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an internal camera configured to obtain first image data; an external camera configured to obtain second image data; an impact detecting sensor configured to detect an external impact and generate an impact detection signal; a memory configured to store the first image data and the second image data; and a processor electrically connected to the impact detecting sensor and configured to generate an impact event when a strength of the impact detection signal exceeds a threshold, and in response to the impact event being generated, control the memory to store the first image data and the second image data in the memory.