Vehicle Interior Camera Object Detection and Alert System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers often forget that children, people, or pets are left in vehicles, posing health risks due to rising temperatures, as existing technologies lack effective detection and response mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An automobile video camera system equipped with a camera sensor and processor that generates a video signal, detects objects inside the vehicle, and initiates corrective measures such as temperature control and alerts when the vehicle is unattended, distinguishing between objects inside and outside and determining their capability to respond.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a video camera system is implemented to detect objects in vehicles, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The video camera system is integrated with the vehicle's existing entertainment system, allowing the same camera to serve multiple functions including detecting objects left in vehicles, monitoring for distracted driving, and providing general security surveillance. This multi-functionality approach improves detection capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If the camera system continuously monitors the vehicle interior, then detection reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system operates in periodic intervals rather than continuous monitoring. The processor activates the camera at scheduled times to capture images of the vehicle interior, then enters a low-power state. This periodic operation maintains detection reliability by regularly checking for objects while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If the system distinguishes between objects inside and outside the vehicle, then measurement precision is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle windows as an intermediary reference to distinguish objects inside versus outside. The processor analyzes whether detected objects are positioned in front of or behind the window plane, using the window as a spatial mediator. This approach improves object location precision while avoiding the need for complex depth sensing technology.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a camera sensor and a processor. The camera sensor may be configured to generate a video signal based on a targeted wide angle view of an interior of a vehicle. The processor may be configured to detect a type of object in the interior of the vehicle based on a classification of information visible in the video signal. If the vehicle is unattended by a person capable of operating one or more accessories of the vehicle, the processor may be configured to initiate one or more corrective measures based on the type of the object.