In-Vehicle Camera Orientation Sync With Mobile Pose

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional image collection methods in vehicles are limited by the photographing angle and cannot accurately capture images according to the photographer's intention due to shelter by the vehicle body and camera installation limitations.

Innovation Solution

A method for image collection that involves obtaining an initial photographing direction of a mobile device associated with a vehicle, adjusting an in-vehicle photography apparatus to match this direction, generating a drive signal based on sensor data from the mobile device to synchronize the photographing direction of the apparatus with the mobile device's pose, and transmitting the collected surrounding image to the mobile device for display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If cameras are equipped in multiple different locations of the vehicle for driving assistance, then the coverage of photographing areas is improved, but the ability to collect images according to photographer's intention deteriorates due to fixed installation locations and shelter by vehicle body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotographing coverage areaVSAvoidadaptability to photographing intention
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the camera system dynamic by enabling rotation and adjustment of the camera module. The camera can rotate around a vertical axis and adjust its photographing angle, transforming from a fixed installation to a dynamically adjustable configuration. This allows the camera to adapt to different photographing intentions while maintaining comprehensive coverage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds rotational and angular adjustment dimensions to the camera system. Beyond the fixed three-dimensional positioning, the camera gains additional degrees of freedom through rotation mechanisms, enabling it to capture images from multiple angles and directions, thus overcoming the limitation of fixed installation locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a photographer uses a mobile device to photograph outside the vehicle, then the flexibility of photographing angle is improved, but the ability to capture surrounding images (roof, rear, side) deteriorates due to shelter by vehicle body and photographing angle limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotographing angle flexibilityVSAvoidsurrounding image coverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mobile device's orientation information with the in-vehicle camera system. The camera receives drive signals based on the mobile device's pose data, combining the flexibility of mobile device positioning with the comprehensive coverage capability of the in-vehicle camera installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the mobile device's sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer) to continuously adjust the camera's photographing direction. The camera's orientation is synchronized with the mobile device's pose, allowing the system to capture surrounding images that reflect the photographer's intended viewpoint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If cameras are fixedly installed for driving assistance functions, then the reliability of driving assistance is improved, but the productivity of image collection according to photographer's intention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving assistance reliabilityVSAvoidimage collection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the camera system universal by enabling it to serve multiple functions. The same camera module can perform driving assistance functions when fixedly positioned and can switch to photographer-intention-based image collection when adjusted to different angles. This multi-functionality maintains reliability for driving assistance while improving productivity for general image collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4090002B1Method for image acquisition, electronic device, and computer storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 SHANGHAI QINGGAN INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD
  • EP4090002B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4090002B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4090002B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for image collection, an electronic device, a computer storage medium, and a vehicle are provided. The method includes the following. An initial photographing direction of a mobile device associated with a vehicle is obtained, in response to determining that a predetermined condition is satisfied. An in-vehicle photography apparatus of the vehicle is adjusted to an initial orientation, to match a photographing direction at the initial orientation of the in-vehicle photography apparatus with the initial photographing direction of the mobile device. A drive signal configured to adjust the photographing direction of the in-vehicle photography apparatus is generated, based on a detecting signal of a sensor of the mobile device, such that the photographing direction of the in-vehicle photography apparatus synchronously varies with a pose of the mobile device. A surrounding image collected via the in-vehicle photography apparatus is transmitted to the mobile device, to display the surrounding image at the mobile device. In the disclosure, it is possible to collect images that are not limited by a photographing angle in the vehicle, according to a photographing intention of a photographer in the vehicle.