Vehicle Camera Posture Correction via Body Attitude Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The recognition performance of imaging devices in vehicles is compromised due to changes in their posture, such as those caused by aging or external impacts, leading to deviations in the optical axis angle and reduced detection accuracy or range of detected objects.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system comprising a posture adjustment device connected to the vehicle body, an imaging device, and a controller that determines and corrects the imaging device's posture by adjusting the vehicle body or through image processing to align the optical axis angle with a reference, using suspensions to change the vehicle body's posture and image processing to adjust the vanishing point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the imaging device is used without posture correction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the recognition performance and detection accuracy deteriorate due to optical axis deviation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecognition performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical posture correction mechanisms with image processing algorithms. The controller executes image processing to correct distortion in captured images caused by imaging device posture changes, thereby maintaining recognition performance without adding mechanical complexity. This substitutes a mechanical adjustment system with a computational solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual correction model through image processing that replicates the effect of mechanical posture correction. By processing the captured image data computationally, the system reproduces the intended optical axis alignment without physically adjusting the imaging device, thus maintaining reliability while avoiding additional mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If the posture of the imaging device changes due to aging or external impact, then the device adaptability is reduced, but the manufacturing precision is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposture adaptabilityVSAvoidoptical axis angle precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic correction system that adapts to changing imaging device postures over time. The controller continuously performs image processing to correct distortion caused by posture changes from aging or external impacts. This dynamic approach maintains manufacturing precision (optical axis angle) despite changes in device adaptability, allowing the system to compensate for gradual deterioration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback through continuous image processing to detect and correct posture-related distortion. The controller analyzes captured images, identifies distortion caused by imaging device posture changes, and applies corrective processing. This feedback loop maintains optical axis precision even as the imaging device undergoes aging or external impacts that would otherwise reduce adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If image processing is used to correct posture deviation, then the recognition performance is improved, but the loss of time increases due to additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correction parameters for common imaging device posture deviations. When distortion is detected, the controller retrieves pre-computed correction data and applies it directly, rather than performing complex real-time calculations. This maintains high detection accuracy while significantly reducing the time loss associated with image processing correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Area of stationary object

If the optical axis angle deviates significantly, then the imaging range is reduced, but the ease of operation is maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging rangeVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical repositioning of the imaging device with image processing correction. When significant optical axis angle deviation reduces the effective imaging range, the controller applies distortion correction to expand the usable imaging area computationally. This maintains ease of operation by avoiding manual adjustment while restoring the full imaging range through software-based correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12608844B2Vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle includes a posture adjustment device connected to a wheel and configured to change a posture of a vehicle body relative to a road surface, an imaging device attached to the vehicle body and configured to capture an image of an external environment, and a controller configured to control the posture adjustment device and the imaging device. The controller is configured to determine whether a posture of the imaging device has changed, and correct the posture of the imaging device by causing the posture adjustment device to change the posture of the vehicle body in a case where the posture of the imaging device has changed.