In-Vehicle Camera Recording with Dynamic Image Quality Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-vehicle moving image recording apparatuses fail to record high-quality moving image data at normal vehicle speeds or when stationary, and existing solutions that change compression settings do not significantly improve image quality, especially in multi-camera setups where important objects like vehicles and pedestrians are compressed with the same quality as background information.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle moving image data recording apparatus that employs a normal image quality coding unit for efficient storage and a high image quality coding unit triggered by abnormal conditions, such as proximity or sudden braking, to record moving image data with improved image quality, including selective high-quality compression of critical regions like number plates, using multiple cameras to capture surroundings from different directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If normal image quality compression is used to maximize storage capacity, then storage efficiency is improved, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches between normal image quality compression and high image quality compression based on detected abnormal conditions. The compression quality is not fixed but adapts according to the situation, using normal compression during ordinary operation and high quality compression when accidents or abnormal events are detected, thereby resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compression parameter (image quality level) based on the operational state. By detecting abnormal conditions through triggers and switching compression modes accordingly, the system optimizes both storage utilization and image quality at different times, addressing the fundamental trade-off between these two parameters.
2Manufacturing precision
If high image quality compression is used continuously to ensure accurate accident analysis, then image quality is improved, but storage capacity is exhausted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic high image quality compression only during abnormal conditions rather than continuously. The system monitors for triggers and activates high quality compression periodically when needed, while using normal compression during regular operation, thus preserving storage capacity while ensuring high quality data is available when accidents occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression quality dynamically adjusts based on the operational state, being high only during abnormal conditions and normal during regular operation. This dynamic approach ensures storage capacity is preserved while high quality images are captured when necessary for accident analysis.
3Device complexity
If uniform compression is applied to all camera outputs, then device complexity is reduced, but important objects like number plates lose detail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different compression qualities to different regions or objects in the image. Important objects such as number plates, vehicles, and pedestrians receive high quality compression to preserve detail, while background areas use normal compression. This local differentiation maintains device simplicity while improving detail preservation for critical objects.
4Measurement precision
If high frame rate is used to capture fast-moving objects, then measurement precision is improved, but data volume increases reducing storage efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high frame rate recording periodically only during abnormal conditions rather than continuously. During normal operation, standard frame rate is maintained for storage efficiency. When accidents or abnormal events are detected, the system switches to high frame rate to accurately capture fast-moving objects, then returns to normal operation, thus balancing measurement precision and storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A normal image quality coding unit generates normal-quality compressed moving image data by compressing moving image data generated by capturing an image around a vehicle with a normal image quality. A high image quality coding unit generates high-quality compressed moving image data by compressing the moving image data with an image quality higher than the normal image quality. The normal-quality compressed moving image data is recorded in a normal image quality data storage unit. A trigger detection unit detects an abnormal condition which possibly happens to the vehicle currently travelling. A high image quality data storage unit records therein the high-quality compressed moving image data based on a timing by which the abnormal condition is detected by the trigger detection unit.