Vehicle Camera ROI Control for Heat and Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-mounted cameras often deviate from their normal operating temperature due to vehicle temperature and external factors, leading to increased dark current in image sensors and degraded image quality.
Innovation Solution
A camera system that adjusts its region of interest, pixel activation, dynamic range, and frame rate based on driving speed and adjacent distance, using a controller connected to the vehicle's electronic control unit to optimize image capture and reduce heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the camera operates at high temperature due to vehicle environment, then the camera can function in various driving conditions, but the dark current of the image sensor increases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the imaging unit's operating parameters including region of interest size, pixel activation status, dynamic range, and frame rate based on real-time driving conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the camera to adapt to high-temperature vehicle environments while maintaining acceptable image quality by reducing power consumption and heat generation when full performance is not required
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes multiple operating parameters of the imaging unit simultaneously - adjusting the region of interest to a smaller area, deactivating portions of pixels, reducing dynamic range, and lowering frame rate. These parameter changes collectively reduce the power consumption and heat generation of the image sensor, preventing dark current increase and maintaining image quality in high-temperature conditions
2Reliability
If the camera captures high-resolution images at high frame rates, then image quality is improved, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by activating only a portion of the image sensor pixels and using a reduced region of interest rather than the full sensor area. This partial utilization of the imaging resources maintains sufficient image quality for driving conditions while significantly reducing the power consumption and heat generation compared to full-resolution, full-frame operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by adjusting the frame rate dynamically based on driving conditions. During high-speed driving where motion blur is less critical, the frame rate is reduced, allowing the image sensor to rest between captures and reduce cumulative power consumption and heat generation while still providing adequate imaging coverage
3Productivity
If the camera operates continuously at high performance, then complete environmental coverage is achieved, but heat generation increases and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the region of interest size and pixel activation based on vehicle speed and driving conditions. During high-speed driving, a smaller region of interest is used which reduces the active sensor area and heat generation. During low-speed or stationary conditions, a larger region of interest is activated to provide complete environmental coverage, thus adapting productivity to actual operational needs while managing temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A camera for a vehicle includes: an imaging unit configured to image an exterior of the vehicle; and a controller configured to enlarge a region of interest of the imaging unit in response to a driving speed of the vehicle being higher than a reference speed, and reduce the region of interest of the imaging unit in response to the driving speed being lower than the reference speed.