Vehicle Camera Layout With Shared ECU for Stereo Depth Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted cameras for ADAS face challenges in achieving downsizing, weight reduction, cost reduction, and scalability due to the increase in the number of ECUs and communication lines when adding a stereo camera configuration, with existing technologies failing to provide a versatile hardware solution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted imaging system with two cameras installed at different locations, connected by communication lines, and an image processing unit that processes images from both cameras, allowing for downsizing, weight reduction, and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If one set of camera is added to a monocular camera to achieve stereo view, then depth measurement capability is improved, but the number of ECUs and communication lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the image processing functions for both monocular and stereo cameras into a single ECU. The ECU includes a monocular camera image processing section and a stereo camera image processing section integrated within one control unit, reducing the total number of ECUs and communication lines while maintaining depth measurement capability through stereo vision processing
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU is designed with multi-functionality to handle both monocular camera processing and stereo camera processing. The image processing unit can process images from a single camera or multiple cameras depending on the configuration, making the system versatile and reducing the need for separate dedicated processing units for each camera type
2Reliability
If a stereo camera configuration is added to improve function and redundancy, then sensing capability is improved, but system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stereo camera system with the existing monocular camera system into a unified imaging system. By integrating the processing functions and using a shared ECU, the overall system size and weight are minimized while maintaining the redundancy and sensing capability improvements that come from having multiple cameras
3Productivity
If specialized ECU hardware is used for stereo camera, then processing performance is improved, but scalability and versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ECU is designed with universal image processing capabilities that can handle both monocular and stereo camera configurations. The image processing unit includes sections that can process images from one or multiple cameras, allowing the system to be scaled and configured flexibly without requiring specialized hardware for each camera type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the ECU can adapt its processing mode based on the camera configuration. The image processing unit can operate in monocular mode or stereo mode depending on which cameras are active, providing both high processing performance and scalability
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a vehicle-mounted imaging system to be installed in a vehicle, in which the vehicle-mounted imaging system makes it possible to simultaneously achieve downsizing, weight reduction, cost reduction, and scalability (versatility). The vehicle-mounted imaging system to be installed in a vehicle is characterized: by being provided with a first camera, a second camera installed at a different location than the first camera, and an image processing unit for processing images acquired by the first camera and the second camera; and in that the first camera and the second camera are connected by a first communication line, and the second camera and the image processing unit are connected by a second communication line.