Vehicle Camera Control for Optimal Subject Trigger Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Passengers in vehicles face challenges in capturing high-quality photos while driving due to vehicle movement, making it difficult to determine the right time to trigger the camera.

Innovation Solution

A control unit that communicates with a camera to determine and send subject data for optimal photo capture, including trigger time and position, which can be received from external units via wireless communication, allowing the camera to be controlled automatically to take high-quality photos by adjusting vehicle movement and camera settings based on vehicle and environmental data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a passenger manually operates a camera to take photos while driving, then the passenger can capture images of subjects, but the photo quality deteriorates due to vehicle movement and difficulty in timing the shutter trigger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephoto qualityVSAvoidmanual camera operation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives subject data in advance (including trigger time and trigger position) before the actual photo capture moment. This preliminary information allows the system to prepare camera settings and timing ahead of time, ensuring optimal photo quality without requiring manual reaction during the critical capture moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the camera to automatically capture photos based on received subject data without requiring manual operation by the passenger. The control unit autonomously determines when and how to trigger the camera, eliminating the difficulty of manual timing while maintaining high photo quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If the camera is controlled automatically using subject data from external units, then photo quality improves through precise timing and positioning, but the system complexity increases due to communication and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephoto qualityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: receiving subject data from external units via wireless communication, processing this data to determine optimal capture parameters, and controlling the camera operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving improved photo quality.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If the vehicle movement is adjusted to achieve optimal photo capture, then the photograph quality improves, but the vehicle control complexity and intervention requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotograph qualityVSAvoidvehicle control intervention
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives subject data that includes trigger time and trigger position information. This feedback mechanism allows the system to determine the optimal vehicle state for photo capture and make necessary adjustments to vehicle movement, ensuring high photograph quality while managing control complexity through information-driven decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4128741B1Method and control unit for controlling a camera
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4128741B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a control unit (101) for controlling a camera (104) carried in a vehicle (100). The control unit (101) is configured to determine motif data relating to a motif (203) to be detected. The control unit (101) is also configured to control the camera (104) on the basis of the motif data in order to take a photograph of the motif (203) by means of the camera (104).