Vehicular Image Capture Triggering for Low-Power Parking Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular image capturing systems face challenges in reducing power consumption, particularly when the engine is stopped and no power is being generated, leading to increased load on the in-vehicle battery.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular image capturing system that includes an event detection unit generating event signals based on light intensity changes, an image capturing unit accumulating charges for image generation, and a control unit managing the operation of image sensors to minimize power usage by only activating sensors with detected events, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all RGB cameras are operated to alert the driver of obstructions, then the alert functionality is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts camera operation states based on detected events. The control unit activates image capturing only in cameras where events are detected, rather than operating all cameras continuously. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain alert functionality when needed while reducing power consumption during normal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses event detection units to periodically monitor for changes in the periphery and triggers image capturing only when events occur. This periodic monitoring approach with event-based activation replaces continuous operation, maintaining safety while significantly reducing overall power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle is parked with engine stopped to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to detect approaching persons or objects is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The event detection units continuously monitor the periphery even when the vehicle is parked and the engine is stopped. By performing preliminary detection of approaching persons or objects, the system can trigger image capturing only when necessary, maintaining detection capability while minimizing power consumption during parked conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The event detection units serve as intermediaries between the environment and the image capturing unit. They detect changes in the periphery and trigger the image capturing unit only when events occur, enabling the system to maintain detection capability during parked conditions while significantly reducing power consumption by keeping the main image capturing unit inactive until needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces power consumption, minimizing the load on the in-vehicle battery and enabling efficient image capturing while maintaining alert functionality, such as detecting approaching persons or objects, even when the vehicle is parked.
Implementation Method 1
an event detection unit, installed in a vehicle, that outputs an event signal in accordance with an amount of change in an intensity of received light from a predetermined light receiving range
Implementation Method 2
generating and accumulating a charge in accordance with an intensity of received light from a predetermined image capturing range
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vehicular image capturing system capable of further improving characteristics such as a reduction in power consumption. The system includes: an event detection unit, installed in a vehicle, that outputs an event signal in accordance with an amount of change in an intensity of received light from a predetermined light receiving range; an image capturing unit, installed in the vehicle, that performs image capturing, the image capturing being an operation of generating and accumulating a charge in accordance with an intensity of received light from a predetermined image capturing range that at least partially overlaps with the predetermined light receiving range, and generating image information in accordance with an accumulation amount of the charge; and a control unit that outputs, to the image capturing unit, a control signal according to the event signal.