Vehicle Recording Device Multi-Camera Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle recording devices, such as driving recorders, struggle to record clear video in all directions without increasing costs significantly, particularly failing to capture side or rearward views effectively due to the placement of omnidirectional cameras and the need for multiple cameras and sensors.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle recording device equipped with a first camera for capturing front and rear views and a second camera system comprising wide-angle overhead cameras mounted on side mirrors, which provides a 180° horizontal and 150° vertical field of view, allowing for comprehensive recording of the vehicle's surroundings without additional cost by using existing surround view systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an omnidirectional camera is placed inside a vehicle for recording, then it can capture video in all directions, but the video quality in sideward or rearward direction becomes low and insufficient for accident verification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording coverageVSAvoidvideo quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the vehicle into multiple recording zones (front, rear, left, right) and assigns dedicated cameras to each zone. This segmentation allows each camera to capture high-quality video in its specific direction without the quality degradation experienced by omnidirectional cameras attempting to capture all directions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent places cameras both inside and outside the vehicle, utilizing different spatial dimensions and positions. External cameras mounted on the vehicle body provide superior viewing angles and image quality for side and rear directions, complementing the internal cameras' coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cameras and sensors are placed on a vehicle for comprehensive recording, then all-direction video recording is achieved, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording coverageVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a camera system where a small number of cameras can serve multiple functions and cover multiple directions through strategic placement and wide-angle lenses. The cameras are positioned to maximize their field of view, allowing each camera to contribute to overall coverage rather than requiring dedicated cameras for each direction.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines internal and external camera systems into an integrated recording apparatus. By merging these systems and coordinating their operation, the patent achieves comprehensive coverage while avoiding the need for separate, redundant camera installations that would increase costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If cameras are placed inside a vehicle for recording, then the system is simple to install, but the video quality for side and rear directions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidvideo quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the recording system into internal and external components, each with specific placement locations. This segmentation allows for systematic installation where internal cameras are mounted in the cabin while external cameras are positioned on the vehicle body, optimizing both installation ease and video quality for different directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3761271B1Vehicle recording device, vehicle recording method, and program
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 JVC KENWOOD CORP
  • EP3761271B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3761271B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3761271B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To adequately record video in all directions of a vehicle without a significant increase in cost, a vehicle recording device (10) includes a video acquisition unit (31) that acquires video of a first camera (13) for shooting front or rear of a vehicle and video of a second camera (14) for shooting a range including a lower part of a front, a rear, left and right of the vehicle, a cutout unit (34a) that performs cutout processing on the video of the second camera (14) acquired by the video acquisition unit (31) with a first cutout range to be used as an overhead video image and a second cutout range at least including an area in a direction further away from the vehicle than the first cutout range is, and a recording control unit (35) that records the video of the second camera (14) cut out with the second cutout range as data to be recorded when the vehicle is stopping, and record the video of the first camera (13) as data to be recorded when the vehicle is moving.