Vehicle Weather Verification via Optical Image Cross-Checking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle weather information systems often provide inaccurate information, as they rely solely on external sources without verifying actual weather conditions outside the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-integrated weather condition detection system that uses a camera and image recognition to verify weather information by comparing external data with locally captured image data, ensuring accuracy before initiating vehicle functions or sending notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If weather information is obtained from external sources only, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the reliability and accuracy of weather information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweather information accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines external weather information sources with local optical verification systems into a unified weather detection system. The computing device integrates data from multiple cameras and external sources, merging them into a comprehensive verification process that cross-checks weather conditions from both remote and local perspectives, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through systematic integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification process where the computing device acts as a mediator between external weather information sources and the vehicle's control systems. This intermediary cross-references external data with locally captured image data from cameras, validating weather conditions before triggering vehicle functions, thus enhancing accuracy without directly complicating the core weather information acquisition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If optical verification using camera is implemented, then weather information accuracy is improved, but the use of energy and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweather condition verification accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having cameras continuously capture image data of weather conditions in advance, before vehicle functions are triggered. The computing device pre-processes this visual data to verify weather information from external sources, so that when weather-based vehicle functions need to be activated, the verification is already complete, avoiding energy-intensive real-time processing during critical moments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by selectively activating the optical verification system only when external weather information is received and needs validation, rather than continuously operating cameras and processing systems. The computing device determines whether verification is necessary based on the received weather information, activating camera systems and image processing only during these specific verification events, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11272143B2Optically verified weather condition detection systems, methods and vehicles including same
Publication Date: 2022.03.08 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • US11272143B2 patent drawing
  • US11272143B2 patent drawing
  • US11272143B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of monitoring and verifying weather information using a weather condition detection system of a vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving weather information by a computing device within the vehicle. The weather information is verified locally at the vehicle using the computing device. Verifying the weather information includes optically verifying the weather information using a vehicle video system of the vehicle comprising a camera.