Vehicle Window Status Detection Using Interior Camera Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position of a vehicle side window require additional hardware components like Hall sensors or extensive calibration efforts, and do not provide information on the condition of the window pane or the presence of obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using an optical sensor system, such as an interior camera, to acquire images of the vehicle cabin and determine the window's status by analyzing characteristics like its opening degree, damage, and obstacle presence, leveraging machine learning algorithms for precise determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Hall sensors are used to determine window position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional hardware components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical Hall sensor system with an optical sensing system using a camera and image processing algorithms. The camera captures images of the window pane, and computer vision algorithms determine the window position by analyzing the pane's position in the image, eliminating the need for physical sensors in the window mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy or representation of the window pane through camera imaging. Instead of directly measuring the physical position with sensors, the system captures an optical copy of the pane and processes this visual information to determine position, enabling sensorless operation.
2Device complexity
If ripple count algorithms are used to estimate window position, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ripple count algorithm that relies on motor revolution counting with an optical measurement system. The camera directly observes the window pane position, and image processing provides absolute position information without needing to count motor revolutions or perform calibration to correlate motor steps with window position.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor system is self-calibrating and does not require separate calibration procedures. The camera continuously captures images and the processing unit directly determines window position from these images, providing automatic, ongoing measurement without manual calibration intervention.
3Loss of information
If existing sensor methods are used, then window position is determined, but information regarding pane condition and obstacle detection is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the optical sensor system universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: determining window position, detecting pane damage (cracks, breaks), and identifying obstacles in the window path. A single camera system replaces multiple specialized sensors, providing diverse information through image analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from simple position coordinates to comprehensive visual features. By analyzing image parameters such as pane transparency, color changes, shape distortions, and object detection, the system extracts multiple types of information (position, damage, obstacles) from the same optical data source.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for determining a current status of a window of a vehicle. The vehicle comprises an optical sensor system configured to acquire at least one image of an interior of a vehicle cabin, wherein at least a part of the window is visible in the at least one image. According to the method, at least one characteristic of a pane of the window is determined from the at least one image, and the current status of the window is determined based on the at least one characteristic of the pane.