Vehicle Vision Fault Localization Using Embedded Image Markers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle vision systems require multiple processing steps, making it difficult for users to identify and troubleshoot faults without specialized tools, as faults in specific processing steps or processors are not easily discernible from the final output images.

Innovation Solution

An image processing method that adds distinguishable markers to the final image signal from each processing unit, allowing users to identify faults by analyzing distorted markers in the output image, reducing the need for additional debuggers and simplifying fault location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple processing steps are used to process original images, then image processing functionality is improved, but fault detection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing functionalityVSAvoidfault detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image processing system into multiple processing units (first processing unit, second processing unit, etc.), each responsible for specific processing steps. This segmentation allows independent testing and fault isolation of each processing unit by injecting test images and observing which unit fails to produce the expected output, thereby resolving the fault detection difficulty while maintaining comprehensive image processing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple processing units are used, then image processing capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage processing capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where test images are injected into the processing system and the output images are observed to determine which processing unit is faulty. This feedback loop provides a systematic method for fault detection and localization, reducing the operational complexity of managing multiple processing units while maintaining enhanced image processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If additional debuggers are used for fault troubleshooting, then fault detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the image processing system to self-diagnose faults by using its own processing units to generate and process test images. Each processing unit can be individually tested by injecting a test image and observing whether the expected output is produced, allowing the system to identify faulty units without external debugging tools, thereby maintaining high fault detection accuracy while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If additional debuggers and specialists are required for fault analysis, then fault detection accuracy is improved, but time consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates test image injection capability as a built-in feature of the processing system, allowing faults to be detected immediately when they occur. By having the testing mechanism pre-integrated into the system architecture, fault detection can be performed rapidly without requiring external tools or specialist intervention, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy while significantly reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4318374A1Image processing method, vision system, fault locating method and motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 VALEO INTERIOR CONTROLS (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP4318374A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4318374A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4318374A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure proposes an image processing method, a vision system, a fault locating method and a motor vehicle. Through the addition of markers when each processing unit is subjecting an image signal to processing, the markers corresponding thereto and being distinguishable from one another on an image frame of a final image signal, there are advantages of simple, convenient and quick fault locating, and low development, maintenance and debugging costs. Furthermore, because the markers are added to the image frame of the final image signal at a suitable frame rate and in a suitable form, there are further advantages of not affecting the original functions of the vision system and not disturbing the motor vehicle driver. Moreover, because the markers are widely distributed on the image frame of the final image signal to comprehensively reflect faults in the image frame of the final image signal without omission, there is the further advantage of high sensitivity in fault detection.