1. Patent Decoding: Beware! Danger Ahead! Baidu’s Obstacle Detection Method; 2. OPPO’s new patent showcases a smartphone with a detachable camera module; 3. UBI Research predicts Samsung will launch three new foldable phones in 2021.
1. Patent Decoding: Beware! Danger Ahead! Baidu’s Obstacle Detection Method;
Commentary: The obstacle detection method invented by Baidu employs a combination of millimeter-wave radar and camera technology, overcoming the inaccuracies of existing technology in obstacle positioning in the height direction and the inability of monocular cameras to accurately measure distances when obstacles are not on the same plane as the vehicle.
According to reports, environmental perception is the foundation of intelligent driving technology. By installing sensing devices on vehicles to perceive the surrounding environment, intelligent driving assistance can be achieved. However, due to fixed positions or effective angles of vehicle sensing devices, the perception range is limited, making it difficult to meet the requirements of intelligent driving.
Especially in the field of autonomous driving, there is a higher demand for comprehensive environmental information to ensure driving safety. In autonomous driving solutions, radar sensors and visual sensors are commonly used sources of perception information. Therefore, current environmental perception methods typically use either radar ranging modules or visual ranging modules to capture and perceive environmental information around the vehicle.
In radar ranging perception modules, millimeter-wave radar emits radio waves and receives echoes, measuring the target’s position data based on the time difference between sending and receiving. In visual ranging perception modules, online camera calibration technology is utilized to monitor changes in vehicle posture in real time, reducing the error of monocular ranging caused by road condition changes.
Baidu applied for a patent titled “An Obstacle Detection Method, Device, Electronic Equipment, and Storage Medium” on March 11, 2020 (application number: 202010166864.6), with Beijing Baidu Netcom Technology Co., Ltd. as the applicant.
Based on the currently available public information regarding this patent, let’s take a closer look at this obstacle detection method.
As shown in the above diagram, the flowchart of the obstacle detection method invented in this patent shows that the system first detects various position points of obstacles in front of the vehicle using millimeter-wave radar. During the vehicle’s operation, the system continuously sends millimeter-wave radar signals, measuring the coordinates of these obstacle position points based on the time difference using the radar’s “send-feedback” principle.
Next, the camera mounted on the vehicle detects the left and right road edges. The camera captures images of the area in front of the vehicle at fixed time intervals to reduce power consumption. It then detects the left and right road edges in the captured images, separating and extracting the position points of candidate obstacles between the left and right road edges.
Finally, the position points between the left and right road edges are projected onto the image, allowing the system to detect the target obstacles in front of the vehicle based on the projections of these points. The patent describes these projection points as ROI areas, and the detection of target obstacles is based on deep convolutional network algorithms. By calculating the detection results of the ROI areas corresponding to the projection points, the system can determine whether obstacles exist.
In traditional technical solutions, radar or monocular cameras are typically used to detect obstacles, but both approaches have issues. Millimeter-wave radar is not sensitive to height, and monocular cameras cannot accurately measure distances when obstacles are not on the same plane as the vehicle. Therefore, this patent employs a combination of both methods, allowing the two sensor systems to complement each other to achieve obstacle detection.
The above diagram illustrates the structural diagram of the obstacle detection device invented in this patent. To implement the aforementioned obstacle detection method, the system includes a radar detection module 301, a camera detection module 302, an extraction module 303, and a fusion detection module 304. The radar detection module detects position points using millimeter-wave technology; the camera detection module is used to detect the road edges; the extraction module separates the position points of candidate obstacles, extracting points between the road edges; and the fusion detection module finds the target obstacle’s location information based on the data obtained from the above modules.
This concludes the introduction to Baidu’s obstacle detection method. This solution employs a combination of millimeter-wave radar and camera technology, overcoming the issues of existing technology regarding inaccurate obstacle positioning and distance measurement problems, allowing for more accurate detection of obstacles in front of the vehicle. Additionally, this technical solution is simpler and more convenient to implement, making it more widely applicable.
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Shenzhen JiaDe Intellectual Property Service Co., Ltd. consists of intellectual property experts, lawyers, and patent agents who have worked for world-renowned companies like Huawei. They are familiar with Chinese, American, and European intellectual property laws and practices, possessing rich experience in global intellectual property applications, layouts, litigation, licensing negotiations, transactions, operations, standard patent collaborative creation, patent pool construction, intellectual property at exhibitions, cross-border e-commerce intellectual property, and customs protection of intellectual property.
(Proofread by/holly)
2. OPPO’s new patent showcases a smartphone with a detachable camera module;
A patent appeared on the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) website for an OPPO smartphone with a detachable camera module, capturing the interest of many. The patent images and descriptions indicate that this potential future smartphone will feature a rear camera module that can be detached from the back panel connected via a USB-C interface.
The camera module includes two sensors and a pill-shaped LED flash. If realized, we can expect a revolution in smartphone photography, with commercial models equipped with interchangeable lenses similar to DSLR cameras. Additionally, the module’s USB-C connector has been proven to bend at least two angles (90 and 180 degrees), providing flexibility in capturing images and videos from multiple angles.
From the images on WIPO, it is evident that besides the modular camera unit, both the front and back of the phone can take photos. The camera module will include a camera sensor, a flexible circuit board, and a Type C connector. The description also mentions that the camera module’s mainboard may include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC for remote communication. Additionally, the module could have a lithium battery that can be charged at any time. When this smartphone will be released is uncertain, but designs like this modular smartphone not only reduce the number of components required but also make interchangeable/upgradeable camera units possible. Of course, we still do not know how large the market for such products will be.
OPPO showcased the futuristic X 2021 smartphone a few weeks ago, featuring a rollable display that can expand, easily transforming a 6.7-inch smartphone into a 7.3-inch tablet. This design has gone through years of patent applications to reach the concept phone stage. However, the commercialization of this smartphone is imminent, so a smartphone with a detachable camera is also likely to become a reality.
3. UBI Research predicts Samsung will launch three new foldable phones in 2021.
According to a report by UBI Research’s OLED researchers, Samsung may release three new foldable phones in 2021, including the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Fold Lite, and Galaxy Z Flip 2. These products will all feature the next generation of ultra-thin glass (UTG) foldable displays and utilize LTPO technology to reduce power consumption. At the same time, the company may abandon the Galaxy Note series in favor of focusing more on the rapidly growing niche market.
Data image
Firstly, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is expected to stand out among the three foldable devices due to its under-display camera and S Pen support.
However, its internal screen size may shrink from 7.6 inches to 7 inches, while the external screen will not exceed 4 inches, making the entire device even smaller than the Galaxy Z Fold 2.
Secondly, the Galaxy Z Fold Lite is expected to have a similar screen (but without the under-display camera) and more affordable internal components to lower the consumer experience cost.
Finally, the Galaxy Z Flip 2 may continue with a 6.7-inch foldable internal screen, but the external screen will increase to 3 inches (compared to only 1.1 inches in the first generation).
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