Patent Publication Number: US-2022219645-A1

Title: Methods and systems for controlling image capture sessions with external devices

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle systems that are configured to initiate, maintain, and terminate image capture sessions, and more specifically, to initiating, maintaining, and terminating image capture sessions with one or more image capture components that are external to these vehicle systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional vehicles systems may include various vehicle security and surveillance capabilities that prevent individuals from accessing, operating, or tampering with vehicles without authorization. Specifically, conventional vehicle systems may prevent vehicle theft using motion and proximity sensors installed within these vehicles. However, conventional vehicle systems lack the capability to access and leverage the functionalities of external devices to effectively surveil vehicles. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for vehicles that include vehicle systems that control the functionalities of devices that are external to vehicle systems to monitor the activity in and around these vehicles. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a vehicle that is configured to initiate and maintain an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a processor that is configured to initiate an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle, receive, from the image capture component, an image, determine whether image data of the image includes identifying information associated. with the vehicle, and instruct the image capture component to maintain the image capture session associated with the vehicle in response to determining that the image data includes identifying information associated with the vehicle. 
     In another embodiment, a method of initiating and maintaining an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to a vehicle is provided. The method includes initiating an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle, receiving, from the image capture component, an image, determining whether image data of the image includes identifying information associated with the vehicle, and instructing the image capture component to maintain the image capture session associated with the vehicle in response to determining that, the image data includes identifying information associated with the vehicle. 
     In another embodiment, a vehicle that is configured to initiate and terminate an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a processor configured to initiate an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle, receive, from the image capture component, an image, analyze the image, and instruct, based on the analyzing of the image, the image capture component to terminate the image capture session with the vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which: 
         FIG. 1  schematically depicts vehicles that are configured to initiate, maintain, and terminate image capture sessions with image capture components under certain conditions, according to one embodiments described and illustrated herein; 
         FIG. 2  schematically depicts non-limiting components of a vehicle system, according to one or more embodiments shown herein; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a flow chart for initiating and maintaining, by a vehicle, an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle, according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein; 
         FIG. 4  schematically depicts an example operation of the image capture component in association with the vehicle, according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein; 
         FIG. 5  schematically depicts an example operation of the image capture component relative to the vehicle based on a movement of the vehicle outside the field of view of the image capture component, according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein; and 
         FIG. 6  depicts a flow chart for initiating and terminating an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle, according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein; and 
         FIG. 7  depicts an example operation for initiating and terminating, by the vehicle, an additional image capture session with an additional image capture component that is external to the vehicle, according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments disclosed herein describe vehicles and methods for initiating, maintaining, and terminating image capture sessions with one or more image capture components that are external to the vehicles under various circumstances. For example, an embodiment of the vehicle described herein may include a processor that is configured to initiate an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle, analyze image data of one or more images received from the image capture component, and control the operation of the image capture component for a certain period of time. In embodiments, if the processor determines, based on the analysis, that the image data includes identifying information associated with the vehicle, the processor may instruct the image capture component to maintain the image capture component. In some embodiments, the processor may, automatically and without user intervention, terminate the initiated image capture session with the image capture component. However, if the processor determines that the image data does not include the identifying information, the processor may terminate the image capture session with the image capture component or instruct the image capture component to terminate the image capture session. 
     In embodiments, while maintaining an image capture session, the processor of a vehicle may receive multiple images or a live video stream of one or more objects within the line of sight of the image capture component, e.g., at predetermined intervals during the image capture session, throughout the image capture session (e.g., live video stream), and/or the like. In embodiments, the images or the live video stream may relate to areas within a certain proximity of the vehicle. In this way, the vehicle and areas in and around the vehicle may be effectively monitored so that any unauthorized activity associated with the vehicle, e.g., attempts by an unauthorized individual to tamper with or access the vehicle, are identified. In addition, the vehicle receives and processes the images or the live video stream from external image capture components to identify any suspicious activity. Because the vehicle has greater computing resources/power compared to the external image capture components, the vehicle may accurately identify suspicious activities without significant delays. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  schematically depicts vehicles  102 ,  108 , and  110  that are configured to initiate, maintain, and terminate image capture sessions with image capture components  100 ,  104  under certain conditions, according to one embodiments described. and illustrated herein. 
     As illustrated,  FIG. 1  depicts vehicles  102 ,  108 , and  110 , parked at multiple locations (e.g., parking spots  120 ,  130 ,  140 ) within a parking lot with image capture components  100 ,  104  positioned in areas adjacent to these vehicles. In some embodiments, the image capture components  100 ,  104  may be cameras that are part of a closed circuit television (CCTV) network and configured to communicate with the vehicles  102 ,  108 ,  110 , via communication network  106 . In some embodiments, the cameras may function independent of each other and be configured to communicate with the vehicles  102 ,  108 ,  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the vehicle  102 ,  108 ,  110  may initiate image capture sessions with the image capture components  100 ,  104 , via the communication network  106 , e.g., using various communication protocols. In some embodiments, as part of the image capture sessions, these vehicles may receive images, a live video stream, etc., of objects within the field of view of the image capture components  100 ,  104 . Each of these vehicles may analyze image data from the received images and/or the live video stream to determine whether these images include identifying information associated with these vehicles. The identifying information may be specific features of the vehicles including, but not limited to, colors, makes, models, shapes, contours, trim data, dimensions, license plate numbers, accessories of the vehicles, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, if identifying information associated with these vehicles is determined to be present in the image data, these vehicles may maintain the image capture session for a certain period of time. In other words, these vehicles may instruct the image capture components to continue capturing images or a live video stream of these vehicles for a certain period of time. In some embodiments, if the vehicles receive images or a live video stream that displays one or more individuals trying to tamper with or access these vehicles without authorization, a warning may be automatically generated by the vehicle. Such a warning may be generated and transmitted, automatically and without user intervention, to one or more devices associated with the owners of these vehicles. In this way, real time surveillance of the vehicles within a geographic area may be performed to effectively monitor these vehicles and identify possible instances of theft without requiring individuals (e.g., security personnel) to be present near these vehicles. 
       FIG. 2  schematically depicts non-limiting components of a vehicle system  200 , according to one or more embodiments shown herein. Notably, while the vehicle system  200  is depicted in isolation in  FIG. 2 , the vehicle system  200  may be included within a vehicle. For example, the vehicle system  200  may be included within each of the vehicles  102 ,  108 ,  110 . In embodiments in which the vehicle system  200  is included within the vehicles  102 ,  108 ,  110 , these vehicles may be an automobile or any other passenger or non-passenger vehicle such as, for example, a terrestrial, aquatic, and/or airborne vehicle. In some embodiments, these vehicles may be autonomous vehicles that navigate their environments with limited human input or without human input. 
     The vehicle system  200  includes a processor  202 . The processor  202  may be any device capable of executing machine readable and executable instructions. Accordingly, the processor  202  may be a controller, an integrated circuit, a microchip, a computer, or any other computing device. The processor  202  may be coupled to a communication path  204  that provides signal interconnectivity between various modules of the system. Accordingly, the communication path  204  may communicatively couple any number of processors (e.g., comparable to the processor  202 ) with one another, and allow the modules coupled to the communication path  204  to operate in a distributed computing environment. Specifically, each of the modules may operate as a node that may send and/or receive data. As used herein, the term “communicatively coupled” means that the coupled components are capable of exchanging data signals with one another such as, for example, electrical signals via conductive medium, electromagnetic signals via air, optical signals via optical waveguides, and the like. 
     Accordingly, the communication path  204  may be formed from any medium that is capable of transmitting a signal such as, for example, conductive wires, conductive traces, optical waveguides, or the like. In some embodiments, the communication path  204  may facilitate the transmission of wireless signals, such as WiFi, Bluetooth®, Near Field Communication (NFC) and the like. Moreover, the communication path  204  may be formed from a combination of mediums capable of transmitting signals. In one embodiment, the communication path  204  comprises a combination of conductive traces, conductive wires, connectors, and buses that cooperate to permit the transmission of electrical data signals to components such as processors, memories, sensors, input devices, output devices, and communication devices. Accordingly, the communication path  204  may comprise a vehicle bus, such as for example a LIN bus, a CAN bus, a VAN bus, and the like. Additionally, it is noted that the term “signal” means a waveform (e.g., electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical or electromagnetic), such as DC, AC, sinusoidal-wave, triangular-wave, square-wave, vibration, and the like, capable of traveling through a medium. 
     The vehicle system  200  also includes one or more memory modules  206  coupled to the communication path  204 . The one or more memory modules  206  may comprise RAM, ROM, flash memories, hard drives, or any device capable of storing machine readable and executable instructions such that the machine readable and executable instructions can be accessed by the processor  202 . The machine readable and executable instructions may comprise logic or algorithm(s) written in any programming language of any generation (e.g., 1GL, 3GL, 4GL, or 5GL) such as, for example, machine language that may be directly executed by the processor  202 , or assembly language, object-oriented programming (OOP), scripting languages, microcode, etc., that may be compiled or assembled into machine readable and executable instructions and stored on the one or more memory modules  206 . Alternatively, the machine readable and executable instructions may be written in a hardware description language (HDL), such as logic implemented via either a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) configuration or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or their equivalents. Accordingly, the methods described herein may be implemented in any conventional computer programming language, as pre-programmed hardware elements, or as a combination of hardware and software components. In some embodiments, the one or more memory modules  206  may store data related to status and operating condition information related to one or more vehicle components, e.g., brakes, airbags, cruise control, electric power steering, battery condition, and so forth. 
     The vehicle system  200  may include one or more sensors  208 . Each of the one or more sensors  208  is coupled to the communication path  204  and communicatively coupled to the processor  202 . The one or more sensors  208  may include one or more motion sensors for detecting and measuring motion and changes in motion of the vehicle. The motion sensors may include inertial measurement units. Each of the one or more motion sensors may include one or more accelerometers and one or more gyroscopes. Each of the one or more motion sensors transforms sensed physical movement of the vehicle into a signal indicative of an orientation, a rotation, a velocity, or an acceleration of the vehicle. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the vehicle system  200  optionally includes a satellite antenna  210  coupled to the communication path  204  such that the communication path  204  communicatively couples the satellite antenna  210  to other modules of the vehicle system  200 . The satellite antenna  210  is configured to receive signals from global positioning system satellites. Specifically, in one embodiment, the satellite antenna  210  includes one or more conductive elements that interact with electromagnetic signals transmitted by global positioning system satellites. The received signal is transformed into a data signal indicative of the location (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the satellite antenna  210  or an object positioned near the satellite antenna  210 , by the processor  202 . 
     The vehicle system  200  may include a network interface hardware  212  for communicatively coupling the vehicle system  200  with a server  112 , e.g., via communication network  106 . The network interface hardware  212  is coupled to the communication path  204  such that the communication path  204  communicatively couples the network interface hardware  212  to other modules of the vehicle system  200 . The network interface hardware  212  may be any device capable of transmitting and/or receiving data via a wireless network. Accordingly, the network interface hardware  212  may include a communication transceiver for sending and/or receiving data according to any wireless communication standard. For example, the network interface hardware  212  may include a chipset (e.g., antenna, processors, machine readable instructions, etc.) to communicate over wireless computer networks such as, for example, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), WiMax, Bluetooth, IrDA, Wireless USB, Z-Wave, ZigBee, or the like. In some embodiments, the network interface hardware  212  includes a Bluetooth transceiver that enables the vehicle system  200  to exchange information with the server  112  via Bluetooth communication. 
     The network interface hardware  212  may utilize various communication protocols to establish a connection between the vehicle system  200  of a vehicle and one or more image capture components that are external to the vehicle. For example, in embodiments, the network interface hardware  212  may utilize a communication protocol that enables communication between a vehicle and various other devices, e.g., vehicle-to-everything (V2X). Additionally, in other embodiments, the network interface hardware  212  may utilize a communication protocol that is dedicated for short range communications (DSRC). Compatibility with other comparable communication protocols are also contemplated. 
     It is noted that communication protocols include multiple layers as defined by the Open Systems Interconnection Model (OSI model), which defines a telecommunication protocol as having multiple layers, e.g., Application layer, Presentation layer, Session layer, Transport layer, Network layer, Data link layer, and Physical layer. To function correctly, each communication protocol includes a top layer protocol and one or more bottom layer protocols. Examples of top layer protocols (e.g., application layer protocols) include HTTP, HTTP2 (SPDY), and HTTP3 (QUIC), which are appropriate for transmitting and exchanging data in general formats. Application layer protocols such as RTP and RTCP may be appropriate for various real time communications such as, e.g., telephony and messaging. Additionally, SSH and SFTP may be appropriate for secure maintenance, MQTT and AMQP may be appropriate for status notification and wakeup trigger, and MPEG-DASH/HLS may be appropriate for live video streaming with user-end systems. Examples of transport layer protocols that are selected by the various application layer protocols listed above include, e.g., TCP, QUIC/SPDY, SCTP, DCCP, UDP, and RUDP. 
     The vehicle system  200  includes a camera  214 . The camera  214  may have any resolution. In some embodiments, one or more optical components, such as a mirror, fish-eye lens, or any other type of lens may be optically coupled to the camera. In embodiments, the camera may have a broad angle feature that enables capturing digital content within a 150 degree to 180 degree arc range. Alternatively, the camera  214  may have a narrow angle feature that enables capturing digital content within a narrow arc range, e.g., 60 degree to 90 degree arc range. In embodiments, the one or more cameras may be capable of capturing high definition images in a 720 pixel resolution, a 1080 pixel resolution, and so forth. Alternatively or additionally, the camera  214  may have the functionality to capture a continuous real time video stream for a predetermined time period. It is also noted that the image capture components  100  and  104  are also cameras having some features and functionalities that are comparable to the camera  214 . In embodiments, the image capture components  100 ,  104  may be cameras that are a part of a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Network. Alternatively, each of these cameras may be independent from each other and capable of transmitting images or a live video stream to various vehicles. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a flow chart for initiating and maintaining, by a vehicle, an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle, according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein. 
     In embodiments, in block  310 , the processor  202  of the vehicle system  200  installed within the vehicle  102  may initiate an image capture session with an image capture component  100  that is external to the vehicle  102 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , a vehicle  102  may be parked in the parking spot  120  in a lot. In some embodiments, the vehicle owner may exit the vehicle  102  and activate a feature associated with the vehicle system  200 . Thereafter, the processor  202  may, via the network interface hardware  212 , send messages to the image capture components  100 ,  104  within a certain proximity of the vehicle  102 , e.g., via the communication network  106 . The communication network  106  may involve a communication protocol (e.g., TCP) that establishes a secure connection between the vehicle system  200  and the image capture components  100 ,  104 . Various communication protocols are contemplated, e.g., UDP protocol. 
     Upon establishing the connection, the image capture components  100 ,  104  may capture one or more images and/or a live video stream of objects within their respective line of sights. For example, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , based on the position of the image capture component  100 , the vehicle  102  may be an object that appears within the line of sight  400  of the image capture component  100 . Additionally, based on the position of the image capture component  104 , the vehicles  108  and  110  may be other objects that appear within the line of sight of the image capture component  104 . It is noted that the image capture components  100  and  104  may be cameras that are a part of a Closed Circuit Television Network (CCTV). Alternatively, each of these cameras may be independent and capable of transmitting images or live video streams to various vehicles. For example, the image capture component  100  may capture an image or a live video stream of the vehicle  102  located in the parking spot  120  at a certain point in time, and the image capture component  104  may capture an image or a live video stream of vehicles  108 ,  110  located in parking spots  130  and  140  at a particular point in time. In some embodiments, the image capture components  100 ,  104  may transmit, via the communication network  106 . the captured images to the vehicle  102 ,  108 ,  110 . 
     In block  320 , the network interface hardware  212  of the vehicle system  200  may receive the image, and upon receipt, route the image via the communication path  204  to the processor  202  for processing. The processing may involve digital image analysis to extract image data of the image in order to identify contours, dimensions, and other characteristics associated with the vehicle  102 . Additionally, in block  330 , the processor may determine whether the image data includes identifying information associated with the vehicle, such as information related to the brand, license plate number, vehicle make and model, year of manufacture, and so forth. It is noted that identifying information associated with the vehicle includes a characteristic of the vehicle. Other such characteristics are also contemplated. 
     Thereafter, in block  340 , the processor  202  may instruct the image capture component  10 ( )to maintain the image capture session associated with the vehicle in response to determining that the image data includes identifying information associated with the vehicle. For example, in embodiments, the processor  202  may instruct the image capture component  100  to continue capturing images of the vehicle  102  at regular intervals, e.g., 1 minute intervals, 2 minute intervals, and 5 minute intervals, and so forth. In some embodiments, the processor  202  may instruct the image capture component  100  to capture a live video stream of the vehicle  102  for a certain time frame, e.g., 20 minutes, 30 minutes, etc. It is noted that identifying information associated with the vehicle includes a characteristic of the vehicle. 
     During the image capture session, images or live video streams associated with the vehicle  102  and areas within a certain proximity of the vehicle  102  may be captured. In this way, the activities associated with the vehicle and of areas within a certain proximity of the vehicle may be more effectively monitored such that instances of unauthorized individuals attempting to gain access the vehicle  102  may be identified more effectively. Additionally, in embodiments, if the processor  202  analyzes the images associated with the vehicle  102  and areas within a certain proximity of the vehicle  102 , and determines (via use of a plurality of image recognition techniques described in the present disclosure) that an unauthorized individual is attempting to access the vehicle  102 , the processor  202  may transmit, via the network interface hardware  212 , a warning message to a mobile device of a user. Example operations of the system of the present disclosure is described in detail in  FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 . 
       FIG. 4  schematically depicts an example operation of the image capture component  100  in association with the vehicle  102 , according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein. Specifically, as described above, the vehicle  102  may initiate an image capture session with the image capture component  100 , e.g., by establishing a connection via the communication network  106 . As previously stated, a variety of communication protocols may be utilized to establish the connection between the vehicle  102  and the image capture component  100 . 
     Thereafter, the vehicle  102  may receive an image or a live stream from the image capture component  100  associated with an area in and around the vehicle  102 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , the image capture component  100  may capture one or more images of the vehicle  102 , which is within a field of view  400  of the image capture component  100 . For example, the field of view may include the vehicle  102  parked in the parking spot  120 , and possibly one or more additional vehicles located in adjacent parking spots (not shown). The image capture component  100  may transmit, in real time, the captured images or live video stream to the processor  202  of the vehicle. Upon receipt, the processor  202  may analyze the subject matter of the received images, and based on the results of the analysis, control the operation of the image capture component  100  in various ways. 
     In some embodiments, the processor  202  may utilize a combination of digital image recognition and processing techniques to extract and analyze image data of the image received from the image capture component  100 . For example, in sonic embodiments, machine learning techniques may be used to identify whole objects and/or isolated features of an object, perform classification of the identified objects or characteristics of these objects, e.g., colors, makes, models, shapes, contours and trim data of vehicles, dimensions of vehicles, etc. Image recognition and processing techniques that are not based on machine learning are also contemplated. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the processor  202  may analyze the image data of the image received from the image capture component  100  to extract certain digital characters from the image data of the received image, e.g., the license plate number of the vehicle  102 . Additionally, the processor  202  may compare the extracted characters, e.g., license plate number NHX659, with vehicle data specific to the vehicle  102 . The data specific to the vehicle may be stored locally in the one or more memory modules  206  of the vehicle  102 . The data specific to the vehicle  102  may also include data related to the license plate number of the vehicle  102 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the license plate number data may be NHX659. As such, a comparison will enable the processor  202  to determine that the license plate characters identified from the extracted image data matches the license plate data stored locally in the one or more memory modules  206  of the vehicle  102 . In other words, whether the image data matches vehicle data specific to the vehicle. Such a result may also be utilized by the processor  202  to confirm that the vehicle  102  is within the line of sight of the image capture component  100  at or within a certain time frame of when the image of the vehicle  102  was captured. 
     Based on this determination, the processor  202  may control the operation of the image capture component  100  in various ways. For example, the processor  202  may instruct the image capture component  100  to maintain the image capture session initiated by the vehicle  102  for a certain period of time, e.g., 1 minute interval, 2 minute interval, 5 minute interval, and so forth. Other time intervals are also contemplated. During the image capture session, the image capture component  100  may capture a plurality of additional images of one or more objects within the line of sight of the image capture component  100  and transmit these images to the vehicle  102  in real time. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the image capture component  100  may capture a plurality of additional images and transmit these images to the vehicle  102  at a designated time, e.g., at the end of a specific time interval such as 1 minute interval, 2 minute interval, 5 minute interval, and so forth. Other variations on such operations are also contemplated. 
     Additionally, in embodiments, the processor  202  may analyze the plurality of additional images received from the image capture component  100  and determine that unauthorized activity associated with the vehicle  102  may be occurring during the image capture session. For example, the processor  202  may analyze image data of the additional images and determine that an individual may be attempting to gain access to the vehicle  102  without authorization. Upon such a determination, the processor  202  may transmit a warning to a mobile device of a user (e.g., the owner of the vehicle  102 ) in real time, thereby enabling the vehicle owner to take actions to prevent theft of the vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle  102  may, automatically and without user intervention, output a warning in the form of an alarm. 
       FIG. 5  schematically depicts an example operation of the image capture component  100  relative to the vehicle  102  based on a movement of the vehicle  102  outside the field of view  400  of the image capture component  100 , according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the vehicle  102  may move outside of the field of view  400  of the image capture component  100  e.g., when an or operator drives the vehicle  102  towards the exit along route  502  from the parking spot  120 . The processor  202  may be configured to detect the location of the vehicle  102  at various times during the image capture session. For example, the processor  202  may detect the vehicle  102  at a first location (e.g. at the parking spot  120 ) at a particular time during the image capture session and at a second location (e.g., near the exit sign in a parking lot) at a different time within the image capture session. 
     Within a certain time frame after this movement, the image capture component  100  may capture one or more additional images within the field of view  400 , namely of the parking spot  120 , and transmit these images to the vehicle  102 . The processor  202  of the vehicle  102  may analyze the image data associated with these images, compare one or more characteristics identified within the image data (e.g., vehicle identifying information) with data specific to the vehicle  102  (e.g., license plate number) that is stored in the one or more memory modules  206 , and determine that the image data does not include any characters that match the data specific to the vehicle  102 . In other words, based on the comparison, the processor  202  may determine that the vehicle  102  is no longer within the field of view  400  of the image capture component  100 . 
     Based on this determination, the processor  202  may terminate the image capture session initiated by the vehicle  102  with the image capture component  100 . In some embodiments, immediately upon detecting a change in the location of the vehicle  102 , the processor  202  may, automatically and without user intervention, request one or more additional images from the image capture component  100  and analyze the image data within the received images. In other embodiments, the processor  202  may detect a change in the orientation and/or location of the vehicle  102  relative to the image capture component  100 , compare the orientation and location with one or more threshold values, determine that the vehicle  102  has moved outside of the field of view  400  of the image capture component  100 , and terminate, automatically and without user intervention, the image capture session. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a flow chart for initiating and terminating an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle, according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein.  FIG. 7  depicts an example operation for initiating and terminating, by the vehicle, an additional image capture session with an additional image capture component that is external to the vehicle, according to one or more embodiments described and illustrated herein. It is noted that a discussion of  FIG. 6  will be interspersed with a discussion of  FIG. 7 . 
     In embodiments, in block  610 , the processor  202  of the vehicle system  200  may initiate an image capture session with an additional image capture component (e.g., image capture component  104 ). Specifically, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , the vehicle  102  parked in the parking spot  120  may, via the network interface hardware  212 , send messages to the image capture component  104 , which may be mounted on a side wall of the parking lot at a location that is adjacent to the vehicle  102 . As previously stated, the network interface hardware  212  may send messages to one or more image capture components  100 ,  104  within a certain proximity of the vehicle  102 , e.g., using the communication network  106 . The communication network  106  may involve a communication protocol (e.g., TCP) that establishes a secure connection between the vehicle system  200  and the image capture components  100 ,  104 . Various communication protocols are contemplated, e.g., UDP protocol. 
     Upon establishing the connection, the image capture component  104  may capture one or more images and/or a live video stream of one or more objects within the line of sight of the image capture component  104 . For example, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , based on the position of the image capture component  104 , the vehicles  108  and  110  may be objects that appear within the line of sight  700  of the image capture component  104 . The image capture component  104  may then transmit the images of the one or more objects (e.g., images of vehicles  108  and  110 ) to the vehicle system  200  of the vehicle  102 . These images may be transmitted to the respective processors of the vehicles  108 ,  110 . 
     In embodiments, in block  620 , the network interface hardware  212  of the vehicle system  200  within the vehicle  102  may receive the one or more images, and upon receipt, route these images via the communication path  204  to the processor  202 . 
     In embodiments, in block  630 , the processing may involve analyzing image data of the images received from the image capture component  104  to extract certain digital characters, e.g., the license plate numbers HJC856 and KAH988 of the vehicles  108  and  110 . Additionally, the processor  202  may compare the extracted characters with data specific to the vehicle  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the processor  202  may compare the license plate numbers extracted from image data associated with vehicles  108  and  110  with the license plate number NHX659 stored locally in the one or more memory modules  206  of the vehicle  102 . Based on the comparison, the processor  202  may determine that the license plate numbers do not match. 
     In embodiments, in block  640 , the processor  202  may instruct, based on the analysis, the image capture component  104  to terminate the additional image capture session with the vehicle  102 . In contrast, the processors of the vehicles  108 ,  110  may instruct the image capture component  104  to maintain the image capture session associated with the vehicles  108 ,  110  in response to determining that the image data includes identifying information associated with the vehicle  108 ,  110 . 
     It should now be understood that the embodiments described herein a method for initiating, maintaining, and terminating an image capture session with an external image capture component. The method includes initiating an image capture session with an image capture component that is external to the vehicle, receiving, from the image capture component, an image, determining whether image data of the image includes identifying information associated with the vehicle, and instructing the image capture component to maintain the image capture session associated with the vehicle in response to determining that the image data includes identifying information associated with the vehicle. Additionally, the method include terminating the image capture session with the image capture component in response to determining that the image data does not include the identifying information. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The term “or a combination thereof” means a combination including at least one of the foregoing elements. 
     It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.