Autonomous Vehicle Dispatch With Transfer Search and User Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face disadvantages when a vehicle with autonomous driving function cannot continue to the destination, and existing solutions struggle to effectively mitigate these issues when alternative moving objects are not available.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle dispatch device that includes a search unit to find alternative moving objects within a predetermined distance and time from the vehicle's route end position, and a grant unit that provides rewards to users when no suitable alternative is found, thereby compensating for the disadvantages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle cannot continue autonomous driving to the destination, then the user cannot reach the destination using the original vehicle, but proposing alternative destinations does not effectively solve the problem when alternative moving objects exist

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to reach destinationVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system proactively searches for alternative moving objects before the user needs to transfer, and grants rewards in advance when alternatives are unavailable. This preliminary identification and compensation mechanism ensures the user is prepared for the disruption before it occurs, rather than reacting after the vehicle fails to continue autonomous driving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary compensation mechanism (reward points) between the vehicle failure and the user's destination goal. When alternative moving objects are unavailable, the reward serves as a mediator that compensates for the inconvenience, allowing the system to maintain user satisfaction even when the primary transportation function fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system searches for alternative moving objects within predetermined distance and time, then the user can transfer to alternative objects, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to provide alternative solutionsVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server performs multiple functions: it manages autonomous vehicle dispatch, searches for alternative moving objects, evaluates transfer feasibility based on distance and time criteria, and grants rewards. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent avoids the need for separate specialized systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses adjustable parameters (predetermined distance threshold, predetermined time threshold) to control the search for alternative moving objects. By changing these parameters, the system can adapt its behavior without structural modifications, allowing flexibility in handling different scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the grant unit provides rewards when no alternative moving object exists, then user disadvantages are compensated, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser disadvantageVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where rewards are granted based on real-time information about alternative moving object availability. When alternatives are found, no reward is given (saving cost). When alternatives are unavailable, rewards are automatically granted to compensate users. This feedback-driven approach ensures rewards are only issued when necessary, optimizing the balance between user compensation and operational cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The reward system uses virtual reward points rather than physical compensation. These digital rewards can be generated and distributed at minimal marginal cost, serving as an inexpensive mechanism to compensate users when alternative moving objects are unavailable, without significantly increasing operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11615433B2Vehicle dispatch device

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle dispatch device is configured to dispatch a vehicle having an autonomous driving function to a user, the device includes: a search unit configured to search for a first alternative moving object when the vehicle cannot continue the autonomous driving to the destination during the autonomous driving of the vehicle on which the user is boarded, the first alternative moving object to which the user can transfer at a boarding position which is within a predetermined distance from a position on a route to an end position of the autonomous driving of the vehicle, within a predetermined time from alighting from the vehicle; and a grant unit configured to grant a reward to the user when the first alternative moving object does not exist.