Autonomous Vehicle Pickup Navigation Using Mobile Location Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for specifying pick-up or drop-off locations for autonomous vehicles, such as using addresses or geocoding systems, are inefficient and lack precision, leading to potential mislocation and difficulty in identifying the correct vehicle.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vehicle system that allows users to navigate to a requested location by capturing an image with a mobile device's camera, generating geographic and image data, and transmitting this information to the vehicle to set a precise pick-up or drop-off position, with a graphical user interface to confirm the vehicle's arrival.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If address or geocoding system is used to specify pick-up location, then the system is simple to operate, but the location precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional text-based address input system with an image-based location specification system. The mobile device captures an image of the desired location, and the autonomous vehicle system processes this image to identify and navigate to the specific location. This substitution of mechanical/text input with visual/image processing resolves the contradiction by providing precise location identification through image recognition while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive camera-based interaction.
2Measurement precision
If address is used to specify pick-up location, then the system is easy to use, but the area covered is too large making precise location identification difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by transitioning from a global address-based location system to a localized image-based positioning system. Instead of relying on broad address coverage areas, the system captures a specific image of the desired location, allowing the autonomous vehicle to identify and navigate to the precise local spot within or near the address area. This enables precise location identification even within large address coverage areas by focusing on the specific visual characteristics of the target location.
3Measurement precision
If GPS coordinates are transmitted for pick-up location, then the system operates automatically, but the location accuracy is insufficient for precise pick-up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the automated GPS coordinate transmission system with an image-based location specification system. Instead of relying solely on automated GPS coordinates that provide insufficient precision, the system captures an image of the desired location and processes this visual data to identify the precise pick-up spot. This substitution maintains automation through automated image processing and vehicle navigation while achieving superior location accuracy through visual recognition of specific location features.
4Loss of time
If conventional location systems are used, then the system complexity is low, but the time required for location identification and vehicle spotting is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional text-based location input systems with an image-based system that simultaneously provides location specification and vehicle identification capabilities. The mobile device captures an image of the desired location, and the system processes this image to both determine the pick-up location and enable the user to identify the assigned autonomous vehicle. This substitution reduces time loss by consolidating multiple functions into a single image-based interaction while managing system complexity through integrated image processing algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle receives geographic location data defined via a mobile computing device operated by a user. The geographic location data is indicative of a device position of the mobile computing device. The autonomous vehicle also receives image data generated by the mobile computing device. The image data is indicative of a surrounding position nearby the device position. The surrounding position is selected from an image captured by a camera of the mobile computing device. A requested vehicle position (e.g., a pick-up or drop-off location) is set for a trip of the user in the autonomous vehicle based on the geographic location data and the image data. A route from a current vehicle position of the autonomous vehicle to the requested vehicle position for the trip of the user in the autonomous vehicle is generated. Moreover, the autonomous vehicle can follow the route to the requested vehicle position.