Rideshare AV Video Communication System for Passenger Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle (AV) rideshare services lack features for passengers to interact with third parties before or during rides, due to the absence of windows for communication and privacy provided by tinted windows, leading to feelings of loneliness and uncertainty in passengers, especially children.
Innovation Solution
A video communications system (VCS) is integrated into AVs, utilizing onboard cameras, microphones, and displays both inside and outside the vehicle to enable live video feeds, two-way communication, and recorded messages or images for passenger identification and interaction, allowing seamless transfer between exterior and interior audio/video equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tinted windows are used to provide privacy for passengers, then passenger privacy is improved, but passenger ability to communicate with outside world deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system consisting of exterior displays, cameras, and microphones that mediate between the passenger inside the vehicle and third parties outside. This allows communication to occur through the vehicle's external components rather than requiring direct visual contact through windows, thus maintaining privacy while enabling interaction.
2Reliability
If no windows are provided for communication, then passenger security and privacy are improved, but passenger emotional well-being and ability to interact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions communication from a spatial dimension (through windows) to a temporal dimension (recorded messages played back). Exterior cameras record messages from third parties, and these recordings are played back to passengers inside the vehicle, enabling interaction without requiring simultaneous physical presence or visual contact through windows.
3Ease of operation
If exterior audio/video equipment is used for communication before passenger enters, then communication capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the exterior audio/video equipment to serve multiple functions: it can capture live video feeds for real-time communication, record messages for later playback, and identify the vehicle for waiting passengers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing system complexity while enhancing communication capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for a video communication system for a rideshare system includes conducting at least a portion of a video communication session involving a passenger using at least one exterior audio/video component on an exterior surface of an AV dispatched to a designated location; and transferring the video communication session to at least one interior audio/video component on an interior of the AV.