Movable Barrier Access Control for Distributed AV Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The logistical challenges of storing autonomous vehicles in existing infrastructures, such as personal garages and parking spots, arise due to the centralized storage solutions leading to increased wait times and complex routing logistics, especially during high demand periods, as these vehicles are owned by service providers and lack access to personal storage facilities.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous vehicle control system that enables efficient storage of autonomous vehicles in existing infrastructures by using movable barrier operators to manage access to vehicle storage areas, incorporating data structures for risk assessment and single-use access credentials, and integrating user-in-the-loop control for optimal vehicle placement and charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If autonomous vehicles are stored in centralized locations, then vehicle storage is simplified, but wait times increase and routing logistics become more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized storage system into multiple distributed storage nodes (individual garages, parking spots, and other locations) scattered throughout the service area. Each node operates independently with its own access control, allowing vehicles to be stored and retrieved from multiple locations simultaneously, thereby reducing wait times and distributing routing complexity across many simple paths rather than one complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized storage model to a multi-dimensional distributed network. Vehicles can be stored at any node within the network, creating a spatial dimension of flexibility. The system adds the dimension of time by implementing dynamic access credentials that expire after use, allowing the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple vehicles sequentially without conflict.
2Loss of time
If autonomous vehicles are stored in distributed locations, then wait times are reduced, but access control and security become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service access control where the autonomous vehicle itself generates and manages its own access credentials. The vehicle's onboard system automatically creates time-limited access tokens when needing to enter a storage location, eliminating the need for external authorization at each node. This self-managed approach scales easily across distributed locations without proportionally increasing control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of access credentials from permanent or long-duration to time-limited and dynamically generated. Each credential includes an expiration timestamp and is valid only for the specific vehicle and location combination. This parameter change allows simple verification at each access point (check if credential is valid and not expired) while enabling complex distributed access patterns across many locations.
3Volume of stationary object
If personal garages are used for autonomous vehicle storage, then storage capacity increases, but security and authorization protocols must be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a digital credential as an intermediary between the autonomous vehicle and the personal garage access system. Instead of implementing complex physical security modifications or integrating with existing garage security systems, the vehicle presents a cryptographic access token that the garage's existing access control system can verify. This intermediary approach leverages existing infrastructure while adding minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The access credential system is designed to be universal across different garage types and access control systems. The same credential format and verification mechanism works for various garage door openers, smart home systems, and parking structures. This universality allows the system to tap into existing storage capacity without requiring location-specific security protocol implementations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method for enabling on-demand, temporary storage of an autonomous vehicle in vehicle storage areas of existing infrastructures. The vehicle storage areas include one or more movable barrier operators configured to control access to the vehicle storage areas via movable barriers. An autonomous vehicle access control platform is configured to enable access to individual ones of the vehicle storage areas by a single-use access credential sent to at least one of the autonomous vehicle and one of the movable barrier operators. The autonomous vehicle access control platform communicates with a transportation-as-a-service (TaaS) platform that pairs an autonomous vehicle with a vehicle storage area for storage based at least on a factor or parameter including the location of the vehicle storage area relative to the autonomous vehicle.