Cabin Object Detection via Light Configuration Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles lack the ability to detect objects left behind in the cabin after a drive cycle, as they do not have a human driver to inspect the interior.
Innovation Solution
An automotive vehicle system equipped with an optical sensor and a light control system, which captures images of the cabin under different light configurations to detect changes in shadows, allowing for the inference of object presence and triggering corrective actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous vehicles are equipped with object detection capabilities, then safety and operational awareness are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the existing optical sensor and light control system to serve dual purposes: their primary functions for autonomous navigation and their secondary function for object detection in the cabin. The controller processes images to detect objects left behind by passengers, transforming existing components into a multi-functional system that improves safety without adding dedicated detection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by using the vehicle's own existing components (optical sensor, light control system, controller) to perform object detection. Rather than relying on external or dedicated detection devices, the vehicle leverages its inherent systems to monitor its interior environment, thereby improving safety while avoiding additional device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple images are captured under different light configurations, then object detection accuracy is improved, but loss of time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by capturing a reference image of the cabin before the drive cycle begins. This baseline image is stored and later compared with images captured after the drive cycle. By establishing the reference state in advance, the system enables rapid object detection during post-drive inspection without requiring multiple sequential images, thus reducing detection time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by capturing images at specific intervals: a reference image before the drive cycle and subsequent images after the drive cycle. Rather than continuously capturing images or taking multiple images at each moment, the system uses periodic snapshots at key time points, reducing overall detection time and energy consumption while maintaining sufficient detection accuracy through comparison of these periodic images.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Automatically determines if an object has been left in the vehicle and takes appropriate actions, such as signaling an alert to passengers, ensuring safety and efficiency in vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor arranged to capture images of the cabin
Implementation Method 2
a light control system operable to modify an intensity or direction of incident light in the cabin
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive vehicle includes a cabin, an optical sensor arranged to capture images of the cabin, a light control system operable to modify an intensity or direction of incident light in the cabin, and a controller. The controller is configured to automatically, in response to an object detection request, control the optical sensor to capture a first image of the cabin with a first incident light configuration, control the light control system to modify an intensity or direction of incident light in the cabin to a second incident light configuration, control the optical sensor to capture a second image of the cabin with the second incident light configuration, detect a change in a shadow between the first image and the second image, infer the presence of an object in the cabin based on the change in shadow, and perform a corrective action based on the presence of the object.