Computer Vision Inventory Tracking for Shared Vehicle Amenities

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current shared vehicle services lack the ability to provide customized, on-demand food and productivity services, such as made-to-order meals, beverages, and office equipment, due to logistical and hygienic challenges, limiting user convenience and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that uses computer vision analysis to monitor inventory within vehicles, allowing passengers to request specific amenities through an electronic device, which dispatches vehicles equipped with the requested products and services based on real-time availability, enabling personalized experiences during travel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If shared vehicle services provide customized food and productivity services, then user convenience and flexibility are improved, but logistical complexity and hygiene challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidlogistical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual inventory tracking and verification with computer vision technology. Image sensors capture photos of vehicle interiors, and automated image analysis algorithms identify and track auxiliary products, eliminating the need for manual checking and reducing logistical complexity while maintaining high customization capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service through automated image analysis that independently monitors inventory levels and product availability without human intervention. The computer vision system automatically updates inventory status based on captured images, allowing the vehicle service system to autonomously manage customized amenities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual inventory checking is performed, then product availability is tracked, but time consumption and operational efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinventory accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes manual inventory checking with automated computer vision analysis. Image sensors continuously capture vehicle interior images, and automated algorithms process these images to identify auxiliary products and update inventory records, achieving both high inventory accuracy and time efficiency simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous inventory monitoring through periodic image capture and automated analysis. Instead of intermittent manual checks, the computer vision system continuously tracks product availability and inventory levels, ensuring up-to-date information without significant time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3577608B1Systems and methods for customizing amenities in shared vehicles
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3577608B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3577608B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3577608B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method performed by an electronic device is described. The method includes obtaining an auxiliary product request or an auxiliary service request in conjunction with a vehicle request. The method also includes obtaining image data from an interior of at least one vehicle. The method further includes performing computer vision analysis on the image data, including processing the image data to classify one or more objects within a scene of the interior of the at least one vehicle. The method additionally includes determining, based on the classification, whether the one or more objects satisfy the auxiliary product request or the auxiliary service request within the interior of the at least one vehicle.