Dynamic Vehicle Identification Projection for Ridesharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying ride vehicles to passengers in ridesharing services, such as using license plates, are inefficient and prone to errors, especially in congested areas, as they require manual matching and can lead to confusion.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic projection or display system on vehicles uses GPS, Bluetooth, or WiFi signals to project unique identifiers like barcodes, text, or images that can be read by passengers' smartphones, ensuring correct vehicle identification through targeted and interpretable data, enhancing safety and reducing disputes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If license plate identification is used, then vehicle identification is achieved, but identification accuracy deteriorates in congested areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses projected images or displays of identification data (such as license plate numbers, vehicle identifiers, or driver information) as a copy of the actual vehicle identification information. This projected copy is visible to passengers and can be scanned by smartphones, providing an alternative to directly reading the physical license plate, thereby improving identification accuracy in congested areas where license plates may be obscured or difficult to read.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - a projector or display device mounted on the vehicle - that mediates between the vehicle's identification system and the passenger. This intermediary projects or displays identification information in a manner that is easily visible and scannable, bridging the gap between the vehicle's actual identification and the passenger's ability to verify it, thus overcoming the limitations of direct license plate reading in congested environments.
2Reliability
If manual matching of license plate description is required, then vehicle identification is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of visually matching license plate descriptions with an automated optical/electronic system. Passengers use smartphone cameras to capture the projected identification data, and automated image recognition or barcode scanning technology instantly verifies the vehicle identity, eliminating the need for manual comparison and significantly reducing verification time while maintaining or improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service verification where passengers independently scan and verify vehicle identification using their own smartphones without requiring assistance from drivers or other passengers. The projected identification data is designed to be easily scannable by standard smartphone cameras, allowing passengers to quickly and autonomously confirm they are in the correct vehicle, thereby reducing overall verification time.
3Measurement precision
If dynamic projection system is implemented, then identification accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal components that can serve multiple functions. The projector or display device not only projects identification data for verification but can also display additional information such as driver details, route information, or promotional content. The smartphone camera used by passengers serves both as a scanning device for identification verification and as a standard photography device, eliminating the need for specialized expensive equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive, readily available technology - standard smartphone cameras and off-the-shelf projector or display components - rather than expensive specialized equipment. The identification data is dynamically projected or displayed temporarily during the pickup process, then can be changed or updated as needed. This approach uses cheap, easily replaceable components that achieve high identification precision without requiring complex, expensive, or difficult-to-maintain systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include the use of on-vehicle or in-vehicle dynamically projected or displayed identification data (e.g., names, brand names, pictures, ID codes, bar codes, etc.) that a person outside of the vehicle can see. The projection or display of the identification data can be presented when the vehicle is near the location of the intended passenger (e.g., determined via GPS data, by location of Bluetooth signals or WiFi signals, or other). The identification data may be interpretable by humans and/or can be encoded into patterns that a smartphone app or other electronic device can decode.