In-Cabin Item Detection Using Vehicle Movement and Door Lock State
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems inaccurately detect items inadvertently left inside the vehicle due to repeated door locking during loading, leading to false positives.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes a camera, processor, and notifier, which captures images and calculates vehicle movement to determine if an item is inadvertently left inside the vehicle compartment by comparing images taken at the home position with a predetermined threshold, and notifies the occupant through sound or smartphone when an item is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If door lock data is used to trigger item detection, then detection timing is simplified, but false positives occur during repeated loading operations
Solution Approach 1:
The detection conditions are segmented into multiple independent criteria: position data matching home location, door lock status confirmation, and movement threshold verification. By dividing the detection logic into separate modular conditions, the system achieves both operational simplicity and detection precision, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If image comparison is performed at every door lock, then item detection coverage is maximized, but false detections increase during loading
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by checking position data and movement thresholds before executing image comparison. This preliminary action filters out false detection scenarios (during loading) before the main detection process, maintaining both comprehensive coverage and high precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses movement data and position information as feedback to dynamically control the detection process. By continuously monitoring vehicle location and movement status, the system adjusts detection execution to avoid false positives while maintaining comprehensive item detection coverage.
3Measurement precision
If movement threshold is added to detection conditions, then false positives during loading are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movement threshold mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a filter for false positives, a trigger for detection execution, and a validator for home location status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex verification systems, achieving high detection accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity.
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
Accurately identifies items left inside the vehicle with high precision, preventing false detections during loading and ensuring occupants are notified of items left behind.
Implementation Method 1
a camera configured to capture an image of an inside of a vehicle compartment of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
acquire position data of the vehicle by receiving electric waves emitted from a satellite positioning system
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes: a camera imaging the inside of the vehicle, a first data acquirer acquiring position data of the vehicle; a second data acquirer acquiring door lock data; a calculator calculating a movement of the vehicle in a period from a departure from a home position to an arrival at the home position, based on the position data; a determiner determining whether any item is inadvertently left inside the vehicle, based on a first image captured by the camera in a situation where the vehicle is at the home position and the door is locked, and a second image captured by the camera in a situation where the vehicle is at the home position, the door is locked, and the movement is greater than a predetermined threshold; and a controller causing the presence of an item left inside the vehicle to be presented to an occupant of the vehicle.