In-vehicle Position Detection for Automatic Seat Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for in-vehicle position detection, such as those used in aircraft, require manual seat selection by passengers, which is inefficient and inconvenient when passengers change seats during transit.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize wireless emitters positioned at known locations within the vehicle to determine the position of a personal device relative to the vehicle's floor plan, automatically associating the device with different seats as the passenger moves, and updating the floor plan accordingly, while also managing and transferring settings for vehicle management components like entertainment and climate control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual seat selection is used, then passengers can control their seat assignments, but the process becomes inefficient and inconvenient when passengers change seats
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects passenger seat changes using wireless emitters and personal devices, eliminating the need for manual reselection. The automatic association between passenger devices and seat locations enables the system to self-update without passenger intervention, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of seat selection with an automated electronic detection system using wireless emitters and personal devices. This substitution eliminates the need for passengers to manually interact with the system when changing seats, significantly reducing the time and effort required.
2Extent of automation
If automatic position tracking is implemented, then seat association updates seamlessly, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless emitters and personal devices serve multiple functions: position detection, seat association, and triggering vehicle management events. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems, thereby managing complexity while achieving high automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses wireless emitters as intermediary elements positioned at known locations to facilitate position detection. These emitters act as mediators between the physical seat locations and the digital tracking system, simplifying the overall system architecture by providing standardized detection points throughout the vehicle.
3Measurement precision
If wireless emitters are positioned at known locations, then position detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle space is segmented into discrete zones with wireless emitters positioned at known locations. This segmentation allows the system to determine passenger position by identifying which emitter's signal the personal device is closest to, providing accurate position detection without requiring a continuous complex sensor network.
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
Enables seamless and automatic tracking of passenger movements, allowing for real-time updates of seat associations and vehicle settings, enhancing passenger convenience and reducing manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
determining on a basis of signals from wireless emitters positioned at known locations within the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
There is described herein a method and system for the configuration of vehicle management components using in-vehicle position detection. The in-vehicle position detection may also be used for providing a floor plan of the vehicle. In some embodiments, in-vehicle position detection may be used concurrently for configuring vehicle management components and for providing floor plans.