In-Vehicle Vending Inventory Tracking via Sensor Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ride services face challenges in providing a wide selection of amenities to users during a ride due to driver distraction and difficulties in tracking inventory and billing multiple users, especially in scenarios with no driver present.

Innovation Solution

A 'smart' in-vehicle vending apparatus that interfaces with a transportation management system to facilitate purchases without driver input, authenticates users, tracks inventory, and uses sensors to determine items taken, ensuring accurate billing and enhancing user experience through automated inventory management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If driver manually manages amenities and interacts with users during the ride, then user service quality improves, but driver safety deteriorates due to distraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser service qualityVSAvoiddriver safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vending apparatus enables users to autonomously select, purchase, and receive amenities without driver involvement. The system automatically processes transactions through the transportation management system, eliminating the need for driver-user interactions during the ride while maintaining high service quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The vending apparatus acts as an intermediary between the driver and users for amenity distribution. It handles all user interactions, product dispensing, and billing processes, allowing the driver to focus solely on driving while users receive full service support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If driver provides amenities manually, then user experience improves, but productivity deteriorates as driver cannot focus on driving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoiddriving efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Users independently interact with the vending apparatus to select and purchase amenities during the ride. The automated system handles product selection, payment processing, and dispensing, ensuring uninterrupted driving while maintaining enhanced user experience through available amenities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The vending apparatus serves as a mediator that fulfills user amenity needs without requiring driver attention. It manages the complete transaction process including user authentication, item selection, billing through the transportation management system, and physical product delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If in-vehicle vending apparatus is implemented, then driver distraction is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver safetyVSAvoidvending system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vending apparatus integrates multiple functions including user authentication, product storage, automated dispensing, payment processing, and inventory management into a single system. It interfaces with the existing transportation management system to handle billing and user data, reducing the need for separate standalone components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the vending apparatus with the transportation management system's existing user authentication and billing infrastructure. The apparatus utilizes the same user profiles, payment methods, and communication protocols already established in the ride-sharing platform, minimizing additional system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If automated inventory tracking is implemented, then billing accuracy improves, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory tracking accuracyVSAvoiditem identification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual inventory tracking with automated sensor-based detection. Sensors within the vending apparatus automatically detect when items are removed, identify them through RFID tags or barcodes, and update inventory records in real-time, eliminating manual counting and reducing measurement errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The inventory tracking system continuously monitors item levels and provides real-time feedback to both the vending apparatus control system and the transportation management system. This feedback loop ensures accurate billing by automatically correlating item dispensing with user purchases and updating available inventory accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10853862B2In-vehicle vending inventory tracking

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 LYFT INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method includes initiating a vending session using an in-vehicle vending apparatus to provide a user access to one or more items, the vending session being initiated by determining that the user is associated with a ride. The method also includes determining that the vending session has ended, which may be determined by determining that the in-vehicle vending apparatus is closed, and determining the one or more items that were taken by the user. The method also includes identifying one or more items taken from the in-vehicle vending apparatus during the vending session based on sensor data from the in-vehicle apparatus. The method also includes sending a confirmation of the one or more items taken to the user.