Detection of a vehicle by one or more other vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency alerts for locating vehicles can be distracting to drivers and may lead to unsafe driving conditions, and there is a risk of people misremembering or ignoring the vehicle identification information.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle detection system using a network of vehicles equipped with cameras and sensors that automatically capture and analyze images to identify a subject vehicle without driver intervention, sending match notifications to law enforcement and other vehicles within a threshold area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If emergency alerts are distributed to mobile phones and news agencies, then public awareness of the emergency vehicle is improved, but driver distraction and unsafe driving conditions worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual driver action (visually searching for vehicles) with an automated optical system (cameras and image processing algorithms). The system automatically captures images, processes them to identify vehicles matching the emergency vehicle description, and reports matches without requiring driver attention or intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs the search function autonomously without requiring human operation. The cameras, processors, and communication systems work together to automatically detect, identify, and report the emergency vehicle, making the search function self-sufficient and eliminating the need for driver involvement.
2Measurement precision
If drivers manually search for the subject vehicle, then vehicle location can be determined, but driving safety and driver attention worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual driver action (visually searching for vehicles) with an automated optical system (cameras and image processing algorithms). The system automatically captures images, processes them to identify vehicles matching the emergency vehicle description, and reports matches without requiring driver attention or intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system between the driver and the search task. The camera system and image processing algorithms act as intermediaries that perform the vehicle identification function, allowing the driver to focus on safe operation while the automated system handles the search and identification tasks.
3Measurement precision
If a network of vehicles with cameras is deployed, then vehicle identification accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle identification system into separate functional modules: camera units for image capture, onboard processors for initial image analysis, communication systems for data transmission, and central coordination servers for managing the network. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal camera and processing components that can be installed in various vehicle types. The same hardware and software modules perform multiple functions including capturing images, processing them to identify emergency vehicles, and communicating results, reducing the need for specialized equipment in each vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for identifying a vehicle includes receiving in a network vehicle a search notification relating to a subject vehicle to be located including subject vehicle identification information. Thereafter, a camera in the network vehicle is activated to obtain an image that includes at least one vehicle that is not the network vehicle. Image vehicle identification information of the at least one vehicle in the image is reviewed and compared to the subject vehicle identification information to determine if the at least one vehicle in the image is a match for the subject vehicle, and then a match notification is sent to a third party when the match is determined.