Vehicle Object Search Range Adjustment Using Occupant Focus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infotainment or navigation systems in vehicles often fail to identify objects or points of interest outside a predefined search area, particularly when the object is on the opposite side of the road due to differences in driving directions and lane configurations, leading to incomplete or inaccurate responses.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that adjusts the search range based on the occupant's direction of focus, setting geographical fences on a map, and searching map data to identify candidate objects of interest, using sensors and cameras to detect pointing motions or gaze directions, and adjusting search areas based on vehicle speed and lane changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a predefined search area is used for identifying objects outside the vehicle, then the system complexity is reduced and processing is simplified, but the system fails to identify objects on the opposite side of the road due to fixed search range limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the search area adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The search area dynamically changes based on the vehicle's driving direction, lane position, and speed, allowing the system to accurately track and identify objects of interest as the vehicle moves through different road configurations and lane changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the search area (size, position, orientation) based on vehicle state parameters such as driving direction, lane position, and speed. By adjusting these parameters in real-time, the system maintains accurate object identification while adapting to varying driving conditions and road geometries.
2Reliability
If the search area is expanded to cover all possible directions, then object identification coverage is improved, but the processing time and computational resources increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the search effort in the most relevant directions based on the vehicle's driving context. Instead of uniformly searching all directions, the system adjusts the search area to focus on directions where objects of interest are most likely to be located, such as the opposite side of the road when driving on the right side, thereby improving coverage efficiency without excessive computational overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by selectively expanding the search area only in necessary directions rather than uniformly in all directions. The search area is expanded partially based on the vehicle's driving direction and lane position, providing sufficient coverage for object identification while avoiding the computational burden of searching the entire surrounding area.
3Productivity
If the search area is adjusted dynamically based on vehicle speed and lane changes, then the system responsiveness to objects of interest is improved, but the device complexity and control algorithm complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring vehicle state parameters (speed, lane position, driving direction) and using this information to adjust the search area in real-time. The system receives feedback from sensors about the vehicle's motion and road conditions, and automatically adjusts the search area parameters to maintain optimal object identification performance without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by creating a multi-functional search area adjustment mechanism that handles various driving scenarios (different speeds, lane changes, road geometries) through a single integrated system. The same control algorithm adapts the search area for different vehicle states and road conditions, reducing the need for separate specialized systems for each scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes processing an inquiry to identify an object outside a vehicle, wherein the inquiry is made by an occupant of the vehicle. The method also includes determining a direction of occupant focus at a time of receiving the inquiry. The method further includes setting one or more search areas extending from the vehicle in response to the inquiry and based on the direction of occupant focus. The method additionally includes adjusting the one or more search areas based on the direction of the occupant focus. The method also includes causing one or more geographical fences corresponding to the one or more search areas to be set with respect to the vehicle on a geographical map in response to the inquiry. The method further includes searching map data associated with the geographical map to identify a candidate object of interest within the one or more geographical fences.