Autonomous Vehicle Pedestrian Communication via Directional Sound

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autonomous vehicles lack effective communication methods to interact with pedestrians, as they do not have a driver to convey information or warnings, posing challenges in safety and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-to-pedestrian communication system utilizing a cloud computing platform that manages message transmission via directional sound and visual indicators, using sensors and personal devices to identify pedestrians and determine appropriate messages based on their profiles and location, allowing autonomous vehicles to communicate with pedestrians through directional speakers and visual signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If autonomous vehicles use traditional communication methods ( horns, lights), then basic safety warnings can be provided, but effective communication with pedestrians is insufficient without a driver to convey information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication effectivenessVSAvoidinformation conveyance capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud computing system as an intermediary between autonomous vehicles and pedestrians. The cloud system receives vehicle data, determines appropriate messages, and transmits them back to vehicles for delivery to pedestrians. This mediator compensates for the lack of human drivers who would traditionally convey information, enabling effective communication without direct human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of human drivers physically conveying information with an automated electronic communication system. Directional speakers and visual indicators substitute for human vocal and gestural communication, allowing vehicles to convey information autonomously through technology rather than human action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If autonomous vehicles use general sound transmission, then pedestrians can receive warnings, but targeted communication with specific pedestrians is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage delivery accuracyVSAvoidcommunication targeting capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making sound transmission directional rather than omnidirectional. Directional speakers focus audio output toward specific pedestrians based on their location relative to the vehicle, ensuring that warnings and information are delivered only to relevant individuals rather than all surrounding pedestrians. This targeted approach improves message delivery accuracy while managing complexity through selective activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud computing system performs preliminary actions by identifying pedestrians and determining appropriate messages before the vehicle reaches them. The system calculates optimal communication parameters in advance, allowing the vehicle to execute targeted communication efficiently when it reaches the appropriate location without requiring complex real-time decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If autonomous vehicles provide comprehensive communication with all pedestrians, then safety information can be maximally conveyed, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety communication coverageVSAvoidcommunication system energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by activating communication systems only when and where needed rather than continuously. The cloud computing system determines which pedestrians require communication based on vehicle trajectory, pedestrian location, and context, allowing the vehicle to conserve energy by transmitting messages selectively to specific pedestrians rather than providing comprehensive coverage to all surrounding individuals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9928734B2Vehicle-to-pedestrian communication systems

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 NIO TECH ANHUI CO LTD

AI summary

Vehicle-to-pedestrian information systems that use directional sound transmission on autonomous vehicles are disclosed. A cloud computing system manages messages for transmission to pedestrians via autonomous vehicles having directional speakers. The cloud computing system identifies pedestrians and identifies messages for the pedestrians. Pedestrians may be known and authenticated to the cloud computing system or may be unknown. The cloud computing system maintains profiles for known pedestrians and transmits messages to vehicles based on the profiles. The cloud computing system keeps track of the location of vehicles and causes the vehicles to use directional speakers to transmit messages to the pedestrians based on the relative positions of the vehicles and the pedestrians.