Portable Interface for Autonomous Vehicle Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles often face connectivity issues due to lack of cellular coverage or obstacles, and may not have an in-vehicle interface, making it difficult to communicate and control them effectively.
Innovation Solution
A portable interface device emitting a short-range wireless signal with an encrypted packet to prompt authorized autonomous vehicles to respond with identification and location data, allowing for notification and control of the nearest vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autonomous vehicles use Internet connection for communication and control, then connectivity and control capability are improved, but the system fails in areas without cellular coverage or when obstacles block Internet access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable interface device as an intermediary between the user and the autonomous vehicle. This device uses short-range wireless communication (Bluetooth Low Energy) to enable vehicle selection and control when Internet connectivity is unavailable. The portable interface acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between the user's control needs and the vehicle's response capabilities in offline environments.
2Ease of operation
If autonomous vehicles are equipped with in-vehicle driving interfaces, then direct control capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the driving interface functionality from the autonomous vehicle itself and places it in a portable external device. Instead of requiring steering wheels, shifters, and pedals inside the vehicle, these control elements are relocated to a portable interface that users can carry and use externally. This reduces the vehicle's internal complexity while maintaining full control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable interface device serves as an intermediary that provides driving controls outside the vehicle. Users interact with the vehicle through this external portable interface rather than through embedded in-vehicle controls, enabling operation without modifying the vehicle's internal structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If short-range wireless signals are used for vehicle identification, then communication capability in offline areas is improved, but the communication range is limited compared to Internet connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two distinct layers: a long-range Internet connectivity layer for normal operation, and a short-range Bluetooth Low Energy layer for offline operation. This segmentation allows the system to switch between communication modes based on availability, with the short-range layer providing reliable local vehicle selection when Internet access is unavailable.
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 effective communication and control of autonomous vehicles even in areas without internet connectivity, by using Bluetooth Low Energy signals and a processor to determine and connect with the closest vehicle, facilitating vehicle identification and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless transceiver configured to emit a Bluetooth Low Energy signal
Data Source
AI summary
A portable interface, comprising a wireless transceiver configured to emit a short-range wireless signal including an encrypted packet configured to prompt authorized autonomous vehicles to respond to the packet with identification and location data of the vehicles. The portable interface further includes a processor configured to cause the transceiver to emit the signal, and in response to receiving the identification and location data, prompt a notification to be output to a shortest-distance vehicle.