Onboard Radar Unit for Accurate Occupant Counting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current occupant-dependent toll systems face challenges in accurately detecting the number of vehicle occupants without human error or interference, leading to potential violations and measurement errors, especially in complex traffic scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of non-contact biometric radar sensors, specifically Doppler radar or UWB impulse radar, to measure vital functions like heartbeat and breathing, combined with signal pattern analysis and averaging techniques to determine occupant count, ensuring accurate toll calculation and minimizing interference from external sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If visual check by control personnel is used to detect occupant number, then the system is simple to implement, but measurement precision deteriorates due to human error and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection method with a radar-based detection system. The radar sensor emits electromagnetic waves that reflect off occupants in the vehicle, enabling automatic, non-contact detection of occupant number without human intervention, thereby eliminating human error while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically detecting and counting occupants using radar technology without requiring control personnel to visually inspect each vehicle. The onboard unit autonomously performs the detection task, improving both accuracy and efficiency
2Ease of operation
If self-declaration of occupant number is used, then the system is easy to operate, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of violation and error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the declarative process with automatic radar detection. Instead of relying on occupants to self-declare their number (which introduces vulnerability to false statements), the system passively measures the actual number of occupants present in the vehicle using radar reflectivity, eliminating the possibility of declaration violations
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic feedback by continuously monitoring and detecting the actual occupant number through radar signals. This creates a verification mechanism where the detected occupant number is used to calculate appropriate tolls, ensuring reliability without requiring manual declaration
3Device complexity
If contact-based detection methods are used, then the system is straightforward to implement, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference and occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes contact-based detection with non-contact radar detection. The radar sensor measures electromagnetic wave reflections from occupants without physical contact, eliminating interference from occlusion, body shape variations, or positioning issues that plague contact-based methods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from physical contact or visual observation to electromagnetic wave reflectivity. By measuring the radar signal characteristics (reflection strength and pattern), the system can accurately detect occupants regardless of their position, orientation, or body characteristics
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
This approach enables nearly 100% accurate and reliable occupant counting, reducing errors and violations by distinguishing between actual vehicle occupants and external interference, thus achieving a high toll charging rate in high occupancy toll lanes.
Implementation Method 1
directing a Doppler radar or UWB impulse radar onto a vehicle interior to measure movements therein and to generate at least one measurement signal representing the movements
Implementation Method 2
directing a Doppler radar or UWB impulse radar onto a vehicle interior to measure movements therein and to generate at least one measurement signal representing the movements
Implementation Method 3
detect the rhythmic movements of the chambers of the heart or lobes of the lungs in a non-contact manner through media such as clothing and body layers
Implementation Method 4
detect the rhythmic movements of the chambers of the heart or lobes of the lungs in a non-contact manner through media such as clothing and body layers
Data Source
AI summary
Onboard unit for charging occupant number-dependent tolls for a vehicle in the context of a road toll system, comprising a Doppler radar or UWB impulse radar that can be directed onto the vehicle interior for measuring movements and generating at least one measurement signal representing these; and an evaluation device, which is configured to detect signal patterns in the measurement signal that are typical for heart or respiratory activity of an occupant, to count those signal patterns which occur simultaneously at an observation time, and to calculate toll data as a function of that count value.