Remote Operator Subsystem for Self-Driving Vehicle Viewing and Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-driving vehicles operate in environments that are unsafe for human operators and difficult to access, making it impractical to demonstrate or control them remotely without direct line-of-sight and communication.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for remote viewing and control of self-driving vehicles, comprising an execution subsystem with a capture assembly for multimedia data, a server for data transmission, and an operator subsystem with a display assembly and computing device for presenting data and sending operational commands, enabling real-time control and viewing from a remote location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operators are co-located with self-driving vehicles for direct control and viewing, then real-time control and monitoring are achieved, but safety risks increase and accessibility to hazardous environments is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote operator subsystem as an intermediary between the control system and the self-driving vehicle. This subsystem captures multimedia data at the execution location and transmits it to operators at a remote location, allowing operators to control vehicles in hazardous environments without direct exposure to safety risks while maintaining real-time control reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy of the execution environment by capturing multimedia data (video, audio, sensor data) from the hazardous location and transmitting it to operators. This copy allows operators to perceive and control the vehicle remotely as if they were present, eliminating safety risks while preserving control effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If operators are placed in safe, remote locations, then operator safety is improved and accessibility to hazardous environments is enhanced, but real-time control and viewing capabilities are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement for direct line-of-sight and physical presence with electronic communication systems. Multimedia data (video, audio, sensor information) is captured at the execution location and transmitted electronically to remote operators, substituting physical proximity with digital information transfer to maintain control reliability while ensuring operator safety
3Ease of operation
If direct line-of-sight and connectivity are required for vehicle control, then control precision is improved, but adaptability to various environments and remote locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the control system from a spatial dimension requirement (direct line-of-sight and physical proximity) to a temporal dimension solution (real-time data transmission and processing). By capturing multimedia data at the execution location and transmitting it with minimal latency, the system maintains control precision without requiring operators to be physically present or have direct line-of-sight, thereby enabling operation in diverse and remote environments
Data Source
AI summary
A system for remote viewing and control of self-driving vehicles includes: an execution subsystem for deployment at an execution location containing a self-driving vehicle. The execution subsystem includes: a capture assembly to capture multimedia data depicting the execution location, and a server to receive the multimedia data and transmit the multimedia data for presentation at an operator location remote from the execution location. The server relays operational commands and operational status data between the self-driving vehicle and the operator location. The system includes an operator subsystem for deployment at the operator location, including: a display assembly, and a computing device to: (a) establish a connection with the server; (b) receive the multimedia data from the server and control the display assembly to present the multimedia data; and (c) receive control commands and transmit the control commands to the server for execution by the self-driving vehicle.