Remote Vehicle Exit Control Using Projected Stop-Line Gestures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when attempting to remotely operate a vehicle to exit a parking facility, as existing technologies do not effectively allow for convenient specification of a stop position on the road surface for the vehicle to travel to.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control device comprising a projection control unit to project a pattern image indicating a stop position onto the road surface, a detecting unit to identify the operator's gesture specifying the stop position, and a control information generating unit to generate and output control information for the vehicle to travel to that position, improving user convenience during remote operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vehicle is parked in a facility with restricted access, then the vehicle cannot be easily accessed by the user, but the user still needs to remotely operate the vehicle to exit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidremote operation system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The projection unit serves as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle control system. It projects visual cues (pattern images with stop position indicators) onto the road surface, allowing the user to remotely specify the vehicle's stop position without physically accessing the vehicle or complexly interacting with control interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces traditional mechanical or manual vehicle operation with an automated remote control mechanism. The detection unit captures the user's gesture, the projection control unit processes this information, and the vehicle automatically travels to the specified position, eliminating the need for the user to physically enter or manually operate the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the user specifies the stop position through complex interface operations, then the vehicle can be controlled, but the operation becomes cumbersome and less convenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestop position specificationVSAvoidtime for remote operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by projecting the pattern image with multiple potential stop position indicators before the user makes a selection. This allows the user to simply point at or gesture toward the desired position without needing to navigate through menus or perform multiple steps, significantly reducing operation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit automatically captures and processes the user's gesture to determine the stop position. The system serves itself by interpreting the user's natural pointing action and converting it into control commands, eliminating the need for the user to manually input coordinates or navigate complex interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the vehicle provides detailed visual guidance on the road surface, then the user can easily specify the stop position, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestop position indicationVSAvoidprojection and detection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The projection unit serves multiple functions: it projects the pattern image with stop position indicators, provides visual guidance to the user, and confirms the selected position. The detection unit also performs multiple roles by capturing the user's gesture, processing the image data, and transmitting the position information to the vehicle control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the projection function and detection function into an integrated remote control mechanism. The projection control unit and detection unit work together as a unified system, where the projection provides visual guidance and the detection captures user input, combining these functions to achieve intuitive stop position specification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4292904A1Vehicle control device and vehicle control method
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 FSVAP JAPAN CO LTD
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AI summary

Problem To provide a vehicle control device and a vehicle control method that improve convenience in a case where a user who is outside a vehicle performs a remote operation for the vehicle to exit a parking facility. Resolution Means The vehicle control device 170 includes: a projection control unit 193 that projects a pattern image 200 including an image of a stop line 210 onto a road surface; a detecting unit 194 that detects a gesture of a user P specifying a position in the pattern image 200 where the image of the stop line 210 is displayed based on a captured image taken of an operator outside the vehicle 1; and a control information generating unit 196 for generating control information for controlling the traveling of the vehicle 1; wherein the projection control unit 193 displays the image of the stop line 210 at the position specified by the gesture detected by the detecting unit 194, and the control information generating unit 196 generates control information for causing the vehicle 1 to travel from the parked position to the position corresponding to the image indicating the stop position and outputs the control information to the drive control device 150 that powers the vehicle 1.