Remote Vehicle Inspection via Optical State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for inspecting and maintaining vehicles require extensive manual checks, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary personnel deployment, as staff often need to inspect all areas of a vehicle, including those without issues, resulting in high time and resource consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing surveillance cameras and computer-implemented algorithms to remotely inspect and compare target and actual states of vehicle parts, enabling automated control and directing personnel only to areas with discrepancies, with sensors for presence detection and reproducible lighting to ensure accurate assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inspection of all vehicle areas is performed, then complete inspection coverage is achieved, but inspection time and personnel resources increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection coverageVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated optical inspection system using surveillance cameras and image processing algorithms. The system captures images of vehicle areas, automatically analyzes them to detect dirt, damage, and foreign objects, and generates inspection reports, eliminating the need for personnel to physically inspect every area while maintaining comprehensive coverage

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates digital copies (images) of vehicle areas using surveillance cameras instead of physical inspection. These images are then processed by algorithms to detect issues, allowing multiple areas to be inspected simultaneously without additional time cost, as the same imaging system can capture and analyze multiple regions in parallel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If all vehicle areas are inspected manually, then no issues are missed, but personnel deployment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection reliabilityVSAvoidpersonnel deployment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes human inspectors with an automated system comprising surveillance cameras and image processing algorithms. This system can analyze multiple vehicle areas simultaneously without requiring additional personnel, maintaining high inspection reliability through automated detection of dirt, damage, and foreign objects while significantly reducing personnel deployment

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal inspection system that can handle multiple inspection tasks simultaneously using the same hardware resources. The surveillance cameras and processing algorithms can inspect different vehicle areas (interior, exterior, compartments) without requiring separate personnel for each area, achieving multi-functionality with minimal resources

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

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive visual inspection is conducted, then all issues are identified, but operational interruptions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveissue detection accuracyVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic automated inspections that can be performed rapidly and repeatedly without requiring vehicle downtime. The system captures images and processes them through algorithms to identify issues, allowing inspections to be conducted at scheduled intervals or continuously during normal operations, maintaining high detection accuracy while minimizing operational interruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces time-consuming manual inspection with rapid automated image capture and processing. The system can analyze multiple vehicle areas in seconds, enabling frequent inspections without disrupting operations, thereby maintaining high issue detection accuracy while preserving operational efficiency

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

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 reduces personnel deployment and inspection time, enhances accuracy by focusing efforts on specific areas of need, and ensures efficient restoration of vehicles to a proper condition while protecting personal rights and reducing operational interruptions.

Implementation Method 1

a target state of at least one part of the vehicle is optically detected; an actual state of at least one part of the vehicle is optically detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photography

Implementation Method 2

information relating to the presence of a person in at least one part of the vehicle is recorded using a sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4442534A1Remote control of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP4442534A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4442534A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4442534A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (100a, 100b) for remote control of a vehicle (10). In this method (100a, 100b), a target state of at least one part of the vehicle (10) is optically detected (102). Furthermore, an actual state of at least one part of the vehicle (10) is optically detected (104). By means of a computer-implemented algorithm, a difference between the detected target state (102) and the detected actual state (104) is further determined (106). Based on the difference (106) thus determined, the method (100a, 100b) provides for the output (108) of a control instruction.