Ride-hailing Pickup Location Accuracy Using Device Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS and cellular triangulation methods for ride-hailing services face accuracy issues in urban environments due to limitations like 'urban canyons,' leading to delays and missed pickups, as they may inaccurately locate users, causing vehicles to search for them in the wrong places.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses imaging from a user device to generate a 3D point cloud, allowing for more accurate user location identification by processing video data to create a digital representation of the user's location relative to non-user entities, which is then conveyed to the vehicle, enabling better pickup coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS and cellular triangulation are used for location identification, then the system can provide location data, but the accuracy deteriorates in urban environments due to urban canyons and obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces imaging data from the user device as an intermediary to bridge the gap between GPS coordinates and actual physical location. The imaging data captures visual information of the surrounding environment, which is then processed to identify landmarks and features that serve as mediators to disambiguate the user's true location from inaccurate GPS readings in urban canyon environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional GPS coordinate data to three-dimensional spatial understanding by incorporating imaging data. The imaging processor generates a digital representation that includes depth and spatial relationships, allowing the system to accurately determine user location relative to physical landmarks and features in the environment
2Ease of operation
If visual identification methods are used to help users and drivers locate each other, then pickup coordination improves, but time is lost due to obstructions and environmental variables limiting sight lines
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of imaging data to generate accurate location information before the driver arrives. The imaging processor analyzes the captured images, identifies landmarks, and determines the user's precise location relative to surrounding features in advance, so that when the driver arrives, the location information is already prepared and ready for immediate use
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the imaging data to continuously refine and update the user's location information. The imaging processor compares the captured images with expected environmental features and adjusts the location determination accordingly, providing real-time feedback that improves accuracy as the driver approaches the pickup location
3Productivity
If GPS location data is provided to the driver, then the driver can navigate to the user, but delays occur when the driver searches for the user in the wrong place due to location inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical GPS triangulation system with an optical-based imaging system. Instead of relying solely on signal triangulation that fails in urban environments, the system uses the user device's camera to capture visual information of the surrounding environment, which is then processed to determine accurate location relative to physical landmarks, substituting optical measurement for mechanical signal-based localization
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a processor configured to receive imaging of an environment surrounding a user, captured by a user device. The processor is also configured to identify a plurality of non-user entities in the image. The processor is further configured to identify a user location relative to the non-user entities. The processor is also configured to generate a digital representation of the user location relative to the non-user entities and convey the digital representation to a vehicle requested by the user.