Self-Reporting Vehicle Bill of Materials for Real-Time Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual updating of vehicle bill of materials is prone to human error and does not ensure real-time tracking of component changes, which can lead to compliance issues and diagnostic challenges in autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an automatic component detection system that uses sensors to self-report identifying information such as part numbers, firmware versions, and software versions, allowing for real-time updates and logging of changes to the bill of materials, with integration of augmented reality for component data presentation and compliance reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual updating of bill of materials is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing components to automatically report their own identifying information (part numbers, serial numbers, firmware versions) to the bill of materials database, eliminating the need for manual data entry by technicians and thereby improving accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of data entry with an automated electronic detection and reporting system, where sensors and communication interfaces automatically capture and transmit component information, substituting human labor with automated technological systems
2Productivity
If manual updating is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming updates
Solution Approach 1:
Components perform self-reporting of their identifying information automatically, eliminating the need for external manual intervention and thereby dramatically increasing the speed of bill of materials updates without requiring complex centralized management systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses universal communication protocols and standardized data formats that allow different types of components (sensors, processors, actuators) to all report their information through the same mechanism, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the automation complexity
3Reliability
If bar code scanning is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unverified installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having components automatically report their installation status and identifying information directly to the bill of materials database, providing real-time verification that components are properly installed and tracked, eliminating the need for manual verification steps
Solution Approach 2:
The manual process of scanning bar codes and verifying installation is replaced with automated electronic identification and verification systems that continuously monitor and confirm component presence and status without requiring technician intervention
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for an automatically updated, self-reporting bill of materials. System components report important identifying information including firmware versions, software versions, and part numbers. In particular, when the system detects a change in a component, the bill of materials is updated. Additionally, a log of changes is saved.