Valet Mode Weight Sensing for Vehicle Occupancy Security
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valet modes in vehicles do not effectively monitor or restrict vehicle functions based on the number of passengers or items inside the vehicle, leading to potential theft and anxiety due to incomplete security measures.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that uses indoor sensors to detect and differentiate between passengers and items, comparing their weights with predetermined reference weights to adjust vehicle functions and alert the driver when exceeding seating or load capacity, and to detect changes in weight during valet mode, preventing unauthorized access and theft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional valet mode is implemented with basic recording functions, then the system complexity is low, but the security monitoring capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into multiple independent sensor units distributed throughout the vehicle interior. Each sensor independently monitors weight in its local zone, and the control unit aggregates these segmented measurements to determine total passenger count and distribution. This segmentation enables comprehensive security monitoring without requiring a single complex centralized sensor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-functional control unit that performs diverse functions: counting passengers, detecting weight changes, determining vehicle state (driving/parking/stopped), controlling climate systems, and managing notifications. This universal control unit consolidates multiple security and comfort functions into a single system, improving reliability while managing complexity through functional integration.
2Reliability
If weight sensing is implemented to detect passenger changes, then the security monitoring is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional one-dimensional monitoring (e.g., seat belt sensors detecting only presence) to multi-dimensional weight monitoring. By distributing weight sensors across multiple locations and measuring weight distribution in different zones, the system gains spatial dimensionality information that enables accurate passenger counting and location detection without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical passenger detection systems (multiple switches, cameras, or radar units) with a simpler weight-based sensing system. Weight sensors provide direct numerical data about passenger presence and distribution, substituting mechanical complexity with a more straightforward measurement approach that improves detection accuracy while managing system complexity.
3Reliability
If real-time weight monitoring is implemented, then the security response capability is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic weight monitoring rather than continuous monitoring. The control unit checks weight data at specific intervals and triggers notifications only when weight changes are detected between checks. This periodic action maintains security response capability by detecting passenger changes while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the control unit monitors weight sensor data, compares it against reference values, and triggers climate control adjustments or notifications based on detected changes. This feedback mechanism ensures security response capability by immediately responding to passenger changes while optimizing energy consumption by activating systems only when necessary rather than continuously.
4Ease of operation
If climate control is adjusted based on passenger detection, then the passenger comfort is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service climate control system that automatically adjusts temperature and airflow based on passenger detection without requiring manual input. The control unit independently processes weight sensor data to determine passenger count and location, then automatically configures climate settings accordingly. This self-service approach improves passenger comfort while managing complexity by eliminating the need for additional user interface components.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of controlling an eco-friendly vehicle, the method including determining whether the vehicle may be in valet mode, when the vehicle may be determined to be in valet mode, generating the weight of an object by sensing the object riding in the vehicle using a plurality of indoor sensors disposed in the vehicle, performing comparative analysis on the generated weight of the object with a predetermined vehicle reference weight, and differentiating limiting conditions for the vehicle or outputting a notification signal based on the result of the comparative analysis.