Valet Parking Vehicle Control System for Occupant Item Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems for valet parking fail to effectively manage the number of vehicles in the getting on/off area, leading to crowding and potential issues with forgotten items.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control system that includes a recognizer to detect the surrounding environment and adjust the start timing of the vehicle based on the number of vehicles stopped, using a driving controller to delay or expedite the start based on recognized conditions, and a notifier to inform occupants of necessary actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the vehicle starts immediately after the occupant gets off, then the productivity of the valet parking system is improved, but the getting on/off area becomes crowded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle turnover speedVSAvoidnumber of vehicles in getting on/off area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary recognition of the number of vehicles in the getting on/off area before the vehicle starts moving. Based on this advance information, the controller proactively adjusts the start timing to prevent crowding, rather than reacting after the problem occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The recognizer continuously monitors the number of vehicles in the getting on/off area and provides feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the vehicle's start timing, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If the vehicle delays start timing when few vehicles are present, then the getting on/off area remains uncrowded, but the productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of vehicles in getting on/off areaVSAvoidvehicle turnover speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the start timing based on real-time conditions rather than using a fixed delay. When the number of vehicles is high, the vehicle starts immediately to improve productivity. When the number is low, the vehicle delays start to prevent crowding, creating a flexible adaptive system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the vehicle starts immediately, then the productivity is improved, but occupants may forget items in the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle turnover speedVSAvoidoccupant item retrieval

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The recognizer performs preliminary detection of forgotten items before the vehicle starts moving. This advance detection allows the system to take preventive action by delaying startup when items are detected, giving occupants time to retrieve their belongings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors for forgotten items and provides feedback to the controller. When items are detected, the controller receives feedback and adjusts the start timing accordingly, creating a safety mechanism that prevents vehicles from leaving with occupants' belongings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11465648B2Vehicle control system, vehicle control method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle control system includes a recognizer that recognizes a surrounding environment of a vehicle, and a driving controller that performs speed control and steering control of the vehicle based on a recognition result of the recognizer. When moving the vehicle to a parking area after detecting that an occupant gets off the vehicle at a stop position, the driving controller adjusts a start timing for starting the vehicle based on the number of vehicles stopped at the stop position recognized by the recognizer.