In-Vehicle Acoustic Object Detection for Hard-to-Reach Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack an efficient method to detect and notify passengers of objects left inside the vehicle, particularly in hard-to-reach locations, which can lead to lost items and increased operational inefficiencies in shared vehicle services.
Innovation Solution
An object detection system that uses sound waves to induce resonance in objects within the vehicle, leveraging existing speakers and microphones to determine the location and identity of objects through machine learning algorithms and sensor data, and alerts users via auditory or electronic notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection methods are used to detect objects in the vehicle, then the detection system is simple, but objects in hard-to-reach locations cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses acoustic resonance to detect objects. Speakers emit sound waves at specific frequencies that cause objects to vibrate and resonate. Microphones detect these resonance signals, enabling identification of objects in hard-to-reach locations without complex visual inspection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional visual/mechanical inspection methods with an acoustic field-based detection system. Instead of using cameras or physical inspection, the system uses sound waves to interact with objects and detect their presence through resonance patterns.
2Reliability
If comprehensive object detection is implemented throughout the vehicle, then all objects can be detected including those in hard-to-reach locations, but the detection system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing vehicle components (speakers and microphones) serve dual purposes. Speakers used for audio output also function as acoustic sources for object detection. Microphones used for voice recognition also detect object resonance signals. This multi-functionality improves detection reliability without adding dedicated detection hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system leverages the vehicle's existing acoustic infrastructure to perform object detection. The speakers and microphones that are already part of the vehicle's audio system are utilized for detection purposes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated detection devices and reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If manual inspection of objects is required after passenger exits, then operational delays occur, but automated detection systems increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual inspection processes with automated acoustic detection. Instead of requiring staff to physically search for objects, the system uses sound waves to automatically detect and locate objects, significantly improving vehicle turnover efficiency while keeping the added complexity manageable through the use of existing components.
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
Effectively reduces the likelihood of passengers leaving items behind by accurately detecting objects in challenging locations, enhancing operational efficiency in shared vehicle services by minimizing delays associated with retrieving lost items.
Implementation Method 1
emitting sounds in the interior of the vehicle over a period of time, which causes objects within the vehicle to resonate at a particular frequency or frequencies
Implementation Method 2
detecting the resonance of those objects, and determines the location and/or identity of those objects based on the resonance
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods for detecting objects within a vehicle. The methods can include emitting at least one auditory signal within the vehicle during at least one first time interval; measuring a second auditory signal emitted by an object within the vehicle during the second time interval subsequent to the at least one first time interval, where the emission of the second auditory signal is caused by the emission of the least one first auditory signal; determining a location of the object within the vehicle based on the measurement of the second auditory signal; and generating an alert to a user indicating the location of that object. Systems and computer program products are also provided.