Vehicle Cargo Imaging for Locating Occluded Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often forget where occluded items are located in a vehicle's storage compartment, making it difficult to find them.
Innovation Solution
A system using sensors to capture data on items in the storage compartment, creating a 3D virtual replication with item classification, and transmitting this information to a viewing device for easy retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If items are loaded into storage compartment without tracking system, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to locate occluded items deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images of items when they are loaded into the storage compartment and creating a virtual replication before the user needs to find them. This advance preparation enables quick location of occluded items without requiring complex real-time search mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual replication (copy) of the storage compartment and its contents, allowing users to view and locate items in the virtual representation without physically searching through the actual compartment. This copying approach solves the location problem while keeping the physical system simple.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to detect all items, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture device serves multiple functions: it captures images for creating the virtual replication, detects occluded items through image analysis, and provides visual feedback to users. This multi-functionality achieves high measurement precision without requiring separate specialized sensors for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an image processing algorithm as an intermediary between the simple image capture device and the complex task of detecting occluded items. The algorithm mediates by analyzing images to identify and locate items that are not directly visible, achieving high detection accuracy with minimal hardware complexity.
3Ease of operation
If virtual replication is created for entire storage compartment, then ability to find occluded items improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual replication is created in advance when items are loaded into the compartment, so that when users need to find items, the representation is already available. This preliminary creation eliminates processing delays at the moment of item search.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a complete virtual replication of the storage compartment including all items and their positions, which may seem excessive but enables efficient item location. The comprehensive representation allows users to quickly identify and locate any item without processing delays.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure generally describes a system for monitoring a storage compartment of a vehicle comprising a first sensor configured to detect a loading or unloading event, a second sensor configured to capture data regarding one or more items within the storage compartment of the vehicle, wherein the second sensor captures video data of the one or more items within the storage compartment of the vehicle in response to the first sensor detecting a loading or unloading event, and a virtual imaging system configured to classify each item in the storage compartment, generate a virtual replication of each item within the storage compartment, and transmit the virtual replication to a user device.