Vehicle Compartment Closure Control for Secure Autonomous Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a challenge in monitoring and safeguarding objects within vehicles during loading or unloading processes, especially in autonomous vehicles where human operators are not present, as existing systems lack effective mechanisms to manage object security based on user proximity and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A computer system with a processor and memory is used to determine object presence in vehicle compartments, actuating compartment closure based on user proximity, environmental data, and risk indices, while also identifying authorized users through sensors and mobile devices to manage compartment locking and unlocking accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle compartment is kept closed to secure objects during autonomous operation, then object security is improved, but user accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of authorized users through sensors (camera, microphone, mobile device detection) before allowing compartment access. This preliminary authentication ensures that only authorized individuals can open the compartment, resolving the contradiction by maintaining security while enabling legitimate access.
Solution Approach 2:
The compartment locking state is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously monitors user proximity and authorization status, automatically transitioning between locked and unlocked states based on real-time conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the compartment to be secure when unattended while automatically accessible to authorized users.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle compartment is opened for loading/unloading objects, then ease of operation is improved, but security risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary risk assessment by evaluating environmental factors (time of day, location, weather) and user authorization status before allowing compartment opening. This preliminary security check enables convenient loading/unloading for authorized users while preventing access during high-risk conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors conditions during the loading/unloading process and provides feedback control. If unauthorized users approach or suspicious conditions arise, the system can automatically re-lock the compartment or alert authorities, allowing convenient operation under normal conditions while mitigating theft risk through real-time monitoring.
3Reliability
If multiple authentication methods are used to identify authorized users, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into multiple independent detection modules: visual identification (camera), audio verification (microphone), and wireless device detection (mobile device sensors). Each module operates independently and contributes to the overall authentication decision, making the complex system manageable through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality where the same hardware components (camera, microphone, mobile device interface) serve multiple purposes: user identification, proximity detection, and environmental monitoring. This universal use of components reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high authorization accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine, based on vehicle sensor data, that an object is present in a vehicle compartment; and to actuate the vehicle compartment to close based on the object presence, a user proximity to the vehicle, and environmental data including at least a risk index and an environmental condition.