Automated Vehicle Dispatch as a Mobile WLAN Relay
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle dispatch systems do not effectively enhance wireless communication convenience by utilizing automated-driving vehicles equipped with wireless communication devices, particularly in areas with low radio wave intensity, leading to inadequate high-speed data communication.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle dispatch system that includes automated-driving vehicles equipped with wireless communication devices, which are instructed by a server to relay wireless communication between user terminals and wireless LAN networks, especially in areas with low radio wave intensity, thereby reinforcing the wireless communication network and enabling high-speed data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated-driving vehicles equipped with wireless communication devices are deployed to areas with low radio wave intensity, then wireless communication convenience is enhanced, but vehicle dispatch system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated-driving vehicles are equipped with dual functionality: their original transportation function and an additional wireless communication relay function. The wireless communication device mounted on the vehicle allows it to serve as a mobile base station, enabling user terminals to access the wireless LAN network even in areas with poor radio wave coverage. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enhancing communication convenience without requiring dedicated communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes idle automated-driving vehicles that are not currently providing transportation services to provide wireless communication support. When a vehicle becomes available, it automatically responds to dispatch requests from user terminals or server notifications about low radio wave intensity areas, deploying itself to provide communication relay services. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for centralized manual dispatch while improving communication accessibility.
2Reliability
If vehicles are dispatched based on real-time radio wave intensity monitoring, then communication service coverage is improved, but system response time and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively identifies areas with low radio wave intensity before users experience communication issues. The server monitors radio wave intensity and dispatches vehicles in advance to these identified areas, or user terminals automatically send dispatch requests when they detect poor signal conditions. This preliminary action ensures that communication support is available before service degradation occurs, improving reliability without significant time loss.
3Productivity
If user terminals automatically send dispatch requests when detecting low radio wave intensity, then communication service responsiveness is improved, but user terminal energy consumption and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
User terminals continuously monitor radio wave intensity and provide feedback to the system when signal quality deteriorates below a threshold. This feedback mechanism triggers automatic dispatch requests to the server, which then coordinates vehicle deployment. The feedback-based approach ensures that dispatch requests are generated only when actually needed, balancing service responsiveness with energy efficiency by avoiding continuous monitoring and unnecessary communications.
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
The system enhances user convenience by ensuring high-speed data communication in areas with low radio wave intensity, utilizing unused vehicles to provide timely and efficient wireless communication services, reducing communication congestion and eliminating regions with inadequate service.
Implementation Method 1
The wireless communication device is configured to connect to a user terminal and an access point of a wireless local area network (LAN) communication network, and is configured to relay wireless communication between the user terminal and the wireless LAN communication network
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A vehicle dispatch system (900) includes: a plurality of vehicles (1) each configured to perform automated driving and each including a wireless LAN module (42); and a server (90) configured to communicate with the plurality of vehicles (1). The wireless LAN module (42) is configured to connect to a user's portable terminal (8) and an access point (6) of a wireless LAN communication network, and is configured to relay wireless communication between the portable terminal (8) and the wireless LAN communication network. The server (90) is configured to output, to a vehicle of the plurality of vehicles (1), an instruction for dispatching the vehicle by automated driving, in accordance with a vehicle dispatch request from the portable terminal (8). The vehicle, in response to the instruction, is configured to relay wireless communication between the portable terminal (8) and the wireless LAN communication network by using the wireless LAN module (42).