Vision-Based Vehicle Interior Sensing Using Baseline Image Deviation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for monitoring the interior environment of autonomous vehicles lack effective methods to detect changes and deviations post-passenger events, such as forgotten items or cabin conditions, which can lead to inefficiencies and discomfort for subsequent passengers.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle sensing system that generates baseline and event image models using imaging devices, identifies image deviations, and operates based on these differences to notify passengers of forgotten items, schedule maintenance, and ensure cabin readiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human operators manually inspect the vehicle interior after passenger events, then detection accuracy of forgotten items and cabin conditions is improved, but labor costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle sensing system performs self-inspection of the interior environment using imaging devices and processing systems, eliminating the need for manual human inspection while maintaining detection accuracy through automated image comparison against baseline models
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated electronic sensing system that uses imaging devices, processors, and computational algorithms to detect deviations in the vehicle interior environment
2Device complexity
If no monitoring system is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of passenger comfort and safety is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is segmented into modular components including imaging devices positioned at specific locations, a processing system that compares images against baseline models, and notification systems that alert passengers or operators of detected deviations
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the sensing system continuously monitors the interior environment, compares current images against stored baseline models, and provides notifications when deviations are detected, enabling timely responses to maintain passenger comfort and safety
3Productivity
If automated sensing systems are deployed to monitor cabin conditions, then productivity of vehicle operations is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging devices operate periodically rather than continuously, capturing images at specific intervals or when triggered by events such as door opening/closing or completion of passenger events, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
Baseline image models are generated and stored in advance during vehicle manufacturing or initial setup, eliminating the need for continuous real-time processing and comparison, thus reducing computational energy requirements during actual vehicle operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a vehicle including a vehicle sensing system includes generating a baseline image model of an cabin of the vehicle based on image data of the cabin of the vehicle generated by an imaging device of the vehicle sensing system, the baseline image model generated before a passenger event, and generating an event image model of the cabin of the vehicle based on image data of the cabin of the vehicle generated by the imaging device, the event image model generated after the passenger event. The method further includes identifying image deviations by comparing the event image model to the baseline image model with a controller of the vehicle sensing system, the image deviations corresponding to differences in the cabin of the vehicle from before the passenger event to after the passenger event, and operating the vehicle based on the identified image deviations.