Vehicle Loading Event Verification Using Camera and Weight Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for confirming vehicle loading events, such as deliveries or pickups, require time-consuming paperwork or multiple apps, and lack a simple and effective way to verify that the intended goods have been properly loaded or unloaded.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle loading event confirmation system using a camera to capture an identification code associated with the event and a sensor to measure the actual change in weight, transmitting this data to an off-board server for verification against expected changes, thereby confirming the event's completion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple apps are installed on driver's mobile phone for confirming deliveries, then confirmation capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfirmation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of apps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple confirmation functions (delivery confirmation, pickup confirmation, weight verification, image capture) into a single integrated system. The server consolidates data from various sources (scales, cameras, driver mobile devices) into one unified confirmation platform, eliminating the need for multiple separate apps while maintaining comprehensive confirmation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as a universal platform that handles multiple types of loading events (deliveries, pickups, transfers) and multiple verification methods (weight data, image data, location data) through a single system. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for specialized apps for each specific confirmation task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If paperwork is used for loading event confirmation, then data recording is improved, but time consumption and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata recordingVSAvoidtime for paperwork
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical paperwork system with an automated digital system. Instead of manually filling out forms and physically transporting documents to offices, the system automatically captures data through scales, cameras, and mobile devices, then transmits it electronically to the server for processing and storage, eliminating time-consuming manual paperwork operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs data capture and verification actions automatically at the moment of loading events. Weight data is captured immediately when goods are loaded/unloaded, images are taken automatically, and confirmation is generated in real-time, eliminating the need for subsequent manual data entry and processing that would occur with traditional paperwork systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If driver manually verifies loading events, then accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification accuracyVSAvoiddriver workload
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-verification by automatically comparing captured data (weight, images, location) against expected values stored in the database. The server autonomously determines whether loading events have been completed correctly without requiring manual verification by the driver, thereby maintaining accuracy while reducing operational burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides automatic feedback to the driver through the mobile application, indicating whether the loading event was successful or if there are discrepancies. This automated feedback mechanism maintains verification accuracy by immediately alerting drivers to issues while eliminating the need for manual checking and interpretation of data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4600878A1A vehicle loading event confirmation system and a computer-implemented method
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4600878A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4600878A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4600878A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle loading event confirmation system comprising processing circuitry configured to: - determine that a vehicle has come to a standstill, - receive, from a camera associated with the vehicle, a captured image of an identification code, wherein the identification code is associated with a predefined loading event at which the vehicle is planned to become loaded or unloaded, - receive, from a sensor of the vehicle, event data indicative of an actual change in weight carried or pulled by the vehicle at the loading event, - transmit said identification code and vehicle data including said event data to an off-board server located remotely from the vehicle so as to allow the off-board server to provide information which enables a requester to determine whether or not the actual change in weight matches the expected change in weight.