Vehicle Lost-Item Detection With Owner Notification and Item Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for identifying and notifying the owner of lost items in vehicles are inadequate, particularly in shared vehicles where the likelihood of lost items increases with multiple users, as they lack efficient and accurate methods for locating and notifying owners of lost items within vehicle compartments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing sensors to sense lost items in a vehicle compartment using a spherical coordinate system, determining their position in cartesian coordinates, and using a perception algorithm to identify the owner, with an electronic control unit and cloud server for visualization, inventory updates, and notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are used to sense lost items in vehicle compartments, then measurement precision of lost item position is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting lost items, determining their positions using spherical coordinate system, and integrating with existing vehicle systems. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve precise measurement without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same sensor infrastructure serves multiple purposes within the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical search and location methods with sensor-based detection systems. By using sensors to sense lost items and converting spherical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates for position determination, the system achieves precise measurement through electronic and computational means rather than mechanical approaches, thereby improving precision while managing complexity.
2Reliability
If a perception algorithm is used to identify the owner of a lost item, then reliability of owner identification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The perception algorithm acts as an intermediary between sensor data and owner identification. It processes sensed item data and position information to reliably identify owners by analyzing patterns and correlations in the data. This intermediary layer enables reliable identification through computational analysis rather than direct observation, improving reliability while containing complexity within the algorithmic processing layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital representations (copies) of lost items and their positions through sensing and coordinate conversion. The perception algorithm then operates on these digital copies to identify owners, rather than requiring direct physical analysis. This copying approach allows complex analysis to be performed on data representations, improving identification reliability while separating the complexity from the physical system.
3Measurement precision
If spherical coordinate system is used to sense lost item position, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual coordinate measurement and calculation with automated sensor-based detection and electronic coordinate conversion. Sensors automatically sense item positions in spherical coordinates, and the system electronically converts these to Cartesian coordinates for visualization. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with automated electronic systems improves precision while the automation handles the operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system and coordinate conversion process are designed to automatically perform the complex spherical-to-Cartesian coordinate transformations without requiring manual intervention. The system self-services by automatically sensing positions, converting coordinates, and updating the inventory list, thereby improving measurement precision while the automation manages the mathematical complexity internally.
4Productivity
If cloud server is used for notification and visualization, then productivity of lost item management is improved, but loss of information increases due to data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates and transmits digital copies of lost item data (sensed item data, position data, item images) to the cloud server for storage and notification purposes. By working with data copies rather than physical items, the system achieves efficient remote management and visualization. The copying approach enables productive cloud-based operations while minimizing information loss through proper data representation and transmission protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of notifying an owner of a lost item in a vehicle having a vehicle compartment is provided. The method comprises providing at least one sensor to sense the lost item in the vehicle compartment. The method further comprises sensing the lost item on a point relative to a spherical coordinate system to define a sensed item data and determining a position of the lost item in cartesian coordinates based on the sensed item data to define a position data. The method further comprises translating the sensed item data and the position data for visualization of the lost item to define an item image of the lost item relative to the vehicle compartment, and updating an inventory list of lost objects to include the lost item with the item image. The method further comprises identifying the owner of the lost item by way of a perception algorithm, providing notification to the owner of the lost item, and providing viewable access of the item image such that the image is viewed by the owner of the lost item.