Vehicle Occupancy Management Using Interior Camera Seat Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in managing occupancy, including identifying seated passengers, determining correct passenger exit destinations, and accommodating additional passengers, due to limitations in existing systems for real-time monitoring and communication.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system with an occupancy management system that utilizes interior cameras, image processing, and facial recognition to create a seat map, identify passengers, and adjust vehicle settings, along with sensors for real-time data and communication with other systems to manage passenger entry and exit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If interior cameras and image processing are used to identify passengers, then passenger identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual passenger identification and counting with an automated image processing system using interior cameras. The system captures images of the vehicle interior, processes them through algorithms to identify passengers and their seating locations, and generates seat maps automatically, eliminating the need for manual mechanical intervention in occupancy management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies (images) of the vehicle interior using cameras, and then creates a digital seat map that replicates the physical occupancy state. This allows the system to analyze and manage passenger occupancy through digital representations rather than direct physical sensing at each seat.
2Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring systems are implemented, then occupancy management accuracy is improved, but loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously capturing and pre-processing images of the vehicle interior, maintaining an updated seat map ready for immediate use. When occupancy information is needed, the system already has processed data available, reducing the time required for real-time decision-making about passenger management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous image capture and processing operations, ensuring that the seat map is constantly updated as passengers enter, exit, or move within the vehicle. This continuous operation eliminates gaps in occupancy information and reduces the need for repeated processing cycles, improving both accuracy and response time.
3Measurement precision
If facial recognition technology is used to identify passengers, then passenger tracking accuracy is improved, but reliability concerns increase due to privacy and accuracy issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies facial recognition technology selectively rather than universally. The system uses facial recognition to identify specific passengers when needed for tracking purposes, while relying on other methods (image analysis, seat sensors) for general occupancy detection. This localized application reduces privacy concerns and improves overall system reliability by not depending solely on facial recognition.
4Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed for real-time data collection, then occupancy monitoring accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sensing approaches into a unified occupancy management system. Interior cameras capture visual information about passenger presence and seating locations, while additional sensors (such as weight sensors in seats or other detection devices) provide complementary data. The system integrates these multiple data sources to create a comprehensive and accurate seat map, improving monitoring accuracy while managing complexity through unified processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Example vehicle occupancy management systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives a current vehicle image representing a current interior of a vehicle. An occupancy management system detects at least one passenger in the vehicle based on the current vehicle image and determines a seating location of the passenger. A seat map is generated that identifies the seating location of the passenger in the vehicle.