In-Vehicle Virtual Communication Interface Using Occupant Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional in-car communication systems lack interactivity and personalization, and are challenging to use due to changing vehicle conditions and safety restrictions, leading to discomfort and potential miscommunications.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize vehicle sensors to create an interactive virtual environment, allowing occupants to communicate with remote persons through a personalized and intuitive interface, which adapts to the occupant's presence, identity, and physical state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional manual user interfaces are used for configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of personalization and interactivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects occupant presence using sensors and configures the virtual environment without manual intervention. The processing device identifies occupants and adjusts communication platform settings based on detected presence, eliminating the need for manual configuration while providing personalized experiences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures communication platform settings based on anticipated occupant needs and presence patterns. By preparing the virtual environment in advance according to detected occupancy conditions, the system ensures immediate usability without requiring occupants to manually adjust settings during interaction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the virtual environment adapts to changing vehicle conditions, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to continuous sensor processing
Solution Approach 1:
The processing device performs multiple functions including sensor data acquisition, occupant identification, physical state determination, and virtual environment configuration using a single integrated system. This multi-functional approach enables adaptation to changing vehicle conditions without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines data from multiple sensors (cameras, microphones, pressure sensors) into a unified processing pipeline that simultaneously determines occupant presence, identity, and physical state. By merging these detection functions into one coordinated system, the patent achieves high adaptability while managing complexity through integrated processing.
3Reliability
If manual operation is required for communication platform interaction, then ease of operation is maintained for simple tasks, but reliability deteriorates due to safety restrictions and divided attention
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical interaction with voice-based and gesture-based controls. Occupants can initiate communication, adjust settings, and interact with the virtual environment through speech commands and hand gestures detected by sensors, eliminating the need for manual device operation while maintaining ease of use and improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual environment acts as an intermediary between the occupant and the communication platform. The processing device translates occupant intentions detected through sensors into appropriate communication actions, providing a natural interface that improves both reliability and ease of operation by removing the need for direct manual device manipulation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If sensor data processing is used to identify occupant presence and identity, then adaptability improves, but loss of time increases due to data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system continuously monitors vehicle conditions and occupant presence without interruption. By maintaining continuous detection rather than periodic sampling, the system builds an ongoing understanding of the environment that enables immediate adaptation when changes occur, reducing the time penalty associated with data processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes and stores sensor data in advance to pre-establish occupant profiles and presence patterns. When communication is initiated, the processing device can quickly retrieve pre-processed information about occupants and their preferences, significantly reducing the time required for real-time adaptation while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing an interactive virtual communication environment within a vehicle uses real-time sensor data. The method acquires data from one or more vehicle sensors, which is then processed to derive occupant-specific data. Using this occupant data, the method configures a virtual environment that is displayed on the vehicle's display device. Within the virtual environment, an avatar representing the vehicle's occupant is generated based on the sensor data and associated occupant information. The avatar serves as an indicator of the occupant's presence and identity within the virtual environment, providing a more accurate and real-time indication of the occupant's availability for interaction, thereby reducing hardware complexity of the communication platform inside the vehicle.