Vehicle Service Control for Autonomous Task Fulfillment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle technologies do not facilitate performing tasks on behalf of users, limiting convenience.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus communicably connected to a vehicle and user terminal, capable of determining service content, provision time, and location, and controlling the vehicle to perform the service and move to the designated location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vehicle only provides space for user's private application, then the vehicle dispatch system is simple, but the convenience for the user is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience for the userVSAvoidvehicle dispatch system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is transformed from a single-function space provider to a multi-functional service platform. The vehicle can perform various tasks including document scanning, copying, printing, and delivery, allowing one vehicle to serve multiple purposes and user needs, thereby improving convenience without requiring multiple specialized vehicles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A control apparatus is introduced as an intermediary between the user terminal and the vehicle. This mediator receives service requests, determines service content and parameters, identifies suitable vehicles, and coordinates task execution, thereby managing system complexity centrally rather than requiring complex embedded systems in each vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the user performs all tasks manually, then the system is simple, but the user workload and moving load are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask completion efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is equipped with automated functional units (scanning unit, copying unit, printing unit) that can perform tasks autonomously without requiring user physical presence or manual operation. The vehicle serves itself by executing service content automatically once dispatched, significantly reducing user workload and moving load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control apparatus determines service content, provision time, and provision location in advance before dispatching the vehicle. The vehicle is prepared with necessary functions and dispatched proactively to complete tasks before user needs arise, improving productivity through advance planning and preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12499493B2Control apparatus, vehicle, non-transitory computer readable medium, and control method

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A control apparatus is communicably connected to a vehicle and a user terminal, the control apparatus including a controller configured to: in response to a service request from the user terminal, determine at least a service content, a provision time, and a provision location; identify a vehicle capable of performing the service content; cause the vehicle to perform the service content inside the vehicle by the provision time; and cause the vehicle to move to the provision location by the provision time.