Accident Recording Device Multi-Channel Data Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data recording devices can only reconstruct accidents involving a specific vehicle equipped with a data recorder, failing to gather information from other parties or vehicles involved, which is crucial for identifying responsible parties.

Innovation Solution

A recording device that automatically collects identification data from other devices involved in an accident using various transmission channels, such as RF, optical, and acoustic, and forms ad-hoc networks to gather and store data, enabling precise reconstruction of accidents and incident analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a data recorder is equipped in a specific vehicle to record accident parameters, then the reconstruction of the vehicle's accident course is improved, but the ability to gather information from other parties or vehicles involved in the accident deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccident reconstruction precisionVSAvoidinformation gathering capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple data sources by integrating the local data recorder with receiving means that capture data from other devices involved in the accident. This merging of data from multiple vehicles/parties creates a comprehensive accident reconstruction system that overcomes the limitation of single-vehicle recording.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The data recording system is enhanced with multi-functionality by adding receiving means capable of obtaining data through multiple transmission channels (RF, optical, acoustic). This universal approach allows the system to gather information from various sources and formats, improving both reconstruction precision and information gathering capability.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transmission channels (RF, optical, acoustic) are used to receive identification data from further devices, then the flexibility and coverage of data gathering is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission compatibilityVSAvoidreceiving means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs intermediary components such as antennas and receivers that can process multiple types of transmission signals. These intermediaries simplify the overall system architecture by providing a unified interface for handling diverse data transmission channels, thereby reducing the apparent complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts to different transmission channels by changing operational parameters such as frequency, modulation type, and signal processing methods. This parameter-based approach allows the receiving means to handle multiple transmission types without requiring fundamentally different hardware for each channel, thus managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If accident detection means are used to automatically trigger data storage, then the automation and responsiveness of accident recording is improved, but the risk of false activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic accident detectionVSAvoidfalse activation rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring accident parameters and pre-configuring storage readiness. When threshold values are exceeded, the system has already prepared the storage mechanism, ensuring immediate and reliable data capture without false triggers, as the thresholds are carefully calibrated based on normal operating variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of information

If identification data from multiple devices is collected and stored, then the completeness of accident information is improved, but the data management and evaluation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddata management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the collected data into distinct categories such as identification data, accident parameters, and transmission metadata. This segmentation is organized in the storage means with structured formats, making it easier to manage, retrieve, and evaluate specific information without being overwhelmed by the total data volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the precise identification of all parties involved in an accident and reconstruction of accident scenarios, including those involving multiple vehicles or individuals, by automatically collecting and storing relevant data without human intervention.

Implementation Method 1

said receiving means being configured to receive said identification data from said further device by means of at least one radio frequency, RF, transmission channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio frequency transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

optical transmission channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Light

Implementation Method 3

acoustic transmission channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic transmission: Sound

Implementation Method 4

said recording device is configured to communicate with said at least one further device, particularly to exchange identification data, by means of a wireless network, preferably an ad-hoc network according to at least one of the IEEE 802.11(x) and/or IEEE 802.15.y standards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless network communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 5

a signal propagation delay of signals exchanged between said recording device and said at least one further device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal propagation delay: Speed of Sound

Implementation Method 6

a Doppler shift of a received signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDoppler shift: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2270766B8Recording device and method of operating a recording device
Publication Date: 2015.05.20 ALCATEL LUCENT SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a recording device (100) for recording data, particularly accident-related data of a person and/or a vehicle involved in an accident, said recording device (100) comprising storage means (110) for storing said data. The inventive recording device (100) is characterized by comprising receiving means (120) for receiving data, preferably identification data (ID), from at least one further device (100', 200) external to said recording device (100), and by being configured to at least temporarily store received data (ID) to said storage means (110).