Adaptive Vehicle Route Data Gathering System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods lack efficient and practical ways for individuals to track, compare, and share vehicle performance data, especially for performance vehicles, as they require specialized tracks and lack user-friendly tools for recording and analyzing lap times and routes.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle-based computing system that includes a processor for receiving track creation requests, recording GPS points, storing tracks, and displaying selected tracks, allowing users to dynamically create, record, and share tracks, as well as record performance data during drag racing events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If individuals use manual timing and tracking methods for vehicle performance, then they can test vehicle performance anywhere, but it is difficult to time and track performance accurately and compare results with others

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to test vehicle performance at any locationVSAvoidAccuracy of timing and tracking vehicle performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual timing and tracking methods with an automated GPS-based system that uses satellite positioning and digital timestamping to record vehicle location and performance data, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a remote server as an intermediary that stores and manages track data, GPS coordinates, and performance metrics, enabling accurate comparison between different vehicles and locations without requiring direct human measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If individuals want to share lap directions and compare performance on street courses, then they can do so informally, but it is difficult to share lap directions beforehand and verify if the same lap was run

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to share lap directions with friendsVSAvoidVerification that the same lap was run by different vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates digital copies of track routes as GPS coordinate sets that can be stored on a remote server and distributed to multiple users, allowing exact replication of the same lap path to be verified through coordinate matching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by comparing recorded GPS tracks against stored reference tracks, automatically verifying whether a vehicle completed the same lap route and providing confirmation to users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If specialized race tracks are used for comparative analysis, then accurate performance comparison is possible, but it limits where performance testing can occur and requires travel to specific locations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccuracy of performance comparisonVSAvoidLocations where performance testing can occur

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system makes the performance tracking capability universal by implementing GPS-based monitoring that works on any road or track surface anywhere in the world, eliminating the need for specialized facilities while maintaining measurement accuracy through satellite positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10916076B2Method and apparatus for adaptive vehicle route-related data gathering

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A system includes a processor configured to receive a track-creation request. The processor is also configured to initiate track recording, responsive to the request and record GPS points corresponding to vehicle movement. Further, the processor is configured to receive a track-completion instruction and store the recorded GPS points, and a line connecting the points, as representing a recorded track.