Aftermarket V2X Device OBD Integration for Fleet Safety
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems are limited by the need for all vehicles to be equipped with communication technology, leading to safety benefits only being available on a large scale as the fleet penetration increases, and there is a lack of aftermarket solutions to enable communication for vehicles without V2X capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An aftermarket communications device that can be plugged into a vehicle's OBD connector, used as a wireless device, or integrated as a permanent retrofit, equipped with a radio, memory for security and application data, a location processor, and a communications processor to enable V2X communication, self-configure based on vehicle capabilities, and provide personalized features and security updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If V2X communication systems are deployed requiring all vehicles to be equipped with communication technology, then safety benefits and communication capabilities are improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase for the entire fleet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the V2X communication system into two segments: a communication device that can be independently added to vehicles, and the vehicle's existing systems. This segmentation allows the communication functionality to be separated from the vehicle manufacturing process, enabling retrofit deployment without requiring all vehicles to be equipped with communication technology at the factory level.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device acts as an intermediary between vehicles and the V2X network. It interfaces with the vehicle's existing systems through the OBD port and provides communication capabilities without requiring modifications to the vehicle's core systems. This intermediary approach enables safety benefits while avoiding the complexity of integrating communication technology into every vehicle's manufacturing process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If aftermarket communication devices are added to existing vehicles, then fleet penetration and safety benefits increase, but device compatibility and integration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple vehicle types and makes. It interfaces with the vehicle's existing systems through the standardized OBD port and can adapt to different vehicle configurations through automatic vehicle identification and configuration. This universality enables broad fleet penetration while minimizing integration complexity for each individual vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication device performs self-configuration upon installation by automatically identifying the vehicle type and configuring appropriate settings and parameters. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex manual configuration and integration work for each vehicle, thereby reducing integration complexity while enabling widespread fleet penetration.
3Ease of operation
If communication devices self-configure based on vehicle capabilities, then ease of installation and deployment are improved, but processing requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device automatically identifies the vehicle type through the OBD port and configures its own settings and parameters based on the detected vehicle capabilities. This self-service configuration process eliminates the need for manual setup by technicians, greatly improving ease of installation and deployment. The processing requirements are kept minimal by using straightforward vehicle identification algorithms and pre-configured parameter sets for different vehicle types.
Data Source
AI summary
An aftermarket vehicle communications device that that is part of a V2X communications system. The device can be a plug-in device, a wireless device separate from the vehicle, such as a key fob, wearable or a smart phone, or a permanent retrofit device mounted to the vehicle. The device is electrically coupled to the vehicle by, for example, an OBD connection, a USB connection, a CAN bus connection, an HDMI connection or wirelessly. The device includes a radio for transmitting and/or receiving communications signals, a memory for storing security information and vehicle application data, a location processor such as a global navigation satellite system receiver, a verification processor for verifying messages, and a communications processor configured to be put in electrical communication with a CAN bus on the vehicle, where the communications processor receives vehicle location signals from the location processor, files from the memory and signals from the radio.