Vehicular Alarm Extension via Base and Remote Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular alarm systems do not effectively extend protection to accessories and equipment secured to or carried by automobiles, failing to detect and respond to undesired disturbances such as removal or attempted removal of these items.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular alarm system extension method and apparatus that includes a base unit integrated with the automobile's alarm system and remote units associated with accessories or equipment, utilizing sensors and wireless communication to detect disturbances and trigger the alarm system, with optional camera and microphone capabilities for capturing evidence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional vehicular alarm system is used, then the automobile itself is protected, but accessories and equipment secured to or carried by the automobile are not protected
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm system is divided into separate functional modules: a base unit that interfaces with the vehicle's existing alarm system, and multiple remote units that can be independently attached to different accessories or equipment. Each remote unit operates autonomously to detect disturbances on its protected object, allowing the system to cover multiple items without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit serves as an intermediary between the remote units and the vehicle's alarm system. It receives wireless signals from remote units detecting disturbances on accessories or equipment, and translates these into commands that trigger the vehicle's existing alarm system, thereby extending protection coverage without directly modifying the vehicle's original system architecture.
2Reliability
If remote units are added to protect accessories and equipment, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each remote unit is designed as a universal, multi-functional device that can be attached to various types of accessories and equipment (cargo boxes, bike racks, trailers, etc.). The remote units use standardized sensors and wireless communication capabilities that work across different application scenarios, allowing the system to maintain high detection capability while avoiding the complexity of custom-designed units for each specific accessory type.
3Reliability
If sensors are integrated into accessories and equipment, then disturbance detection is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is extracted from the accessories and equipment themselves, and placed into separate remote units. This allows the sensors to remain integrated within the alarm system architecture where they can be easily replaced or repositioned, while the accessories and equipment maintain their original simple structures without embedded sensors, thereby preserving ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote units come pre-assembled with sensors, processing elements, and wireless communication components already integrated and configured. Users simply need to attach the pre-configured remote unit to the accessory or equipment they wish to protect, eliminating the need for users to perform complex sensor installation, wiring, or calibration procedures on the accessories themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for extending a vehicular alarm system includes a base unit and a remote unit. The system is configured to extend the vehicular alarm system to an accessory or equipment secured to, carried by (e.g., outside or inside) or in proximity to an automobile and/or to equipment secured to the accessory. The base unit is configured to be carried by the automobile and to communicate with the vehicular alarm system. The base unit may be configured to mimic activation of a sensor of the vehicular alarm system in a manner that can activate the vehicular alarm system. The remote unit is configured to be carried by the accessory, and may sense removal of the accessory from the automobile, opening of the accessory and/or removal of equipment from the accessory. Methods for extending a vehicular alarm system to operate with one or more accessories are also disclosed, as are methods for detecting and providing an alarm when an accessory or equipment secured by the accessory is undesirably disturbed.