Asset Sensor Coupling Detection via Vehicle Receiver Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the coupling between assets and vehicles are unreliable, particularly when vehicles and assets start from the same depot or travel in a convoy, and installing GPS hardware on all assets is costly.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using asset sensors on the asset that transmit data to a vehicle receiver device via wireless signals, which is then sent to a remote server to determine coupling, leveraging existing vehicle receiver devices for fleet management, reducing hardware costs and improving precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS hardware is installed on all assets to track positions and determine coupling, then the reliability of coupling determination is improved, but the hardware cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the vehicle's existing receiver device as an intermediary to collect asset sensor data via wireless signals. Instead of installing GPS hardware on each asset, the asset sensors (already present on the asset) communicate with the vehicle receiver, which then transmits the data to the server. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for dedicated GPS hardware on assets while maintaining coupling determination reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle receiver device, originally designed for vehicle telematics purposes, is made multi-functional by enabling it to also receive and process asset sensor data. This universal use of existing hardware reduces the need for additional specialized equipment on assets, thereby reducing hardware costs while maintaining tracking and coupling determination capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If GPS-based tracking is used to determine coupling between vehicles and assets, then the coverage scope is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates in situations like convoys or depot departures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the GPS-based mechanical/geometric positioning system with a sensor-data-based identification system. Instead of relying on precise location coordinates to determine coupling, the system uses asset sensor data (such as accelerometer, gyroscope, or other motion sensors) that directly measure the physical connection state between asset and vehicle, providing higher precision in coupling detection even in challenging scenarios like convoys.
3Device complexity
If manual lists are maintained to track asset-vehicle coupling, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and reliability of coupling determination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service coupling determination by automatically collecting asset sensor data through wireless signals, transmitting it via the vehicle receiver, and processing it on the server to determine coupling status. This automated process eliminates the need for manual list maintenance while significantly improving the speed and reliability of coupling determination, with the system performing the task autonomously without human intervention.
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
Faster and more precise coupling detection with reduced hardware costs, utilizing short-range wireless signals and existing vehicle receiver devices for asset monitoring, enabling reliable coupling validation.
Implementation Method 1
sending asset sensor data from the asset sensors located on the asset to a vehicle receiver device on a nearby vehicle via one or more wireless signals
Data Source
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AI summary
An asset monitoring system comprises one or more asset sensors (7) located on an asset (5), a vehicle receiver device (17) located on a nearby vehicle (3), and a remote server (19). A method for determining a coupling between the asset (5) and the vehicle (3) comprises: receiving input information indicating that one or more sensors are asset sensors (7) located on the asset (5) and mapping the asset sensors to the asset; sending asset sensor data (8) from the asset sensors located on the asset to the vehicle receiver device (17) via one or more wireless signals; transmitting the asset sensor data from the vehicle receiver device (17) to the remote server (19); and using the mapping of the asset sensors at the remote server (19) to determine whether a coupling exists between the nearby vehicle (3) and the asset (5), based on the asset sensor data.