Collaborative MTC Device Tracking for Anti-Theft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle anti-theft systems, including lock devices, alarm systems, and tracking/recovery systems, are vulnerable to theft and difficult to use effectively, as they can be easily disarmed or disabled, leading to challenges in tracking stolen vehicles outside limited surveillance areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for collaborative monitoring using Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices connected to an MTC server via a wireless network, where each device has a transceiver with a unique ID and security code, periodically broadcasts status information and detects other devices, sending alarm messages to the server upon illegal operation or destruction, allowing nearby devices to report the location of the affected device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS tracking system is used, then vehicle location can be pinpointed, but it is easy to defeat by breaking off antenna or covering with metal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tracking approaches (GPS positioning function and collaborative monitoring by MTC devices) into a unified anti-theft system. When GPS is available, it provides precise location; when GPS is destroyed or unavailable, the collaborative monitoring mechanism using nearby MTC devices takes over to continue tracking the vehicle location, thus merging the benefits of both approaches while mitigating their individual weaknesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares backup tracking mechanisms in advance by deploying MTC devices with monitoring capabilities throughout the environment. These devices are positioned beforehand to provide coverage areas that can detect and report stolen vehicles. This prior cushioning ensures that if the primary GPS tracking is defeated, the backup collaborative monitoring system is already in place to maintain tracking capability.
2Reliability
If sensor-network-based system operates within limited parking lot area, then stolen vehicles can be detected by other vehicles, but the stolen vehicle is often driven faster than the base station can response and will be lost once driven out of surveillance area
Solution Approach 1:
The MTC devices are designed with multi-functionality to operate in both localized parking lot scenarios and broader open-road environments. They can function as both passive monitoring nodes within base station coverage and as autonomous tracking units that report directly to the server when outside surveillance areas, making the system universally applicable across different operational contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional base station coverage areas to three-dimensional collaborative monitoring by distributing monitoring capabilities across multiple MTC devices throughout the environment. This dimensional expansion allows the system to cover larger geographic areas and respond to vehicles moving at higher speeds by utilizing the spatial distribution of multiple monitoring points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If collaborative monitoring by MTC devices is implemented, then tracking can continue outside limited surveillance areas, but requires network of devices to communicate and report
Solution Approach 1:
The MTC server acts as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple MTC devices and the anti-theft system. It receives location and status information from various MTC devices, processes the data, and maintains the unified tracking record. This intermediary simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the coordination function, allowing individual MTC devices to operate independently while contributing to the collective monitoring effort.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for collaboratively monitoring by means of MTC devices in a wireless communication network and related MTC devices and system. Each of the MTC devices is connected to a MTC server via said wireless communication network and includes a transceiver having a unique ID and security code, and said transceiver periodically broadcasts its normal or abnormal status information to other MTC devices within a certain range in the vicinity of that MTC device and detects and identifies other MTC devices within said range. Said method comprises that, in case that the MTC device is operated illegally: if its transceiver is not destroyed, then the MTC device will send an alarm message to the MTC server and report information about its current location; if its transceiver is destroyed, then the MTC device will send once to the MTC server an alarm message, and said other MTC device(s) will send to the MTC server an alarm message and report information about their current location since it does not detect a legal broadcast signal sent by the MTC device.