Vehicle Docking Station Heartbeat Relay for Connectivity Interruptions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Shared micro-mobility fleet vehicles face connectivity interruptions between docking stations and management servers, leading to difficulties in tracking vehicle statuses and detecting tampering, which affects the efficiency of the micro-mobility vehicle sharing service.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that detects interruptions in heartbeat signals between docking stations and management servers, establishes alternative communication channels using nearby vehicles, and employs key-based security mechanisms to prevent unauthorized operation of shared micro-mobility fleet vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heartbeat signals are used to maintain communication between docking stations and management servers, then connectivity monitoring is improved, but communication interruptions still occur
Solution Approach 1:
A nearby vehicle acts as an intermediary communication device when direct communication between the docking station and management server is interrupted. The vehicle receives data from the docking station via short-range communication and transmits it to the management server, maintaining communication continuity despite network interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-identifies nearby vehicles that can serve as communication intermediaries before actual communication interruptions occur. When a heartbeat signal interruption is detected, the system has already positioned alternative communication paths ready, reducing service disruption time.
2Device complexity
If direct communication between docking stations and management servers is maintained, then data transmission is simplified, but vulnerability to tampering and theft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nearby vehicle serves as a security intermediary, receiving data from the docking station through secure short-range communication protocols. This intermediate layer adds security verification steps, including authentication and encryption, making it more difficult for tamperers to intercept or manipulate communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preventive security measures by using encrypted communication channels and authentication protocols before any potential tampering occurs. The multi-layer communication architecture with verification steps cushions against potential security breaches.
3Reliability
If alternative communication channels using nearby vehicles are established, then communication continuity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing vehicles in the fleet as communication intermediaries, leveraging already-deployed devices rather than requiring new infrastructure. This approach maintains communication continuity while minimizing additional system complexity by utilizing resources already present in the ecosystem.
Solution Approach 2:
Nearby vehicles perform multiple functions: their primary transportation role plus serving as communication intermediaries when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated communication infrastructure, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining reliability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If key-based security mechanisms are implemented, then vehicle security is enhanced, but operational ease is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The key-based security system operates automatically without requiring user intervention. Authentication keys are exchanged and verified through automated protocols between the docking station, vehicle, and management server, maintaining security while preserving operational convenience for legitimate users.
Solution Approach 2:
Security key authentication is performed in advance before vehicle operation begins. The verification process completes automatically during the docking or unlock sequence, so that legitimate users experience no additional operational steps while unauthorized access is prevented.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide reduction in connectivity interruptions between vehicle docking stations and a management server for facilitating micro-mobility vehicle sharing services. To maintain communication sessions between the vehicle docking stations and the management server, heartbeat signals are transmitted periodically by each of the vehicle docking stations to the management server. An unavailability of the connection between a vehicle docking station and the management server may be detected based on an interruption to the heartbeat signals. In response to determining the unavailability of the connection, the management server may instruct a vehicle within a predetermined distance of the vehicle docking station to establish a short-range connection with the vehicle docking station and retrieve docking station data from the vehicle docking station.