DTMF Remote Vehicle Activation for Emergency Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
In emergency situations, vehicles with cellular connectivity via embedded telematics devices may be difficult for emergency responders to locate, especially if not in plain sight or in hard-to-reach areas, necessitating a cost-effective and adaptable system to assist in vehicle location.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signals to remotely activate vehicle functions such as honking the horn, flashing headlights, or emitting a radio signal to aid in vehicle location, with DTMF tones sent by PSAPs or emergency service providers to trigger specific vehicle actions through the in-vehicle system and communications bus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic voice call to PSAP is established, then emergency services can be dispatched, but vehicle location may still be difficult to locate if not in plain sight or in hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces DTMF tones as an intermediary communication mechanism between the PSAP and the vehicle system. These tones serve as a mediator that can penetrate situations where direct visual detection fails, allowing the PSAP to relay commands through the cellular network to trigger vehicle responses (horn, lights, radio) that can be detected from a distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual detection method (responders seeing the vehicle in plain sight) with an electronic/acoustic system (DTMF tones triggering electronic vehicle responses). The DTMF-based remote activation system substitutes the need for direct visual detection with an electronic communication channel that can reach into hard-to-access areas.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If DTMF tones are used to activate vehicle functions, then vehicle location can be effectively signaled, but power resources may be consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic or on-demand activation of vehicle functions rather than continuous operation. DTMF tones trigger specific vehicle responses (horn honking, lights flashing, radio emitting) only when needed for location identification, allowing power-saving intervals between activations and avoiding continuous energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of vehicle functions based on DTMF tone commands. Instead of continuous high-power operation, the system adjusts activation duration, intensity, and timing of horn, lights, and radio based on the received DTMF signals, optimizing power usage while maintaining location detectability.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing telematics systems are used without infrastructure changes, then cost effectiveness is improved, but functionality may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing telematics device universally capable by programming it to recognize and respond to DTMF tones. The same device that handles voice calls and basic telemetry is extended to activate multiple vehicle functions (horn, lights, radio, GPS) through a single interface standard (DTMF), eliminating the need for separate infrastructure while expanding functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for providing emergency location detection service for a vehicle is disclosed. The method and system comprise receiving one or more dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signals by a vehicle via an active communication channel. The one or more DTMF signals are decoded and perform a corresponding vehicle function. A system and method in accordance with the present invention allows Public Safety Answering Point or 3rd party emergency service provider to send (DTMF) signals over a communication channel to activate vehicle system functions remotely such as engaging vehicle horn, flashing of headlights and/or taillights or emitting radio signals for the purpose of identification of location of the vehicle.