Fleet Vehicle Identification via Mobile App and Back-Office Link
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems require specialized tools for service personnel to communicate directly with autonomous vehicles, complicating vehicle identification and status assessment as fleets scale up, especially when vehicles have identical appearances and are in non-communicative states.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device connected to WiFi and/or cellular service communicates with a back office central computer to identify and provide vehicle information, enabling operators to access vehicle data and control functions without direct vehicle interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized tools are used for direct vehicle communication, then vehicle identification and status assessment can be performed, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between service personnel and the autonomous vehicle. The mobile device communicates with the vehicle through existing wireless infrastructure (WiFi/cellular networks) rather than requiring specialized direct communication tools. This intermediary approach maintains reliable vehicle identification and status assessment while eliminating the need for complex specialized communication equipment.
2Loss of information
If specialized communication tools are deployed, then vehicle data can be accessed, but cost and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables service personnel to access vehicle data using their own mobile devices without requiring organization-provided specialized tools. The mobile device leverages existing wireless infrastructure and standard applications to communicate with the vehicle, making the service process self-service oriented and eliminating the need for expensive specialized tool deployment while maintaining full data accessibility.
3Measurement precision
If direct vehicle communication is required, then accurate vehicle status can be obtained, but ease of operation and scalability worsen as fleets grow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device universal by enabling it to communicate with any autonomous vehicle in the fleet through standard wireless protocols and infrastructure. Rather than requiring different specialized tools for different vehicles, a single mobile device can access and identify any vehicle status accurately. This universal approach maintains measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation and fleet scalability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing vehicle information to operators and service people without the use of a tool enabling communication directly between the vehicle and the operator or service person. In particular, systems and methods are provided for receiving a vehicle data request from an operator mobile device application, identifying a vehicle in close proximity to the operator mobile device, obtaining most recent vehicle data, and transmitting the requested vehicle data to the operator mobile device. Additionally, systems and methods are provided for the operator to request various capabilities with respect to the vehicles, such as vehicle access.