GPS Mileage Tracking for Accurate Service Reminders
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automobile dealers face challenges in accurately determining vehicle mileage to send timely service reminders, often resulting in notices being too early or too late due to inaccurate odometer readings or prediction issues.
Innovation Solution
A system using a vehicle-mounted device with a GPS, processor, memory, and wireless transceiver that records and transmits mileage data to a central hub, sending notifications via email, text, or advertisements when predetermined mileage thresholds are met, allowing for accurate and timely service reminders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional direct mailings are used to remind owners of service needs, then dealers can communicate service requirements to owners, but the timing is inaccurate and unnecessary mailings occur due to inability to obtain accurate odometer readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical odometers with a GPS-based electronic tracking system. The GPS receiver continuously monitors vehicle location and calculates distance traveled through satellite signals, providing more accurate and reliable mileage data than mechanical odometers can obtain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by periodically transmitting mileage data from the vehicle-mounted GPS device to the central database. This allows the system to monitor actual vehicle usage in real-time and trigger service reminders at the correct mileage thresholds, eliminating timing inaccuracies.
2Reliability
If dealers send service reminders based on predicted mileage thresholds, then they can notify owners of upcoming service needs, but the predictions are often too early or too late due to inaccurate odometer readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces unreliable mechanical odometers with a GPS-based electronic tracking system. The GPS receiver continuously monitors vehicle location and calculates distance traveled through satellite signals, providing more accurate and reliable mileage data than mechanical odometers can obtain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a central database as an intermediary between the vehicle-mounted GPS device and the dealer. The database receives mileage data from multiple vehicles, processes the information, and manages service reminder notifications, simplifying the overall system architecture while improving reliability.
3Productivity
If dealers use traditional mailing methods to contact owners, then they can provide service notifications, but the process is inefficient and causes unnecessary mailings
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback by periodically transmitting mileage data from the vehicle-mounted GPS device to the central database. This allows the system to monitor actual vehicle usage in real-time and trigger service reminders at the correct mileage thresholds, eliminating timing inaccuracies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically monitoring vehicle mileage and triggering service reminders without requiring dealer intervention. The GPS device continuously tracks mileage, compares it against predefined thresholds, and automatically initiates notifications through the central database, eliminating the need for manual mailing processes.
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
Enables precise and timely notifications to vehicle owners and dealers about required service, reducing unnecessary mailings and ensuring maintenance is performed at optimal intervals.
Implementation Method 1
A global positioning system (GPS) device continuously records location data, date/time and accumulated distance traveled
Implementation Method 2
the wireless transceiver initiates a wireless data session with a wireless network to transmit the notification signal
Data Source
AI summary
The application describes a system for notifying a vehicle owner regarding service due for a vehicle based on the vehicle's accumulated mileage. The system determines vehicle mileage based on GPS data, determines whether the mileage has exceeded a threshold, transmits a wireless signal from the vehicle to a notification service provider computer when the threshold is exceeded, and sends a notice from the notification service provider to the dealer and/or customer to indicate that vehicle service is due.