GPS Position Clustering for Vehicle Ownership Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to reliably monitor vehicle ownership status, leading to potential unauthorized access and inadequate maintenance, as they lack precise methods to detect changes in ownership.

Innovation Solution

A device using GPS positioning and clustering algorithms to analyze vehicle positions over time, identifying clusters and overlaps to determine ownership changes, and initiating actions like notifications or blocking remote access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If GPS positioning data is collected and analyzed using clustering algorithms to detect ownership changes, then the reliability of ownership monitoring is improved, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveownership status monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system segments the continuous GPS position data into discrete time intervals and further segments the analysis into clustering operations. By dividing the large dataset into manageable time-based segments and applying clustering algorithms to each segment separately, the system achieves reliable ownership detection without overwhelming computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces position clusters as an intermediary representation between raw GPS data and ownership status determination. These clusters serve as a simplified intermediate form that captures essential spatial patterns without requiring direct analysis of all individual position points, thereby reducing computational burden while maintaining monitoring reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If position clusters are determined for multiple time intervals using clustering algorithms, then the measurement precision of ownership change detection is improved, but the loss of time for data processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveownership change detection precisionVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary clustering of position data into time intervals before conducting the actual ownership change detection. By pre-processing the GPS data into clustered representations organized by time intervals, the system prepares the information in advance, enabling faster and more precise ownership status determination when needed without reprocessing all raw data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies clustering algorithms to more data points than strictly necessary by analyzing multiple time intervals and generating comprehensive position clusters. This excessive action ensures that even edge cases and ambiguous ownership transitions are captured with high precision, while the structured approach keeps processing time manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the system monitors vehicle positions continuously to detect ownership changes, then the reliability of detection is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveownership change detection reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle monitoring energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the system employs periodic sampling of vehicle positions at defined time intervals. GPS position data is collected at discrete periodic points rather than continuously, and clustering algorithms process these periodic samples to detect ownership changes. This periodic approach maintains detection reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4158559B1Method and device for monitoring a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4158559B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP4158559B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (110) for monitoring a vehicle (100). The device (110) is designed to determine a sequence of positions (201) of the vehicle (100) at a corresponding sequence of times. The device (110) is also designed such that, based on the sequence of positions (201), it determines whether a possible change of ownership of the vehicle (100) has taken place at a time from the sequence of times The device (110) is further designed to initiate at least one measure relating to the vehicle (100), if it is determined that a possible change of ownership of the vehicle (100) has taken place.