Key Fob Tracking via Vehicle Sync for Dealership Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle dealerships face challenges in quickly and efficiently locating misplaced keys and key fobs due to large inventories and multiple personnel, leading to frustrated customers and potential lost sales.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a key fob with a built-in communication device, such as Bluetooth, which syncs with a GPS-enabled vehicle's positioning device, transmitting location information to a central processor and then to a mobile device, allowing users to pinpoint the missing key's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual searching for misplaced keys is conducted in large vehicle inventories, then thorough search can be performed, but time consumption increases and customer satisfaction decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary tracking system consisting of transponders attached to keys and corresponding receivers in vehicles. This intermediary automated system mediates between the misplaced key and the searcher, eliminating the need for manual searching and reducing time loss while maintaining high productivity.
2Ease of operation
If key cabinets are used as central storage location, then key management is centralized, but keys may be forgotten or lost in the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the tracking system continuously monitors key locations and provides real-time information to the central management system. This feedback loop ensures that keys are tracked throughout their journey, reducing reliance on human memory and improving key return reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If multiple sales personnel and customers are present in the dealership, then business activity increases, but the probability of keys being misplaced increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates information copies through the tracking system, where each key has a corresponding transponder that replicates its location data. This copying mechanism ensures that key location information is preserved and trackable even in environments with high personnel turnover and activity, preventing information loss while maintaining high productivity.
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 rapid and accurate location of misplaced keys, reducing customer frustration and potential lost sales by utilizing a user-friendly mobile application to guide users to the missing key's location based on vehicle positions.
Implementation Method 1
location of the missing key fob is determined through wireless electronic communication of the key fob with a positioning device within a vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a locating system and method for use generally by vehicle dealerships to locate vehicle keys that have been misplaced or lost. The system includes a key or key fob having a built-in communication device. When the key is lost, the communication device of the missing key fob is configured to sync-up to a nearby transceiver located in any one of several possible vehicles in a parking lot. Each vehicle would include a location device, such as one with GPS tracking capability, which is connected to a central processor. Once the key fob is synced with a target vehicle, the location of the target vehicle and therefore, the associated key fob, is transmitted back to the central processor. The location of the vehicle is subsequently transmitted to a to a mobile communication device capable of displaying the location of the vehicle and key fob.