LPWAN Vehicle Calling Device with Sensor-Mediated Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for displaying a vehicle driver's phone number, such as using paper or LED panels, are inconvenient and prone to misuse, as they expose the number to advertising spam and lack a secure way to communicate with the driver without moving the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A calling device installed in vehicles that uses a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) to transmit and receive data, including a calling detection sensor, display unit, and LPWAN interface, allowing callers to initiate contact through impact or capacitive sensors, and displaying confirmation messages or phone numbers as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a driver displays telephone number using paper, plastic pad, fluorescent panel, or LED panel, then the driver can be contacted for moving parked vehicle, but the telephone number is exposed to advertising spam messages and other misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a calling device with sensor, controller, and display unit. Instead of directly exposing the phone number, the system mediates contact requests through sensor detection (knocking/tapping), controller processing, and controlled display of calling information. This intermediary mechanism filters out spam while allowing legitimate contact requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The calling device enables self-service functionality where the system automatically detects calling requests through sensors, processes the calling information, and displays it without requiring manual intervention. The driver simply needs to confirm the display, and the system handles the entire calling initiation process autonomously.
2Ease of operation
If telephone number is always exposed on vehicle, then driver can be contacted easily, but driver experiences wearisome inconvenience from spam messages
Solution Approach 1:
The system acts as an intermediary that filters contact requests. The sensor detects legitimate knocking/tapping actions, the controller processes these as valid calling requests, and the display unit shows calling information. This intermediary process automatically filters out spam callers who don't follow the proper knocking protocol, saving the driver's time and effort.
3Use of energy by moving object
If LPWAN is used for communication, then power consumption is reduced and coverage is extended, but network infrastructure and protocol compatibility are required
Solution Approach 1:
The calling device is designed with universal LPWAN interface capability that can work with multiple LPWAN protocols and network infrastructures. The controller is configured to support various LPWAN standards, making the device universally compatible with different low-power wide-area networks, thus reducing power consumption without being locked into a single network provider.
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 secure and efficient communication with vehicle drivers via LPWAN, minimizing power consumption and operational costs, while preventing unwanted exposure of phone numbers and reducing spam messages.
Implementation Method 1
an impact detection sensor for detecting a vehicle vibration according to tapping a specific area of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a capacitive sensor for detecting a finger or palm of the caller contacting a specific area of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A calling device for calling and communicating with a driver of a vehicle with a low power by using a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) such as a LoRa communication network and a calling method thereof are disclosed. The calling device according to the invention may be installed in a vehicle and transmit/receive data to/from a management server through the LPWAN. The calling device transmits a calling message to a driver terminal by recognizing a user's tapping, touching, etc., and when the driver confirms the calling message, display to the caller that the driver confirms the calling message. In addition, the calling device also allows the caller to call the driver directly by displaying the driver phone number if the driver does not confirm the calling message in time.