Intelligent Micro Devices for Vehicle Accident Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automobile accidents often result in unclear eyewitness accounts and lack of reliable evidence, especially in hit-and-run cases, and there is no effective way to verify the authenticity of vehicle repairs or the provenance of parts used in damaged vehicles.

Innovation Solution

Implementing intelligent micro devices, such as machine-readable markers, embedded in or affixed to vehicles that can be scanned to detect accidents and verify repair history by determining the loss, transfer, or acquisition of these markers, which store information about the vehicle's history and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If eyewitness accounts are used to determine vehicle involvement in accidents, then investigation can proceed without additional equipment, but the reliability and accuracy of accident determination deteriorates due to fading memories and unreliable recollections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of accident determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Machine-readable markers are pre-applied to vehicles before accidents occur. These markers contain encoded vehicle identification information that can be automatically detected at accident scenes, eliminating the need to rely on eyewitness recollections and providing immediate, reliable evidence for accident determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying on human memory and description of vehicles, the system uses machine-readable markers that create an exact, machine-interpretable copy of vehicle identification data. This coded information can be automatically read and verified, providing objective evidence that replaces subjective eyewitness accounts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If traditional accident investigation methods are used, then no additional technology is required, but the ability to detect and measure vehicle involvement and repair authenticity deteriorates due to lack of objective evidence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of vehicle history verificationVSAvoidcomplexity of verification system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Machine-readable markers serve as an intermediary between the vehicle and the investigation system. These markers contain encoded information about vehicle identity and history that can be automatically detected and verified, providing an objective mediator that bridges the gap between physical evidence and investigative conclusions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual investigation methods with automated optical detection. Scanners and readers automatically detect machine-readable markers on vehicles, eliminating the need for manual inspection and human interpretation, thereby providing precise, objective measurement of vehicle involvement and repair history.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If counterfeit parts are used in vehicle repairs, then body shops can increase profits through theft and fraud, but the quality and safety of vehicle repairs deteriorates leading to customer dissatisfaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthenticity of repair partsVSAvoidease of producing counterfeit parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Genuine parts are pre-marked with machine-readable markers during the manufacturing process. These markers serve as built-in authentication codes that can be verified at any stage, making it immediately apparent when counterfeit parts are used, thereby ensuring repair authenticity and quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses machine-readable markers that create an unforgeable digital copy of part authentication data embedded directly in the physical part. This coded information can be automatically verified against manufacturer databases, providing objective proof of authenticity that counterfeiters cannot replicate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11138673B1Systems and methods for vehicle accident detection based on intelligent micro devices

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION (USAA)

AI summary

Intelligent micro devices on a vehicle can be scanned or read using a reading device. A map or data indicative of the micro devices on the vehicle can be generated by scanning the vehicle. The data or map may be used to determine loss or transfer of one or more micro devices on the vehicle. An accident associated with the vehicle can be determined based on loss or transfer of one or more the micro devices. The micro devices can store data associated with the vehicle, including an identity of the vehicle and a history of the vehicle. The micro devices can be read to determine the identity of the vehicle or another vehicle involved in the accident.