Mobile App Occupant Detection via Bluetooth Signal Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle occupant detection systems require sensor installation in vehicles and are costly, lacking flexibility and accessibility, as they can only detect occupants within the vicinity of the installed sensors.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application that detects network signals from Bluetooth and/or WiFi devices in vehicles to determine if occupants are present, sending notifications to users and emergency services if the signals are interrupted, eliminating the need for in-vehicle sensors and providing location information for prompt assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are installed in vehicles to detect occupants, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Bluetooth and WiFi network signals as intermediaries to detect occupant presence indirectly. Instead of installing sensors inside the vehicle, the system monitors the presence of mobile devices with communication capabilities. The mobile device acts as an intermediary carrier that provides detection information without requiring physical sensor installation in the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based detection system with an electromagnetic field-based wireless communication system. By substituting physical sensors with Bluetooth/WiFi signal detection, the system eliminates the need for mechanical installation of sensors while maintaining detection functionality.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are installed in vehicles to detect occupants, then detection precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the mobile device's existing Bluetooth and WiFi communication capabilities as a copy of sensor functionality. Instead of creating new sensor hardware, the system leverages the copied communication protocols already present in smartphones and tablets, thereby achieving detection precision without complex manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the detection system universal by utilizing Bluetooth and WiFi technologies that are already universally present in modern mobile devices. This multi-functional approach allows the same communication infrastructure to serve both its original purpose and occupant detection, eliminating the need for specialized sensor manufacturing.
3Area of stationary object
If sensors are installed in vehicles, then detection coverage is improved, but adaptability to different vehicles worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional detection approach by not placing sensors in the vehicle to detect occupants, but rather using the occupant's mobile device to signal its presence. This inversion allows the system to work with any vehicle that has Bluetooth or WiFi capabilities, greatly improving adaptability while maintaining detection coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the present invention is a mobile application that, after being installed and activated on a mobile device, detects whether there are network signals. After the invention detects network signals, the mobile application asks the user whether or not there is an occupant in the vehicle. If the user responds that there are one or more occupants in the vehicle, the invention starts checking for interruption of the network signals. When the network signals are no longer available, the invention sends a notification to the user requesting him/her to respond to the notification. If the user does not respond to the notification, the invention sends alerts to a preprogrammed list of several people and/or emergency services. The alerts may include the location information of the vehicle.