Multi-adaptor Vehicle Tracker Controller Protocol Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aftermarket security and remote start systems face compatibility issues due to proprietary communication formats used by different vehicle data bus modules, limiting their ability to interface with various manufacturers' systems.
Innovation Solution
A multi-adaptor vehicle tracker controller that includes a position determining device, wireless communications, a controller data link interface, and a data bus adaptor, capable of communicating with multiple proprietary remote function controller codes, allowing it to adapt to different data bus formats and control vehicle devices across various systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional security system uses proprietary communication formats, then it can maintain simple device architecture, but it loses compatibility with different vehicle data bus systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a controller unit with processing capabilities and a data bus adaptor unit with communication capabilities. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while working together to provide multi-protocol support, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed with universal communication capabilities to support multiple proprietary communication formats and data bus protocols simultaneously. By integrating multiple protocol handlers and adaptable communication interfaces, the system can interface with different vehicle manufacturers' data bus systems without requiring separate dedicated systems for each protocol.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an aftermarket system supports multiple proprietary codes, then it achieves broad vehicle compatibility, but it increases programming and configuration complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-diagnosis and automatic configuration capabilities that allow it to identify the vehicle's data bus protocol and adapt its communication format automatically during installation. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex manual programming, allowing installers to simply connect the system and let it automatically configure itself for the specific vehicle platform.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple communication protocol handlers and code sets are pre-programmed into the controller during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation of various proprietary codes and communication formats allows the system to quickly adapt to different vehicles without requiring on-site programming complexity, as the adaptive selection and configuration is handled automatically based on pre-loaded protocol knowledge.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle tracker system for a vehicle including a data communications bus extending throughout the vehicle may include a multi-adaptor vehicle tracker controller including a position determining device, a wireless communications device, a controller data link interface, a download learning port, and a processor. The processor may communicate geolocation data via the wireless communications device. A data bus adaptor may adapt the tracker controller to communicate via the data communications bus and include an adaptor data link interface coupled to the controller data link interface. The data bus adaptor may be operable with a given set of proprietary remote function controller codes. The processor may be operable with different sets of proprietary remote function controller codes, and determine the given set of proprietary codes based upon the download learning port and use the given set of proprietary codes for communications with the data bus adaptor.