OBD Dongle Location Awareness via WPAN Beacons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current on-board diagnostic systems lack efficient methods for location awareness and data communication between vehicles and third-party devices, limiting their ability to provide real-time diagnostic data and location tracking.

Innovation Solution

A computerized method utilizing a pass-through dongle equipped with a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) module and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, which transmits and receives signals from WPAN beacons to determine vehicle location and communicate diagnostic data to on-premises servers, enabling location awareness and real-time data analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional on-board diagnostic systems are used, then basic diagnostic functions are provided, but location awareness and real-time data communication capabilities are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation awareness dataVSAvoiddata communication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The OBD pass-through dongle is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides traditional on-board diagnostic data collection while simultaneously enabling location awareness through WPAN beacon reception and real-time communication through LPWAN module. This multi-functional device eliminates the need for separate location tracking systems and maintains compatibility with existing diagnostic infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dongle acts as an intermediary device between the vehicle's OBD system, WPAN beacons, and LPWAN network. It receives diagnostic data from the vehicle, captures location information from WPAN beacons, and transmits combined data to remote servers via LPWAN, enabling seamless integration of location awareness with traditional diagnostics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If WPAN beacons and LPWAN module are integrated into the dongle, then location awareness and real-time communication are enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking accuracyVSAvoiddongle system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines WPAN beacon reception capability and LPWAN communication module into a single OBD pass-through dongle. This integration allows the device to simultaneously perform diagnostic data collection, location tracking via WPAN, and remote communication via LPWAN, reducing the need for multiple separate devices while enabling comprehensive vehicle monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dongle is designed as a universal device that handles multiple communication protocols (OBD, WPAN, LPWAN) and performs diverse functions including diagnostic data collection, location awareness, and real-time communication, thereby managing complexity through consolidated multi-functional architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple wireless communication modules are added to the dongle, then data communication capability is enhanced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time data communication efficiencyVSAvoiddongle power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The LPWAN module operates using periodic transmission rather than continuous communication. The dongle collects diagnostic and location data, then transmits batches of information at scheduled intervals to the remote server, reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time transmission while maintaining effective data communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces high-power continuous wireless communication with low-power LPWAN technology that is optimized for intermittent data transmission. This substitution enables real-time data communication capability while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with maintaining constant wireless connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10375544B2Methods and systems of an on-board diagnostics pass-through dongle

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 TEKION CORP

AI summary

In one aspect, a computerized method useful for implementing location awareness a vehicle coupled with an on-board diagnostics (OBD) pass-through dongle includes the step of providing a plurality of wireless personal area network (WPAN) beacons, wherein plurality of WPAN beacons transmits a low-energy WPAN signal. The computerized method includes the step of pre-mapping a plurality of subareas in the area with a set of signal attributes for each WPAN beacon of the plurality of WPAN beacons. The computerized method includes the step of coupling a vehicle with an OBD pass-through dongle, wherein the OBD pass-through dongle comprises a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) module, and wherein the OBD pass-through dongle comprises a WPAN module. The computerized method includes the step of, with the WPAN module, receiving one or more WPAN signals from the plurality of WPAN beacons.