OBD Module Radar Sensing for Low-Power Disturbance Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current on-board diagnostic (OBD II) devices suffer from delayed and false disturbance alerts due to battery power consumption and multi-minute lag times, which can lead to battery drain and false alarms when the vehicle is parked or when the driver takes too long to start the ignition.
Innovation Solution
A low power radar sensor is integrated with the OBD II module to record and compare driver radar signatures, determining whether to issue a vehicle disturbance alert based on the presence of the authorized driver, thereby reducing false alerts and battery drain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vibration sensor is used to detect vehicle disturbances, then disturbance detection capability is provided, but false alerts occur due to multi-minute lag time and battery power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor operates in periodic pulsed mode rather than continuously, transmitting radar signals at intervals to detect driver presence. This periodic operation significantly reduces power consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining effective disturbance detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/vibration-based detection system with a radar-based electromagnetic detection system. This substitution enables more accurate distinction between genuine disturbances and normal driver actions, reducing false alerts while the low-power radar mode reduces energy consumption.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented to reduce false alerts, then alert accuracy improves, but battery drain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring using pulsed radar signals instead of continuous monitoring. The radar sensor transmits signals at specific intervals to detect driver presence and distinguish between authorized drivers and intruders, maintaining high alert accuracy while consuming minimal power during periodic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system dynamically adjusts its operation based on vehicle state. The radar sensor activates in low-power mode during normal operation and can transition to more intensive monitoring only when disturbances are detected, optimizing the balance between accuracy and power consumption.
3Reliability
If radar signature comparison is implemented to differentiate drivers, then false alerts are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates radar signature copies (templates) of authorized drivers during a learning phase and stores them in memory. When a disturbance occurs, the radar sensor captures a new signature and compares it against the stored copies to determine if the occupant is an authorized driver, enabling accurate identification without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by collecting and storing radar signatures of authorized drivers during a learning phase before actual use. This preliminary data collection enables rapid comparison and identification during disturbance events, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making.
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
The solution provides timely and accurate vehicle disturbance alerts, reducing battery drain and false alarms by using low power radar technology to differentiate between authorized and unauthorized vehicle occupants.
Implementation Method 1
A low power radar sensor is integrated with the OBD II module to record and compare driver radar signatures
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects provided herein provide methods, apparatus, and a non-transitory computer storage medium storing computer instructions for vehicle disturbance alerting in a network. The method begins with receiving a vibration alert from a sensor installed in a vehicle. The sensor may be an accelerometer, gyroscope, or motion-capable sensor and is in communication with a low power radar sensor that is also installed in the vehicle. A low power radar sensor is activated in response to the vibration alert. At least one radar signature is received from the low power radar sensor. The radar signature is then compared with at least one driver radar signature. The driver radar signature is recorded when a driver occupies a driver seat position and operates the vehicle. Based on the comparison, a determination is made whether to issue a vehicle disturbance alert.