Vehicle Inventory Tracking via PEPS Antenna Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an efficient and cost-effective method for tracking inventory within vehicles, leading to potential losses and inefficiencies in ensuring that necessary items are present and accounted for.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle inventory system utilizing a passive entry system with antennas and a controller to transmit low-frequency challenges and receive high-frequency responses from RFID tags, allowing for the identification and tracking of items within or attached to vehicles, leveraging existing PEPS components to minimize additional costs and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated inventory tracking system is implemented, then inventory tracking capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reuses existing PEPS antennas and controllers for a new inventory tracking function. The PEPS controller that originally handled key fob authentication now also transmits challenges to RFID tags and processes tag responses, enabling inventory tracking without adding dedicated hardware. This multi-functionality approach resolves the contradiction by providing inventory tracking capability while avoiding increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the inventory tracking system with the existing PEPS system by sharing antennas, controllers, and communication protocols. The tag challenge period is integrated into the existing key fob authentication sequence, merging two functions into one unified system that reduces overall complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If aftermarket inventory tracking solutions are installed, then inventory tracking capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing vehicle components (PEPS antennas and controllers) to provide inventory tracking functionality. By using already-installed hardware and software, the system eliminates the need for expensive aftermarket additions, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing PEPS system is made multi-functional by adding inventory tracking capabilities. Rather than installing separate dedicated tracking hardware, the system reuses the PEPS controller and antennas, significantly reducing costs while providing reliable inventory tracking.
3Measurement precision
If additional antennas are added for tag detection, then tag detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses existing PEPS antennas for dual purposes: key fob authentication and RFID tag detection. The same antennas that originally handled passive entry now also serve as readers for inventory tags, eliminating the need for additional dedicated tracking antennas and maintaining detection capability without increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of key fob authentication and tag detection into a single antenna system. The PEPS antennas simultaneously handle both communication protocols, combining multiple functions into existing hardware rather than adding separate components.
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 system effectively tracks items within vehicles, reducing loss and increasing accountability, while avoiding the need for expensive aftermarket solutions and ensuring compatibility with existing vehicle systems.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting low frequency challenges from one or more antennas within the vehicle, a passive or active radio frequency identification tag may respond with a high frequency response
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle inventory system may include a passive entry system configured to authenticate a key fob and including at least one antenna and a controller operably arranged with the at least one antenna. The controller causes, during a tag challenge period, the at least one antenna to transmit at least one tag challenge. The tag challenge period is initiated based on an end of a key fob challenge period. The controller further receives a tag response to the challenge indicative of a tag in the vicinity of the vehicle.