Remote Unlock Codes for Emergency Vehicle Lightbars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers face inefficiencies and increased costs due to producing multiple types of lightbars and siren devices for emergency vehicles, as each type requires separate production and inventory management, while also risking loss of customers who seek different configurations.
Innovation Solution
A system for remote management of lockable devices on emergency vehicles, allowing users to unlock specific functions on multicolor lightbars and siren devices via unique unlock codes, enabling customization and reducing the need for multiple product types by starting devices in a locked state and unlocking features as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manufacturer produces multiple distinct types of lightbars (single color, bi-color, tri-color, quad color), then consumers with different lightbar type preferences can be served, but production complexity and inventory management burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single lightbar device that can perform multiple functions (single color, bi-color, tri-color, or quad color operation) through software-controlled LED modules. Instead of manufacturing separate physical lightbar types, the system uses a universal lightbar with selectively activatable LED groups, where each LED group corresponds to a different color. The control system can enable or disable specific color groups via unlock codes, allowing one device to replace multiple device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the operational state of LED modules through software parameters rather than physical manufacturing variations. Each LED group is assigned a parameter (unlock code) that controls its activation state. By changing these parameters remotely, the lightbar can transition between different color configurations (single, bi, tri, or quad color) without any physical modification, effectively adapting the device functionality through parameter adjustment.
2Productivity
If a manufacturer produces only a single type of lightbar to simplify production, then production efficiency improves, but consumers wanting different lightbar types may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single lightbar device that can perform multiple functions (single color, bi-color, tri-color, or quad color operation) through software-controlled LED modules. Instead of manufacturing separate physical lightbar types, the system uses a universal lightbar with selectively activatable LED groups, where each LED group corresponds to a different color. The control system can enable or disable specific color groups via unlock codes, allowing one device to replace multiple device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the lightbar functionality changeable after manufacture. The device transitions from a static single-type product to a dynamic multi-type product through remote parameter adjustment. The unlock code mechanism allows the lightbar to dynamically adapt its color configuration based on user needs, enabling a single manufactured type to serve multiple market segments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distinct lightbar types are produced, then consumer preferences are met, but inventory space is reduced and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single lightbar device that can perform multiple functions (single color, bi-color, tri-color, or quad color operation) through software-controlled LED modules. Instead of manufacturing separate physical lightbar types, the system uses a universal lightbar with selectively activatable LED groups, where each LED group corresponds to a different color. The control system can enable or disable specific color groups via unlock codes, allowing one device to replace multiple device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements merging by combining multiple lightbar types into a single unified device. Rather than maintaining separate inventory stocks for single-color, bi-color, tri-color, and quad-color lightbars, the system merges all these variations into one physical platform with selectively activatable LED groups. This consolidation reduces inventory complexity and allows a single production line to serve all market segments.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples provide a system and method for remote management of lockable devices associated with emergency vehicles. A lockable device is a device, such as a multicolor light device or a siren device having one or more available functions which are initially placed in a locked state at the time of manufacture. A user can unlock the locked functions by logging into a remote device manager on a user device while the locked device is connected to the user device. The user selects one or more locked functions to unlock. The remote device manager generates a unique unlock code for each locked function selected for unlock. The unlock code is returned to the user device for utilization in unlocking the selected functions. The unlock code enables operation of the locked function. A lock status is updated to indicate which functions have been unlocked.