Smartphone-Based Vehicle Position Management via Onboard Signal Trigger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle position management systems require onboard devices with cellular phone communication capabilities, leading to increased costs and privacy concerns when managing maintenance technicians' positions in real-time.

Innovation Solution

A position management method using a mobile communication apparatus that receives a communication signal from an onboard device and transmits position information to a management server, allowing real-time position management without additional cellular phone communication devices on the vehicle, while protecting user privacy by inhibiting transmission when the user is not near the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If onboard devices with cellular phone communication capabilities are provided in each vehicle, then real-time position management is achieved, but costs increase due to necessary cellular phone communication contracts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time position managementVSAvoidcosts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile communication apparatus (smartphone) already possessed by the user is made to serve dual purposes: personal communication and vehicle position management. The device uses its existing cellular phone communication capability to communicate with both the onboard device and the management server, eliminating the need for dedicated communication hardware and contracts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The user's own mobile communication apparatus is utilized for position management purposes. The device automatically obtains position information and transmits it to the management server when near the vehicle, without requiring additional specialized equipment or services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If mobile communication apparatuses always transmit position information to the management server, then real-time position management is achieved, but user privacy is compromised when users are away from vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time position managementVSAvoidprivacy concerns

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile communication apparatus first receives a communication signal from the onboard device as a trigger condition. Only after receiving this signal (feedback that the vehicle is nearby) does the apparatus transmit position information to the management server. This feedback mechanism ensures position data is only sent when the user is actually near their vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs a preliminary check by having the mobile communication apparatus receive a communication signal from the onboard device before allowing position information transmission. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary or inappropriate transmission of user location data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10623886B2Position management method, position management system, and position management program providing position information to server using mobile communication apparatus carried by user in vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 SYSMEX CORP

AI summary

A position management method according to one or more embodiments may use a mobile communication apparatus that is capable of obtaining position information. The method may include: receiving, by the mobile communication apparatus, a communication signal transmitted from an onboard communication device provided in a vehicle; and transmitting, from the mobile communication apparatus that receives the communication signal, the obtained position information to a management server.