On-board telematic device with smartphone intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-board telematic devices are expensive, complex to install, and require specialized operators, with high costs for long-range communication interfaces and cumbersome uninstalling/reinstalling processes when vehicles are changed.
Innovation Solution
A compact, user-installable telematic device with a short-range wireless interface, utilizing a smartphone or tablet for data transmission, eliminating the need for cellular modems and allowing easy installation via USB connection, with integrated sensors and a simplified firmware for data acquisition and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a long-range communication interface modem is provided in the telematic device, then data transmission capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smartphone as an intermediary device that performs the data transmission function originally requiring a dedicated modem in the telematic device. The telematic device communicates with the smartphone via short-range wireless interface, and the smartphone handles cellular network communication, thereby eliminating the need for an expensive modem while maintaining data transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the existing communication capabilities already present in the user's smartphone (a copy of the required communication function) to replace the dedicated modem hardware in the telematic device. This allows the telematic device to utilize the smartphone's cellular network connection for data transmission, avoiding the cost of including a separate modem.
2Reliability
If specialized operators and wiring are used for installation, then connection reliability is improved, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex wiring and specialized installation requirements from the telematic device by using a plug-and-play USB connection design. The device connects to the vehicle's existing USB port without requiring internal wiring or specialized operators, while still maintaining reliable data acquisition and communication through the simplified connection interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The telematic device is designed to be self-installing through automatic detection and recognition when connected to the vehicle's USB port. The device autonomously configures itself without requiring specialized operators or complex wiring procedures, while maintaining reliable operation through the standard USB interface that is already present in the vehicle.
3Reliability
If a dedicated telematic device is installed in each vehicle, then data acquisition capability is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the telematic device with universal compatibility through standard USB connectivity and short-range wireless interfaces that can work with multiple vehicle models. The device can be easily transferred between different vehicles without requiring vehicle-specific installation or configuration, allowing a single device to serve multiple vehicles while maintaining full data acquisition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the telematic device from the specific vehicle installation, creating a portable unit that can be independently installed and removed. This segmentation allows the device to be easily transferred between vehicles without being permanently bound to a specific vehicle's electrical system or mounting structure, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining data acquisition reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
An on-board telematic device (1), for acquiring data related to the state and/or motion and/or driving of a transport vehicle, comprising: - a localization module (10); - an inertial sensor (11); - a short-range wireless data communication interface (12) configured to operatively connect the on-board telematic device (1) to an external communication device (100) logically paired to the on-board telematic device (1) and arranged within a coverage area of the short-range wireless data communication interface (12); - a data acquisition and processing unit (13) operatively connected to the localization module (10), the inertial sensor (11), and the wireless data communication interface (12); - a container body (2) adapted to support and accommodate the localization module (10), the inertial sensor (11), the wireless data communication interface (12), the data acquisition and processing unit (13); - at least a first USB connector (3) to receive an electrical power supply signal from the transport vehicle.