Telematics Unit Vehicle Movement Detection via Cellular Signal Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle movement detection methods are costly, power-intensive, and difficult to calibrate, and alternative methods that activate the GNSS module after the vehicle is turned off consume excessive energy, leading to battery drainage.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a telematics unit to measure signal variables such as RSRQ, RSRP, cell identifier, and cell frequency from a serving and neighboring cell towers, comparing initial and subsequent measurements to detect substantial differences indicative of vehicle movement, and generates notifications for potential theft or tow-away events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are installed throughout the vehicle to detect vehicle displacement, then vehicle movement detection capability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the movement detection function from dedicated sensors and relocates it to the telematics unit by utilizing existing cellular signal measurement capabilities. This eliminates the need for separate detection sensors while maintaining detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The telematics unit is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its original communication functions and vehicle movement detection using the same cellular signal measurement mechanisms already present in the unit.
2Reliability
If sensors are installed throughout the vehicle to detect vehicle displacement, then vehicle movement detection capability is improved, but calibration difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the calibration requirement entirely by using the telematics unit's existing cellular signal measurements, which do not require calibration. The system leverages naturally occurring cellular signal variations that automatically indicate movement without needing calibration procedures.
3Reliability
If the GNSS module is activated after the vehicle is turned off to detect movement, then vehicle movement detection capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telematics unit performs dual functions by using its existing cellular communication infrastructure for both normal operation and movement detection, eliminating the need to activate separate power-intensive modules like GNSS.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the telematics unit's own existing cellular signal measurement capabilities to detect movement, rather than activating additional dedicated detection modules. The unit serves itself for detection purposes using resources already allocated for communication.
4Reliability
If the GNSS module is activated after the vehicle is turned off to detect movement, then vehicle movement detection capability is improved, but battery drainage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telematics unit performs dual functions by using its existing cellular communication infrastructure for both normal operation and movement detection, eliminating the need to activate separate power-intensive modules like GNSS that would cause battery drainage.
Data Source
AI summary
One general aspect includes a method of detecting vehicle movement, the method including: (a) measuring, via a controller, one or more signal variables as a first variable data set; (b) at some duration of time after the first variable data set is measured, via the controller, measuring the one or more signal variables as a second variable data set; (c) comparing, via the controller, the first and second variable data sets; (d) determining, via the controller, if substantial differences exist between the first and second variable data sets; (e) when it is determined that substantial differences exist between the first and second variable data sets, via the controller, generating a notification configured to indicate vehicle movement has been detected.