Tow-Away Vehicle Alert Detection With Low-Power Sensor Baselines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle movement identification systems face high misidentification rates and high power consumption when detecting if a vehicle is being towed by a tow truck, leading to poor user experience and battery life issues.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle movement identification method that collects real-time state data after the vehicle is shut off, compares it with pre-stored post-shutdown stationary state data, and determines if the vehicle is being towed by a tow truck, using an acceleration sensor and a low-power mode to reduce power consumption and improve accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS is combined with sensor for positioning and movement detection, then identification accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-stores the vehicle's stationary state data (including sensor readings and position information) before the vehicle is moved. This preliminary action allows the system to later compare current state with the pre-stored state to detect towing, avoiding the need for continuous GPS operation and reducing power consumption while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous GPS operation, the system uses periodic sensor measurements and compares them with pre-stored baseline data. The GPS is only activated when the sensor detects potential movement, transforming continuous high-power operation into periodic low-power operation while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If simple acceleration sensor algorithm is used for towing identification, then power consumption is reduced, but misidentification rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoididentification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple sensor types (acceleration sensor, gyroscope, magnetometer) to form a comprehensive sensor suite. By combining the data from these sensors and comparing them with pre-stored baseline data from multiple sensors, the system achieves high identification accuracy while maintaining low power consumption through selective sensor activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors sensor data and compares it with pre-stored baseline data, using feedback from this comparison to determine whether towing is occurring. The system adjusts its detection thresholds and triggers alerts based on the feedback from sensor comparisons, improving identification accuracy without requiring continuous high-power operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If GPS starts frequently to report position information, then identification reliability is improved, but battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification reliabilityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data collection and storage of the vehicle's stationary state (including position, sensor readings, and environmental conditions) before towing occurs. This pre-stored baseline data enables reliable towing detection through comparison with current state, eliminating the need for frequent GPS restarts and preserving battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts only the essential data elements needed for towing detection (key sensor readings and position information) and stores them as baseline data. By extracting and storing only the critical information rather than continuously operating all systems, the system maintains identification reliability while minimizing power consumption and extending battery life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 method effectively reduces misidentification rates and power consumption, providing accurate and timely alerts to the vehicle owner, thereby enhancing user experience and extending battery life.

Implementation Method 1

collects data currently collected by an acceleration sensor of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration sensing: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP3882871B1Vehicle movement identification method and vehicle alert system
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 ZTE CORP
  • EP3882871B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3882871B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3882871B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle movement identification method and device, and a vehicle alert system. The method comprises: after a vehicle shuts off, acquiring real-time state data of the vehicle by means of a sensor (74) provided for the vehicle (S202); comparing the real-time state data with the pre-saved stationary state data after the vehicle shuts off (S204); and determining, according to the comparison result, whether the vehicle is moved by a tow truck (S206). The method can reduce the false identification rate that the vehicle is moved by a tow truck, and reduce the power consumption.