Integrated Vehicle Asset Tracking System Ignition Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset tracking systems for vehicles face complexity and cost issues due to hardware duplication and require access to the ignition switch, making them unavailable for vehicles without accessible ignition systems, and lack efficient loan obligation management.
Innovation Solution
An integrated asset tracking system with a consolidated topology that eliminates hardware duplication, senses the ignition state using a two-wire circuit, and includes a loan obligation management system for remote notifications and vehicle disablement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If hardware duplication is eliminated through integrated topology, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but system functionality must be maintained through consolidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates four autonomous subsystems (application, GPS, communications, and power/I/O) into a single integrated device with shared hardware components. Multiple CPUs are merged into one, memory is consolidated, and power regulation is unified, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining all necessary functions through a unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions that were previously distributed across separate subsystems. A single device handles application processing, GPS reception, communications, and power management simultaneously, making each component universal and multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single purpose.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ignition switch access is required, then vehicle control is achieved, but vehicles with inaccessible ignition systems cannot be tracked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port as an intermediary interface to access vehicle data and control functions. This mediator allows the tracking device to communicate with the vehicle's computer system without requiring physical access to the ignition switch, thereby enabling installation in vehicles with inaccessible ignition systems while maintaining full vehicle control capability.
3Reliability
If separate subsystems are used for each function, then system reliability is improved through redundancy, but hardware duplication increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate subsystems into a single integrated device where shared hardware components serve multiple functions. The unified architecture reduces hardware complexity by eliminating duplications while maintaining system reliability through careful design of the integrated system that ensures all critical functions are properly supported.
Data Source
AI summary
An asset tracking system for tracking assets, for example, a vehicle, with an integrated topology that is configured minimize the complexity of the system by eliminating hardware duplication and sensing the ignition state while obviating the need to access the ignition switch circuit; the asset tracking system optionally including a loan obligation management system that is integrated with the asset recovery system which provides in-vehicle notifications of loan obligations for the asset upon which the loan obligation is based from a remote location directly to the asset.