Vehicle Electronic Device Detection System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved monitoring of personal electronics within vehicles to prevent theft and protect them from adverse environmental conditions, as current methods fail to effectively detect and alert users about the presence of such devices left inside the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing sensors, including trunk sensors, weight sensors, image sensors, and electronic device radio sensors, to detect the presence of electronic devices within the vehicle and provide notifications to the user through an electronic control unit (ECU) and mobile device, allowing users to secure or remove the devices before leaving the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to detect electronic devices, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection task into multiple specialized sensors: weight sensors for detecting presence, image sensors for visual confirmation, and radio sensors for electronic device detection. Each sensor segment handles a specific aspect of detection, improving overall reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensor types and their detection capabilities into a unified monitoring system controlled by a single ECU. This merging approach integrates diverse detection methods (weight, visual, radio) into one cohesive system, improving reliability through multi-modal detection while avoiding the complexity of separate independent systems.
2Reliability
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then security is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring cycles where sensors are activated at intervals rather than continuously. The ECU periodically checks sensor data and triggers notifications only when changes are detected, providing real-time security monitoring while reducing energy consumption through intermittent operation rather than continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's existing power and communication infrastructure to support monitoring operations. By leveraging the vehicle's integrated electrical system and existing notification channels (lock/unlock commands, alarm systems), the monitoring function achieves real-time security without requiring dedicated high-power components or separate energy sources.
3Reliability
If notification alerts are provided to users, then loss prevention is improved, but user inconvenience increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automated feedback to users through notification alerts when electronic devices are detected in the vehicle. This feedback loop allows users to take corrective action (retrieve devices) before loss occurs, improving loss prevention while maintaining convenience through automated rather than manual monitoring and alerting processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and notification before the user leaves the vehicle or before theft can occur. By detecting devices early and providing advance warning, the system enables users to take preventive action without needing to manually check for devices or deal with security concerns after a break-in has already happened.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring a vehicle. The system includes a sensor of the vehicle configured to detect sensor data indicating a presence of an electronic device within the vehicle. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle communicatively coupled to the sensor. The ECU is configured to determine whether the electronic device is within the vehicle. The ECU is also configured to provide a notification to a user of the vehicle regarding the presence of the electronic device within the vehicle.