Vehicle Driver Identification Using Sonic Ping Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current GPS systems are unable to accurately identify the driver of a vehicle when multiple occupants are present, leading to incorrect attribution of driving behavior and telematics data, due to errors in location estimation and proximity issues.

Innovation Solution

A network-based system using non-audible sonic pings exchanged between user computing devices to generate a spatial map, determining the driver by analyzing the relative positioning of devices within the vehicle, without relying on GPS data or external sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GPS data is used to identify the driver, then location information can be obtained, but the measurement precision is insufficient to accurately distinguish between driver and passenger positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation estimation accuracyVSAvoiddriver identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces GPS-based mechanical positioning with acoustic field-based positioning. User computing devices emit and detect non-audible sonic pings to measure time-of-flight and determine relative positions of occupants within the vehicle interior, providing precise spatial information independent of external GPS signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary acoustic field (sonic pings) between the user computing devices and the positioning system. The sonic pings serve as a mediator to transmit position information within the vehicle interior, enabling accurate driver identification without relying on GPS data that cannot distinguish between occupants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple GPS-equipped devices are used in close proximity, then location data can be collected from each device, but the relative position accuracy between devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of tracking devicesVSAvoidrelative position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces GPS-based positioning with acoustic time-of-flight measurement. By using sonic pings and measuring the time for sound to travel between devices, the system achieves high-precision relative positioning between multiple occupants regardless of their proximity or movement within the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic emission and detection of sonic pings by user computing devices. This periodic acoustic signaling enables continuous relative position tracking of multiple occupants, allowing the system to maintain accurate spatial relationships even as devices move within the vehicle interior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If atmospheric effects and electromagnetic interference are present, then GPS signals can still be received, but the location determination reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveGPS signal reception capabilityVSAvoidlocation determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium that is immune to atmospheric and electromagnetic interference. Sonic pings propagate through air without being affected by ionospheric delays or electromagnetic devices, providing reliable position information even in environments where GPS signals are degraded or blocked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes electromagnetic-based GPS positioning with acoustic-based positioning. Since sound waves are not affected by atmospheric conditions or electromagnetic interference, this substitution provides robust location determination that maintains reliability in diverse environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables precise identification of the vehicle driver, reducing errors in attributing telematics data and improving accuracy in determining driver behavior, while conserving device power through BLE P2P network connections.

Implementation Method 1

emitting a set of non-audible sonic ping signals and detecting a set of non-audible sonic ping signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound: Sound

Implementation Method 2

measuring a time delay between the first ping signal and the second ping signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS20240406674A1Systems and methods for determining a vehicle driver using at least peer-to-peer network signals

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 QUANATA LLC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for identifying occupants of a vehicle, the computer-implemented method including: receiving, using a sensor associated with a first user device of a first vehicle occupant in the vehicle, an echo signal associated with a first ping signal emitted by the first user device; generating a first relative positioning map based upon the echo signal; and determining that the first vehicle occupant is a driver or a passenger of the vehicle based at least in part upon the first relative positioning map.