Vehicle Location Tracking via GPS and RF Transmitters

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Automobile dealerships face challenges in managing and tracking the location and maintenance of vehicles on their lots, as vehicles are often spread out and their locations change due to inventory turnover and test drives, making it difficult to ensure they remain ready for purchase.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle management system that includes transmitters with GPS and RF modules to determine and transmit vehicle locations, and receivers with antennas and databases to store and display this information, allowing for real-time tracking and maintenance alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual tracking methods are used to monitor vehicle locations and maintenance, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and measurement precision deteriorate due to difficulty in tracking vehicles spread across the lot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle tracking efficiencyVSAvoidtracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with an automated electronic system consisting of GPS transmitters attached to vehicles, RF transmission modules for wireless communication, and a receiver system with database for storing and displaying vehicle location and maintenance information. This substitution eliminates the need for physical tracking while providing real-time automated monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces RF transmission modules as intermediaries between the GPS transmitters and the receiver system. These RF modules wirelessly transmit location data from the vehicles to the central management system, enabling automated tracking without direct human intervention in the tracking process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If vehicles are spread out across the lot to display different options, then adaptability and customer display options improve, but measurement precision and location tracking difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle display flexibilityVSAvoidlocation tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual location tracking with automated GPS-based electronic tracking. The GPS location determination module continuously monitors vehicle positions, and the RF transmission module communicates this data to the receiver system, maintaining precise location tracking even as vehicles are moved across the lot for different display purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous feedback on vehicle locations through real-time GPS tracking and RF communication. The receiver processor receives location data and updates the database, allowing the dealership to monitor vehicle positions and receive alerts when vehicles are moved or require maintenance, maintaining tracking precision despite vehicle redistribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If real-time location tracking is implemented, then measurement precision and inventory management improve, but use of energy and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption of tracking system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic location tracking rather than continuous monitoring. The GPS location determination module and RF transmission module operate at predetermined intervals to capture and transmit vehicle location data, reducing energy consumption while maintaining sufficient tracking precision for inventory management and maintenance scheduling purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 efficient location tracking and maintenance management of vehicles on the lot, ensuring they are ready for purchase and reducing the need for extensive manual tracking, thereby improving inventory management and customer satisfaction.

Implementation Method 1

a location determination module having a GPS data pathway

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS:

Implementation Method 2

an RF transmission module... transmitting the location of the transmitter using the RF transmission module

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF transmission:

Implementation Method 3

a receiver having an RF antenna... receiving the location of the transmitter using the RF antenna

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF reception:

Data Source

PatentUS10656280B2Vehicle monitoring systems and methods

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 KEY CONTROL HOLDING INC

AI summary

An embodiment includes a lot management system. The lot management system includes a transmitter comprising a location determination module having a GPS data pathway to an RF transmission module and a receiver including an RF antenna and a receiver processor.