Vehicle Identification via Jamming Signal Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems for vehicles are vulnerable to jamming devices that emit interfering signals, disrupting the operation of anti-theft tracking devices and satellite navigation systems, making it difficult to remotely monitor vehicle locations and potentially aiding in vehicle theft.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize established traffic camera infrastructure to detect and identify vehicles emitting interfering signals by capturing images and recognizing license plates, combined with directional antennas to estimate the vehicle's position and speed, allowing for the generation of vehicle tracking messages to be sent to third parties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a GNSS receiver is used for vehicle tracking, then the absolute position and velocity of the vehicle can be monitored, but the system becomes vulnerable to interfering signals from jamming devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of interfering signals in the GNSS frequency band before they can disrupt tracking operations. By continuously monitoring the frequency band and detecting jamming signals in advance, the system can trigger image capture and vehicle identification procedures proactively, maintaining tracking reliability despite the presence of potential interference
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary detection and identification layer between the GNSS receiver and the tracking output. When interfering signals are detected, the system uses directional antennas to locate the source and captures images with traffic cameras to identify the vehicle. This intermediary process allows the system to maintain tracking functionality while flagging and identifying vehicles that may be attempting to disrupt tracking
2Device complexity
If a beacon receiver system is used for tracking, then the system is simpler to implement, but the range is limited to a few kilometres and absolute location cannot be remotely monitored
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple tracking approaches into a universal solution. It can operate as a beacon-based local tracking system when no interference is detected, and automatically transitions to GNSS-based absolute position monitoring when interfering signals are detected. The system also incorporates vehicle identification capabilities that work across both modes, making it adaptable to different operational requirements and ranges
3Ease of manufacture
If traffic camera infrastructure is used to identify vehicles, then the system can leverage existing resources, but additional processing is required to recognize license plates and match vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the self-service capability of existing traffic camera infrastructure and automatic license plate recognition systems. Rather than building custom identification systems, the patent integrates with already-deployed traffic monitoring cameras that automatically capture and process license plate information. This allows the system to identify vehicles using existing resources, with the complexity handled by the camera systems' built-in image processing and recognition algorithms
4Object-generated harmful factors
If jamming devices are deployed to prevent tracking, then vehicle theft can be facilitated, but the operation interferes with other nearby GNSS receivers including satellite navigation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of jamming signals into a beneficial detection opportunity. By monitoring the GNSS frequency band for interfering signals, the system identifies vehicles deploying jamming devices and automatically triggers vehicle identification procedures. The harmful jamming activity that aims to prevent tracking instead serves as a detectable signature that leads to vehicle identification and potential interception by law enforcement
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where detected interfering signals trigger further detection and identification actions. When jamming signals are detected, the system uses directional antennas to locate the source, captures images with traffic cameras, and processes license plate information. This feedback mechanism ensures that vehicles attempting to disrupt tracking through jamming are systematically identified and their information reported, creating a counter-measure to the harmful effect
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
Effectively identifies and tracks vehicles suspected of containing jamming devices, providing critical information for law enforcement to intercept and prevent theft, while minimizing interference with other GNSS receivers.
Implementation Method 1
a detector arranged to monitor a frequency band to identify an emission of an interfering signal from the passing vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a camera arranged to capture an image of the passing vehicle when triggered
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of identifying a vehicle-borne transmitter (107) emitting an interfering signal over a predefined frequency band. The method comprises monitoring the predefined frequency band at a first location (S101) to identify an emission of an interfering signal from a passing vehicle (105). If an interfering signal is detected, the method further comprises capturing a first image (S102) of the passing vehicle to enable an identity of the passing vehicle to be determined.