Vehicle Key State Detection Using Frequency Transform and Neural Network

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telematics systems face challenges in accurately determining a vehicle's key-on or key-off state due to factors like battery aging and temporary voltage drops, leading to erroneous state detection.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a time-domain to frequency-domain transform (TFT) of battery voltage samples, followed by an artificial neural network (ANN) trained on vehicle data to differentiate between key-on and key-off states, allowing for continuous adaptation to changes in vehicle components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional voltage threshold methods are used to detect key-on and key-off states, then the detection process is simple, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to battery aging and temporary voltage drops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey state detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the detection approach by changing from direct voltage threshold comparison to frequency domain analysis using FFT. The system converts time-domain voltage samples into frequency-domain representations, extracting features like dominant frequency and spectral entropy that are more robust to battery aging and temporary voltage fluctuations. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by maintaining high detection accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the simple voltage threshold comparison mechanism with a neural network-based classification system. The neural network processes frequency-domain features and learns optimal decision boundaries from training data, substituting the mechanical threshold-based approach with an adaptive intelligent system that maintains accuracy despite battery degradation and transient conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If simple voltage threshold comparison is used, then the system remains simple to implement, but reliability deteriorates due to erroneous state detection from battery aging and external loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey state detection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection algorithm complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a training phase before actual operation where the neural network learns from labeled voltage samples corresponding to known key-on and key-off states. This preliminary training action allows the system to adapt to specific battery characteristics and vehicle electrical system nuances, improving reliability by pre-configuring the detection algorithm with system-specific knowledge before deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the neural network continuously processes voltage samples and adjusts its predictions based on learned patterns. The feedback loop allows the system to refine its state detection by comparing predicted states with actual system behavior, improving reliability over time while managing complexity through adaptive learning rather than rigid complex logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9248789B2Method and apparatus for detecting key-on and key-off states using time-to-frequency transforms
Publication Date: 2016.02.02 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC
  • US9248789B2 patent drawing
  • US9248789B2 patent drawing
  • US9248789B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A key state detector for a vehicle collects a sequence of battery voltage samples and applies a time-domain to frequency-domain transform (TFT) to the collected samples. The results of the TFT are then applied to an artificial neural network (ANN) to determine if they represent a key-on or key-off state. The ANN is trained based on data collected from the vehicle and is periodically retrained so that the detection of key-on and key-off states conforms to the particular vehicle and tracks the aging of vehicle components.