Vehicle Light Panels for Proximity-Based Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In crowded environments, such as school parking lots or busy parking areas, it is difficult to visually locate a specific vehicle, and audible alerts may not be sufficient to facilitate access to the vehicle, especially for individuals like children who may have left items inside.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with light panels embedded in elevated locations, wireless nodes for tracking mobile devices, and an auxiliary body control module that activates the light panels and opens doors based on proximity thresholds, using Bluetooth Low Energy protocol to monitor the distance of mobile devices and tracking tags, allowing for visual and auditory notifications and automatic door control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audible alerts are used to locate a vehicle, then the vehicle can be identified, but the alerts may not be sufficient in crowded environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs light panels that emit visible light to create visual cues for vehicle location. The light panels can change color or illumination patterns to indicate vehicle identification, making the vehicle easily locatable in crowded environments where audible alerts are insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from relying solely on audible alerts (acoustic dimension) to incorporating visual light panels (optical dimension). This multi-dimensional approach combines sound and light to overcome the limitations of single-sense alerts in crowded environments.
2Reliability
If light panels are activated continuously to improve vehicle visibility, then vehicle location is easier to find, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light panels are activated periodically or on-demand based on detection of mobile devices approaching the vehicle, rather than remaining continuously active. This periodic activation maintains vehicle visibility when needed while significantly reducing overall energy consumption during parked periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses wireless nodes to detect the presence and proximity of mobile devices, providing feedback that triggers light panel activation. This feedback mechanism ensures light panels are only activated when a user is nearby, optimizing the balance between visibility and energy consumption.
3Reliability
If manual door locking is used to secure the vehicle, then security is maintained, but ease of access is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The door locking and unlocking system operates automatically based on detection of authorized mobile devices. The vehicle performs the door operation itself without requiring manual intervention, maintaining security through automated authentication while providing convenient access to authorized users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical door operation with an automated electronic control system. Wireless nodes detect mobile devices and trigger automated door locking/unlocking, substituting the mechanical manual system with an electronic automation system that enhances both security and convenience.
4Extent of automation
If wireless tracking nodes are deployed to monitor mobile devices, then vehicle access control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless nodes serve multiple functions: detecting mobile devices, determining proximity, triggering light panel activation, and controlling door operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving high automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple vehicle subsystems (lighting, door control, access authentication) into an integrated system managed by the auxiliary body control module. This merging of functions into a unified control architecture streamlines the system and manages complexity through consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for mobile device tracking for control of vehicle subsystems. An example disclosed vehicle includes light panels embedded in the vehicle, wireless nodes, and an auxiliary body control module. The example auxiliary body control module, when a speed of the vehicle is less than a threshold speed, monitors a distance between a wireless device and the vehicle. In response to the distance satisfying a range threshold, the auxiliary body control module activates the light panels.