Vehicle Lock Alert System Using Proximity-Based Situational Criteria
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles face challenges in discreetly alerting users to the lock status without causing annoyance or safety concerns, particularly in populated areas where audible cues like honking can be unwanted and potentially draw unwanted attention.
Innovation Solution
The system uses sensors, a communication system, and a processor to determine the user's location and surroundings, transmitting alerts via a key fob or smartphone, allowing for silent confirmation of the lock status based on predefined situational criteria, such as location and time, to avoid honking in inappropriate situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the vehicle provides an audible noise or honk when the user locks or unlocks the car, then the user can confirm the lock status, but it may draw unwanted attention to the vehicle and cause annoyance in populated areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different alert characteristics based on the user's location relative to the vehicle. When the user is within a threshold range (e.g., nearby), the system provides a first type of alert (discrete visual or minimal audio). When the user is outside the threshold range (e.g., remotely locking), the system provides a second type of alert (full audible honk). This location-based differentiation resolves the contradiction by tailoring the alert intensity to the specific situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The alert system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time conditions, specifically the user's proximity to the vehicle and environmental context. The system transitions between different alert modes (discrete vs. full audible) based on whether the user is within or outside the threshold range, making the lock status confirmation adaptive to the situation rather than fixed.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle transmits alerts remotely when the device is outside threshold range, then the user can confirm lock status from a distance, but the system complexity increases due to situational criteria evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes threshold ranges and situational criteria before the lock/unlock operation occurs. The processor is pre-programmed with the logic to evaluate user proximity and environmental conditions, so that when a remote lock request is received, the system can quickly determine the appropriate alert type without complex real-time decision-making. This preliminary setup reduces the operational complexity during actual use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the processor continuously monitors user proximity and environmental conditions, then adjusts the alert transmission accordingly. When the user is outside the threshold range, the system provides feedback through remote alert transmission to confirm lock status. This feedback mechanism simplifies the user experience while the underlying complexity is managed through automated sensor-based decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus are disclosed for providing discrete alerts to a user of the lock status of a vehicle. An example vehicle includes sensors, a communication system, and a processor. The processor is processor configured to receive a lock request from a remote device, responsive to determining that the remote device is within a threshold range, transmit a first alert to the remote device, and responsive to determining that the remote device is outside the threshold range (i) determine that a vehicle situational criteria is met, and (ii) transmit a second alert to the remote device.