Vehicle Security System Using GPS and Camera for Threat Assessment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles lack an effective system to assess and mitigate security risks for occupants in unfamiliar locations, particularly in areas with potential threats based on time of day, location, crime rate, and other factors, and there is a need for a proactive security mode activation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system equipped with a camera, GPS transceiver, and processor that identifies points of interest and activates a security mode by capturing images of the environment when an occupant is outside the vehicle, utilizing image recognition and environmental data to assess and respond to potential threats, including alerting authorities or contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vehicle is equipped with multiple security components (camera, GPS, processor), then the security assessment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing vehicle components (camera, GPS transceiver, processor) to serve dual purposes: their primary functions and security assessment functions. The camera captures images for both navigation and security documentation, the GPS provides location data for both routing and threat assessment, and the processor handles both general vehicle operations and security analysis. This approach improves security capability without requiring entirely new dedicated security hardware.
2Reliability
If the system activates security mode by capturing images and alerting authorities, then the occupant safety is improved, but the response time may be delayed due to multiple processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring the vehicle's location via GPS and pre-assessing security risks based on stored crime rate data for different geographic areas. When the vehicle enters a high-risk zone, the system has already prepared the security response protocol, including identifying available camera angles and pre-formatted alert messages. This preliminary preparation reduces the actual response time when a threat is detected, as the system doesn't need to start from scratch but can execute pre-planned security procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If the system uses existing vehicle components for security features, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the security functionality may be insufficient compared to dedicated security systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables existing vehicle components to perform multiple functions, including security assessment. The camera, GPS transceiver, and processor are programmed to handle both their original purposes and security-related tasks such as capturing evidence images, determining location-based threats, and coordinating emergency responses. This multi-functional approach reduces manufacturing costs by avoiding dedicated security hardware while maintaining adequate security functionality through software-enabled capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows existing vehicle components to serve themselves by performing security functions without requiring separate dedicated security systems. The camera captures images for both navigation and security documentation, the GPS provides location data for both routing and threat assessment, and the processor handles both general vehicle operations and security analysis. This self-service approach reduces overall system complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining security functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A system in a vehicle that includes a camera configured to capture images proximate the vehicle; a GPS transceiver configured to identify a location of the vehicle, and a processor in communication with the camera and the GPS transceiver and programmed to determine the vehicle is proximate to a point of interest (POI) associated with a security mode of the vehicle. The processor is further programmed to, in response to the vehicle proximate to the POI and identifying an occupant of the vehicle outside of the vehicle, send a request to the camera to capture one or more images of an environment proximate the vehicle.