Vehicle Tamper Detection Using Key Presence and Motion Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle theft detection systems fail to notify owners effectively if they are not carrying their electronic device and can raise false alarms, and may be easily tampered with by professionals, as they do not account for the presence of the vehicle key inside the vehicle or its motion.
Innovation Solution
A device placed at the rearview mirror of a vehicle, equipped with Infrared Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to detect the vehicle key, a motion sensor to detect vehicle movement, and a camera to capture occupant images, which transmits notifications to the owner's electronic device and home speaker when the key is not present and the vehicle is in motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sensors are placed at vehicle doors to detect tampering, then the system can generate visible and audible signals, but the system raises false alarms when detecting bystanders or people walking close to the vehicle as intruders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing specific sensors at strategic locations within the vehicle interior rather than on exterior doors. The motion sensor is positioned to detect movement inside the vehicle cabin, and the key presence sensor is placed to detect the vehicle key specifically inside the vehicle. This localized sensing approach ensures that only movement of actual occupants inside the vehicle is detected, eliminating false alarms from bystanders while maintaining high reliability for detecting real theft attempts.
2Reliability
If the system sends notifications to the owner's electronic device, then the owner is notified of potential theft, but the owner may not be aware of the notification if not carrying the electronic device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary notification mechanism through a network server that acts as a mediator between the vehicle theft detection system and the owner. The system sends notifications to both the owner's electronic device and to a remote server, which can then relay the information through alternative channels. This intermediary approach ensures that the owner receives notification through multiple pathways, maintaining reliable communication even when the primary electronic device is not available.
3Speed
If professional thieves tamper with the system quickly, then they can enter the vehicle and de-activate the system before it activates, but this requires the system to detect and respond extremely fast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously monitoring for the presence of the vehicle key inside the vehicle and maintaining the system in a ready state before theft occurs. The motion sensor and key presence sensor operate continuously or in periodic checks, so that when unauthorized movement occurs, the system has already been primed to detect and respond immediately. This preliminary monitoring ensures the system can activate instantly when theft begins, preventing professional thieves from deactivating it during entry.
4Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple sensors including infrared LEDs, motion sensors, and cameras, then the system can accurately detect key presence and vehicle motion, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a compact integration of multiple sensor functions within a single theft detection device. The device incorporates infrared LEDs for key detection, motion sensors for movement detection, and camera capabilities for visual confirmation, all within one unified system. This multi-functional approach achieves high measurement precision for detecting key presence and vehicle motion while managing device complexity through integrated design rather than separate independent systems.
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
This solution ensures timely and accurate notification of vehicle theft to the owner, reducing false alarms and preventing tampering by unauthorized users, as it specifically checks for the presence of the vehicle key and its motion before triggering alerts.
Implementation Method 1
The device comprises at least one Infrared Light Emitting Diode (LED) to detect presence of a vehicle key in the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
The device comprises a motion sensor to detect motion or movement of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for detecting tampering of a vehicle and notifying an owner of the vehicle are disclosed. The device is placed at a rearview mirror of the vehicle. The device comprises at least one Infrared Light Emitting Diode (LED) to detect presence of a vehicle key in the vehicle. The device comprises a motion sensor to detect motion or movement of the vehicle. The device comprises a camera to detect presence of an occupant in the vehicle and to capture an image of the occupant in the vehicle. When the motion sensor detects motion of the vehicle or the camera captures movement of the occupant in the vehicle when the vehicle key is not in the vehicle, the device transmits a notification to an owner of the vehicle. The notification includes an audible alarm or vibration. Further, the device transmits the notification to a home speaker placed in a house of the owner of the vehicle.