Vehicle Telematics Automatic Trip Type Assignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telematics devices require drivers to manually indicate the type of trip, which increases user interaction and may lead to errors or missed inputs.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device installed in a vehicle that determines the ignition state and uses a defined time window to automatically assign trip types based on user input, reducing the need for manual interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drivers manually indicate the type of trip using existing telematics devices, then trip type information can be recorded, but user interaction increases and errors or missed inputs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects trip start and end times using vehicle sensor data (ignition signals, motion detectors) and calculates trip types based on predefined criteria without requiring driver input. The device serves itself by autonomously collecting trip data, determining trip types, and logging information, thereby eliminating manual user interaction while maintaining high accuracy through automated detection algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures trip type classification rules and criteria before trips occur. Detection parameters, time thresholds, and trip type definitions are established in advance, allowing the system to automatically classify trips as business or private based on pre-set conditions without requiring real-time user decisions, thus improving reliability while minimizing user interaction
2Ease of operation
If automated trip detection is implemented, then user interaction is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telematics device integrates multiple functions into a single system: it serves as an ignition detector, motion sensor, trip calculator, and data logger simultaneously. By making the device universal and multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate components while achieving automated trip detection, thereby managing system complexity through consolidation rather than proliferation of parts
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines trip detection, trip type classification, and data logging functions into a unified automated process. Multiple detection methods (ignition signals, motion sensors, GPS data) are merged into a single trip detection mechanism that works together to determine trip types, reducing overall system complexity through integration while maintaining comprehensive automated functionality
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A method of operating a wireless communication device installed in a vehicle to transmit data indicative of trips made by the vehicle to a remote device. An ignition state of the vehicle is determined, wherein said ignition state includes at least an ignition 'on' state. A time window is defined based on a time at which the vehicle is determined to be in the ignition 'on' state, and a type is assigned to a trip to be made by the vehicle, wherein the trip is of a first type when input data indicative of an input by a user on an input device operatively connected to the wireless communication device is received in the defined time window, and is otherwise of a second type. A message is generated, at least for trips of the first type, indicating the type assigned to the trip, and is wirelessly transmitted to the remote device.