Vehicle Tracking Using Smartphone GPS and Server Route Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current asset tracking systems for vehicles lack efficient, cost-effective solutions for real-time location monitoring and estimated arrival time updates, particularly for fleet management, often requiring custom and expensive hardware.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing generic devices like smartphones with GPS and cellular triangulation to track vehicles, sending location data to a server for real-time updates, which can be accessed by administrators and users through a network, allowing for self-service registration and route definition or discovery, using predefined routes and stops to calculate arrival times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom hardware is used for vehicle tracking, then tracking reliability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using generic devices like smartphones that serve multiple purposes (tracking, communication, navigation) instead of dedicated single-function tracking hardware. This reduces device cost while maintaining tracking reliability through the device's existing sensors and network capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by leveraging the existing GPS and sensor capabilities already present in generic devices rather than installing custom tracking hardware. The device's built-in positioning systems are copied/utilized for tracking purposes, eliminating the need for expensive custom hardware.
2Loss of information
If real-time location updates are implemented, then information freshness is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by sending location updates at scheduled intervals rather than continuously streaming data. This approach maintains information freshness by providing regular updates while reducing overall network bandwidth consumption compared to continuous real-time transmission.
3Reliability
If permission-based access control is implemented, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by allowing users to automatically receive location updates based on pre-configured permissions without manual authorization requests. The system automatically manages permission-based access control, providing security while minimizing user burden and reducing perceived system complexity.
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
Enables real-time tracking and estimated arrival time updates for fleet vehicles without the need for expensive custom hardware, facilitating efficient fleet management and user access to vehicle positions and arrival times through a network-based solution.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor/transmitter on the vehicle may detect a location and send the location information to a server
Implementation Method 2
Asset tracking systems use global positioning system (GPS), cellular triangulation, and/or other methods to locate and track assets such as vehicles
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for tracking a vehicle may use a mobile device associated with a tracking account, a server, and one or more client devices associated with one or more users. The mobile device may be configured to receive a location update from a location service and transmit data associated with the location update over a network. The server may be configured to receive the data associated with the location update from the mobile device, map the location update to a predefined route comprising one or more predefined stops to generate a route update, and transmit data associated with the route update over a network. The one or more client devices may be configured to receive the data associated with the route update from the sever. Access to the route update may be limited to a pre-authorized set of the one or more users associated with the tracking account.