Vehicle Wireless Reporting for Locating Wanted Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating stolen vehicles are inadequate, as not all vehicles are equipped with wireless tracking systems, and existing solutions are either expensive or not universally available, leading to a significant number of unreported thefts and delayed recovery of stolen vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system where a stolen vehicle broadcasts its location and status using existing communication technologies like AM/FM radio, Bluetooth, or WiFi, allowing nearby vehicles or sensors to relay this information to authorities, enabling rapid tracking and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive dedicated wireless tracking systems like LoJack are installed in vehicles, then vehicle location reporting capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes vehicles universally equipped with location reporting capability by utilizing existing multi-functional communication systems (AM/FM radio, Bluetooth, WiFi, cellular) that are already present in modern vehicles for other purposes. This eliminates the need for dedicated tracking hardware, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables stolen vehicles to automatically broadcast their own location information without requiring external tracking equipment. The vehicle's existing communication systems serve the dual purpose of their original function and location reporting, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating complex additional hardware.
2Productivity
If dedicated tracking systems are deployed universally, then auto theft recovery rate improves, but implementation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing communication systems that are already universally installed in vehicles for purposes like entertainment and connectivity, the patent achieves universal tracking coverage without additional deployment costs. The existing infrastructure serves multiple functions, eliminating the need for expensive universal deployment of dedicated tracking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inexpensive, widely-available consumer communication technologies instead of expensive dedicated tracking hardware. By leveraging cheap, already-deployed communication infrastructure, the system achieves high recovery rates without significant additional deployment investment.
3Speed
If stolen vehicles are equipped with active broadcasting systems, then location information dissemination speed improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous broadcasting, the system uses periodic transmission of location information triggered by specific events (theft detection, motion detection) or at scheduled intervals. This approach maintains fast information dissemination when needed while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous active broadcasting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces energy-intensive active broadcasting mechanisms with passive reflection and existing communication protocols. The vehicle's communication system uses standard low-power protocols already optimized for their original purposes, achieving fast information dissemination without excessive energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Wanted vehicles (e.g., stolen or the subjects of AMBER alerts) may respond to receipt of broadcast messages identifying the vehicle by vehicle identification number, license plate number, or other identifier (if programmed into the car). The identifier may be broadcast over any public radio station as an embedded digital message, transmitted from police or fire broadcast stations, transmitted from wireless mobility towers, or the like.