Wheel Tracking Device Using Segmentation and Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for tracking and recovering stolen automobile parts, particularly custom wheels, lack secure authentication and efficient data transmission, making them vulnerable to theft and costly to replace, with no effective security measures in place for these valuable components.
Innovation Solution
A remote tracking system for automobile wheels that includes an alert and tracking device installed inside the wheel with a GPS tracker, proximity sensors, and a secure data transmission protocol, allowing owners to monitor and receive alerts on their devices and notify authorities, featuring a unique identifying code for authentication and SMS alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tracking devices are placed inside the vehicle, then the vehicle can be tracked and recovered, but the stolen parts of the vehicle (such as custom wheels) cannot be tracked or recovered
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into multiple independent units, each installed in individual wheels rather than a single centralized device in the vehicle. This allows each wheel to be independently tracked and protected, enabling recovery of stolen parts while maintaining overall vehicle tracking capability.
2Reliability
If mechanical protection or wired electronic protections are used for custom wheels, then some security is provided, but they fail against sophisticated means employed by vehicle thieves
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical protection mechanisms (such as wheel locks and physical barriers) with an electronic tracking and monitoring system. The tracking unit detects wheel removal through sensor data and communicates theft events wirelessly, providing more reliable security against sophisticated thieves while reducing mechanical complexity.
3Reliability
If prior art tracking systems are used for wheels, then location can be sent to the owner, but the authentication process and data transmission are not secured
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized server acts as an intermediary between the tracking unit and the owner's device. The server handles authentication, encrypts data transmission, and manages communication protocols, ensuring secure and reliable data exchange while maintaining tracking functionality. This intermediary layer protects against unauthorized access and data interception.
4Ease of operation
If existing tire pressure monitoring systems are used to detect missing tires, then notification can be provided, but secured data transmission is not implemented and additional authentication is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the tire pressure monitoring functionality with the tracking and security features into a single integrated unit. The same sensors and communication module used for pressure monitoring also detect wheel removal and transmit secured location data, eliminating the need for separate systems and reducing overall complexity while maintaining security.
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
The system provides secure authentication and efficient data transmission, enabling timely alerts and location tracking of stolen wheels, increasing safety and reducing the risk of theft while being cost-effective and easy to install, with a 10-15 minute delay allowing activation of alarms during attempted removal.
Implementation Method 1
The alert and tracking device (105) detects unauthorized movements such as lifting, tampering, removal of the wheel using proximity sensors and sends the lifting/tampering alarm to the automobile unit (101) until the link with automobile unit (101) is active. When the alert and tracking device (105) is moved away from automobile unit (101), the alert and tracking device (105) detects it using proximity sensors and sends the proximity alarm to the remote tracking application (111).
Implementation Method 2
The alert and tracking device (105) detects unauthorized movements such as lifting, tampering, removal of the wheel using proximity sensors
Data Source
Figure 1(a)
Figure 1(b)
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention provides a system and method for anti-theft and tracking of automobile and automobile wheels. The system comprises of an alert and tracking device (105) installed on the inside of an air stem of a wheel along with tyre pressure monitor system (TPMS), wherein the alert and tracking device (105) detects and alerts of theft when there is an unauthorized movement such as lifting, tampering, removal of the wheel and also tracks and monitors the position of the stolen wheel. The system further comprises of a remote tracking application (111) to control and track the stolen wheel from the remote location.