Wireless Emergency Stop System for Vehicle Ramming Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle-ramming attacks pose a significant threat due to the ease of operation and potential for high casualties, with modern vehicles being vulnerable to hijacking or remote control, and existing measures are insufficient to prevent such incidents.

Innovation Solution

A method and system allowing non-drivers to stop or slow down a vehicle using a portable electronic device that communicates with an emergency stop system via wireless communication, displaying vehicle features for identification and sending a stop signal when confirmed, ensuring accurate targeting and preventing accidental activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blocking objects such as bollards are placed at locations with high pedestrian density, then protection against vehicle ramming attacks is improved, but the complexity of protective measures and urban infrastructure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against vehicle ramming attacksVSAvoidprotective measures and urban infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive mechanical blocking objects (bollards) with an active electronic stop system that uses wireless communication between portable devices and vehicles. This substitution eliminates the need for extensive physical infrastructure while providing dynamic protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary electronic system consisting of portable devices and vehicle stop systems that mediate between potential threats and pedestrians. This intermediary layer provides protection without requiring physical barriers in pedestrian areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If remote control hijacking of vehicles is enabled, then ease of operation for terrorists is improved, but security against unauthorized control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation for terroristsVSAvoidsecurity against unauthorized control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by providing a counter-control mechanism (emergency stop system) that can override unauthorized remote control before the vehicle can cause harm. The system proactively neutralizes potential threats rather than reacting after hijacking occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes feedback loops where vehicle status and control signals are continuously monitored and communicated. This enables detection of unauthorized control attempts and allows for appropriate countermeasures to be taken.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If an emergency stop system allowing non-drivers to stop vehicles is implemented, then ability to prevent attacks is improved, but risk of accidental or malicious activation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to prevent attacksVSAvoidaccidental or malicious activation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic activation criteria where the stop function is only activated when specific conditions are met (vehicle moving above threshold speed, multiple signals within time window). This dynamic approach balances accessibility with safety by adapting the system's responsiveness to the situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system requires multiple signals or sustained activation conditions rather than a single trigger, implementing a form of partial action threshold. This ensures that casual or accidental touches do not activate the stop function while still allowing determined emergency interventions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3694752B1Method for stopping a vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 ABIAKLE KAI ELODIE
  • EP3694752B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3694752B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3694752B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The vehicle (1) provides its identity to the portable electronic device (5) of a user not driving the vehicle, the portable electronic device displays visible features of the vehicle, the user selects the vehicle on the display to provide a signal to the wireless communication unit of the emergency stop system of the vehicle. In case of a terrorist attack, signals from a plurality of portable devices cause the vehicle to stop or slow down.