DESC:METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GEOFENCING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority from Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202421026810 filed on 31/03/2024, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by a reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to a boundary enforcement system for a vehicle. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a dynamic boundary enforcement system for a vehicle. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a method for dynamic boundary enforcement for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
A geofence technology is a technology that creates virtual boundaries around specific geographic areas using GPS, Wi-Fi, cellular data, or RFID technologies to define virtual fence for specific zones. The geofencing is commonly used in retail, logistics, automobiles and security applications, which enables real-time monitoring, automation, and location-based interactions.
Generally, the geofencing in vehicles offers a versatile tool for individuals to monitor and manage the vehicle movement within geographic boundaries which leads to improved efficiency, security, and safety. By establishing virtual perimeters around vehicles designated areas, geofencing enables proactive measures against theft. For a vehicle breach on predetermined boundaries without authorization, the system promptly triggers alarms, notifies relevant parties, and can even initiate remote engine immobilization, significantly deterring theft and expediting recovery efforts. Moreover, geofencing finds extensive utility in fleet management, facilitating route optimization, monitoring driver behaviour, and ensuring compliance with prescribed zones. This technology also extends to asset tracking, empowering businesses to monitor valuable assets and respond swiftly to unauthorized movements. In essence, the necessity of geofencing in vehicle security and other applications lies in its ability to deliver real-time location-based insights, fortify security protocols, enhance operational efficiency, and enable proactive responses to dynamic scenarios. The devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, smart wearables etc. continuously track the location/data of the vehicle and compare the tracking location/data to the set geofence. The continuous tracking and comparison of the data enables real-time alerts or actions, such as sending notifications, tracking movement, or triggering events when vehicle enter or exit defined zones. The data is processed either locally on the device/on-board vehicle for quick actions or sent to cloud-based systems for centralized management and analysis. The approach ensures efficient geofence monitoring and response for vehicles. However, the geofence technology faces several challenges that may affects the reliability and efficiency of the geofencing technology as well as vehicle security. One of the issue with geofencing system to provide precise directional information of the vehicle, which makes the system difficult to determine the accurate heading and orientation of the vehicle. Furthermore, the concern occurs with the accuracy which may arises due to dependency on GPS, impacted by environmental factors such as tall buildings, weather conditions, or weak satellite signals. Moreover, the inaccuracy in geofencing may generates unwanted triggering events which can mislead the user. Furthermore, the battery consumption is another concern, as constant location tracking drains the vehicle battery power quickly. Also, the privacy and security risks emerge when sensitive location data is collected, stored, or shared without proper user consent, which potentially leads to unauthorized access or misuse. Furthermore, scalability challenges occur in systems managing multiple geofences, as real-time processing for large-scale applications may demand significant computational resources. Additionally, the geofencing struggles in regions with poor network coverage or poor signal strength, reducing the effectiveness of the geofence system in rural or remote areas.
Therefore, there exists a need of improved geofence technology that overcomes the one or more problems associated as set forth above.
SUMMARY
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dynamic boundary enforcement system for a vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for dynamic boundary enforcement for a vehicle.
In accordance with first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a dynamic boundary enforcement system for a vehicle. The system comprising a magnetometer sensor configured to measure magnetic field strength along three axes, a distance tracking mechanism configured to calculate distance travelled by the vehicle, a processing unit configured to determine a geographical heading based on the measured magnetic field strength, calculate displacement vectors based on the geographical heading and distance travelled, transform the displacement vectors into Cartesian coordinates relative to an origin point, periodically evaluate a radial displacement between a current position and the origin point, compare the radial displacement with a predefined geo-fencing radius and a triggering mechanism configured to perform at least one security action when the radial displacement exceeds the predefined geo-fencing radius.
The present disclosure provides a dynamic boundary enforcement system for a vehicle. The system as disclosed by present disclosure is advantageous in terms of providing an enhanced vehicle security and operational control. Beneficially, the system enables precise location monitoring without relying on GPS, making the overall vehicle tracking suitable for environments with limited satellite reception, such as tunnels, dense urban areas, or indoor spaces. Beneficially, the system ensures accurate position tracking relative to a defined origin, thereby allows for the flexible geo-fencing applications. Beneficially, the adaptability of the system is further enhanced by the configurable geo-fencing radius, which is to be adjusted based on user preferences or vehicle usage patterns. Additionally, the system significantly improves the reliability of heading determination. Furthermore, the layered security by the system beneficially provides comprehensive protection against unauthorized vehicle movement or theft. Furthermore, the system is robust and cost-effective compared to GPS-dependent solutions which help to reduced power consumption and operational dependencies on external networks.
In accordance with second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for dynamic boundary enforcement for a vehicle. The method comprising measuring, using a magnetometer sensor, magnetic field strength along three axes, determining a geographical heading based on the measured magnetic field strength, calculating a distance travelled by the vehicle, determining displacement vectors based on the geographical heading and distance travelled, transforming the displacement vectors into Cartesian coordinates relative to an origin point, calculating a radial displacement between a current position and the origin point, comparing the radial displacement with a predefined geo-fencing radius and triggering at least one security action when the radial displacement exceeds the predefined geo-fencing radius.
Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure would be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments constructed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.
It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a dynamic boundary enforcement system for a vehicle, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method for dynamic boundary enforcement for a vehicle, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic of implementation of a dynamic boundary enforcement system for a vehicle, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.
In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and ways in which they can be implemented. Although some modes of carrying out the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art would recognise that other embodiments for carrying out or practising the present disclosure are also possible.
The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of a dynamic boundary enforcement system for a vehicle and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilised. The description sets forth the various structures and/or functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include(s)”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, system that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or system. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.
As used herein, the terms “electric vehicle”, “EV”, and “EVs” are used interchangeably and refer to any vehicle having stored electrical energy, including the vehicle capable of being charged from an external electrical power source. This may include vehicles having batteries which are exclusively charged from an external power source, as well as hybrid-vehicles which may include batteries capable of being at least partially recharged via an external power source. Additionally, it is to be understood that the ‘electric vehicle’ as used herein includes electric two-wheeler, electric three-wheeler, electric four-wheeler, electric pickup trucks, electric trucks and so forth.
As used herein, the term “dynamic boundary enforcement system” and “system” are used interchangeably and refer to a system configured to monitor and regulate the movement of a vehicle relative to a predefined boundary by continuously tracking its position using displacement measurements, directional data, or other non-GPS-based positioning techniques. The system dynamically evaluates the vehicle’s location in real time, compares the location against a defined geo-fencing radius, and executes security actions upon detecting a boundary breach. Such actions may include generating alerts, notifying remote devices, or implementing vehicle immobilization mechanisms.
As used herein, the term “magnetometer sensor” refers to a sensing device configured to measure the strength and direction of a magnetic field along one or more axes. The sensor operates based on principles such as the Hall effect, fluxgate technology, or magneto-resistive effects to detect variations in magnetic fields. The magnetometer sensor is used to determine the geographical heading by analysing earth's magnetic field.
As used herein, the term “magnetic field strength” refers to the quantitative measure of the intensity of a magnetic field at a given point in space. The magnetic field strength typically expressed as a vector quantity that represents the force exerted by the magnetic field per unit current per unit length.
As used herein, the term “distance tracking mechanism” refers to a subsystem configured to determine the distance travelled by a vehicle over time. The mechanism may include one or more sensors, computational units, or data processing algorithms designed to measure, estimate, or calculate displacement.
As used herein, the term “processing unit” refers to a hardware-based computing component configured to execute instructions and process data for performing specific operations within the system. The processing unit may include, but is not limited to, one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination thereof. The processing unit may be operatively connected to memory devices, input/output interfaces, sensors, or communication modules to receive, process, and transmit data. The processing unit is configured to execute predefined algorithms, perform computational tasks, and control system functionalities based on received inputs.
As used herein, the term “geographical heading” refers to a directional orientation of a vehicle or object relative to a reference coordinate system, determined based on measured magnetic field strength along multiple axes.
As used herein, the term “displacement vectors” refers to the directional quantities representing both the magnitude and direction of movement of an object from an initial position to a subsequent position in a defined coordinate system. The displacement vectors are determined based on the geographical heading and distance travelled by the object. The displacement vectors can be expressed in Cartesian, polar, or other coordinate systems to facilitate spatial tracking and positional calculations relative to an origin point.
As used herein, the term “cartesian coordinates” refers to a coordinate system that defines a position in space using numerical values along perpendicular axes. Specifically, in a two-dimensional (2D) space, a point is represented by an (X, Y) pair, where X and Y denote distances along the horizontal and vertical axes, respectively. In a three-dimensional (3D) space, a point is represented by an (X, Y, Z) triplet, where Z represents the depth or height relative to a reference plane. This system provides a structured and mathematically precise method to define positions, movements, or transformations of components, ensuring clarity in spatial relationships within an invention.
As used herein, the term “origin point” refers to a predefined reference location used as a basis for calculating positional changes, displacement, or spatial transformations within a system. The origin point serves as a fixed or dynamically assigned coordinate from which movement or boundary enforcement is measured. The origin point may be an absolute reference, such as a designated geographical location, or a relative reference, such as the vehicle’s initial position upon activation of the system.
As used herein, the term “radial displacement” refers to the scalar distance measured between a vehicle’s current position and a predefined origin point in a two-dimensional coordinate system. The radial displacement represents the net linear displacement from the origin, irrespective of the actual path travelled. The radial displacement (Rd) is computed based on the cumulative displacement vectors derived from the vehicle’s geographical heading and distance travelled.
As used herein, the term “geofencing radius” refers to a predefined radial distance from a designated origin point within which a vehicle or object is permitted to operate. The geofencing radius defines the boundary of a virtual perimeter, beyond which predefined security actions, such as alerts, notifications, or vehicle immobilization, may be triggered.
As used herein, the term “triggering mechanism” refers to a component, system, or process that initiates a predefined action or response when specific conditions or thresholds are met. The triggering mechanism serves as an operational element that detects a triggering event such as exceeding a predefined geo-fencing radius, detecting unauthorized movement, or surpassing a safety threshold and subsequently activates at least one corresponding function, such as generating an alert, sending a signal, or modifying system behaviour.
As used herein, the term “at least one security action” and “security option” are used interchangeably and refer to one or more measures initiated by the system to prevent unauthorized vehicle movement, enhance security, or notify relevant entities. The security action may include, but is not limited to generating a real-time alert, such as an audio or visual alarm within the vehicle or a warning message displayed on an onboard interface, sending a notification to a remote device, such as a mobile phone, a fleet management system, or a security control centre via wireless communication, immobilizing the vehicle.
As used herein, the term “physical locking mechanism” refers to a mechanical or electromechanical system designed to restrict the movement or operation of a vehicle component to prevent unauthorized use or displacement. The physical locking mechanism may include, but is not limited to a steering lock, brake lock, wheel lock, gearshift lock, ignition lock, an electronic locking actuator. The physical locking mechanism may be actuated manually or automatically in response to a triggering event, such as exceeding a predefined geo-fencing radius, unauthorized access, or security breaches.
As use herein, the term “calibration process” refers to a systematic procedure for adjusting, compensating, or correcting sensor readings, operational parameters, or system outputs to enhance accuracy, reliability, and performance. The calibration process typically involves measuring deviations caused by inherent biases, environmental factors, or external interferences and applying corrective adjustments to ensure consistent and precise functionality.
As used herein, the term “sensor biases” refers to the systematic deviations or errors in sensor measurements that cause the recorded values to differ from the true physical quantities being measured. The sensor biases may arise due to inherent imperfections in sensor design, manufacturing variations, environmental factors, or prolonged operational drift. The sensor biases may include offset errors (a constant deviation from the true value), scale factor errors (inaccuracies in proportional measurements), temperature-induced drifts, and magnetic interference in magnetometer-based systems.
As used herein, the term “environmental interference” refers to external factors that affect the accuracy, reliability, or performance of a system, sensor, or device. These factors may introduce errors, distort signals, or degrade functionality.
As used herein, the term “user” refers to an owner of the electric vehicle and/or a technician and/or a service personnel and/or a service manager.
As used herein, the term “GPS signal reception” refers to the process by which a GPS receiver acquires and processes signals transmitted by Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to determine the geographical position. The GPS signal reception involves detecting radio frequency signals, extracting time-stamped data, and computing position coordinates based on satellite trilateration. The quality of GPS signal reception is influenced by factors such as satellite visibility, atmospheric conditions, interference from buildings or obstacles, and signal attenuation in enclosed environments.
As used herein, the term “vehicle usage patterns” refers to the identifiable trends, behaviours, and operational characteristics associated with a vehicle’s movement, operation, and user interactions over time. The vehicle usage patterns may be derived from historical data, sensor inputs, or predefined conditions.
Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment describes a dynamic boundary enforcement system 100 for a vehicle. The system 100 comprising a magnetometer sensor 102 configured to measure magnetic field strength along three axes, a distance tracking mechanism 104 configured to calculate distance travelled by the vehicle, a processing unit 106 configured to determine a geographical heading based on the measured magnetic field strength, calculate displacement vectors based on the geographical heading and distance travelled, transform the displacement vectors into Cartesian coordinates relative to an origin point, periodically evaluate a radial displacement between a current position and the origin point, compare the radial displacement with a predefined geo-fencing radius and a triggering mechanism 108 configured to perform at least one security action when the radial displacement exceeds the predefined geo-fencing radius.
The present disclosure discloses the dynamic boundary enforcement system 100. The system 100 as disclosed by present disclosure is advantageous in terms of providing an enhanced vehicle security and operational control without relying on traditional GPS-based tracking. Beneficially, by utilizing the magnetometer sensor 102 to determine geographical heading and the distance tracking mechanism 104 to calculate displacement, the system 100 ensures reliable position tracking even in the environments with limited GPS signal reception, such as tunnels, dense urban areas, or indoor parking structures. Beneficially, the transformation of displacement vectors into Cartesian coordinates relative to an origin point allows for precise boundary enforcement and flexible geo-fencing applications. Additionally, the periodic evaluation of the radial displacement beneficially ensures the real-time monitoring of the vehicle movement, thereby enables immediate detection of unauthorized departures of the vehicle. Furthermore, the ability of the system 100 to dynamically adjusts the predefined geo-fencing radius based on the vehicle usage patterns enhances the adaptability and allows for personalized security settings. Furthermore, the integration of a calibration process beneficially improves the accuracy by compensating for sensor biases and environmental interference, thereby ensures consistent and precise heading determination of the vehicle. Furthermore, the inclusion of multiple security actions, such as generating alerts, sending notifications, and immobilizing the vehicle through subsystem disabling, physical locking, or throttle limitation, provides a multi-layered security approach. Overall, the system 100 offers a robust, cost-effective, and efficient solution for securing vehicles against unauthorized movement while maintaining operational flexibility.
In an embodiment, the distance tracking mechanism 104 calculates distance travelled by integrating speed over time. The processing unit 106 receives the real-time speed data from the vehicle sensors, such as wheel speed sensors, inertial measurement units (IMUs), or odometry-based inputs etc. Beneficially, integrating speed over time provides a reliable and energy-efficient method of tracking displacement, particularly in vehicle where precise localization is essential for geo-fencing and security enforcement.
In an embodiment, the security action comprises at least one of generating a real-time alert, sending a notification to a remote device, and immobilizing the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle immobilization is achieved by at least one of disabling subsystems of the vehicle, activating a physical locking mechanism, and limiting acceleration or throttle response. The system 100 may be configured to perform the at least one security action when the radial displacement exceeds the predefined geo-fencing radius. The processing unit 106 continuously evaluates the vehicle’s position relative to the origin point, and upon detecting an unauthorized boundary breach, the triggering mechanism 108 initiates a security response. The security action may include generating the real-time alert, such as an audible alarm or a visual indicator within the vehicle, to notify the driver or occupants of the violation. Additionally, the system 100 may be configured to send the notification to a remote device, such as a mobile phone or a central monitoring server, enabling real-time tracking and intervention. Also, in a more advanced security implementation, the system 100 may be immobilize the vehicle by disabling critical subsystems, activating the physical locking mechanism, or restricting acceleration and throttle response. Beneficially, the system 100 provides the multi-layered security approach which ensures effective enforcement of geo-fencing boundaries, thereby prevents the unauthorized movement and helps to enhance the vehicle protection.
In an embodiment, the geographical heading is determined after a calibration process to account for sensor biases and environmental interference. The calibration process is executed by the processing unit 106 to compensate for sensor biases and environmental interference that may affect the readings of the magnetometer sensor 102. The calibration process ensures that displacement vectors may be computed based on the distance travel and directional changes which accurately represent the vehicle movement. Beneficially, by mitigating the inaccuracies in heading estimation, the system 100 improves the precision of radial displacement calculations, leads to more effective geo-fencing enforcement. Additionally, the system 100 ensures consistent and reliable boundary monitoring, even in dynamic environments where magnetic field variations are common.
In an embodiment, the system 100 is configurable to adjust the predefined geo-fencing radius based on user preferences. The processing unit 106 allows for the manual or automated modification of the geo-fencing boundary which enables the users to define security boundaries customized for different needs. Also, the users may be able to input a desired radius through a control interface, such as a mobile application, an onboard vehicle system, or a remote monitoring platform. Alternatively, the system 100 dynamically adjusts the geo-fencing radius based on the factors such as vehicle usage patterns or environmental conditions. For instance, the user may configure a larger boundary during normal operation and a restricted radius when parking in high-security zones. Beneficially, the adaptability of the system 100 enhances the security while providing flexibility in defining operational constraints.
In an embodiment, the system 100 is configured to operate in environments with limited GPS signal reception. The operation in limited GPS signal reception may be achieved by utilizing the magnetometer sensor 102 to determine the geographical heading of the vehicle and the distance tracking mechanism 104 to calculate the distance travel. The system 100 accurately tracks the vehicle’s movement in conditions where GPS signals are obstructed, such as tunnels, underground parking structures, dense urban environments, or remote areas with poor satellite coverage. Beneficially, by eliminating dependence on GPS, the system 100 enhances the reliability of geo-fencing enforcement and vehicle security, thereby ensures the robust boundary monitoring regardless of external signal availability.
In an embodiment, the dynamic boundary enforcement system 100 for the vehicle. The system 100 comprising the magnetometer sensor 102 configured to measure magnetic field strength along three axes, the distance tracking mechanism 104 configured to calculate distance travelled by the vehicle, the processing unit 106 configured to determine the geographical heading based on the measured magnetic field strength, calculate displacement vectors based on the geographical heading and distance travelled, transform the displacement vectors into Cartesian coordinates relative to the origin point, periodically evaluate the radial displacement between the current position and the origin point, compare the radial displacement with the predefined geo-fencing radius and the triggering mechanism 108 configured to perform the at least one security action when the radial displacement exceeds the predefined geo-fencing radius. Furthermore, the distance tracking mechanism 104 calculates distance travelled by integrating speed over time. Furthermore, the security action comprises the at least one of generating a real-time alert, sending a notification to a remote device, and immobilizing the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle immobilization is achieved by at least one of disabling subsystems of the vehicle, activating a physical locking mechanism, and limiting acceleration or throttle response. Furthermore, the geographical heading is determined after a calibration process to account for sensor biases and environmental interference. Furthermore, the system 100 is configurable to adjust the predefined geo-fencing radius based on user preferences. Furthermore, the system 100 is configured to operate in environments with limited GPS signal reception.
Figure 2, describes a method 200 for dynamic boundary enforcement for a vehicle. The method 200 starts at step 202 and completes at step 216. At step 202, the method 200 comprises measuring, using a magnetometer sensor 102, magnetic field strength along three axes. At step 204, the method 200 comprises determining a geographical heading based on the measured magnetic field strength. At step 206, the method 200 comprises calculating a distance travelled by the vehicle. At step 208, the method 200 comprises determining displacement vectors based on the geographical heading and distance travelled. At step 210, the method 200 comprises transforming the displacement vectors into Cartesian coordinates relative to an origin point. At step 212, the method 200 comprises calculating a radial displacement between a current position and the origin point. At step 214, the method 200 comprises comparing the radial displacement with a predefined geo-fencing radius. At step 216, the method 200 comprises triggering at least one security action when the radial displacement exceeds the predefined geo-fencing radius.
In an embodiment, calculating the distance travelled comprises integrating speed over time.
In an embodiment, further comprising performing a calibration process to account for sensor biases and environmental interference before determining the geographical heading.
In an embodiment, the security action comprises at least one of: generating a real-time alert, sending a notification to a remote device, and immobilizing the vehicle.
In an embodiment, immobilizing the vehicle comprises at least one of: disabling subsystems of the vehicle, activating a physical locking mechanism, and limiting acceleration or throttle response.
In an embodiment, further comprising dynamically adjusting the predefined geo-fencing radius based on vehicle usage patterns.
In an embodiment, the method 200 for the dynamic boundary enforcement for the vehicle. The method 200 starts at step 202 and completes at step 216. At step 202, the method 200 comprises measuring, using the magnetometer sensor 102, magnetic field strength along three axes. At step 204, the method 200 comprises determining the geographical heading based on the measured magnetic field strength. At step 206, the method 200 comprises calculating the distance travelled by the vehicle. At step 208, the method 200 comprises determining displacement vectors based on the geographical heading and distance travelled. At step 210, the method 200 comprises transforming the displacement vectors into Cartesian coordinates relative to the origin point. At step 212, the method 200 comprises calculating the radial displacement between the current position and the origin point. At step 214, the method 200 comprises comparing the radial displacement with the predefined geo-fencing radius. At step 216, the method 200 comprises triggering the at least one security action when the radial displacement exceeds the predefined geo-fencing radius. Furthermore, calculating the distance travelled comprises integrating speed over time. Furthermore, the method 200 further comprising performing the calibration process to account for sensor biases and environmental interference before determining the geographical heading. Furthermore, the security action comprises the at least one of generating the real-time alert, sending the notification to the remote device, and immobilizing the vehicle. Furthermore, immobilizing the vehicle comprises the at least one of disabling subsystems of the vehicle, activating the physical locking mechanism, and limiting acceleration or throttle response. Furthermore, the method 200 further comprising dynamically adjusting the predefined geo-fencing radius based on vehicle usage patterns.
It would be appreciated that all the explanations and embodiments of the portable device 100 also applies mutatis-mutandis to the method 200.
Figure 3, describes the dynamic boundary enforcement system 100 that tracks a vehicle’s movement from an initial starting point which ensures the vehicle remains within a predefined boundary. In the system 100, the origin point (centre point) represents the vehicle’s initial position, while the inner circle represents the vehicle’s radial displacement (Rd) at a given time, and the outer circle denotes the geo-fencing boundary. As the vehicle moves, the vehicle follows a non-linear path, encountering multiple displacement points, each characterized by an incremental travel distance (d) and a corresponding geographical heading (?). These points, denoted as (d1, ?1), (d2, ?2), (d3, ?3), (d4, ?4), (d5, ?5), (d6, ?6) and (d7, ?7), represent successive travel segments. To determine the net deviation of the vehicle from the origin, the system calculates radial displacement (Rd) using the mathematical expression -
Rd = v[(Sd×cos(?i))² + (Sd×sin(?i))²]
where Rd represents the radial displacement, Sd represents the total incremental distance travelled at each segment and ?? represents the geographical heading at the corresponding segment. The equation for radial displacement resolves the cumulative displacement into Cartesian X and Y components and calculates the net distance from the origin, independent of the path taken. If the computed Rd exceeds the predefined geo-fencing radius (outer circle), the system 100 triggers a security action, such as generating an alert, notifying a remote device, or immobilizing the vehicle.
In the description of the present invention, it is also to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms “disposed,” “mounted,” and “connected” are to be construed broadly, and may for example be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, either mechanically or electrically. They may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention can be understood in specific cases to those skilled in the art.
Modifications to embodiments and combination of different embodiments of the present disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim the present disclosure are intended to be construed in a non- exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural where appropriate.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the present disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A dynamic boundary enforcement system (100) for a vehicle, wherein the system (100) comprising:
- a magnetometer sensor (102) configured to measure magnetic field strength along three axes;
- a distance tracking mechanism (104) configured to calculate distance travelled by the vehicle;
- a processing unit (106) configured to:
- determine a geographical heading based on the measured magnetic field strength;
- calculate displacement vectors based on the geographical heading and distance travelled;
- transform the displacement vectors into Cartesian coordinates relative to an origin point;
- periodically evaluate a radial displacement between a current position and the origin point;
- compare the radial displacement with a predefined geo-fencing radius; and
- a triggering mechanism (108) configured to perform at least one security action when the radial displacement exceeds the predefined geo-fencing radius.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance tracking mechanism (104) calculates distance travelled by integrating speed over time.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the security action comprises at least one of: generating a real-time alert, sending a notification to a remote device, and immobilizing the vehicle.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the vehicle immobilization is achieved by at least one of: disabling subsystems of the vehicle, activating a physical locking mechanism, and limiting acceleration or throttle response.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the geographical heading is determined after a calibration process to account for sensor biases and environmental interference.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) is configurable to adjust the predefined geo-fencing radius based on user preferences.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) is configured to operate in environments with limited GPS signal reception.
8. A method (200) for dynamic boundary enforcement for a vehicle, wherein the method (200) comprising:
- measuring, using a magnetometer sensor (102), magnetic field strength along three axes;
- determining a geographical heading based on the measured magnetic field strength;
- calculating a distance travelled by the vehicle;
- determining displacement vectors based on the geographical heading and distance travelled;
- transforming the displacement vectors into Cartesian coordinates relative to an origin point;
- calculating a radial displacement between a current position and the origin point;
- comparing the radial displacement with a predefined geo-fencing radius; and
- triggering at least one security action when the radial displacement exceeds the predefined geo-fencing radius.
9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein calculating the distance travelled comprises integrating speed over time.
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, the method (200) further comprising performing a calibration process to account for sensor biases and environmental interference before determining the geographical heading.
11. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the security action comprises at least one of: generating a real-time alert, sending a notification to a remote device, and immobilizing the vehicle.
12. The method (200) as claimed in claim 11, wherein immobilizing the vehicle comprises at least one of: disabling subsystems of the vehicle, activating a physical locking mechanism, and limiting acceleration or throttle response.
14. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, the method (200) further comprising dynamically adjusting the predefined geo-fencing radius based on vehicle usage patterns.