DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure is generally related to a system and method for vehicle ignition detection and more particularly to a theft/tow detection system and method for immediately notifying a user that a vehicle is being towed/theft by detecting the movement of a vehicle through an OTC (Onboard Telematics and Control) and IMU (Inertial Measuring Unit), thereby preventing vehicle theft/towing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The onboard telematics and control units are used in a vehicle to track the location and other features of the vehicle. These devices may allow the user to monitor the location and movement of the vehicle by using a built-in computer in the vehicle. It allows the user to monitor the vehicle’s performance, as well as the state of the vehicle.
[0003] The US9934622B2 discloses a telematics devices and methods for vehicle ignition detection. Exemplary embodiments are provided of telematics devices and exemplary corresponding methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a telematics device generally includes a controller, a wireless communication module to transmit ignition information to a remote station, a power input terminal to sense a voltage of the battery, and an ignition input terminal to couple to an ignition line of the vehicle. The controller determines whether the ignition input terminal is coupled to an ignition line of the vehicle, and when the terminal is coupled to an ignition line, the controller determines vehicle ignition turn on and ignition turn off events by detecting voltage changes on the ignition line. When the ignition input terminal is not coupled to an ignition line of the vehicle, the controller senses the voltage of the battery of the vehicle to determine vehicle ignition turn on and turn off events based on sensed voltage changes of the battery.
[0004] The conventional theft/tow detection system for vehicles is not convenient for people because it does not include the microcontroller that starts tracking the movement of the vehicle for a threshold distance and brings the OTC to the full operating mode for turning on the location tracking module. Many types of intrusion detection systems are present in the market for detecting, monitoring, and preventing intrusions in vehicles. These systems used an alarming unit associated with the vehicle, a wireless communication unit, and a controller for alerting the user about the intrusion in the vehicle. People are using the manufacturer's security alarm for this purpose. But the thieves are well known for these types of alarming circuits, which means they easily steal the vehicle by breaking these alarming circuits.
[0005] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there is a need to provide a system that is an enhancement to the conventional system. The present system is capable of alerting a user by sending a notification to their user interface about vehicle theft/towing by detecting the movement of the vehicle in a deep sleep mode of the vehicle, thereby preventing theft/towing of the vehicle.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a system that helps in protecting a vehicle from being towed and notifying a user immediately about the vehicle towed.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that helps in providing satisfaction to the user as they receive alert messages from the system by using a GSM without any delay.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that helps in protecting the vehicle from being theft and notifying the user immediately about the vehicle theft.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that is quick, responsive, and helps in saving manual efforts by continuously checking whether the vehicle is properly locked or not, so that no vehicle gets theft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention relates to a multipurpose system used for notifying an owner of the vehicle by sending an automatically generated notification about vehicle theft/towed by detecting vehicle movement in a deep sleep mode of the vehicle. This system helps the driver of a vehicle to keep an eye on their vehicle even without being present at the vehicle location, thereby reducing the chances of vehicle theft or towing.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a theft/tow detection system, comprising, an OTC (Onboard Telematics and Control) unit operably configured to detect theft and/or towing of a vehicle, wherein the OTC unit has at least three different modes such as a first operating mode, a second operating mode, and a third operating mode that are a full operating mode, a power-saving mode, and a deep sleep mode, a microcontroller for tracking the movement of the vehicle for a threshold distance and brings the OTC unit to the first operating mode when the vehicle moves beyond the threshold distance, wherein the microcontroller configures the threshold distance for at least three directions such as an X-direction, a Y- direction, and a Z-direction, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) configured with the microcontroller to provide signal/interrupt to the microcontroller upon threshold breach, wherein the IMU comprises an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a GPS module, a GSM module, one or more subsystems, a cloud server operably configured to detect the vehicle movement based on incoming vehicle location data, wherein the server is anyone of a web server, an application server, a proxy server, a network server, or a server farm and also stores vehicle data, event data, alarm data, notifications, wherein the server further comprising at least two geofence configurations for each of the vehicles wherein the first geofence (set when the vehicle is in off condition) is an area of about 50 to 100 meters and the second geofence is (set based on the hub/area that the vehicle is serving) an area of about 10 to 12 km, wherein the cloud server continuously checks if the current location of the vehicle is beyond its first geofence area, if it breaches the first geofence then it raises a theft/tow alert.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a theft/tow detection system, further comprising, a user interface connected with the cloud server for receiving alarm notifications that is anyone of a push notification, an email notification, mobile notifications, or manual notifications. sent by the cloud server, wherein the user interface is anyone of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a user computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a communication network appliance, a camera, a smartphone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, a media player, a navigation device, an email device, a game console, or a combination of any these data processing devices or other data processing devices, and a communication network that is anyone of an Internet, a WIFI connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Zigbee connection, a communication network, a wireless communication network, a 3G communication, network, a 4G communication network, a 5G communication network, a USB connection, or any combination thereof, is configured for providing communication links to access the cloud server, the user interface, and the OTC unit.
[0013] According to an another embodiment of the present invention, a method for theft/tow detection, comprising, configuring a threshold distance for at least three directions such as an X-direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction when a vehicle is turned off and shuts down the execution process of the controller by a microcontroller, providing signal/interrupt to the microcontroller upon threshold breach by an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) that comprises an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a GPS module, a GSM module, one or more subsystems, tracking the movement of the vehicle for the threshold distance and brings an OTC (Onboard Telematics Control) unit to a first operating mode when the vehicle moves beyond the threshold distance by the microcontroller, wherein the OTC unit has at least three different modes such as the first operating mode, a second operating mode, and a third operating mode that are a full operating mode, a power-saving mode, and a deep sleep mode.
[0014] According to an another embodiment of the present invention, a method for theft/tow detection, further comprising detecting the vehicle movement based on incoming vehicle location data by a cloud server, wherein the server comprising at least two geofence configurations for each of the vehicles, wherein the first geofence (set when the vehicle is in off condition) is an area of about 50 to 100 meters and the second geofence is (set based on the hub/area that the vehicle is serving) an area of about 10 to 12 km and the cloud server continuously checks if the current location of the vehicle is beyond its first geofence area, if it breaches the first geofence then it raises a theft/tow alert, and alerting a user/driver by sending notifications on a user interface via a communication network, wherein the communication network is configured for providing communication links to access the cloud server, the user interface, and the OTC unit, wherein the notification is anyone of a push notification, an email notification, mobile notifications, or manual notifications and the user interface is anyone of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a user computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a communication network appliance, a camera, a smartphone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, a media player, a navigation device, an email device, a game console, or a combination of any these data processing devices or other data processing devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g. boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions /are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.
[0016] Fig. 1 illustrates a line diagram of a system 100, according to an embodiment of a present invention;
[0017] Fig. 2 is a flow chart 200 illustrating a deep sleep mode operation of the OTC unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] Fig. 3 is a flow chart 300 illustrating a full operation mode of the OTC unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] Fig. 4 illustrates a block diagram depicting a method 400, according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.
[0021] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0022] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any system and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, the preferred system and methods are now described.
[0023] Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
[0024] The following brief definition of terms apply throughout the present invention:
[0025] Term OTC stands for Onboard Telematics and Control. The telematics control unit is embedded in the onboard system for monitoring, controlling the wireless tracking of the vehicle through a location tracking module, and establishing communication to and from the vehicle.
[0026] Term IMU stands for Inertial Measurement Unit. The IMU is a sensor that measures triaxial acceleration and triaxial angular velocity with help of an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The accelerometer outputs linear acceleration signals on three axes in space, and the gyroscope outputs angular velocity signals on three axes in space.
[0027] Term GPS stands for Global Positioning System. The GPS is a satellite-based radio navigation system that is used to determine the exact location and time of the device in which it is installed. It has three segments such as a space segment, a control segment, and a user segment. It provides location data in the form of latitude, longitude and altitude.
[0028] Term GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication. The GSM is an open and digital cellular technology used for mobile communication such as offer voice calls, SMS, and mobile data. It helps user for sending and receiving messages from a device in which it is installed. It sends location information, alerts in the form of SMS in order to notify the user.
[0029] The present invention relates to a theft/tow detection system and method. This system helps in detecting vehicle theft/towed by tracking the movement of the vehicle via an OTC and IMU and updating the vehicle position through a cloud server. The system immediately notifies an owner about the vehicle theft/towed by sending a notification to a user interface.
[0030] Fig 1 illustrates a line diagram of a system 100, according to an embodiment of a present invention. In particular, an OTC unit 102 configured for detecting theft and/or towing of a vehicle. The system 100 comprises a microcontroller 104, an onboard IMU 106 with an accelerometer 114, a gyroscope 116, a GPS module 118, a GSM module 120, one or more subsystems. Moreover, the system 100 includes a cloud server 108 for detecting the vehicle movement based on incoming vehicle location data and sent a notification on a user interface 110 via a communication network 112.
[0031] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the IMU 106 is operably configured with the GPS modules 118 for theft detection/ tow detection of the vehicle. In particular, the accelerometer 114 analyzes the acceleration/force applied in three dimensions acted upon by the vehicle to determine the initial state of the theft event and to further distinguish between an actual event and a false event. Upon initial confirmation of the false event, the GPS module 118 tracks the location information and movement of the vehicle. Moreover, the GPS Module 118 detects the location coordinates (latitude, longitude, and altitude) to track the vehicle's movement in a particular direction. Further, the GPS module 118 updates the location information to the cloud server 108 in real-time to track the details of the false event. Thereby, detecting unauthorized vehicle movements.
[0032] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 108 is operably configured to detect vehicle movement based on incoming vehicle location data. Moreover, the server 108 comprising at least two geofence configurations for each of the vehicles and generates the alarm of unauthorized vehicle movement when the vehicle is moved beyond its geofence circle when in the vehicle is in OFF state. Further, the first geofence (set when the vehicle is in off condition) is an area of about 50 to 100 meters and the second geofence is (set based on the hub/area that the vehicle is serving) an area of about 10 to 12 km.
[0033] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cloud server 108 also stores vehicle data, event data, alarm data, notifications, and the like. In particular, the cloud server 108 may be, but is not limited to a web server, an application server, a proxy server, a network server, or a server farm, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of cloud server 108, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0034] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the communication network 112 is configured for providing communication links for communicating with the cloud server 108, the user interface 110, and the OTC unit 102. The communication network 112 may any communication network, such as but not limited to, the Internet, wireless networks, local area networks, wide area networks, private networks, a cellular communication network, corporate network having one or more wireless access points, or a combination thereof connecting any number of mobile clients, fixed clients, and servers and so forth. Examples of the communication network may include the Internet, a WIFI connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Zigbee connection, a communication network, a wireless communication network, a 3G communication, network, a 4G communication network, a 5G communication network, a USB connection, or any combination thereof. For example, the communication may be based on a radio-frequency transceiver (not shown). In addition, short-range communication may occur, such as using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other such transceivers.
[0035] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the notification may be but not limited to, a push notification, an email notification, mobile notifications, manual notifications, push notifications, video notifications, and the like notifications generated by any such system which are capable of generating notifications.
[0036] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the user interface 110 is anyone of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a user computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a communication network appliance, a camera, a smartphone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, a media player, a navigation device, an email device, a game console, or a combination of any these data processing devices or other data processing devices. Furthermore, the user interface 110 is provide access to and/or receive application software executed and/or stored on any of the servers 108.
[0037] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the OTC unit 102 has at least three different operation modes such as a first operating mode, a second operating mode, and a third operating mode, wherein the first operating mode, the second operating mode, and the third operating mode are a full operating mode, a power-saving mode, and a deep sleep mode.
[0038] In particular, when the vehicle is in the “ON” state the OTC unit activates the Full operation mode. Particularly, in a Full operation mode, the OTC unit sends data to the cloud server 108 and measures the vehicle parameters.
[0039] Alternatively, the OTC unit 102 activates the power-saving mode. Particularly, in power saving mode, the OTC unit 102 executes the limited functionalities by setting its components into power-down mode.
[0040] Alternatively, when the Vehicle is turned OFF the OTC unit 102 activates the deep sleep mode. Particularly, in deep sleep mode, the OTC unit 102 disables all the subcomponents into power-down mode and shuts off the execution except the IMU 106 and halts the system execution. Moreover, the IMU 106 is configured to analyze a certain threshold detection, interrupt on a threshold breach.
[0041] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in case of theft and/or tow during a deep sleep mode, there is an initial movement of the vehicle interrupting the threshold breach on the IMU 106. Upon interrupt of threshold breach, the microcontroller 104 starts tracking the movement of the vehicle for a certain distance using the IMU 106 accelerometer data 114. If the vehicle moves beyond the pre-configured distance threshold, then the OTC unit 102 activates the full operation mode by turning on the OTC 102 subsystems, GSM module 120, and the GPS module 118. Particularly, in the Full operation mode, the OTC unit 102 sends periodic real-time data to the cloud server 108 to track the further movement of the vehicle.
[0042] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when the vehicle is turned OFF /PAUSED, the microcontroller 104 detects the threshold for X, Y, and Z directions to values Xth, Yth, and Zth respectively in the accelerometer 114 and the OTC unit 102 enters into the deep sleep mode. Particularly, for the threshold detection, the force detected by the accelerometer 114 is above the configured threshold values. Moreover, the IMU 106 provides the interrupt signal to the microcontroller 104 to stop the halt mode and starts execution by exiting deep sleep mode. Thus, the microcontroller 104 switches to power-down mode. Further, the microcontroller 104 starts collecting the data from the accelerometer 114 in order to trace the vehicle movement on an interrupt. Subsequently, the incoming acceleration values are firstly converted to the velocity component and then into the distance component.
[0043] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the distance is calculated by double integration of the acceleration and,the threshold distance Xdst_threshold, Ydst_threshold, and Zdst_threshold is preconfigured for each of the X, Y, and Z directions of movement respectively. Then, the calculated distance is compared with the threshold distance.
[0044] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, if the vehicle moves beyond anyone threshold distance selected from the Xdst_threshold and/or Ydst_threshold and/or Zdst_threshold, then the microcontroller 104 activates the Full operation mode by turning ON the subsystem components, the GPS 118, and the GSM module 120 and the like to acquire the vehicle's current location using the GPS module 118 and sends it to the cloud server 108 in real-time.
[0045] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when there is the IMU 106 threshold breach but there is no vehicle movement detection, then the microcontroller 104 waits for the vehicle to move a certain duration to detect movement. Even after waiting, if there is no movement, then the microcontroller 104 activates the IMU 106 for threshold detection and activates the deep sleep mode. This may be due to false threshold interrupt, small vehicle movement glitch, and alike conditions.
[0046] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the OTC unit 102 is configured with any vehicle selected from a two-wheeled vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle, a four-wheeled vehicle, and the like vehicles.
[0047] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the OTC unit 102 may be retrofittable to a vehicle.
[0048] Fig. 2 is a flow chart 200 illustrating a deep sleep mode operation of the OTC unit 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the deep sleep mode is activated when the vehicle is turned OFF /PAUSED. Flowchart 200 starts at step 205 and proceeds to steps 210, 215, 220, 225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250. At step 205, the ignition of the vehicle is interrupted.
[0049] At step 210, a determination is made whether the ignition of the vehicle is ON or OFF.
[0050] In one embodiment, when the determination is “YES” and the ignition is turned “ON” then the flowchart proceeds to step 215.
[0051] At step 215, the OTC unit 102 enters the full operation mode. In particular, in full operation mode, the OTC unit 102 sends data to the cloud server 108 and measures the vehicle parameters.
[0052] In another embodiment, when the determination is “NO” and the ignition is turned “OFF” then the flowchart proceeds to step 220.
[0053] At step 220, all the sub-components including the GSM 120, and the GPS Modules 118 are turned off.
[0054] At step 225, the accelerometer 114 threshold of the vehicle is set to x value in the X-direction.
[0055] At step 230, the accelerometer 114 threshold of the vehicle is set to the y value in the Y direction.
[0056] At step 235, the accelerometer 114 threshold of the vehicle is set to z value in the Z direction.
[0057] At step 240, the accelerometer 114 interrupt is set.
[0058] At step 245, the wake source event is set as the accelerometer 114 interrupt.
[0059] At step 250, the deep sleep mode is suspended, and the halt mode is entered.
[0060] Fig. 3 is a flow chart 300 illustrating the full operation mode of the OTC unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart 300 starts at step 305 and proceeds to steps 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 335, 340.
[0061] At step 305, the accelerometer 114 of the vehicle is interrupted.
[0062] At step 310, the wait timeout “t” for the movement of the vehicle is configured.
[0063] At step 315, the acceleration RAW values of the vehicle are obtained.
[0064] At step 320, the velocity and the distance in X, Y, and Z directions of the vehicle are calculated.
[0065] At step 325, a determination is made if the distance is greater than the threshold.
[0066] In one embodiment, when the determination is “YES” and the distance is greater than the threshold, then the flowchart proceeds to step 335.
[0067] At step 335, all the sub-components including the GSM 120, and the GPS 118 Modules are turned on.
[0068] At step 340, the OTC unit 102 enters the full operation mode. In particular, in full operation mode, the OTC unit 102 sends data to the cloud server 108 and measures the vehicle parameters.
[0069] In another embodiment, when the determination is “NO” and the distance is not greater than the threshold, then the flowchart proceeds to step 330.
[0070] At step 330, another determination is made to determine if time “t” is the timeout for the tow/theft event.
[0071] In one embodiment, if the determination is “NO” and the time “t” is not the timeout, steps 315 and 320 are reiterated.
[0072] In another embodiment, if the determination is “YES” and the time “t” is timeout then flowchart 300 proceeds to step 220 to step 250 of flowchart 200 as explained above.
[0073] Fig. 4 illustrates a block diagram depicting a method 400, according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 400 includes a microcontroller 104 for configuring a threshold distance for at least three directions such as an X-direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction when a vehicle is turned off and shuts down the execution process of the controller 104, as shown in step 405. In step 410, an IMU 106 is configured with the microcontroller 104 for providing signal/interrupt to the microcontroller 104 upon threshold breach. The IMU 104 (Inertial Measurement Unit) comprises an accelerometer 114, a gyroscope 116, a GPS module 118, a GSM module 120, one or more subsystems. In step 415, the microcontroller 104 starts tracking the movement of the vehicle for the threshold distance and brings an OTC (Onboard Telematics Control) unit 102 to a first operating mode when the vehicle moves beyond the threshold distance, wherein the OTC unit 102 has at least three different modes such as the first operating mode, a second operating mode, and a third operating mode that are a full operating mode, a power-saving mode, and a deep sleep mode.
[0074] According to an another embodiment of the present invention, the method 400 further includes a detection of the vehicle movement based on incoming vehicle location data by a cloud server 108, as shown in step 420. Further, the server 108 comprising at least two geofence configurations for each of the vehicles, wherein the first geofence (set when the vehicle is in off condition) is an area of about 50 to 100 meters and the second geofence is (set based on the hub/area that the vehicle is serving) an area of about 10 to 12 km. The cloud server 108 continuously checks if the current location of the vehicle is beyond its first geofence area, if it breaches the first geofence then it raises a theft/tow alert. In step 425, the cloud server 108 alerts a user/driver by sending notifications on a user interface 110 via a communication network 112. The communication network 112 is configured for providing communication links to access the cloud server 108, the user interface 110, and the OTC unit 102. The notification is anyone of a push notification, an email notification, mobile notifications, or manual notifications and the user interface 110 is anyone of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a user computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a communication network appliance, a camera, a smartphone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, a media player, a navigation device, an email device, a game console, or a combination of any these data processing devices or other data processing devices.
[0075] Advantageously, the theft/tow detection system of the present invention provides multi-stage detection of the event and efficiently and effectively distinguishes between false and actual events. Also, the system 100 utilizes a low power consumption.
[0076] Moreover, although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
,CLAIMS:We Claim,

1. A theft/tow detection system, comprising:
an OTC (Onboard Telematics and Control) unit 102 operably configured to detect theft and/or towing of a vehicle, wherein the OTC unit 102 has at least three different modes such as a first operating mode, a second operating mode, and a third operating mode;
a microcontroller 104, wherein the microcontroller 104 starts tracking the movement of the vehicle for a threshold distance and brings the OTC unit 102 to the first operating mode when the vehicle moves beyond the threshold distance;
an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) 106 configured with the microcontroller 104, wherein the IMU 106 provides signal/interrupt to the microcontroller 104 upon threshold breach;
a cloud server 108 operably configured to detect the vehicle movement based on incoming vehicle location data, wherein the server 108 comprising at least two geofence configurations for each of the vehicles;
a user interface 110 connected with the cloud server 108 for receiving alarm notifications sent by the cloud server 108; and
a communication network 112, wherein the communication network 112 is configured for providing communication links to access the cloud server 108, the user interface 110, and the OTC unit 102.
2. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IMU 106 comprises an accelerometer 114, a gyroscope 116, a GPS module 118, a GSM module 120, one or more subsystems.
3. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first operating mode, the second operating mode, and the third operating mode are a full operating mode, a power-saving mode, and a deep sleep mode.
4. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller 104 configures the IMU 106 threshold value for at least three directions such as an X-direction, a Y- direction, and a Z-direction.
5. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first geofence (set when the vehicle is in off condition) is an area of about 50 to 100 meters and the second geofence is (set based on the hub/area that the vehicle is serving) an area of about 10 to 12 km.
6. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cloud server 108 continuously checks if the current location of the vehicle is beyond its first geofence area, if it breaches the first geofence then it raises a theft/tow alert.
7. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cloud server 108 is anyone of a web server, an application server, a proxy server, a network server, or a server farm and also stores vehicle data, event data, alarm data, notifications.
8. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication network 112 is anyone of an Internet, a WIFI connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Zigbee connection, a communication network, a wireless communication network, a 3G communication, network, a 4G communication network, a 5G communication network, a USB connection, or any combination thereof.
9. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alarm notification is anyone of a push notification, an email notification, mobile notifications, or manual notifications.
10. The system 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface 110 is anyone of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a user computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a communication network appliance, a camera, a smartphone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, a media player, a navigation device, an email device, a game console, or a combination of any these data processing devices or other data processing devices.
11. A method for detecting theft/tow, comprising:
configuring, by a microcontroller 104, a threshold distance for at least three directions when a vehicle is turned off and shuts down the execution process of the controller 104;
providing, by an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) 106, signal/interrupt to the microcontroller 104 upon threshold breach;
tracking, by the microcontroller 104, the movement of the vehicle for the threshold distance and brings an OTC (Onboard Telematics Control) unit 102 to a first operating mode when the vehicle moves beyond the threshold distance, wherein the OTC unit 102 has at least three different modes such as the first operating mode, a second operating mode, and a third operating mode;
detecting, by a cloud server 108, the vehicle movement based on incoming vehicle location data, wherein the server 108 comprising at least two geofence configurations for each of the vehicles; and
alerting, by the cloud server 108, a user/driver by sending notifications on a user interface 110 via a communication network 112, wherein the communication network 112 is configured for providing communication links to access the cloud server 108, the user interface 110, and the OTC unit 102.
12. The method 400 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the IMU 106 comprises an accelerometer 114, a gyroscope 116, a GPS module 118, a GSM module 120, one or more subsystems.
13. The method 400 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first operating mode, the second operating mode, and the third operating mode are a full operating mode, a power-saving mode, and a deep sleep mode.
14. The method 400 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least three directions are an X-direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction.
15. The method 400 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first geofence (set when the vehicle is in off condition) is an area of about 50 to 100 meters and the second geofence is (set based on the hub/area that the vehicle is serving) an area of about 10 to 12 km.
16. The method 400 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cloud server 108 continuously checks if the current location of the vehicle is beyond its first geofence area, if it breaches the first geofence then it raises a theft/tow alert.
17. The method 400 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cloud server 108 is anyone of a web server, an application server, a proxy server, a network server, or a server farm and also stores vehicle data, event data, alarm data, notifications.
18. The method 400 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the communication network 112 is anyone of an Internet, a WIFI connection, a Bluetooth connection, a Zigbee connection, a communication network, a wireless communication network, a 3G communication, network, a 4G communication network, a 5G communication network, a USB connection, or any combination thereof.
19. The method 400 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the notification is anyone of a push notification, an email notification, mobile notifications, or manual notifications.
20. The method 400 as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface 110 is anyone of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a user computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a communication network appliance, a camera, a smartphone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, a media player, a navigation device, an email device, a game console, or a combination of any these data processing devices or other data processing devices.