Long-endurance intelligent entity car key

Abstract

The invention provides a long-endurance intelligent entity vehicle key, and relates to the technical field of vehicle intelligent keys, a microcontroller cooperates with an IMU module and a multi-mode communication unit, dynamic power consumption management based on a use scene is realized, a communication module enters deep sleep in a static state so as to greatly reduce standby energy consumption, and the service life of the vehicle is prolonged. According to the method, the BLE unit is awakened as required to find the vehicle only when the movement is detected, the UWB unit is accurately activated to complete high-safety distance measurement and anti-relay authentication after the vehicle is close to the vehicle, and the vehicle returns to a low-power-consumption state quickly after the operation is finished, so that the battery endurance time is remarkably prolonged on the premise that non-inductive unlocking experience and safety are guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle smart key technology, and in particular to a long-lasting smart physical car key. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional smart car keys are limited in function and generally suffer from range anxiety and inconvenient charging. Once the battery is depleted, there is a lack of effective backup solutions, such as physical keys or NFC emergency mechanisms, leaving users unable to unlock their vehicles and severely impacting the user experience. Current technologies mostly rely on a single communication method, making it difficult to balance long-distance recognition, low-power operation, and high security. Furthermore, the lack of multi-source charging methods and intelligent power management strategies results in overall low energy efficiency and insufficient reliability. In addition, they typically cannot complete security authentication in a power-depleted state and lack emergency access capabilities in extreme situations, limiting their practicality and robustness as independent vehicle access terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention aims to solve the technical problems existing in the above-mentioned related technologies and proposes a long-lasting smart physical car key that can support secure emergency unlocking even when there is no power by integrating UWB, BLE and NFC three-mode communication, multi-source energy harvesting and dynamic power consumption management with scene awareness. It also significantly improves battery life and reliability.

[0004] The solution to the technical problem of this invention is: This invention provides a long-lasting intelligent physical car key, comprising: a microcontroller, a security chip, a communication module, an IMU module, an interaction module, and a power module; The security chip is used to store vehicle access keys and perform security authentication. The interaction module is used to perform biometric authentication before unlocking the vehicle; The IMU module is used to detect the movement state of the car key; The communication module includes a UWB unit, a BLE unit, and an NFC unit; The power module is used to supply power to the car key; The microcontroller is configured to: When the IMU module detects that the car key is in a stationary state, it controls the communication module to enter a deep sleep mode; When the IMU module detects that the car key is in motion, it wakes up the BLE unit to perform a vehicle broadcast scan. After the BLE unit establishes a connection with the vehicle, it estimates the distance to the vehicle based on the received signal strength, and wakes up the UWB unit when the distance is less than a preset threshold to perform centimeter-level accurate ranging based on time of flight and anti-relay attack authentication. After the vehicle unlocking or locking operation is completed, each unit of the control communication module is turned off in sequence and returns to a low-power state.

[0005] Furthermore, the interaction module includes LED indicator lights, a vibration motor, and a capacitive fingerprint recognition sensor. The microcontroller is configured to allow the BLE unit or UWB unit to be activated only after successful fingerprint recognition.

[0006] Furthermore, the power module includes a rechargeable battery, a wireless charging receiving coil, a flexible solar charging film, and an NFC field power extraction circuit; the NFC field power extraction circuit is configured to obtain power from the electromagnetic field generated by the vehicle's NFC reader when the rechargeable battery is depleted, and temporarily power the security chip and NFC unit to complete a vehicle unlocking authentication.

[0007] Furthermore, when entering the NFC field power emergency mode, the interaction module guides the user to bring the key close to the designated NFC sensing area of ​​the vehicle through vibration and visual cues, and provides operation feedback after successful emergency unlocking.

[0008] Furthermore, the power module also includes a power management chip, which is connected to the wireless charging receiving coil, the flexible solar charging film, the rechargeable battery and each power module, and is configured to dynamically allocate power supply priority according to the input energy type and battery status.

[0009] Furthermore, the NFC field power circuit is activated only when an external NFC reader activation signal is detected and the rechargeable battery voltage is lower than a set threshold, and automatically powered off after a single authentication is completed.

[0010] Furthermore, the security chip and the IMU module establish a security status confirmation channel through an encrypted heartbeat signal; when the IMU module detects abnormally severe vibration, free fall, or no effective motion signal for a preset duration, and the security chip does not receive the encrypted heartbeat signal within a preset time, it automatically locks the vehicle access credentials and prohibits subsequent unlocking operations until it is restored through a preset identity verification process.

[0011] Furthermore, the microcontroller is configured to integrate multi-mode authentication results before performing unlocking: based on the preliminary authentication results of the BLE unit, the ranging consistency judgment of the UWB unit, and the near-field signal strength of the NFC unit, a comprehensive confidence score is generated; the security chip is only allowed to output an unlocking command when the comprehensive confidence score exceeds a preset security threshold.

[0012] Furthermore, the microcontroller, security chip, communication module, IMU module, interaction module, and power module are integrated into a single portable housing, forming an independent vehicle access terminal. It can autonomously complete user biometric authentication, BLE vehicle detection, UWB precise ranging, and security chip-driven unlock command output without establishing a data link with a smartphone or accessing a remote server.

[0013] Furthermore, the antennas of the UWB unit, BLE unit, and NFC unit are compactly arranged inside the key housing, adopting a conformal structure and orthogonal polarization, and suppressing mutual interference through a radio frequency isolation structure composed of a grounding shielding layer or a high-frequency isolation slot.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This application provides a long-lasting smart physical car key. Through the collaboration of a microcontroller, an IMU module, and a multi-mode communication unit, dynamic power consumption management based on usage scenarios is achieved. In a stationary state, the communication module enters deep sleep to significantly reduce standby power consumption. The BLE unit is only woken up as needed to detect vehicle movement, and the UWB unit is precisely activated after approaching the vehicle to complete high-security ranging and anti-relay authentication. After the operation is completed, it quickly returns to a low-power state, thereby significantly extending battery life while ensuring a seamless unlocking experience and security.

[0015] Other features and advantages of this application will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the application. The objectives and other advantages of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings are provided to further understand the technical solutions of the present invention and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the technical solutions of the present invention, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the long-battery-life smart physical car key provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0019] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The described embodiments should not be considered as limitations on the present application, and all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0020] In the following description, references are made to “some embodiments,” which describe a subset of all possible embodiments. However, it is understood that “some embodiments” may be the same subset or different subsets of all possible embodiments and may be combined with each other without conflict.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this application only and is not intended to limit this application.

[0022] With the rapid development of automotive intelligence, traditional car keys can no longer meet users' comprehensive needs for convenience, security, and reliability. Early mechanical keys could only physically lock and unlock, offering limited functionality and being easily copied. Subsequent remote keys introduced wireless radio frequency technology, supporting remote unlocking and locking, but their communication range was limited, preventing seamless entry and exit, and lacking effective security mechanisms, making them vulnerable to security threats such as signal relay attacks. In recent years, smart keys have gradually integrated Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, enabling vehicles to have features such as welcome greetings and automatic unlocking. Some high-end models have even attempted to integrate Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology to achieve centimeter-level accurate distance measurement, effectively preventing relay attacks. However, these solutions still have significant drawbacks.

[0023] First, existing smart keys generally rely on single or dual-mode communication methods, making it difficult to simultaneously address the three core scenarios of long-distance low-power connectivity, high-precision ranging, and emergency access in the event of a power outage. For example, keys using only BLE have low power consumption but insufficient ranging accuracy and weak security; while introducing UWB improves security and positioning accuracy, its higher power consumption significantly reduces battery life. Second, most smart keys lack a reliable power-outage backup mechanism. Once the built-in battery is depleted, without a physical keyhole or NFC emergency unlocking function, users will be completely unable to enter or start the vehicle, causing serious usability issues. Even for products that support NFC, additional operation or reliance on external devices such as smartphones is often required, failing to achieve true independent emergency access capability.

[0024] Furthermore, the power management strategies of existing products are rather crude, lacking context awareness capabilities based on user behavior and environmental conditions. Regardless of whether the key is carried or used, the radio frequency module is often in a state of continuous listening or periodic wake-up, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and exacerbating battery anxiety. At the same time, the charging methods are limited, mostly relying on wired interfaces or dedicated charging docks, resulting in poor compatibility, insufficient convenience, and a lack of auxiliary power replenishment methods, making it difficult to maintain power in long-term idle or outdoor scenarios.

[0025] Furthermore, security mechanisms also have shortcomings. Many smart keys do not integrate independent security chips; the keys are stored in the main control MCU, making them vulnerable to physical or logical attacks. Biometric authentication is either missing or disconnected from the communication process, failing to achieve end-to-end multi-factor authentication. Even in products that introduce fingerprint recognition, it is not deeply coupled with the activation logic of the RF module, resulting in insufficient security redundancy.

[0026] In summary, current smart car keys have significant shortcomings in communication integration, battery life, emergency power-off mechanisms, dynamic power consumption management, and edge security architecture. They are ill-suited to function as independent, reliable, secure, and long-lasting vehicle access terminals without relying on smartphones or cloud services. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of smart physical car key that integrates multi-mode communication, multi-source power supply, intelligent power consumption scheduling, and robust security authentication to truly address user experience pain points and drive the evolution of keyless entry systems to a higher level.

[0027] To address the aforementioned issues, this application proposes a highly integrated, long-battery-life smart physical car key. By integrating three wireless communication technologies—UWB, BLE, and NFC—it constructs a full-scenario interactive capability covering long-distance identification, accurate distance measurement, and emergency access in case of power failure. A built-in IMU module senses the key's movement status in real time, and a microcontroller dynamically schedules the working sequence of each communication unit based on the movement information and vehicle distance, enabling on-demand wake-up and rapid sleep, significantly reducing system power consumption. Simultaneously, a security chip is integrated for independently storing keys and performing authentication, forming a multi-factor security verification mechanism combined with biometric recognition. The power module uses a rechargeable battery in conjunction with a wireless charging coil, flexible solar film, and NFC field power extraction circuit, supporting multi-source energy harvesting and intelligent power management. Even when the battery is completely depleted, it can still complete an emergency unlock using the electromagnetic field of the vehicle's NFC reader, thus achieving highly secure, robust, and ultra-long-battery-life autonomous vehicle access functionality without relying on a mobile phone or network.

[0028] First, the long-lasting smart physical car key provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Reference Figure 1The long-lasting smart physical car key provided in this application includes a microcontroller, a security chip, a communication module, an IMU module, an interaction module, and a power module, all integrated into a single portable housing to form an independent vehicle access terminal. It can autonomously complete user biometric authentication, BLE vehicle discovery, UWB precise ranging, and security chip-driven unlock command output without establishing a data link with a smartphone or accessing a remote server.

[0030] This architecture not only significantly improves system availability and reliability, preventing vehicle unavailability due to dead phone battery, network interruption, or application malfunction, but also enhances overall security. All sensitive operations, such as biometric authentication, key storage, and unlock command generation, are completed in a local, closed environment, effectively preventing data leaks and remote attacks. Simultaneously, its independent operation capability simplifies user processes, truly achieving a seamless, convenient, and secure keyless entry experience, providing a more stable, private, and efficient hardware platform for human-vehicle interaction in smart cars.

[0031] In some embodiments of this application, the microcontroller is externally attached to or integrated with communication modules and security chips. Integrating the UWB, BLE, and NFC units directly within the microcontroller chip allows for a more compact system, reduces external wiring, lowers the risk of signal interference, simplifies manufacturing processes, and improves production efficiency. Connecting these components to the microcontroller via external interfaces allows for more flexible selection of the best components from different suppliers, while also facilitating future upgrades and maintenance. For example, if higher security is required or a new communication standard is released, the corresponding module can be replaced individually without replacing the entire microcontroller, providing users with greater flexibility.

[0032] Furthermore, integration between microcontrollers, communication modules, and security chips can also be achieved using System-in-Package (SiP) technology. This approach not only maintains the independence of each component but also significantly reduces the overall size of the device while ensuring high performance. The application of SiP technology allows multiple integrated circuits to work closely together within a single package while retaining their respective optimization margins, which is particularly important for designs that pursue miniaturization without sacrificing performance.

[0033] Alternatively, multi-chip module (MCM) technology can be used to integrate microcontrollers, communication modules, and security chips. This technology allows multiple bare chips to be integrated onto a single substrate, interconnected by fine wiring. This approach is particularly suitable for applications requiring high customization, as it allows for flexible configuration of the functionality and performance parameters of each component according to specific needs. It also supports the integration of chips from different technology nodes within the same package to achieve optimal cost-effectiveness.

[0034] In some embodiments of this application, the security chip is used to store the vehicle access key and perform security authentication. This protects the core security credentials required for vehicle access with hardware-level isolation, preventing the key from being attacked by software, reverse engineered, or illegally read, thus ensuring the entire unlocking process is based on a trusted and secure foundation. By having a dedicated security chip independently perform authentication calculations, not only is the resistance to attacks improved, but key leakage is also prevented after the main control system is compromised, providing financial-grade security for the car key.

[0035] In some embodiments of this application, the interaction module is used to perform biometric authentication before unlocking the vehicle. The interaction module introduces an active verification mechanism for user identity, further confirming the operator's identity beyond physical possession of the key, effectively preventing unauthorized unlocking of the vehicle after the key is lost or stolen. By completing biometric comparison locally, without the need for external device intervention, security is enhanced while maintaining operational convenience and real-time response.

[0036] In some embodiments of this application, the IMU module is used to detect the movement state of the car key, providing the system with environmental awareness capabilities so that the car key can determine whether it is being carried or used. Based on the detection results of the movement state, the system can decide whether to activate the high-power communication module, thereby avoiding continuous power consumption during periods of inactivity and providing a key input basis for achieving refined dynamic power consumption management.

[0037] In some embodiments of this application, the communication module includes a UWB unit, a BLE unit, and an NFC unit, constructing a multi-layered wireless interaction capability covering different usage scenarios: the BLE unit supports low-power long-range vehicle discovery and initial connection, the UWB unit achieves centimeter-level accurate ranging to prevent relay attacks, and the NFC unit provides a near-field emergency communication channel in the absence of power. The three work together to enable the car key to reliably establish a secure connection with the vehicle under various distance and power conditions.

[0038] In some embodiments of this application, the power module is used to power the car key, providing a stable, continuous, and diverse energy source for the entire system and supporting the normal operation of each functional module. As a fundamental guarantee for the operation of the car key, the design of the power module is directly related to the device's battery life, ease of use, and availability under extreme conditions, and is a prerequisite for achieving the goals of long battery life and high reliability.

[0039] In some embodiments of this application, the microcontroller is configured to: When the IMU module detects that the car key is stationary, the control communication module enters deep sleep mode to minimize system power consumption when not in use. Since the car key is idle or stationary most of the time, there is no need to maintain radio frequency communication. By putting the entire communication module into deep sleep, standby current can be significantly reduced, thereby effectively extending battery life and alleviating users' range anxiety.

[0040] When the IMU module detects that the car key is in motion, it wakes up the BLE unit to perform a vehicle broadcast scan, enabling on-demand activation of communication functions and avoiding energy waste caused by continuous monitoring. When the user begins to carry or move the key, the system determines that they may be approaching the vehicle. At this time, it only wakes up the lower-power BLE unit for preliminary detection, ensuring timely response while avoiding premature startup of high-power modules, thus achieving a reasonable balance between power consumption and functionality.

[0041] Once the BLE unit establishes a connection with the vehicle, it estimates the distance based on the received signal strength. If the distance is less than a preset threshold, it wakes up the UWB unit to perform centimeter-level precise ranging based on time-of-flight and anti-relay attack authentication, optimizing system energy efficiency while ensuring security. Although UWB offers high accuracy and strong security, it consumes a lot of power. Therefore, it is only activated when it is confirmed that the user has approached the vehicle and has a genuine intention to unlock it. Activating UWB after initial distance screening via BLE effectively prevents relay attacks and avoids the power consumption caused by prolonged UWB operation.

[0042] After the vehicle unlocking or locking operation is completed, each unit of the control communication module shuts down sequentially and returns to a low-power state, promptly reclaiming system resources and restoring energy-saving mode. Once the vehicle access operation is finished, continuing to operate the communication module would be meaningless and would only increase power consumption. By orderly shutting down each unit and quickly transitioning to a low-power state, unnecessary energy consumption can be prevented, ensuring that the system can efficiently return to standby mode after each use, reserving sufficient power for the next operation, thereby supporting long-term stable use.

[0043] In some embodiments of this application, the interaction module includes an LED indicator, a vibration motor, and a capacitive fingerprint sensor. The microcontroller is configured to only allow the BLE unit or UWB unit to be activated after successful fingerprint recognition. User biometric authentication is a prerequisite for enabling communication functions, ensuring that the car key will only establish a wireless connection with the vehicle when operated by the legitimate owner. By completing fingerprint verification locally and using it as the authorization basis for activating the radio frequency module, not only is key theft or accidental triggering effectively prevented, but unnecessary radio frequency signal transmission before user identity is confirmed is also avoided, thus balancing security and energy efficiency. Simultaneously, this mechanism strengthens edge privacy protection; all biometric data can be verified without uploading or relying on external devices, improving the overall system's autonomy and reliability.

[0044] In some embodiments of this application, the power module includes a rechargeable battery, a wireless charging receiving coil, a flexible solar charging film, and an NFC field power extraction circuit, constructing a multi-complementary energy supply system that enables the car key to maintain basic functions under different usage environments and battery levels. The rechargeable battery provides continuous power as the main energy source, the wireless charging receiving coil supports convenient daily charging, the flexible solar charging film can provide weak but continuous energy replenishment under sunlight conditions, and the NFC field power extraction circuit serves as a final emergency measure, ensuring the execution of critical operations even when the main battery is completely depleted, thereby comprehensively improving the availability and robustness of the device.

[0045] Furthermore, the NFC field power circuit is configured to draw power from the electromagnetic field generated by the vehicle's NFC reader when the rechargeable battery is depleted. This power is used to temporarily power the security chip and NFC unit to complete a single vehicle unlocking authentication, ensuring the car key still has basic emergency access capabilities even in extreme power-deprived situations. When the built-in battery fails to provide power, placing the key near the vehicle's NFC sensing area allows the reader to induce a weak current using the 13.56 MHz radio frequency field emitted by the reader. This current is dedicated to driving the security chip and NFC communication unit to complete a single security authentication process. This mechanism completely eliminates the risk of users being unable to use their vehicles due to depleted battery power, achieving true power-free backup and significantly improving the reliability and user experience of the smart car key.

[0046] In some embodiments of this application, a wireless charging receiving coil is used as the primary charging method, making it convenient for users to use a universal charging pad; a flexible solar film is integrated as an auxiliary charging method, continuously replenishing a small amount of power under sunlight; and most importantly, NFC field power extraction technology is introduced as a final emergency solution, so that even if the battery is completely depleted, energy can be obtained from the electromagnetic field of the vehicle's NFC reader when the key is brought close to it, temporarily powering the chip to complete an authentication and unlocking process.

[0047] In some embodiments of this application, when entering the NFC field power emergency mode, the interaction module guides the user to bring the key close to the designated NFC sensing area of ​​the vehicle through vibration and visual cues, and provides operation feedback after the emergency unlock is successful.

[0048] Specifically, since NFC field power generation relies on close coupling between the key and the vehicle's card reader, users need to accurately align the key with the sensing area to successfully obtain power and complete authentication. At this time, the vibration motor and LED indicator work together to actively guide the user to adjust the key position using tactile and visual signals, lowering the operational threshold. After emergency unlocking is completed, the interaction module again provides immediate feedback through vibration or light changes, clearly informing the user that the operation has taken effect and avoiding repeated attempts or misjudgments. This ensures intuitive and reliable human-machine interaction even under extreme conditions of complete powerlessness.

[0049] In some embodiments of this application, the power module further includes a power management chip. The power management chip is connected to the wireless charging receiving coil, the flexible solar charging film, the rechargeable battery, and each power-consuming module. It is configured to dynamically allocate power supply priorities based on the input energy type and battery status, achieving efficient and intelligent coordination and management between multiple energy inputs and the system load. As the core of energy scheduling, the power management chip can monitor the input power from wireless charging and the solar film, as well as the remaining battery power and charge / discharge status, in real time, and dynamically adjust the priorities of different power supply paths accordingly. For example, when wireless charging is available, external power is prioritized to charge the battery simultaneously; when there is sufficient sunlight but no wireless charging, solar energy is used to maintain low-power operation; and when the battery power is low, the energy consumption of non-critical modules is limited. This refined energy allocation strategy not only improves charging efficiency and energy utilization but also effectively extends the overall battery life and ensures stable system operation under various power supply conditions.

[0050] In some embodiments of this application, the wireless charging receiving coil can also be replaced by electromagnetic induction charging, that is, energy transfer is achieved by close coupling between the coil inside the key housing and the transmitting coil on the vehicle or a dedicated base, which is similar to the principle of charging an electric toothbrush. Although this solution can simplify circuit design and improve charging efficiency, it requires strict alignment and is usually difficult to achieve a high protection level, which may sacrifice the overall waterproofness and ease of use of the device.

[0051] In some embodiments of this application, the flexible solar charging film can also be replaced by a contact point charging method, that is, metal contacts are set on the key shell, and the power supply is completed by physical connection with a dedicated charging base. This method has a simple structure and low cost, but the exposed conductive contacts are susceptible to dust and moisture corrosion, which is not conducive to achieving a high level of sealing and may affect the long-term reliability and waterproof performance of the car key in humid or dusty environments.

[0052] In some embodiments of this application, the flexible solar charging film may also be replaced or supplemented by a kinetic energy recovery device, such as a built-in micro piezoelectric element or an electromagnetic pendulum structure, which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy when the user walks or shakes while carrying the key. Although this technology can provide an additional energy source in the absence of light, it still faces significant challenges in terms of output power and stability due to limitations in miniaturization space and energy conversion efficiency, and is not yet a primary means of energy supply.

[0053] In some embodiments of this application, the NFC field power circuit is activated only when an external NFC reader activation signal is detected and the rechargeable battery voltage is below a set threshold. It automatically shuts off after a single authentication is completed, ensuring that the NFC field power function is activated only in truly needed emergency scenarios, avoiding unnecessary energy path interference or system erroneous triggering. Through dual condition judgment—that is, the external NFC reader sends a valid activation signal and the internal battery power is insufficient to support normal operation—the system can accurately identify power-out emergency states, thereby selectively activating the field power mechanism. Automatically disconnecting the circuit immediately after completing an unlock authentication prevents continuous power consumption or potential security risks, while ensuring that this emergency power supply path is dedicated to critical authentication tasks, improving overall energy efficiency and system reliability.

[0054] In some embodiments of this application, the security chip and the IMU module establish a security status confirmation channel through encrypted heartbeat signals, constructing a dynamic security monitoring mechanism based on hardware-level trusted interaction. By periodically exchanging encrypted heartbeat signals, the security chip can continuously verify whether the IMU module is in a normal working state, while the IMU module can confirm whether its sensed data has been effectively received and processed by the security chip. This two-way confirmation mechanism ensures the integrity and real-time performance of communication between the core components of the system, providing a reliable status basis for subsequent security decisions.

[0055] Furthermore, when the IMU module detects abnormally severe vibrations, free falls, or a lack of valid motion signals for a preset duration, and the security chip fails to receive an encrypted heartbeat signal within a preset time, it automatically locks the vehicle access credentials, prohibiting subsequent unlocking operations until a preset authentication process is completed. This proactively defends against security risks arising from physical attacks or device malfunctions. For example, if the key is forcibly dismantled, dropped, or left unattended for an extended period, potentially leading to theft, the system can identify abnormal usage and, combined with the key indicator of interrupted heartbeat signals, determine that the device may have been out of legitimate user control. Immediately locking the vehicle access credentials stored in the security chip effectively prevents unauthorized unlocking attempts. Functionality is restored only after the user re-authenticates their identity through a preset authentication method (such as biometrics), significantly enhancing the car key's security against physical threats or abnormal environments.

[0056] In some embodiments of this application, the microcontroller is configured to fuse multi-mode authentication results before unlocking: based on the preliminary authentication result of the BLE unit, the ranging consistency judgment of the UWB unit, and the near-field signal strength of the NFC unit, a comprehensive confidence score is generated. Multi-dimensional perception and cross-validation improve the accuracy and security of vehicle access decisions. The microcontroller no longer relies on the judgment of a single communication module, but simultaneously analyzes the initial identity verification information provided by BLE, whether the precise distance feedback from UWB matches the expected behavior pattern, and the signal characteristics exhibited by NFC in near-field interaction, unifying these heterogeneous data into quantifiable trust indicators. This multi-source information fusion mechanism effectively reduces the risk of erroneous unlocking due to interference, forgery, or misjudgment of a single signal, making the system's identification of genuine user intent more robust.

[0057] Furthermore, the security chip is only allowed to output an unlock command when the overall confidence score exceeds a preset security threshold. By introducing a dynamic security threshold mechanism, the final unlocking action is only triggered when the overall environment is highly trustworthy. By setting a reasonable scoring threshold, the system can strike a balance between convenience and security: avoiding excessive sensitivity leading to frequent denials, while preventing excessive leniency that allows attacks to bypass the system. This strategy upgrades security decision-making from a simple "connection equals authorization" to intelligent judgment based on contextual trustworthiness, significantly enhancing the defense capabilities against common threats such as relay attacks and signal replay, while ensuring a seamless passage experience for legitimate users in normal scenarios.

[0058] In some embodiments of this application, the antennas of the UWB unit, BLE unit, and NFC unit are compactly arranged inside the key housing, adopting a conformal structure and orthogonal polarization, and suppressing mutual interference through a radio frequency isolation structure composed of a ground shielding layer or a high-frequency isolation slot.

[0059] Because UWB, BLE, and NFC operate in different frequency bands and have varying signal integrity requirements, simultaneously placing three antennas within the limited physical key housing can easily lead to mutual coupling, crosstalk, or performance degradation. By employing a conformal structure, the antenna shape conforms to the internal contours of the housing, maximizing the use of available space. Orthogonal polarization ensures that the electromagnetic field directions of different antennas are perpendicular to each other, physically reducing coupling effects. Furthermore, radio frequency isolation structures such as grounding shields or high-frequency isolation slots create electromagnetic barriers in the circuit layout, further blocking crosstalk paths between high-frequency signals. This series of design features works synergistically to ensure that the three communication modules can still operate stably and efficiently even in a high-density integrated state. This guarantees ranging accuracy, communication reliability, and emergency reading success rate, while avoiding increased power consumption or functional abnormalities caused by antenna interference. This provides crucial support for the miniaturization and high performance of multi-mode smart car keys.

[0060] In some embodiments of this application, UWB precise ranging is based on the IEEE 802.15.4z standard. It measures distance by calculating the time it takes for radio waves to travel between the key and the vehicle, achieving centimeter-level high-precision positioning. This mechanism also possesses strong resistance to tampering and relay attacks. NFC field power generation follows the ISO / IEC 14443 standard, utilizing the 13.56 MHz radio frequency field generated by the vehicle's card reader to provide a small but sufficient amount of power to the depleted key chip for a single authentication operation while simultaneously completing near-field communication.

[0061] Low-power design, by selecting ultra-low-power microcontrollers and RF chips, and combining various hardware and software collaborative technologies such as deep sleep, intermittent wake-up, and dynamic voltage and frequency adjustment, significantly reduces the overall system energy consumption, which is the key to achieving long battery life.

[0062] In terms of circuit protection, the power management chip uses transient suppression diodes with a response speed of nanoseconds to quickly absorb instantaneous high-voltage pulses such as electrostatic discharge. At the same time, it is equipped with varistors with large current capacity to suppress continuous surge overvoltage. The two work together to provide comprehensive and reliable electrical protection for the precision electronic components inside the key.

[0063] In some embodiments of this application, if the ranging accuracy requirement is slightly lower, the UWB unit can also be replaced by the channel detection technology of Bluetooth 6.0. The distance is estimated by analyzing the multipath channel response, thereby achieving sub-meter ranging capability. Although this method has certain advantages in terms of power consumption and integration, it is still inferior to UWB in terms of anti-relay attack capability and centimeter-level positioning accuracy. Therefore, it is suitable for application scenarios with relatively relaxed security requirements.

[0064] In summary, the long-lasting smart physical car key provided in this application has the following technical effects.

[0065] This application integrates UWB, BLE, and NFC tri-mode communication technologies to achieve full-scenario coverage, from long-distance vehicle detection and centimeter-level accurate ranging to emergency unlocking in case of power failure, significantly improving functional integrity and reliability. It employs a dynamic power management strategy based on IMU motion detection and distance perception, waking up different RF modules on demand, greatly reducing system power consumption and effectively extending battery life while ensuring a seamless interactive experience. A multi-source power supply mechanism is introduced, combining wireless charging, flexible solar films, and NFC field power extraction technology to ensure basic functions are maintained under various environmental and power conditions, completely eliminating the pain point of being unable to use the vehicle due to power failure. An end-to-end localized security system is constructed by independently storing keys and performing authentication through a security chip, combined with biometric recognition and multi-mode fusion confidence assessment, effectively preventing relay attacks and unauthorized access. The antenna adopts a conformal layout, orthogonal polarization, and RF isolation structure, achieving efficient coexistence of the three modes in a compact space and avoiding mutual interference. A power management chip coordinates multiple power inputs and load distribution, supplemented by multi-layer circuit protection composed of TVS and MOV, ensuring long-term stable system operation. The overall solution achieves a balance of high security, strong robustness, ultra-long battery life, and extreme portability without relying on smartphones or remote servers, providing smart cars with a truly independent and reliable physical access terminal.

[0066] It should be noted that in all specific embodiments of this application, all data processing activities related to user identity or personal characteristics, such as user information, user behavior data, historical data, and location information, will be conducted in accordance with the principles of legality, legitimacy, and necessity. All data collection, use, storage, and processing will be subject to compliance with applicable national and regional laws, regulations, and industry standards, and informed consent from users will be obtained in a clear and explicit manner before processing. For the processing of sensitive personal information, separate consent from users will be obtained through prominent means such as pop-up prompts and independent confirmation pages. If any processing conflicts with laws and regulations, the laws and regulations will prevail, and necessary data processing will only be carried out within the scope permitted by laws and regulations, ensuring that all data-based applications, analyses, and technical implementations are conducted within the scope permitted by laws and regulations.

[0067] In some alternative embodiments, the functions / operations mentioned in the block diagrams may not occur in the order shown in the operation diagrams. For example, depending on the functions / operations involved, two consecutively shown blocks may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in reverse order. Furthermore, the embodiments presented and described in the flowcharts of this application are provided by way of example to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the technology. The disclosed methods are not limited to the operations and logic flows presented herein. Alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the order of various operations is changed and sub-operations described as part of a larger operation are executed independently.

[0068] Furthermore, although this application is described in the context of functional modules, it should be understood that, unless otherwise stated, one or more of the functions and / or features may be integrated into a single physical device and / or software module, or one or more functions and / or features may be implemented in a separate physical device or software module. It is also understood that a detailed discussion of the actual implementation of each module is unnecessary for understanding this application. Rather, given the properties, functions, and internal relationships of the various functional modules in the apparatus disclosed herein, the actual implementation of the module will be understood within the scope of ordinary skill of an engineer. Therefore, those skilled in the art can implement the application set forth in the claims using ordinary skill. It is also understood that the specific concepts disclosed are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application, which is determined by the full scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0069] If a function is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this invention, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several programs to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0070] The logic and / or steps represented in the flowchart or otherwise described herein, for example, can be considered as a sequential list of executable programs for implementing logical functions, and can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by, or in conjunction with, a program execution system, apparatus, or device (such as a computer-based system, a processor-included system, or other system that can retrieve and execute a program from or in conjunction with such a program execution system, apparatus, or device). For the purposes of this specification, "computer-readable medium" can mean any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit a program for use by or in conjunction with a program execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0071] More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable media include: electrical connections (electronic devices) having one or more wires, portable computer disk drives (magnetic devices), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable and editable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), fiber optic devices, and portable optical disc read-only memory (CDROM). Additionally, computer-readable media can even be paper or other suitable media on which programs can be printed, for example, by optically scanning the paper or other media, then editing, interpreting, or, if necessary, processing it in a suitable manner to obtain the program electronically, and then storing it in computer memory.

[0072] It should be understood that various parts of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the above embodiments, multiple steps or methods can be implemented in software or firmware stored in memory and executed by a suitable program execution system. For example, if implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, it can be implemented using any one or a combination of the following techniques known in the art: discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing logical functions on data signals, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) having suitable combinational logic gates, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0073] In the foregoing description of this specification, the reference to terms such as "one embodiment / implementation," "another embodiment / implementation," or "certain embodiments / implementations," etc., indicates that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment or example is included in an embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0074] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

[0075] The above is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such equivalent modifications or substitutions are included within the scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A long-lasting smart physical car key, characterized in that, include: Microcontroller, security chip, communication module, IMU module, interaction module, and power module; The security chip is used to store vehicle access keys and perform security authentication. The interaction module is used to perform biometric authentication before unlocking the vehicle; The IMU module is used to detect the movement state of the car key; The communication module includes a UWB unit, a BLE unit, and an NFC unit; The power module is used to supply power to the car key; The microcontroller is configured to: When the IMU module detects that the car key is in a stationary state, it controls the communication module to enter a deep sleep mode; When the IMU module detects that the car key is in motion, it wakes up the BLE unit to perform a vehicle broadcast scan. After the BLE unit establishes a connection with the vehicle, it estimates the distance to the vehicle based on the received signal strength, and wakes up the UWB unit when the distance is less than a preset threshold to perform centimeter-level accurate ranging based on time of flight and anti-relay attack authentication. After the vehicle unlocking or locking operation is completed, each unit of the control communication module is turned off in sequence and returns to a low-power state.

2. The long-battery-life smart physical car key according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interaction module includes LED indicator lights, a vibration motor, and a capacitive fingerprint recognition sensor. The microcontroller is configured to allow the BLE unit or UWB unit to be activated only after successful fingerprint recognition.

3. The long-battery-life smart physical car key according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power module includes a rechargeable battery, a wireless charging receiving coil, a flexible solar charging film, and an NFC field power extraction circuit. The NFC field power extraction circuit is configured to obtain power from the electromagnetic field generated by the vehicle's NFC reader when the rechargeable battery is depleted, and temporarily power the security chip and NFC unit to complete a vehicle unlocking authentication.

4. The long-battery-life smart physical car key according to claim 3, characterized in that, When entering the NFC field power emergency mode, the interaction module guides the user to bring the key close to the designated NFC sensing area of ​​the vehicle through vibration and visual cues, and provides operation feedback after the emergency unlock is successful.

5. The long-battery-life smart physical car key according to claim 3, characterized in that, The power module also includes a power management chip, which is connected to the wireless charging receiving coil, the flexible solar charging film, the rechargeable battery and each power module, and is configured to dynamically allocate power supply priority according to the input energy type and battery status.

6. The long-battery-life smart physical car key according to claim 3, characterized in that, The NFC field power circuit is activated only when an external NFC reader activation signal is detected and the rechargeable battery voltage is below a set threshold, and automatically powers off after a single authentication is completed.

7. The long-battery-life smart physical car key according to claim 1, characterized in that, The security chip and the IMU module establish a security status confirmation channel through an encrypted heartbeat signal. When the IMU module detects abnormally severe vibration, free fall, or no effective motion signal for a preset duration, and the security chip does not receive the encrypted heartbeat signal within a preset time, the vehicle access credential is automatically locked, and subsequent unlocking operations are prohibited until the system is restored through a preset identity verification process.

8. The long-battery-life smart physical car key according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microcontroller is configured to integrate multi-mode authentication results before performing unlocking: based on the preliminary authentication results of the BLE unit, the ranging consistency judgment of the UWB unit, and the near-field signal strength of the NFC unit, a comprehensive confidence score is generated; the security chip is only allowed to output an unlocking command when the comprehensive confidence score exceeds a preset security threshold.

9. The long-battery-life smart physical car key according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microcontroller, security chip, communication module, IMU module, interaction module, and power module are integrated into a single portable housing, forming an independent vehicle access terminal. It can autonomously complete user biometric authentication, BLE vehicle detection, UWB precise ranging, and security chip-driven unlock command output without establishing a data link with a smartphone or accessing a remote server.

10. The long-battery-life smart physical car key according to claim 9, characterized in that, The antennas of the UWB unit, BLE unit, and NFC unit are compactly arranged inside the key housing, adopting a conformal structure and orthogonal polarization, and suppressing mutual interference through a radio frequency isolation structure composed of a grounding shielding layer or a high-frequency isolation slot.

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