BLE Digital Vehicle Key Ranging for Passive Door Unlock

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle function control methods using NFC technology lack remote control and non-inductive door lock opening and startup functions, and UWB-based solutions incur high hardware costs and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

Implementing BLE technology for ranging and vehicle function control, eliminating the need for additional UWBs, allowing non-inductive door lock opening and startup functions by establishing a BLE connection and performing BLE ranging within a communication distance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If NFC technology is used for vehicle function control, then the terminal can control vehicle functions, but remote control and non-inductive door lock opening and startup functions cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control functionVSAvoidfunction control capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines NFC technology with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology to create a hybrid digital vehicle key system. NFC handles close-range authentication while BLE enables ranging and communication at longer distances, merging the strengths of both technologies to achieve remote control, non-inductive door lock opening, and startup functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If UWB technology is used for ranging and vehicle function control, then remote control and non-inductive door lock opening functions can be provided, but hardware cost and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-inductive door lock opening functionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses BLE technology as a substitute (copy) for UWB ranging functionality. BLE can perform ranging operations using existing infrastructure and protocols, providing equivalent functionality for remote control and non-inductive door lock opening without requiring expensive UWB hardware, thereby reducing power consumption and hardware costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If UWB hardware is installed for vehicle function control, then remote control functions can be achieved, but hardware cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidhardware installation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the universality of BLE technology, which is already widely integrated into mobile terminals. By using BLE for ranging and vehicle control functions, the system achieves remote control capability without requiring additional specialized hardware installations, as BLE is a universal communication protocol already present in most smartphones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces hardware costs and power consumption while enabling remote control, non-inductive door lock opening, and startup functions without requiring additional hardware installations.

Implementation Method 1

The BLE ranging is performed based on at least one of a received signal strength indication (RSSI), an angle-of-arrival (AoA) and an angle-of-departure (AoD) and a hybrid analog and digital modulation (HADM).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReceived signal strength indication (RSSI):

Implementation Method 2

The BLE ranging is performed based on at least one of a received signal strength indication (RSSI), an angle-of-arrival (AoA) and an angle-of-departure (AoD) and a hybrid analog and digital modulation (HADM).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngle-of-arrival (AoA):

Implementation Method 3

The BLE ranging is performed based on at least one of a received signal strength indication (RSSI), an angle-of-arrival (AoA) and an angle-of-departure (AoD) and a hybrid analog and digital modulation (HADM).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngle-of-departure (AoD):

Implementation Method 4

The BLE ranging is performed based on at least one of a received signal strength indication (RSSI), an angle-of-arrival (AoA) and an angle-of-departure (AoD) and a hybrid analog and digital modulation (HADM).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHybrid analog and digital modulation (HADM):

Data Source

PatentEP4039549B1Method, apparatus and device for vehicle function control

Publication Date: 2025.08.13 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD

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AI summary

A method for vehicle function control includes: in response to determining that a distance between a vehicle and a terminal is within a bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication distance and the terminal has a digital vehicle key of the vehicle, establishing a BLE connection between the vehicle and the terminal and performing a BLE ranging; and when a BLE ranging result meets a preset condition, controlling the vehicle to unlock a door lock.