Bluetooth Key Fob Backup Access and Valet Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phone-as-a-key (PaaK) systems lack backup access methods and valet mode functionality, making it difficult for users to access vehicles in challenging environmental conditions or when the mobile device is lost or out of battery, and they may not support multiple vehicle profiles.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mobile device and a fob with short-range wireless transceivers, allowing the fob to connect directly to vehicles via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for backup access and enabling valet mode functionality, allowing users to transition between vehicle profiles and access multiple vehicles without requiring hardware changes to PaaK-enabled vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Phone-as-a-key systems are used to allow users to unlock vehicles, then user convenience is improved, but backup access methods and valet mode functionality are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments access control into multiple independent components: the primary mobile device PaaK system and the secondary fob device. This segmentation allows the fob to serve as a standalone backup access method that operates independently when the mobile device is unavailable, lost, or out of battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The fob acts as an intermediary device between the user and the vehicle when the mobile device cannot be used. It receives configuration data from the mobile device via Bluetooth Low Energy and then independently communicates with the vehicle to provide backup access and valet mode functionality.
2Device complexity
If a single fob is used to control one vehicle, then access control is simple, but support for multiple vehicle profiles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fob is designed with universal functionality to support multiple vehicle profiles. It can store and switch between configuration data for different vehicles, allowing a single fob device to control multiple vehicles without requiring separate fobs for each vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The fob dynamically switches between different vehicle profiles based on user selection or automatic detection. The device can transition between controlling different vehicles, and users can switch between valet mode and full access mode as needed, providing adaptive functionality.
3Reliability
If hardware changes are made to PaaK-enabled vehicles to add backup access, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fob serves as an external intermediary device that provides backup access functionality without requiring any hardware modifications to the vehicle. The fob communicates with the vehicle through existing communication protocols, eliminating the need for additional hardware components in the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The fob replicates the key fob functionality that was replaced by the PaaK system. By copying the essential remote communication capabilities in a portable device, it provides backup access without requiring the vehicle to have additional hardware infrastructure.
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
Provides reliable backup access to vehicles and valet mode functionality, ensuring users can access vehicles even when the mobile device is unavailable and supports multiple vehicle profiles, enhancing user convenience and security.
Implementation Method 1
The transceiver is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceiver
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a mobile device and a fob, each having a short-range wireless transceiver. The mobile device is programmed to transmit a message to the fob indicating a fob action using the mobile device transceiver. The fob is programmed to, using the fob transceiver, receive the message and transmit a second message to a vehicle requesting the vehicle to perform the fob action.