Dummy SRWC Connection for Smartphone Virtual Key Battery Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The continuous operation of mobile apps that store and retrieve virtual keys for vehicle access on smartphones leads to battery drain due to background processing and constant scanning for wireless beacons, which is undesirable for energy conservation.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a dummy short-range wireless communications (SRWC) connection with a smartphone to cease unnecessary SRWC connections, followed by a standard SRWC connection for secure authentication and key transfer, using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Bluetooth, to conserve battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile app continuously runs in the background to maintain virtual key functionality, then vehicle access reliability is improved, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle access reliabilityVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from continuous background operation to periodic action by using event-triggered wake-ups. The mobile device only activates the virtual key functionality when specific events occur (vehicle approach detected, unlock request received), rather than continuously maintaining active connections and scanning for beacons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and separates the continuous scanning and background processing functions from the virtual key operation. By using a dummy SRWC connection, the system removes the need for continuous beacon scanning while maintaining the ability to establish secure connections when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the smartphone continuously scans for wireless beacons and SRWC connections, then connection reliability is improved, but battery life deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dummy SRWC connection as an intermediary mechanism. This dummy connection serves as a mediator that satisfies the mobile device's requirement for an active connection without requiring continuous scanning or background processing, thereby extending battery life while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by establishing a dummy connection in advance before actual key operations are needed. This pre-established connection eliminates the need for continuous scanning and last-minute connection attempts, reducing energy consumption while ensuring connection availability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SRWC connections are attempted simultaneously, then connection versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection versatilityVSAvoidconnection management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection management into two distinct parts: a dummy SRWC connection for maintaining connection state and a standard SRWC connection for actual key operations. This segmentation allows the system to manage connections more efficiently by separating the maintenance function from the operational function, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11072310B1Method and system to mitigate smart phone battery drainage while using a virtual key to access a vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

One general aspect includes a system to receive a virtual key at a vehicle, the system includes a memory configured to include a plurality of executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to establish a dummy short-range wireless communications (SRWC) connection with a mobile computing device; establish a standard SRWC connection with the mobile computing device; receive the virtual key from the mobile computing device through the standard SRWC connection; and where the dummy SRWC connection is configured to cause the mobile computing device to cease attempting to establish one or more additional SRWC connections.