E-Bike App Activation Using Proximity and Stationary Release Checks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for controlling electric bicycles lack secure and precise activation mechanisms for application software, often leading to unintentional activation during use, which compromises safety.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a wireless communication connection between the electric bicycle and a control device, using short-range communication interfaces like Bluetooth, where the driving function is activated only when the control device is in close proximity and the electric bicycle is stationary, ensuring secure operation by utilizing release information such as operating status and sensor data for authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the application software is automatically activated upon connection, then user convenience is improved, but safety deteriorates due to unintentional activation during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic activation convenienceVSAvoidsafety during use
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of activation conditions by introducing multiple criteria (proximity detection via wireless communication, stationary status detection via sensor data) instead of a single connection-based trigger. This ensures activation only occurs when both proximity and stationary conditions are met, preventing unintentional activation during movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary between the electric bicycle and the application software activation. It mediates the activation process by evaluating release information (proximity and stationary status) before triggering activation, thereby preventing direct and potentially unsafe automatic activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the driving function is always accessible, then ease of use is improved, but security deteriorates due to unauthorized access during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving function accessibilityVSAvoidunauthorized access during movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of function accessibility by introducing conditional access based on multiple parameters: wireless communication proximity and stationary status detection. The driving function is only accessible when both conditions are satisfied, preventing unauthorized access during movement while maintaining ease of use when properly authenticated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication range is extended, then connectivity flexibility is improved, but activation security deteriorates due to distant unauthorized activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity flexibilityVSAvoidactivation security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of security evaluation by introducing a multi-parameter authentication mechanism that includes wireless communication signal strength (proximity indicator) and stationary status detection. This ensures that even with extended communication range, activation only occurs when both proximity and stationary conditions are met, maintaining security while allowing connectivity flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4261077A1Method for controlling application software of an electric bicycle
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4261077A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4261077A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4261077A1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling application software, wherein the application software is implemented by a control device for a bicycle, in particular for an electric bicycle, comprising the following steps: - establishing a wireless communication connection between the electric bicycle and the control device, - providing release information from the electric bicycle; - enabling a function of the application software and/or automatically activating the application software.