Gesture-Controlled NFC Key Entry With Low-Power RKE Activation

Solution Overview

Problem

NFC key cards lack the ability to provide remote keyless entry (RKE) functions due to limitations in battery life and range from NFC or short-range RF communications, and they do not have physical buttons for activating RKE functions, which are desirable for users familiar with button-based operations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a gesture control system with an access device that uses motion and orientation sensors to detect user gestures, such as taps and orientations, to send RKE commands via a BLE or RF transceiver, allowing for configurable and power-saving command inputs without the need for physical buttons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If NFC key card uses NFC or short-range RF communication for vehicle access, then contactless entry is enabled, but battery life is limited and communication range is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transceiver is activated periodically only when gesture commands are detected, rather than continuously. The system transitions between sleep mode and active mode based on gesture detection, enabling periodic communication only when needed for RKE functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Physical buttons are replaced with gesture-based input mechanisms. The system uses motion sensors to detect gestures (taps, rotations, swipes) as substitutes for mechanical button presses, eliminating the need for physical contact points while maintaining command input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If physical buttons are added to NFC key card for RKE functions, then user familiarity and ease of operation improve, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser operation easeVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Physical buttons are replaced with gesture-based input mechanisms. The system uses motion sensors to detect gestures (taps, rotations, swipes) as substitutes for mechanical button presses, eliminating the need for physical contact points while maintaining command input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The gesture recognition system serves multiple functions: it replaces physical buttons for RKE commands, provides a compact form factor, and enables contactless operation. A single gesture interface handles multiple vehicle control functions without requiring separate physical components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If gesture control system is implemented without physical buttons, then device compactness and power consumption improve, but ease of operation for users familiar with buttons decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Physical buttons are replaced with gesture-based input mechanisms. The system uses motion sensors to detect gestures (taps, rotations, swipes) as substitutes for mechanical button presses, eliminating the need for physical contact points while maintaining command input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the user's natural hand movements and gestures to input commands, eliminating the need for separate control components. The gesture detection leverages the user's existing motor skills and natural interactions with the device, making the interface intuitive without requiring learning new button configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables the NFC key card to provide RKE functions like unlocking and starting a vehicle through gestures, enhancing user experience by providing a battery-efficient and expandable command input method that conserves power and avoids hardware changes.

Implementation Method 1

one or more motion or orientation sensor configured to detect user gestures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMotion detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

one or more environmental sensors configured to receive environmental input regarding surroundings of the access device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnvironmental sensing:

Implementation Method 3

a transceiver configured to send RKE commands

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11794694B2Gesture-based remote keyless entry for NFC keys

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Utilizing an access device is provided. A command mapping of user input to RKE commands is utilized to identify a RKE command based on the user input to one or more motion or orientation sensor of the access device. Responsive to the environmental input from one or more environmental sensors of the access device being indicative of command entry, a transceiver of the access device is activated, the RKE command is sent, and the transceiver is deactivated. Otherwise, the user input of the RKE command is ignored.