Ignition Key Upgrade Kit for Universal Vehicle Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle rental systems require costly and time-intensive installations of vehicle-specific equipment to enable sharing across different makes and models, and lack efficient methods for universal access and secure communication between vehicles and external devices.
Innovation Solution
An upgrade kit for ignition keys that includes a wireless jammer, receiver, relay, and enclosure, enabling communication with external devices like smartphones and RFID cards, allowing for universal access to vehicles without breaching security features, and allowing for remote control of vehicle access functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vehicle-specific equipment is installed to enable sharing, then access control functionality is improved, but installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a standardized ignition key housing that can accommodate different transponder types and communication protocols across multiple vehicle makes and models. This single universal housing design eliminates the need for model-specific installations while maintaining access control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical installation processes with electronic programming and configuration. The ignition key can be programmed with different access credentials through electronic means, eliminating the need for physical mechanical modifications to the vehicle ignition system.
2Ease of operation
If vehicle-specific equipment is installed to enable sharing, then access control functionality is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized ignition key housing serves multiple vehicle types with a single design, reducing manufacturing costs through economies of scale and eliminating the need for expensive custom fabrication for each vehicle model.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses programmable parameters within the ignition key to adapt to different vehicle types. By changing software parameters and credentials rather than hardware configurations, the system reduces manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining access control functionality.
3Reliability
If secure communication protocols are implemented, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a standardized ignition key as an intermediary device that handles complex security protocols. The key contains the sophisticated communication and authentication logic, keeping the vehicle system itself relatively simple while maintaining high security through the intermediary's capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
One variation of an upgrade kit—for an ignition key corresponding to a vehicle and including an immobilizer transponder and a keyless entry transmitter—includes: a wireless jammer configured to interfere with wireless transmission from the immobilizer transponder; a wireless receiver configured to receive an unlock request from an external device; a relay configured to actuate the keyless entry transmitter to unlock a door of the vehicle in response to the unlock request; and an enclosure configured to contain the wireless receiver and a portion of the ignition key.