Electronic Key Terminal Power Consumption Suppression via Location Threshold

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Solution Overview

Problem

The power consumption in electronic key terminals used for SMART ENTRY systems is high due to continuous communication for relative distance calculations, which reduces battery life and hinders overall power consumption suppression.

Innovation Solution

A power consumption suppression system that acquires locking location information and suppresses power consumption when the relative distance between the locked vehicle location and the electronic key terminal exceeds a prescribed threshold, allowing the terminal to calculate distance without continuous communication and limiting application program execution within a specific range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous communication is performed for relative distance calculation between the electronic key terminal and the on-vehicle device, then the key functionality and authentication capability are maintained, but the power consumption increases and battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekey functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs communication and authentication only at periodic intervals or when triggered by specific events (such as approaching the vehicle), rather than continuously. The electronic key terminal and on-vehicle device establish communication only when needed for authentication, allowing the system to maintain reliability while significantly reducing power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system calculates relative distance in advance using location information before initiating communication or authentication processes. By determining whether the terminal is within the authentication range based on pre-calculated distance, the system avoids unnecessary communication and power consumption while ensuring key functionality is available when actually needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the electronic key terminal continuously monitors and calculates relative distance through communication, then the authentication accuracy is maintained, but the battery life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication accuracyVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary distance calculation using location information from GPS or other positioning systems before initiating authentication communication. This preliminary action determines whether the terminal is within the required authentication range, maintaining measurement precision for authentication while avoiding continuous communication that would drain the battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses location information as an intermediary to determine authentication eligibility. Instead of directly communicating for distance calculation, the system uses position data as a mediator to assess whether the terminal is within range, thereby maintaining authentication accuracy while reducing direct communication overhead and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the electronic key terminal executes application programs continuously to maintain key functions, then the responsiveness and usability are improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresponsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Application programs are executed periodically or event-driven rather than continuously. The terminal monitors for specific conditions (such as proximity to the vehicle or user interaction) and only executes relevant application programs when these conditions are met, maintaining responsiveness when needed while conserving power during idle states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on current conditions. When the terminal detects it is within authentication range or receives user input, it transitions to an active state where application programs execute with high responsiveness. When outside range or idle, it transitions to a low-power state, dynamically balancing responsiveness and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9598051B2Power consumption suppression system for electronic key terminal and power consumption suppression method for electronic key terminal

Publication Date: 2017.03.21 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A power consumption suppression system enables effective reduction of power consumption of an electronic key terminal. A position information acquisition section (210) provided on an electronic key terminal (200) acquires locking location information concerning the locking position of a vehicle (100) and terminal location information concerning the position of the electronic key terminal (200). A power consumption suppression section (220) provided on the electronic key terminal (200) reduces the power consumption when the distance between the locking location of the vehicle (100) indicated by the locking location information and the location of the electronic key terminal (200) indicated by the terminal location information is equal to or longer than a prescribed distance.