Marine Vessel Authentication Wake Control for Low-Power Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marine vessel systems face high power consumption and inefficiencies in managing the wake-up and authentication of multiple powered devices, particularly with the use of wireless keys, which complicates control and increases costs and potential failure points.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring an authentication device with a sleep state and wake state that conserves power, coupled with a switch to selectively wake the device, and a controller that manages power states efficiently, allowing devices to operate only when authenticated and reducing unnecessary power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the authentication device remains in wake state to be immediately available for authentication, then authentication responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication responsivenessVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication device dynamically transitions between sleep state and wake state based on operational needs. The switch activates the device from sleep to wake state when authentication is required, and the device returns to sleep state after authentication completes or times out, optimizing the balance between responsiveness and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication device operates in periodic cycles, alternating between low-power sleep state and active wake state. The device remains in sleep state during extended periods and activates only when needed, with a timeout mechanism that returns it to sleep state after a predetermined period in wake state without successful authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Device complexity

If the switch controls all power distribution to reduce complexity, then system complexity is reduced, but authenticated devices cannot receive power independently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidpower distribution flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power distribution system is segmented into two independent paths: one path through the switch for waking the authentication device, and another direct path from the power source to authenticated devices. This segmentation allows the switch to control authentication device activation without blocking power to authenticated devices, providing both simplified control and flexible power distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switch acts as an intermediary specifically for the authentication device wake-up function, while authenticated devices receive power directly from the power source through a separate path. This intermediary arrangement allows the switch to perform its authentication gating function without being a bottleneck for overall system power distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple authentication devices are kept awake simultaneously to ensure availability, then system reliability is improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidtotal power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple authentication devices dynamically coordinate their sleep and wake states. When one device is successfully authenticated, other devices transition to or remain in sleep state, eliminating redundant power consumption while maintaining system availability through the authenticated device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple authentication devices are merged into a single operational state through the authentication protocol. Once one device successfully authenticates and grants access, other authentication devices cease operation and return to sleep state, combining their functional output into a single authenticated state that maintains reliability without duplicating power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4671056A1Systems and methods for providing authentication for operating functions of marine vessels
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 BRUNSWICK CORP
  • EP4671056A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4671056A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4671056A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A low energy system for providing authentication for operating a marine. An authentication device receives a key input and outputs a signal when matching a predetermined criteria. The authentication device has sleep and wake states, consumes less power in the sleep state than the wake state, and is inoperable to output the signal in the sleep state. A switch is operably coupled to the authentication device and operable to wake the authentication device from the sleep state to the wake state thereof. The switch is operably coupled such that at least one device of the marine vessel is configured to receive the power from the power source without the power passing through the switch. The authentication device being in the sleep state before being woken by the switch conserves the power from the power source.