Portable Terminal Case with Smart Key Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smart keys lack visual indication and functionality, requiring users to carry them separately from portable terminals, which do not provide vehicle control capabilities, limiting convenience and interworking with smart keys.
Innovation Solution
A portable terminal case with a cover unit, coupling unit, and seating surface for a smart key, enabling power and communication between the portable terminal and smart key, allowing remote vehicle control through a dedicated application and display of control buttons on the terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If smart key only includes key buttons without display, then device complexity is reduced, but visual indication capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The portable terminal serves as an intermediary device that receives control inputs from the smart key and displays visual feedback on its own screen. The terminal's display acts as a mediator to provide visual indication capability without adding complexity to the smart key itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the smart key functionality with the portable terminal's display capability. When the smart key and terminal are coupled, the terminal's display is utilized to show vehicle control states, merging the simple smart key with the terminal's visual output capabilities.
2Device complexity
If portable terminal does not provide smart key functionality, then device complexity is reduced, but vehicle control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The portable terminal is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a regular portable terminal and a vehicle control interface when coupled with the smart key. The terminal can display various applications and provide vehicle control capabilities, making it a multi-functional device that adapts to different use cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal's functionality dynamically changes based on its coupling state with the smart key. When coupled, the terminal activates vehicle control modes and displays; when not coupled, it operates as a standard terminal. This dynamic adaptation allows the terminal to provide vehicle control capability only when needed.
3Ease of operation
If user carries smart key separately from portable terminal, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time increases due to carrying multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the smart key to be integrated with the portable terminal through a coupling mechanism. The terminal case includes a seating surface that receives the smart key, and coupling units that electrically connect the two devices. This merging allows users to carry both devices together as a unified system rather than separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable terminal becomes a universal device that can function both as a standalone terminal and as a vehicle control interface when the smart key is coupled. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to carry the smart key as a separate operational device, as the terminal can perform smart key functions when coupled.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable terminal case and a method for controlling a smart key of a portable terminal are provided. The portable terminal case may include a cover unit for covering and protecting a rear side of a portable terminal and a coupling unit for connecting with a connector exposed on a rear side of the portable terminal. A seating surface for receiving a smart key may be formed in an inner side of the cover unit and the coupling unit may include a communication port for communicating with the portable terminal and a power port for receiving power, which are electrically connected to the smart key received in the seating surface.