Power-Locked Panel Access Using Phone-Charged Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Insufficient battery power in electric locking systems for vehicles can render them inoperable, locking out drivers or operators.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a connector for personal electronics devices to provide electric charge, a controller for the electromechanical locking device, and memory to store instructions for authentication and activation, allowing the locking device to be unlocked with successful authentication and electric charge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an internal battery is used for electric locking system operations, then the locking system can function autonomously, but insufficient battery power can cause the system to become inoperable and lock out the driver

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking system operabilityVSAvoidbattery power depletion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A power transfer device (wireless power transmitter) is introduced as an intermediary between an external power source and the vehicle's battery system. This mediator enables energy transfer without physical contact, allowing the battery to be recharged when depleted, thus maintaining locking system operability without requiring manual battery replacement or wired connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary authentication and power transfer activation before the battery is completely depleted. The wireless power transmitter is activated in advance to recharge the battery, preventing the situation where insufficient power causes lockout. This proactive approach ensures the locking system remains operational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If wireless power transfer is implemented for battery recharging, then battery power can be restored without manual intervention, but the system requires authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery recharging convenienceVSAvoidauthentication system requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical authentication (physical keys, manual battery replacement) with an automated authentication system using electronic devices. The system uses communication between mobile devices and the vehicle's control unit to verify authorization, substituting mechanical operations with electronic authentication and wireless power transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication and power transfer system operates autonomously once the authorized device is presented. The control unit automatically verifies credentials, activates the wireless power transmitter, and manages battery recharging without requiring manual intervention from the user, making the process self-service oriented.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If authentication is required before power transfer and unlocking, then unauthorized access is prevented, but the access process takes additional time for verification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess securityVSAvoidauthentication verification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Authentication credentials are verified in advance before the power transfer process begins. The control unit checks the electronic device's authorization status prior to activating the wireless power transmitter, ensuring security is established before the actual power transfer and unlocking sequence starts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication process is integrated seamlessly with the power transfer operation, eliminating idle time between verification and execution. Once authentication succeeds, the power transfer begins immediately without interruption, maintaining continuous useful action from verification to battery recharging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Ensures authenticated access to vehicles by using the electric charge from personal electronics devices to power and unlock electromechanical locking systems, even when battery power is low, preventing lockouts.

Implementation Method 1

a connector configured to be operably connected to a personal electronics device and to receive an electric charge from the personal electronics device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric charge transfer: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11769359B2Systems, structures, and methods for accessing power locked panels

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 RIVIAN HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative systems, structures, and methods for performing authenticated access to a structure. An illustrative system includes a connector configured to be operably connected to a personal electronics device and to receive an electric charge from the personal electronics device, a controller couplable to an electromechanical locking device and the connector, and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the controller to receive first authentication information, receive second authentication information from the personal electronics device, authenticate the personal electronics device responsive to the first authentication information and the received second authentication information, and activate an electromechanical locking device to unlock responsive to the electric charge and a successful authentication.