Remote Control Deactivation for Moving Objects Using Geofence Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The possibility of a third party remotely controlling a moving object poses a security risk, particularly in environments like a factory where vehicles are produced, necessitating a system to prevent unauthorized remote control.

Innovation Solution

A remote control system that includes a moving object with a deactivation unit to reversibly or irreversibly deactivate remote control based on position information, using geofence regions to determine the object's location and issue appropriate deactivation commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If remote control is enabled for a moving object, then the moving object can be operated remotely, but it becomes vulnerable to unauthorized control by third parties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidunauthorized control risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the operational space into multiple geofence regions (first region, second region, third region) with different security levels. Remote control is allowed in the third region but automatically deactivated in the first and second regions, segmenting the control authority based on location to prevent unauthorized control while maintaining operational capability where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The geofence system acts as an intermediary between the remote control function and the moving object. By monitoring position information and automatically issuing deactivation commands when entering restricted regions, the geofence system mediates the remote control operation to prevent third-party interference without requiring manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If remote control is deactivated to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but legitimate remote operation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized control preventionVSAvoidlegitimate remote operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different remote control policies to different spatial locations. The third region maintains remote control functionality for legitimate operations, while the first and second regions enforce deactivation for security. This local differentiation allows the system to simultaneously enable legitimate remote operation and prevent unauthorized access by making the control authority location-dependent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The remote control status dynamically changes based on the moving object's position. The system continuously monitors position information and automatically adjusts the remote control state (active or deactivated) according to which region the object is in, enabling flexible adaptation between security and operational needs without manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If automatic deactivation is implemented upon entering restricted regions, then security against third-party control is enhanced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethird-party control preventionVSAvoidgeofence monitoring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring position information and issuing deactivation commands without requiring external intervention. The moving object itself reports its position, and the system autonomously determines whether to deactivate remote control based on the current region, eliminating the need for manual security monitoring while maintaining enhanced security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where position information is continuously acquired and fed back to the determination unit, which then decides whether to issue deactivation commands. This automatic feedback mechanism enables real-time security adjustment based on location, enhancing third-party control prevention while keeping the system manageable through rule-based automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4439515B1Remote control system, remote control deactivation device, and remote control deactivation method
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4439515B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4439515B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4439515B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A remote control system includes: a moving object configured to be movable by remote control, the moving object including a deactivation execution unit configured to reversibly or irreversibly deactivate the remote control; a position information acquisition unit configured to acquire position information regarding the moving object; a determination unit configured to determine whether the moving object is located inside a predetermined first region and whether the moving object is located inside a predetermined second region using the position information, the second region being different from the first region; and a deactivation command unit configured to supply a first command to the moving object when the determination unit determines that the moving object is located inside the first region, the first command being a command for causing the deactivation execution unit to reversibly deactivate the remote control, the deactivation command unit configured to supply a second command to the moving object when the determination unit determines that the moving object is located inside the second region, the second command being a command for causing the deactivation execution unit to irreversibly deactivate the remote control.