Smart Key Control via Periodic Sensor Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional smart key systems face limitations in reducing battery consumption and are vulnerable to hacking, such as relay station attacks, due to continuously active sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method controlling a smart key using a low frequency receiver, radio frequency transmitter, and sensor unit, where the micro control unit manages the turn-on/off operations based on received signals, signal strength, and command messages to optimize power usage and prevent hacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor is continuously turned on to sense smart key motion, then the smart key can respond to user actions, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is controlled to operate periodically rather than continuously. The micro control unit turns the sensor on only when needed (when LF signal is received from the vehicle) and turns it off otherwise, creating a periodic operation pattern that reduces battery consumption while maintaining smart key responsiveness when required
2Reliability
If the sensor is continuously turned on to detect motion, then motion sensing functions work reliably, but the system becomes vulnerable to relay station attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor operates periodically based on LF signal reception from the vehicle rather than continuously. This periodic operation synchronized with legitimate vehicle communication reduces the window of opportunity for relay station attacks while maintaining reliable motion detection during authorized interactions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from LF signal reception to control sensor operation. When the vehicle transmits an LF signal, the micro control unit activates the sensor; when no signal is present, the sensor remains off. This feedback-based control ensures the sensor operates only during legitimate vehicle-key communication, reducing hacking vulnerability
3Speed
If the LF receiver and RF transmitter are continuously active to maintain communication readiness, then communication response time is minimized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LF receiver and RF transmitter are controlled to operate periodically rather than continuously. The micro control unit activates these components only when motion is detected or when LF signal is received from the vehicle, and turns them off during idle periods, reducing power consumption while maintaining communication capability when needed
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a smart key, including a low frequency (LF) receiver receiving an LF signal from a vehicle, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter transmitting an RF signal to the vehicle in response to the LF signal, a sensor unit sensing a motion, and a micro control unit controlling operations of the LF receiver, the RF transmitter, and the sensor unit, includes receiving, by the LF receiver, the LF signal from the vehicle and controlling, by the micro control unit, a turn-on/off operation of each of the LF receiver, the RF transmitter, and the sensor unit on the basis of the received LF signal.