Smart Vehicle Key Using NFC and Bluetooth Protocols
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart vehicle key systems require multiple steps and interventions to unlock vehicles and activate ignition systems, lacking a seamless and secure method for controlling vehicle functionalities using a computing device.
Innovation Solution
A computing device employs a combination of near-field communication (NFC) and Bluetooth protocols to send validation requests, establish secure connections, and control vehicle functions like ignition activation and keep-alive messaging, enabling single-step communication and secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a smart vehicle key system uses multiple steps and interventions to unlock vehicles and activate ignition systems, then security can be maintained, but user convenience and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication protocols (NFC and Bluetooth) into a single integrated system. The NFC module handles initial validation and keyless entry, while the Bluetooth module manages ignition activation and keep-alive messaging. This merging allows the system to provide both convenient single-step operation and secure multi-protocol validation without requiring manual intervention at each step.
2Reliability
If a computing device uses multiple communication protocols to communicate with a vehicle, then communication reliability and security are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication functionality into separate specialized modules: an NFC module for short-range validation and keyless entry communication, and a Bluetooth module for ignition control and keep-alive messaging. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific protocol while maintaining overall system manageability and reducing the complexity burden on any single component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a computing device establishes secure connections and sends multiple types of signals to control vehicle functions, then security and functionality are improved, but the number of communication steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pairing and connection establishment between the computing device and vehicle before actual control operations. The NFC module validates the vehicle and establishes initial communication, while the Bluetooth module pre-establishes secure connections for ignition control. This preliminary action ensures that when the user needs to activate ignition or receive notifications, the communication channel is already secured and ready, eliminating delays during actual operations.
4Reliability
If the computing device periodically sends keep-alive messages to maintain engine operation, then engine control reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Bluetooth module sends keep-alive messages to the vehicle at periodic intervals to maintain engine operation and confirm the computing device remains the active key. This periodic action provides continuous engine control reliability without requiring constant communication, thereby reducing energy consumption compared to continuous messaging while still ensuring the engine remains properly controlled.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, this disclosure discloses techniques for using a computing device as a smart vehicle key. The computing device may send a validation request signal to a vehicle via a first short-range communication protocol. After to sending the validation request signal, the computing device may establish a secure connection with the vehicle over a second short-range communication protocol. The computing device may send via the secure connection an ignition signal to the vehicle that activates an ignition system operable to activate a motor of the vehicle. The computing device may periodically send via the secure connection a keep-alive message to the vehicle as the motor of the vehicle is running.