Smartphone Vehicle Key Fob Control via Bluetooth CAN Mediation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved techniques to operate security, convenience, and monitoring features of vehicle control systems (VCS) without carrying a key or key fob, and to provide temporary or limited access to vehicles and their features using a mobile device such as a smartphone.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system coupled with a mobile device via a short-range radio frequency transceiver, allowing the mobile device to simulate a smartkey by communicating with vehicle electronics through a vehicle bus, enabling features like engine start, lock, unlock, alarm activation, and deactivation, using an app to configure menu selections and transmit commands to the vehicle control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile device is used to replace a physical key or key fob for vehicle access and control, then user convenience and accessibility are improved, but security risks may increase due to potential unauthorized access or device loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a vehicle control system as an intermediary between the mobile device and vehicle functions. The mobile device communicates with the vehicle control system via Bluetooth, which then authenticates the device and mediates access to smartkey-enabled features through the vehicle bus, providing a security layer that prevents direct unauthorized control
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device creates a digital copy or simulation of the smartkey functionality through an application that emulates key fob operations. This digital replica can perform functions like lock, unlock, and trunk release by transmitting simulated key signals through the vehicle control system, replacing the need for a physical key while maintaining functional equivalence
2Adaptability or versatility
If temporary or limited access to vehicle features is provided through a mobile device, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but system complexity increases due to additional authentication and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts access levels and vehicle feature availability based on the authenticated mobile device. The vehicle control system can grant or revoke access to specific smartkey-enabled features (engine start, lock, unlock, trunk release) in real-time based on authentication status, allowing flexible temporary access without permanent system modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle control system serves multiple functions: it acts as a Bluetooth receiver for mobile device communication, an authenticator for security verification, a mediator for transmitting commands via the vehicle bus, and a controller for enabling/disabling smartkey features. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity into a single centralized system rather than requiring separate components for each function
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
Enables secure and convenient operation of VCS features using a smartphone, allowing temporary or limited access to vehicles without a physical key, enhancing user convenience and security by simulating smartkey presence and controlling vehicle functions remotely.
Implementation Method 1
The mobile device is configured to pair with the vehicle control system to communicate with the vehicle control system via a communication link between the relatively short range radio frequency mobile device transceiver and the relatively short range radio frequency VCS transceiver
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a vehicle control system (VCS) coupled to a computer of a vehicle via a CAN bus and configured to present selectively appearance of a presence in the vehicle of a smartkey, e.g., by energizing and de-energizing an actual smartkey of the vehicle. The VCS includes a VCS and a Bluetooth® VCS transceiver. The VCS stores VCS software. The apparatus also includes a smartphone with a Bluetooth® transceiver, and storing an app. The mobile device is paired with the VCS to communicate with the VCS via a Bluetooth® link. The app configures the smartphone to receive menu selections from a user, to generate communications that identify smartkey-enabled features of the VCS that correspond to the selections, and to send to the VCS the communications through the link. The VCS software configures the VCS to receive the communications and cause the vehicle to perform actions corresponding to the communications.