Smartphone-Based Vehicle Authorization via BLE Signal Strength
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keyless entry systems for vehicles lack the ability to accurately detect the presence and location of smartphones relative to the vehicle, preventing secure mobilization via smartphone-based authorization.
Innovation Solution
A portable device communicates with a vehicle's transmitter system, using signal strength from multiple Bluetooth Low Energy transmitters to determine its location and authorize vehicle operations, such as unlocking doors or starting the engine, by sending an authorization code based on proximity to the vehicle and driver seat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional keyless entry systems use RF antennas to detect keyfob presence, then vehicle security is improved, but the system cannot detect smartphone presence or location accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a smartphone for general use and a keyless entry credential. The vehicle system universally accepts both traditional keyfobs and smartphones for authorization, allowing the same system to work with different device types while maintaining security and enabling smartphone location detection through the portable device's sensors and communication capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If smartphones are used for vehicle control without dedicated keyfob antennas, then user convenience is improved, but communication interfaces cannot detect smartphone location relative to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device acts as an intermediary between the smartphone and the vehicle system. It receives location data from the smartphone's sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS) and communicates this information to the vehicle, enabling location-based authorization without requiring the smartphone itself to have dedicated vehicle communication antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical RF antenna-based detection system with an electronic sensor-based system. Instead of using physical antennas to detect presence, the portable device uses the smartphone's existing sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS) to determine location and orientation, substituting mechanical detection with electronic sensing.
3Device complexity
If conventional keyfobs are designed with limited capabilities, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but advanced operations and processing cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device provides universal functionality by combining traditional keyfob operations with smartphone capabilities. It can perform basic keyless entry functions while also supporting advanced operations such as location-based authorization, orientation detection, and integration with the vehicle's infotainment system, eliminating the need for separate devices for different functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the traditional keyfob with the smartphone into a single integrated portable device. This combination allows the device to inherit the simplicity and low cost of a keyfob while gaining the advanced processing capabilities, sensors, and connectivity of a smartphone, enabling both basic and advanced vehicle operations from one device.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for using a portable device to communicate with a vehicle to authorize one or more vehicle operations. The portable device may authorize the vehicle to unlock/lock doors, start the vehicle engine, or mobilize the vehicle, or a combination thereof. The vehicle may include a vehicle transmitter system with one or more transmitters disposed at various locations on the vehicle, and the portable device may be configured to monitor a communication strength between the portable device and the one or more transmitters of the transmitter system. Based on the monitored signal strength, the portable device may determine location information about itself.