Smartphone-Based Vehicle Control System with Proximity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Remote keyless entry systems for vehicles have not evolved significantly since their introduction, lacking advanced control features and integration with modern communication technologies, limiting their functionality and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a cell phone to control vehicle systems wirelessly, allowing users to send commands based on preferences, determine distance, and interact with vehicle systems through a transceiver, user interface, and control logic, enabling passive and active control of vehicle functions such as locking, starting the engine, and adjusting settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If remote keyless entry systems continue to use traditional electronic key fob designs, then system simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but functionality and adaptability to modern communication technologies are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single vehicle access system to support multiple communication protocols (RFID, Bluetooth, cellular) and multiple control methods (proximity-based automatic access, remote commands, location-based access), allowing the system to adapt to different user preferences and modern communication standards while maintaining a unified architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts access control behavior based on real-time conditions such as user location, distance from vehicle, and selected access mode. The control system can switch between passive proximity detection, active remote commands, and location-based triggering, making the system flexible and adaptable to varying operational contexts
2Ease of operation
If traditional remote keyless systems are used, then device complexity remains low, but user convenience and control capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides passive proximity-based automatic access where the user's smartphone automatically authenticates when near the vehicle, eliminating the need for manual button presses or code entry. The system also automatically determines user location and can trigger access based on geographic coordinates, reducing user effort to minimal interactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a smartphone as an intermediary device between the user and vehicle control system. The smartphone application serves as a mediator that handles complex authentication, communication protocol selection, and control command generation, simplifying the user interface while enabling advanced control capabilities through the transceiver system
3Adaptability or versatility
If basic remote keyless functionality is maintained, then system simplicity is preserved, but integration with modern communication technologies is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct modular components: RFID transceiver for proximity detection, Bluetooth module for short-range wireless communication, and cellular communication interface for location-based access. Each module operates independently with defined protocols, allowing flexible integration and maintenance of complexity management through modular architecture
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling systems of a vehicle with a cell phone. The cell phone is associated with the vehicle through a user interface. User preferences are received through the user interface for sending commands from the cell phone to the vehicle for controlling the systems of the vehicle. A wireless connection is established between the vehicle and the cell phone. A distance is determined between the cell phone and the vehicle. One or more commands are sent to the vehicle to control the systems based on the user preferences.