Vehicle Access Communication Node Architecture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle communication systems are susceptible to undesirable operating characteristics, such as inefficient communication and security vulnerabilities, particularly in determining the connection status and location of vehicle access devices like key fobs or smartphones with vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A communication system comprising a primary wireless communication node and a plurality of secondary nodes, where the primary node stores and transmits identification information based on connection state, and the secondary nodes activate and acknowledge removal of information, using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Controller Area Network (CAN) protocols to ensure secure and efficient communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If identification information is continuously stored in secondary communication nodes, then communication efficiency is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic management of identification information in secondary communication nodes. The information is stored only when needed (when connection status needs to be determined) and automatically removed when no longer required. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain communication efficiency when information is present while minimizing security vulnerabilities by ensuring information is not permanently stored in vulnerable locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The primary communication node performs preliminary actions by determining connection status and selectively transmitting identification information to secondary nodes before actual communication operations occur. This ensures that secondary nodes only receive and store information when absolutely necessary for upcoming operations, rather than continuously storing it, thus balancing efficiency and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If multiple secondary communication nodes are deployed throughout the vehicle, then location determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the vehicle into multiple zones with secondary communication nodes strategically placed in each zone (e.g., front, rear, left, right sides). This segmentation allows the system to determine which zone a wireless communication device is in by checking which secondary node detects it, providing location accuracy without requiring a dense network of nodes throughout the entire vehicle, thus managing complexity effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The primary communication node acts as an intermediary that coordinates the activities of multiple secondary nodes. It receives detection results from secondary nodes, determines connection status, and manages the storage and removal of identification information. This intermediary role allows the system to leverage multiple nodes for accurate location determination while centralizing the complex decision-making logic, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If identification information is transmitted to all secondary nodes, then connection status determination is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection status determinationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by having secondary communication nodes enter low-power states when not actively needed and only activate when the primary node determines connection status needs to be checked. Identification information is transmitted to secondary nodes only during these periodic activation moments when actually required for connection determination, rather than maintaining continuous operation, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3361759B1System and method for communicating with a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 HUF NORTH AMERICA AUTOMOTIVE PARTS MANUFACTURING CORP
  • EP3361759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3361759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3361759B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A communication system includes a control module, a primary wireless communication node, and a plurality of secondary wireless communication nodes. The primary wireless communication node is in communication with the control module. The primary wireless communication node is in communication with each of the plurality of secondary wireless communication nodes through a common communication line.