Vehicle Access Control Using a Shielded Key Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless key systems for vehicle access often fail to detect the key due to shielding, leading to frustration as the vehicle perceives the key to be too far away, even when it is in the vicinity, causing unlocking issues.
Innovation Solution
An access system with a first wireless communication unit at the vehicle that establishes communication with a second unit remote from the vehicle, using radio communication interfaces to determine the presence and position of the key within its coverage area, and manages access based on this information, even if the key is shielded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless key detection is based on radio signal strength to determine distance, then the system can determine key proximity, but shielding causes false detection that the key is too far away even when in vicinity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smartphone as an intermediary device that establishes a wireless connection with the vehicle when the wireless key is shielded. The smartphone acts as a mediator to transmit access signals to the vehicle, bypassing the shielding issue that prevents direct key-vehicle communication. This resolves the contradiction by providing an alternative communication path that maintains both measurement accuracy and detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the wireless key's presence and status before attempting access. When shielding is detected or the key cannot be directly communicated with, the system proactively activates the smartphone intermediary mechanism in advance, rather than waiting for access failure. This preliminary action ensures continuous reliable detection and prevents access disruptions.
2Reliability
If the wireless key must be in direct vicinity of the vehicle for access, then security is maintained, but users experience frustration when key detection fails due to shielding or positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The smartphone serves as a mediator that enables access control when the wireless key cannot directly communicate with the vehicle due to shielding or positioning issues. The intermediary maintains security by requiring authentication through the smartphone while eliminating the need for users to manually reposition the key, thus improving ease of operation without compromising access control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements multi-functionality by allowing both the wireless key and the smartphone to serve as access credentials. The smartphone can function as a backup or alternative key, providing universal access capability that works in various scenarios (direct key access, shielded key, lost key), thereby improving convenience while maintaining security through multiple authenticated access paths.
3Measurement precision
If remote wireless communication unit is introduced to detect shielded keys, then detection accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the smartphone's existing wireless communication capabilities (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) that users already possess, rather than introducing a completely new detection system. The smartphone's multi-functional nature allows it to serve both as a communication device and an access key intermediary, improving detection accuracy while minimizing additional system complexity by utilizing existing ubiquitous technology.
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
This solution ensures accurate detection and management of the wireless key's presence and position, allowing vehicle access without the need for the user to reposition the key, thereby enhancing usability and reducing frustration.
Implementation Method 1
a first wireless communication unit arranged at the vehicle configured to detect a wireless key via a radio communication interface
Implementation Method 2
the wireless key is shielded, e.g. by a device for protecting contactless credit cards from being read in your wallet, or by a laptop in a suitcase, or any other item that blocks electromagnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
An access system for managing access to a vehicle includes a first wireless communication unit arranged at the vehicle configured to detect a wireless key via a radio communication interface, a processing circuitry connected to the first wireless communication unit, and configured to cause the access system to establish, by the first wireless communication unit, wireless communication with a second wireless communication unit arranged remote from the vehicle, receive, by the first wireless communication unit, a response signal indicative of the presence of the wireless key within the radio coverage area of the second wireless communication unit, and manage access to the vehicle based on the presence of the wireless key within the radio coverage area of the first wireless communication unit and/or the second wireless communication unit.