Vehicle Access Assembly Signal Evaluation for Secure Key Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyless electronic access systems for vehicles lack effective mechanisms to ensure secure locking and deactivation of electronic keys left inside the vehicle, particularly when users exit, leading to potential security risks and unintended key deactivation or activation.
Innovation Solution
An access arrangement that includes a vehicle-side transceiver transmitting interrogation signals with consistent properties over time, allowing a mobile ID transmitter to evaluate signal changes and output control commands for deactivation or locking, ensuring secure key management based on the user's movement relative to the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vehicle-side transmitter cyclically transmits request signals to electronic keys, then passive access authorization is enabled, but it becomes difficult to emit a locking signal limited to the interior space without unintentionally locking or deactivating electronic keys located outside the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic key continuously monitors the signal strength of request signals from the vehicle-side transmitter and compares it against a threshold value. This feedback mechanism enables the key to automatically determine whether it is inside or outside the vehicle, allowing selective deactivation only for keys inside the vehicle when a locking signal is transmitted, thereby preventing unintended locking of external keys while maintaining security
2Reliability
If electronic keys are deactivated using a deactivation signal limited to the interior, then security is improved by preventing external key activation, but it risks deactivating external keys if the signal is not properly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical or crude signal-based location detection with an electronic measurement system. The electronic key measures the signal strength of request signals from the vehicle-side transmitter and compares it to a threshold value, enabling precise determination of whether the key is inside or outside the vehicle. This electronic measurement approach provides accurate location detection without the risks associated with imprecise signal limiting
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle locking system is retrofitted with a passive access authorization system, then modern access control is enabled, but the system lacks the capability to accurately determine key location and prevent unintended deactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic key continuously and preliminarily determines its location by monitoring the signal strength of request signals from the vehicle-side transmitter before a locking signal is transmitted. This preliminary location determination ensures that when a locking signal is subsequently transmitted, only keys already identified as being inside the vehicle are deactivated, preventing unintended deactivation while maintaining the versatility of the retrofitted access system
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 enhances security by accurately determining the presence or absence of the user and their electronic key, enabling secure locking and deactivation of keys left inside the vehicle, while preventing unintentional deactivation or activation, thus improving safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle-side transceiver (20) is provided for transmitting one or more vehicle-side signals or interrogation signals
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an access arrangement for a vehicle (FZ). It comprises a vehicle-side transmitter/receiver (19) for sending one or more query signals. The access arrangement also includes a mobile identification transmitter (IDI, IDA) with an identification transmitter-side transmitter/receiver (SE) for receiving query signals from the vehicle-side transmitter/receiver and for evaluating signal characteristics of the query signals at at least two different times. The mobile identification transmitter also has a control unit (ST) for issuing a different control command depending on a change (ΔFS, ΔFR) in the evaluated signal characteristics.In the event of no or only a slight change in the signal characteristics, a signal to deactivate the identification transmitter can be issued, while in the event of a significant change, a locking signal to lock a door (TFZ) of the vehicle can be issued.