Vehicle Access Control Using Smartphone-Mediated Waiting Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems struggle to reliably notify users that a vehicle has entered an operation waiting state without equipping the electronic key with notification devices like displays, vibrators, or speakers, which increases costs and reduces battery life.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that uses a first communication device (electronic key) and a second communication device (smartphone) to generate notifications. The system defines specific areas for communication and authentication, allowing the smartphone to provide notifications even if the electronic key lacks notification devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If notification devices (display, vibrator, speaker) are equipped in the electronic key, then the user can be reliably notified that the vehicle enters operation waiting state, but the cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smartphone as an intermediary device to perform the notification function. Instead of equipping the electronic key with notification devices, the system uses the smartphone (which the user already carries) to provide visual, auditory, or haptic notifications when the vehicle enters operation waiting state, thus resolving the contradiction between notification reliability and power consumption
2Reliability
If notification devices are equipped in the electronic key, then the user can be reliably notified, but the battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The smartphone acts as a mediator that takes over the notification function from the electronic key. The electronic key only needs to maintain communication functionality, while the smartphone provides the notification services using its own battery, thereby preserving the electronic key's battery life while ensuring reliable notification
3Reliability
If notification devices are equipped in the electronic key, then the user can be reliably notified, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the smartphone as an intermediary to provide notification capabilities without requiring additional hardware in the electronic key. This approach leverages the existing notification devices in smartphones, eliminating the need to manufacture electronic keys with integrated displays, vibrators, or speakers, thus reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining notification reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes: a vehicle including an operation device; a first communication device; and a second communication device. In a case in which the first communication device is positioned in a first area containing a position of the vehicle, the vehicle operates in an operation waiting state in which the operation device is allowed to receive an operation. In a case in which the second communication device is positioned in a second area contained in the first area and smaller than the first area, the vehicle operates in the operation waiting state. In a case in which the first communication device is positioned in the first area and the second communication device is positioned in the second area, the second communication device generates a notification indicating that the vehicle is in the operation waiting state.