Vehicle BLE Pre-Authentication for Hands-Free Access Wall Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 'wall effect' occurs when attempting to access a vehicle hands-free, as the authentication process between a user's mobile device and the vehicle is not completed in time, leading to energy inefficiencies and inability to open the door once the handle is pulled too far, despite successful unlocking.
Innovation Solution
A method involving pre-authentication using Bluetooth Low Energy protocol, where the vehicle and mobile device switch through states to establish a connection, store identity data, and validate access upon handle actuation, reducing energy consumption and avoiding repeated authentication exchanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication is performed in real-time when the handle is pulled, then the door can be unlocked, but the authentication process cannot be completed in time due to the 120ms total delay (90ms handle pull + 30ms lock latency), causing the wall effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs authentication actions in advance by establishing a Bluetooth connection and completing authentication exchanges before the user pulls the door handle. The vehicle and mobile device exchange authentication data and establish trust relationships beforehand, so that when the handle is pulled, the door can be unlocked immediately without waiting for real-time authentication, thus avoiding the wall effect.
2Reliability
If the vehicle computer wakes up from low power mode to perform authentication, then authentication can be performed, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs authentication actions in advance when the vehicle is still in low power mode. The Bluetooth Low Energy interface remains active and performs authentication exchanges before the vehicle computer needs to wake up for other operations. This allows the vehicle to stay in energy-saving mode longer while still providing hands-free access functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical key system and high-power authentication system with Bluetooth Low Energy wireless communication. The BLE interface consumes significantly less power than waking up the full vehicle computer for authentication, enabling the vehicle to maintain low power consumption while providing modern hands-free access capabilities.
3Reliability
If the handle is pulled too far during authentication delay, then the lock unlocks but the door cannot be opened due to mechanical ratchet engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completes the authentication process and sends the unlock command before the user pulls the door handle. By the time the handle is pulled, the lock is already unlocked, ensuring that the mechanical ratchet can engage properly and the door can be opened smoothly without the wall effect that occurs when authentication completes too late.
4Speed
If Bluetooth Low Energy notification state is used for continuous transmission, then the vehicle can be detected quickly, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic advertising mode where the mobile device transmits authentication data at regular intervals rather than continuously. The vehicle monitors these periodic transmissions and can detect the mobile device quickly when it approaches, while the mobile device conserves energy by remaining in low-power states between transmission intervals.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of pre-authenticating a user at a vehicle with a view to allowing the user to access the vehicle when a handle provided on a door of said vehicle is actuated, said user being provided with a mobile device, said vehicle and said mobile device each comprising a wireless communication interface operating according to the BLE protocol; each of said interfaces initially being in the “notification” state in which each of said interfaces transmits for a basic transmission time; said method comprising: —steps of connecting said interfaces according to the BLE protocol—steps of identifying and authenticating the mobile device, by the vehicle; a step in which the vehicle stores the identity data or the mobile device if the identification and authentication steps have been completed; —a subsequent step in which, when the handle of the vehicle door is actuated, the interface of the vehicle shifts from the “notification” state to the “scanning” state; —a tenth step in which the interface in the “scanning” state confirms the presence of the interface of the mobile device in the “notification” state.