Vehicle Door Unlocking System with Dual Wireless Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing keyless entry systems for vehicles lack security when the battery of the electronic key dies, as they rely on simple transponder identification, which is less secure than traditional keyless entry systems.
Innovation Solution
A door unlocking system that employs a portable device with dual short-range wireless communication modes, where the in-vehicle device actively communicates with the portable device using a first mode and passively acquires a password stored in a second mode, allowing secure unlocking even after the battery dies, by using a password generator and authenticator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a transponder-based communication system is used when the battery dies, then the door can be unlocked without a mechanical key, but the security level decreases due to simple individual identification information
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication using the secure first short-range wireless communication mode before the battery dies, storing authentication results or credentials that can be used later when the battery is depleted. This allows the system to maintain security while enabling later access without mechanical keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that bridges the secure first communication mode and the passive second communication mode. The intermediary stores or transfers authentication data between modes, allowing the secure authentication from the first mode to enable unlocking through the less secure second mode without exposing the actual authentication credentials.
2Reliability
If dual communication modes are implemented, then security is maintained after battery death, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating both active first short-range wireless communication capabilities and passive second short-range wireless communication capabilities within a single device architecture. This allows the device to adapt to different power states while maintaining security, reducing the need for separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two communication modes based on the power state of the portable device. When the battery is functional, it uses the active first mode; when the battery is depleted, it transitions to the passive second mode. This dynamic adaptation allows security to be maintained across different operational conditions without requiring permanent complexity in both modes simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic key actively executes wireless communication following a keyless entry communication and passively executes wireless communication following a RFID communication. A vehicle control device is mounted on a vehicle and actively executes wireless communication following each of the keyless entry communication and RFID communication. An ECU/BCM unlocks a door by communicating with the electronic key using the keyless entry communication and issues a password to the electronic key in relation to this action. When a door knob or handle is pulled, an RFID-IC acquires the password issued by the ECU/BCM from the electronic key using the RFID communication and unlocks the door by authenticating the acquired password.