Vehicle Key Absence Control With Secondary Start Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Most vehicles operable via a key fob cannot be started when the electronic key fob is not present, leading to issues such as stranding of occupants due to lost or unavailable key fobs, and potential unauthorized use or theft.
Innovation Solution
A key absence management system that includes a controller to monitor the presence and absence of the electronic key fob, authorizing vehicle operation based on a keyless authority indicator, which can be a personal wireless communication device, access code, or biometric data, to ensure secure restarts even when the key fob is absent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle requires electronic key fob presence for starting, then vehicle security against unauthorized use is improved, but vehicle accessibility when key fob is lost or left behind deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a secondary authentication mechanism (biometric sensor, access code input device, or mobile device communication) as an intermediary when the primary key fob is absent. This mediator allows authorized users to start the vehicle without the physical key fob, resolving the contradiction between security and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication by checking for the key fob before allowing vehicle startup. When the key fob is absent, the system proactively offers alternative authentication methods (biometric verification, access code entry, or mobile device authorization) before permitting vehicle operation, ensuring both security and accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle allows restart without key fob presence, then vehicle accessibility is improved, but risk of unauthorized use increases
Solution Approach 1:
When the key fob is absent, the system introduces an intermediary authentication layer (biometric verification, access code input, or mobile device authorization) that must be satisfied before allowing vehicle restart. This intermediary mechanism maintains security while enabling legitimate access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification through alternative authentication methods (biometric sensor, access code, or mobile device communication) before permitting vehicle startup without the key fob, ensuring that only authorized users can access the vehicle even when the primary key is unavailable.
3Measurement precision
If the system monitors key fob presence continuously, then key loss detection is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The key fob contains its own transponder that continuously emits identification signals. The vehicle's controller passively receives these signals without requiring active scanning or complex monitoring hardware, allowing the key fob to essentially monitor its own presence and simplify the vehicle-side detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical key presence detection with electronic signal detection. The controller uses electronic communication with the key fob's transponder to determine presence, eliminating the need for mechanical switches, physical key detection mechanisms, or complex sensor arrays.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for key absence management in a vehicle configured to be started by an electronic key fob includes a key absence management controller that implements a method configured to authorize starting of the vehicle by monitoring presence and absence of the electronic key fob in the vehicle. If the controller finds the electronic key fob to be present in the vehicle, then the controller authorizes starting of the vehicle. If the controller finds the electronic key fob to be absent from the vehicle, then the controller authorizes starting of the vehicle based on detection of a keyless authority indicator. A vehicle configured to be started by an electronic key fob includes the system with the controller that implements the method.