Vehicle Key BLE Handover Between Outer and Inner Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connections for unlocking and starting a motor vehicle can be interrupted when a user enters the vehicle, leading to delays in forming new connections and preventing immediate engine start.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a control system that forcibly ends the existing wireless connection between a vehicle key and outer nodes outside the vehicle and establishes a new connection with inner nodes inside the vehicle, ensuring a swift transition and enabling engine start upon entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a BLE connection is maintained between the vehicle key and outer nodes outside the vehicle, then the vehicle can be unlocked, but the connection deteriorates when the user enters the vehicle interior causing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBLE connection reliabilityVSAvoidtime delay for connection reformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the vehicle's wireless communication system into multiple independent BLE nodes positioned at different locations (outer nodes outside the vehicle, inner nodes inside the vehicle). This segmentation allows the system to switch connection targets based on the user's location, maintaining reliable communication without interruption when transitioning from outside to inside the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-deploys multiple BLE nodes (both outer and inner) throughout the vehicle before the user arrives. When the user approaches, the system has already established outer nodes ready for connection. Upon entry, inner nodes are pre-positioned to immediately take over the connection, eliminating the time delay that would otherwise occur during connection reformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If data exchange for drive authorization is performed via BLE connection, then engine start is enabled, but the vehicle cannot be started during this exchange period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive authorization reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle start speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuous wireless communication capability by having inner nodes ready to immediately assume the connection when the user enters the vehicle. This continuity allows the drive authorization data exchange to proceed without interruption and enables the vehicle to be started immediately after authorization is confirmed, eliminating any idle time in the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If a single BLE node is used for wireless connection, then the system is simpler, but the connection is interrupted when the user enters the vehicle interior

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBLE node quantityVSAvoidwireless connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single BLE node, the patent segments the wireless communication function across multiple nodes positioned throughout the vehicle (outer nodes outside, inner nodes inside). This segmentation ensures that regardless of the user's location, a nearby node is always available for stable communication, preventing connection interruptions when entering or moving within the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes each BLE node universal by designing them to perform the same wireless communication function regardless of their location. Both outer and inner nodes can independently establish BLE connections with the vehicle key, allowing any node to serve the connection need based on the user's position, thereby ensuring continuous reliability without increasing functional complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12528332B2Method for unlocking a motor vehicle and for enabling an engine start of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG

AI summary

A method for unlocking and enabling an engine start a motor vehicle using a vehicle key involves the motor vehicle having at least one outer node for wireless connection with the vehicle key outside an interior of the motor vehicle, at least one inner node for wireless connection with the vehicle key inside the interior of the motor vehicle, and a control system. The method involves first producing a wireless connection between the vehicle key and the outer node, and then unlocking the motor vehicle. The method then involves forcibly ending the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and the outer node and then forcibly producing a new wireless connection between the vehicle key and the inner node.