Vehicle Keypad Remote Engine Start for Discharged Wireless Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with remote keyless entry and starting systems face issues when the mobile device's battery is discharged, preventing users from unlocking or starting the engine due to communication failures, which can occur when the battery is depleted, especially when the user is away from the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a keypad on the vehicle that allows users to enter a code to remote start the engine and unlock doors even when the mobile device's battery is discharged, with a communication module to establish communication and authorize control once the battery is recharged, and a charging station to recharge the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote keyless entry and starting systems use mobile device communication, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates when the mobile device battery is discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a keypad mounted on the vehicle as an intermediary input device. When the mobile device cannot communicate with the vehicle (discharged battery), the keypad serves as an alternative interface allowing the user to enter a code to initiate remote starting. This mediator ensures the system remains operational through alternative means when the primary communication method fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by switching from wireless communication-dependent mode to code-based input mode. When normal communication parameters fail (battery discharged), the system accepts alternative parameters (keypad code entry) to achieve the same functional outcome of remote engine starting.
2Reliability
If the system requires communication establishment with mobile device, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when battery is discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The keypad acts as an intermediary authentication mechanism. Instead of requiring direct mobile device communication for all operations, the keypad provides an alternative authentication path through code entry. This mediator maintains security while enabling access when the primary authentication method (mobile device) is unavailable.
3Reliability
If the system provides alternative input method via keypad, then reliability is improved when mobile device fails, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication and input functionality from the mobile device and places it directly on the vehicle through the mounted keypad. This separation allows the keypad to serve as a standalone backup input method, improving reliability without requiring complex integration between mobile device and vehicle systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus are disclosed for remote starting of engines via vehicle keypads. An example vehicle includes a keypad, a communication module to communicate with a mobile device designated as a wireless key, and a vehicle activator. The vehicle activator is to remote start an engine in response to receiving a first code entered via the keypad when a battery of the mobile device is discharged and authorize control of the engine in response to the communication module establishing communication with the mobile device.