Vehicle Unlocking via Morse Code Light and Sound Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle sharing services incur high costs due to expensive RFID readers, cellular modems, and physical access cards, which are prone to loss or damage, necessitating a simpler and lower-cost communication method for unlocking vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses encoded patterns in Morse code, transmitted as light or sound signals between a vehicle and a mobile device for authentication, eliminating the need for dedicated access cards and reducing communication costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID readers, cellular modems, and physical access cards are used for vehicle unlocking, then reliable access control is achieved, but system cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from specialized expensive devices (RFID readers, cellular modems) and implements it using standard smartphone capabilities. The smartphone's existing camera, microphone, speaker, and processor are utilized to perform authentication functions previously requiring dedicated hardware, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The smartphone is employed as a universal device that can perform multiple functions including authentication, communication, and vehicle control. Instead of requiring separate specialized devices for each function, the patent makes the smartphone a multi-functional tool that interfaces with the vehicle system through standard components like the camera and audio system.
2Reliability
If specialized access cards are provided to all users, then authentication capability is ensured, but distribution cost and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of distributing physical access cards to all users, the patent uses the smartphone as a digital copy or replacement for the access card. The smartphone application serves as a virtual key that can be distributed electronically to multiple users without the need for physical card production, distribution, and management infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from physical access cards to a digital authentication system. By changing the parameter of authentication medium from physical (card material, magnetic strips, RFID chips) to digital (software application, cryptographic keys), the system eliminates the need for physical card distribution and reduces associated costs and maintenance burdens.
3Reliability
If RFID and NFC communication methods are implemented, then secure data transmission is achieved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic system of RFID readers and NFC communication with an optical and acoustic communication system using the smartphone's camera and audio components. This substitution eliminates the need for installing specialized communication hardware in vehicles, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs while maintaining data transmission security through encoded visual and audio signals.
4Ease of operation
If conventional access cards are used, then vehicle unlocking function is provided, but user convenience decreases due to card loss or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The smartphone serves as a digital copy of the access card, eliminating the physical card that can be lost or damaged. Users carry their smartphone which contains the authentication application, providing both convenience (always have access key) and reliability (digital copies can be remotely revoked and reissued without physical replacement).
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for unlocking a reserved vehicle designed to encode an access code assigned by a remote server to a Morse code or pattern by a control box or a head unit provided in the reserved vehicle. The Morse code or pattern is generated in a form of a sound signal or a light signal with use of a vehicle horn or headlight. The Morse code or pattern in sound or light is detected by a pre-existing mobile device, typically, a smartphone of a user without requiring any specific access card or reader. The detected Morse code or pattern is decoded back to the access code or converted an FFT signal by the mobile device and is sent to the server for verification. When successfully verified, the server sends an unlock command to the reserved vehicle so that the user can gain access to the reserved vehicle.