Vehicle Communication Unit Segmentation for Secure NFC Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle security systems face challenges in enhancing user convenience while maintaining high security levels, particularly in efficiently authenticating access authorization for locking and unlocking vehicle components using mobile identification transmitters.
Innovation Solution
A communication unit with a first and second communication element, and an electronic coupling element, allowing for data communication via an electromagnetic field, where the first element is visible and the second is invisible, enabling secure authentication through NFC protocol with a range of less than 11 cm, and featuring a proximity sensor for controlled energy transfer and field generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the communication element is placed in a visible component for user access, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized reading is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The communication element is segmented into two parts: a first communication element in a visible component for user access, and a second communication element in an invisible component for security. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously provide ease of operation through visible access while maintaining security through concealed authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
An electronic coupling element acts as an intermediary between the visible first communication element and the invisible second communication element. This intermediary enables indirect communication, allowing user interaction through the visible interface while the actual authentication occurs through the concealed second element, thus preventing direct unauthorized reading.
2Ease of operation
If energy is transferred contactlessly to the communication element, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of energy supply is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic coupling element is pre-positioned and permanently coupled to the second communication element in the invisible component. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the vehicle component is in the correct position, energy transfer is automatically enabled without requiring user intervention, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/electrical connection with electromagnetic field-based contactless energy transfer. This substitution enables ease of operation by eliminating physical contact requirements while the system maintains reliability through precise positioning of the communication elements and coupling mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution improves user convenience and security by enabling secure, contactless, and encrypted data communication for access authorization, reducing interference and enhancing the reliability of locking and unlocking operations, while minimizing unwanted data reading.
Implementation Method 1
An electromagnetic field can be built up via the first communication element, as a result of which data communication with the mobile identification transmitter can be achieved
Implementation Method 2
Energy can be introduced into the second communication element via a corresponding power supply, which is connected to the coupling element, for example via a further electromagnetic field
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a communication unit (10) of a safety system of a motor vehicle which can be placed in communication with a mobile identification transmitter (30), having a communication means (13) which has a first communication element (11) and a second communication element (12), an electronic coupling element (20), with which energy can be input into the second communication element (12), wherein an electromagnetic field can be set up by means of the first communication element (11), as a result of which data communication can be brought about with the mobile identification transmitter (30), and the first communication element (11) is embodied in such a way that it can be arranged in a component (41) of the motor vehicle which can be seen by a user, and the second communication element (12) can be attached in a component (42) of the motor vehicle which cannot be seen by the user.