Vehicle Preconditioning Triggered by Low-Power Key Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preconditioning motor vehicles, such as thermally or climatically preparing components, often require constant tracking of a user's identification key, leading to rapid battery drain and frequent charging of devices like smartphones, which are not designed for such continuous usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that uses short-range transceiver units to ascertain and transmit position data, which is then relayed by far-field transceiver units, reducing the load on the identification key's battery by leveraging more energy-efficient communication methods and infrastructure, allowing for reliable preconditioning without frequent charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If constant tracking of the identification key position is implemented using far-field transceiver units, then the preconditioning function can be reliably activated, but the storage battery of the identification key is subjected to significant usage and standby time is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreconditioning activation reliabilityVSAvoidstandby time of identification key

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking function is segmented between short-range transceiver units (for position detection when in proximity) and far-field transceiver units (for remote communication). The identification key only needs to communicate with short-range units when near the vehicle, significantly reducing its transmission activity and energy consumption while maintaining reliable preconditioning activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Short-range transceiver units act as intermediaries between the identification key and the far-field transceiver units. The key communicates with nearby short-range units, which then relay position information to the central data processing apparatus via far-field units, reducing the energy burden on the identification key's battery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If far-field transceiver units are used for position ascertainment, then communication range is extended, but transmission power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidtransmission power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into short-range transceiver units for local position detection and far-field transceiver units for remote communication. The identification key only activates its transmitter when in proximity to short-range units, minimizing its energy consumption while the infrastructure handles long-range communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The identification key performs periodic short-range communications only when in proximity to the vehicle, rather than continuous far-field transmissions. This periodic, event-driven communication pattern significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12084076B2Method and network for pre-conditioning at least one component of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 AUDI AG

AI summary

An identification key associated with a motor vehicle is carried by a user as the user moves outside of the motor vehicle. When the identification key enters the reception range of short-range transceiver units, position data of the identification key are ascertained and transmitted via a far-field transceiver unit which is not included in the identification key. The receiver of the transmitted position data ascertains a movement vector for the identification key from the position data. If the movement vector meets at least one predefinable activation criterion, preconditioning of at least one component of the motor vehicle is activated.