Vehicle Relay Access Control for Mobile Dead-Zone Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle access systems, particularly in car sharing and rental services, require stable network connectivity for communication between a mobile device and a backend server, leading to issues when network coverage fluctuates or is unavailable, preventing users from locking or unlocking vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing the vehicle's more performant communication hardware to relay information between a mobile device and a server via a dedicated common identifier, enabling communication even when the mobile device is out of network coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If direct communication between mobile device and server is used, then network coverage requirements are reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates in areas with poor or no network coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vehicle as an intermediary device between the mobile device and server. The vehicle's communication circuit receives data from the mobile device and forwards it to the server, enabling communication in areas where the mobile device lacks network coverage. This mediator approach allows the system to operate in previously inaccessible locations while maintaining reliable server communication through the vehicle's connection.
2Reliability
If vehicle acts as relay device, then communication reliability is improved in areas without network coverage, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the vehicle's existing communication infrastructure to perform multiple functions: normal server communication and relay communication for mobile devices. The communication circuit is designed to handle both direct server communication and intermediary relay operations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated relay hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's communication system serves itself by using its own communication circuit to relay data. The vehicle doesn't require external relay infrastructure but instead utilizes its inherent communication capabilities to provide the relay function, simplifying the system architecture by making the vehicle self-sufficient in the relay operation.
3Reliability
If stable network connection is required for locking/unlocking, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when network coverage fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the locking and unlocking operations to be initiated immediately without waiting for network availability. The mobile device can send commands to the vehicle, which then relays them to the server. This preliminary action approach allows users to lock or unlock vehicles on demand regardless of current network conditions, with the server processing the authenticated commands once connected.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments provide a computer program, a server (402), a communication circuit (404), a vehicle (4100), a mobile communications device (406), and methods (100, 200, 300) for a server, a communication circuit, and a mobile communications device. The method (100) for a server comprises receiving (110) information on a mobile communications device of the user together with a request for temporal access to the vehicle. Also, the method (100) comprises assigning (120) a dedicated common identifier to the vehicle and the mobile communications device based on the information on the mobile communications device. Further, the method (100) comprises communicating (130) the dedicated common identifier to the mobile communications device and to the vehicle. The method (100) further comprises causing (140) the vehicle to relay information comprising the dedicated common identifier between the server and the mobile communications device.