Vehicle Remote Controller with Translucent Key and LED Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote motor vehicle starter systems face challenges in confirming command reception, particularly when the user is not in visual range of the vehicle, and in receiving confirmation signals due to limited listening time and lack of clear feedback, leading to potential misinterpretation of command success.
Innovation Solution
A remote controller with a translucent key switch and integrated light source that illuminates upon receiving an acknowledgement signal, along with a method allowing the transceiver to toggle between transmit and receive modes, extending listening time for confirmation signals, and providing auditory feedback to ensure proper command execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single LED is used to confirm signal reception, then device complexity is reduced, but the user cannot determine which specific command was received
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different colors to different LEDs corresponding to different commands. Each LED changes color or illuminates in a specific color to indicate which command was received, allowing the user to identify the specific command without adding multiple separate confirmation LEDs for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses different flashing patterns or sequences for different commands. Each command generates a distinctive periodic pattern of LED illumination, allowing the user to distinguish between commands through the temporal pattern rather than requiring separate LEDs for each function.
2Productivity
If the transceiver switches to receive mode immediately after transmission, then confirmation signal reception is enabled, but the listening time window is too short to reliably receive the acknowledgement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the transceiver's operational states. After transmitting the command, the transceiver enters a receive mode with an extended time window that adapts to the communication conditions, allowing sufficient time to reliably capture the acknowledgement signal while maintaining efficient command execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the transceiver to switch to receive mode immediately after transmission completes, pre-positioning it to capture the incoming acknowledgement signal. This preliminary switching action ensures no gap exists between transmission and reception readiness, maximizing the probability of successful confirmation while maintaining fast response.
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
Simplifies the use of remote control devices by providing clear visual and auditory confirmation of command reception, increasing the chances of successful first-time signal reception and reducing user error.
Implementation Method 1
a light source beneath the translucent key switch to illuminate the translucent key switch when the acknowledgement signal has been received
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a remote controller for a vehicle. A storage module stores control data to be transmitted to an in-vehicle Transceiver. A transceiver switch has a transmit mode to transmit a data signal to the in-vehicle transceiver and a receive mode to listen for an acknowledgement signal from the in-vehicle transceiver. A user interface has at least one translucent key switch to contact the transceiver switch and thereby activate transmission of the data signal. A light source is provided beneath the translucent key switch to illuminate the translucent key switch when the acknowledgement signal has been received. Control circuitry is adapted to receive a command from the translucent key switch when it is depressed, retrieve the control data from the storage module, and provide the control data to the transceiver switch for transmission as the data signal, and to cause the light source to illuminate when the acknowledgement signal has been received.