Vehicle Authorization via Spatial Angle Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for authorizing the use of motor vehicles lack effective protection against manipulation, particularly tampering with signals from spatially separated antennas, which can be exploited by signal repeaters to extend transit time and lose angle information.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing at least two spatially separated antennas that emit signals received by an ID transmitter with an angle-resolving magnetic field sensor, determining the angle between signal components and only sending an authorization signal if the angle exceeds a threshold, thereby detecting manipulation attempts and preventing unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If signal repeaters are used to extend transmission distance, then communication range is improved, but signal manipulation detection capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidsignal manipulation detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional single-antenna signal strength-based authentication to a multi-antenna spatial angle-based authentication system. By introducing angular dimension measurement through multiple spatially separated antennas, the system can detect signal repeaters that extend communication range but fail to replicate the correct spatial angle relationships, thus resolving the contradiction between extended range and manipulation detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the angular relationships between signals received from multiple antennas and comparing them against expected values. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of signal manipulations, allowing the system to maintain reliability even when communication range is extended through repeaters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple spatially separated antennas are used, then manipulation detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanipulation detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the authentication function into multiple independent antenna units, each capable of receiving and processing signals separately. This segmentation allows the system to achieve improved manipulation detection through spatial diversity while maintaining modular architecture that manages complexity through functional decomposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple antennas serve dual functions: they act as both signal reception elements for communication and as spatial measurement elements for manipulation detection. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate detection hardware, as the same antenna array performs both communication and security functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If angle determination is performed with high precision, then signal authenticity verification is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal authenticity verificationVSAvoidangular measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by determining only the relevant angular components needed for authentication rather than complete three-dimensional angular information. This selective measurement approach achieves sufficient authenticity verification without requiring excessive measurement precision across all spatial dimensions, thus resolving the contradiction between verification reliability and precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 method provides enhanced protection against signal manipulation by reliably determining the angle between signal components, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring secure vehicle authorization.

Implementation Method 1

the identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of the first electromagnetic field of the received first signal, using an angle-resolving magnetic field sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3390168B1Authorizing the use of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

The invention relates, in particular, to a method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle by means of a portable identification transmitter. According to the invention, the following steps are proposed. In a first step, a first vehicle antenna emits a first signal, which is received by an identification-transmitter antenna. In a second step, the identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of the first electromagnetic field of the received first signal. In a third step, a second vehicle antenna emits a second signal, which is received by the identification-transmitter antenna. In a fourth step, the identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal. In a fifth step, a first computer determines the angle at least between the determined spatial component of the first electromagnetic field of the received first signal and the determined spatial component of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal. In a sixth step, the identification transmitter transmits an authorization signal for authorizing the use of the motor vehicle to the motor vehicle only if the determined angle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.