Vehicle Startup Control via Network Signal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current autonomous parking systems lack secure and legal means to initiate vehicle startup from outside, particularly in fully automated valet parking scenarios, where access control is necessary to prevent unauthorized starting and theft.

Innovation Solution

A method and device allowing a vehicle to start autonomously only when receiving a start signal via a communication network, with conditions such as spatial proximity to a predetermined area and time window being met, ensuring secure and legal access through a parking lot management server.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vehicle can be started by an external start signal, then ease of operation is improved for automated parking processes, but security and anti-theft protection deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of multiple conditions (spatial location, time window, vehicle state) before allowing the vehicle to be started by an external signal. This preliminary action ensures that only authorized operations are permitted, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the external start signal and the vehicle starting system. It mediates by evaluating multiple conditions and only permitting startup when all criteria are satisfied, thus maintaining both operational convenience and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple conditions are required before vehicle startup, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it receives start signals, determines spatial location, checks time windows, verifies vehicle state, and controls startup. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple security checks into a single device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high security standards.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (spatial coordinates, time values, vehicle state) to define specific conditions for startup. By using parameter-based control, the system achieves high security through multiple conditions without requiring complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3212487B1Method and device for operating a vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3212487B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3212487B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method for operating a vehicle includes the vehicle receiving a start signal for starting the vehicle via a communication network, and responding to the start signal only when one or multiple predetermined conditions are met. Additionally, a device for operating a vehicle, a parking facility management server, and a computer program can be provided for restricting a response to a start signal to only when the one or multiple predetermined conditions are met.