Vehicle Unlock State Control for Secure Remote Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle immobilizers are incompatible with remote activation and lack flexible operating modes, limiting vehicle functionality and increasing theft risks.
Innovation Solution
A method to control a vehicle's operating state, allowing transitions from a locked state to various unlocking states, including total and partial unlocking states, enabling restricted vehicle activation without full functionality, using encrypted keys and remote control instructions to manage traction and services like autonomous parking and thermal pre-conditioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional immobilizer is used to ensure vehicle security, then vehicle theft prevention is improved, but remote activation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional binary immobilizer state (locked/unlocked) into multiple graduated states (fully locked, partially locked with restricted functions). This allows the vehicle to be in different operational modes - from completely immobilized to partially operational with limited functions - enabling both security and remote activation capabilities to coexist
Solution Approach 2:
The immobilizer system transitions from a static locked/unlocked state to a dynamic multi-state system where the operational level can be adjusted. The system can dynamically shift between different unlocking states based on authentication results, allowing remote activation of specific functions while maintaining security controls
2Ease of operation
If full unlocking state is activated to enable vehicle operation, then vehicle functionality is improved, but theft risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing partial unlocking states where only specific vehicle functions are activated rather than full unlocking. For example, the vehicle can be unlocked for thermal pre-conditioning or autonomous parking functions without enabling complete vehicle operation, thus reducing theft risk while maintaining necessary functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Different functions of the vehicle are granted different access levels. Critical functions like engine starting remain restricted while non-critical functions like climate control or parking assistance can be activated remotely. This local differentiation of access rights allows functionality where needed while maintaining security where critical
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple unlocking states are implemented to enable restricted operation, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple unlocking states and function combinations within a single system architecture. Rather than creating separate systems for each unlocking state, the universal control unit can manage different operational modes through software configuration, reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The method for controlling an operating state of a vehicle is such that the operating state, initially adopting a locked state which immobilises the vehicle, can be modified in order to adopt any of the following unlocking states: a total unlocking state which allows activation of an operating mode of the vehicle, which is associated with the total unlocking state, without any restrictions; and partial unlocking states which each allow the activation of an operating mode associated with the partial unlocking state and which allow limited operation of the vehicle. This control method comprises a step (E102) of activating one of the operating modes after modifying the operating state (E101) to authorise this activation.