Vehicle Communication Wake-Up Control for Remote Operation Readiness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle control systems do not efficiently manage the state of communication units, leading to unnecessary power consumption and user discomfort when transitioning from an inactivated to an activated state for remote operation control, without considering optimal timing.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control system that monitors activation conditions to timely switch the communication unit's state from inactivated to activated and vice versa, based on user proximity and intended operation, using electronic key signals and predetermined periods to minimize power wastage and ensure smooth remote operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the communication unit is activated early to enable remote operation control, then the user can operate the portable terminal without discomfort, but the communication unit wastefully consumes electric power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser operation convenienceVSAvoidelectric power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit activates the communication unit in advance when it detects that the user is approaching the vehicle (based on electronic key signal), before the user actually intends to perform remote operation control. This preliminary activation ensures the communication unit is ready when needed, avoiding user discomfort while limiting activation to only when the user is nearby, thus preventing wasteful power consumption during prolonged inactivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If the communication unit is activated late to save electric power, then the communication unit does not consume power wastefully, but the user may feel discomfort when the vehicle cannot detect the operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric power consumptionVSAvoiduser operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary activation of the communication unit based on user proximity detection before the actual remote operation is initiated. This ensures the communication unit is already active and ready to receive operations when the user approaches, eliminating detection delays and user discomfort while avoiding prolonged activation that would waste power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the communication unit remains in the activated state to ensure remote operation control is always available, then the user can execute operations without delay, but the communication unit continuously consumes electric power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation availabilityVSAvoidcontinuous power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The communication unit's state is dynamically adjusted based on real-time user proximity detection. When the user approaches (electronic key detected), the communication unit transitions from inactivated to activated state, ensuring immediate operation availability. When the user moves away or remains inactive for a predetermined period, the unit transitions back to inactivated state, eliminating continuous power consumption while maintaining operational readiness when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of energy

If the communication unit switches state frequently between activated and inactivated, then the electric power is used efficiently, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidstate management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors user proximity through electronic key signals and uses this feedback to automatically determine when to activate or deactivate the communication unit. This feedback mechanism simplifies state management by using objective user presence data rather than complex timing algorithms, achieving power efficiency through automatic, condition-based state transitions that are straightforward to implement and manage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12001202B2Vehicle control system and vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.06.04 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • US12001202B2 patent drawing
  • US12001202B2 patent drawing
  • US12001202B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A vehicle control system comprises a portable terminal and a vehicle including a communication device and a drive device. When the drive device is in a non-actuation state and the communication device is in an inactivated state, the vehicle changes a state of the communication device from the inactivated state to an activated state when an activation condition is satisfied. The activation condition is satisfied when a user holding legitimate qualification exists within a communication possible range. When the drive device is in the non-actuation state, the vehicle changes the state of the communication device from the activated state to the inactivated state when an activation stop condition is satisfied. The activation stop condition is satisfied when an activation period in which the communication device is in the activated state reaches a predetermined period.