Wearable Key Fob Integrating Vehicle Control and Health Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face clutter and inconvenience in managing separate devices for keyless vehicle entry and wearable health monitoring, especially when hands are full.

Innovation Solution

A wearable key fob integrated with a wrist band and key fob that combines vehicle operability with health monitoring functions, featuring a detachable design, multiple buttons for various vehicle functions, Bluetooth connectivity, and embedded devices for data display and communication with the vehicle's onboard computer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users carry separate devices for keyless vehicle entry and wearable health monitoring, then each device can perform its dedicated function reliably, but users experience clutter and inconvenience especially when hands are full

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEase of access to vehicle functions and health monitoringVSAvoidNumber of separate devices to manage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a key fob with vehicle operability functions and a wearable health monitoring device into a single integrated wearable device. This merging eliminates the need to carry separate key fob and health tracker, reducing clutter while maintaining both vehicle access and health monitoring capabilities in one unified device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wearable device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a key fob for vehicle control (unlocking, locking, trunk release) and as a health monitoring device (tracking activity rate, health metrics, location). This universal design allows one device to replace multiple specialized devices, improving ease of operation without sacrificing functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a wearable key fob integrates multiple functions, then clutter is reduced and convenience is enhanced, but the device design and manufacturing become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIntegration of vehicle operability and health monitoring functionsVSAvoidManufacturing complexity of integrated device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wearable key fob is designed with a detachable wristband and modular components. The key fob portion can be separated from the health monitoring portion, allowing for simplified manufacturing of individual modules that can be assembled into the complete integrated device. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the versatility of the final product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs Bluetooth connectivity and wireless communication protocols as intermediaries to enable interaction between the wearable device and the vehicle's onboard computer system. This intermediary approach allows complex functions to be implemented through standardized communication interfaces, simplifying the integration process and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9940769B2Wearable key fob

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 FLEXTRONICS AP LLC

AI summary

A wearable key fob is disclosed herein. The wearable key fob includes a wrist band including a slot and a key fob including a charging tab that fits into the slot of the wrist band; wherein the key fob is configured for vehicle operability and monitoring a user's health.