Vehicle Window Piezoelectric Transducer Keyless Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle keyless entry systems face challenges with bulkiness, aesthetics, and susceptibility to weather conditions, and there is a need for improved keypad entry systems that do not rely on capacitive or mechanical buttons.
Innovation Solution
A piezoelectric diaphragm transducer microphone system that uses the vehicle window as a microphone to capture resonance from pressure waves, allowing for voice commands and tap inputs to unlock the vehicle, eliminating the need for external keypad interfaces and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical buttons are used for keyless entry, then the system is simple and reliable, but the system becomes bulky and aesthetically unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the keypad functionality from the traditional mechanical button assembly and relocates it to the window glass surface. The window glass itself becomes the input interface, eliminating the need for separate mechanical button components and reducing overall system volume while maintaining entry functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The window glass serves multiple functions: it acts as both the vehicle window and the keyless entry interface. By making the window glass itself the input device, the system eliminates the need for separate mechanical buttons, achieving multi-functionality that reduces volume while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical buttons are used for keyless entry, then the system is simple to manufacture, but the system is susceptible to weather conditions and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The window glass serves multiple functions: it acts as both the vehicle window and the keyless entry interface. By making the window glass itself the input device, the system eliminates the need for separate mechanical buttons, achieving multi-functionality that reduces volume while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical button system with an acoustic sensing system embedded in the window glass. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and weather susceptibility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the acoustic sensors can be integrated into the existing window structure.
3Reliability
If capacitive buttons are used for keyless entry, then the system reduces mechanical wear, but the system increases device complexity and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the keypad functionality from complex capacitive button assemblies and simplifies it by using the window glass surface itself as the input interface. This extraction eliminates the need for complex capacitive sensor arrays while maintaining wear resistance through the use of the durable glass surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical button system with an acoustic sensing system embedded in the window glass. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and weather susceptibility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the acoustic sensors can be integrated into the existing window structure.
4Ease of operation
If external keypad interfaces are used for keyless entry, then the system provides tactile feedback, but the system deteriorates vehicle styling and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the keyless entry interface with the vehicle window glass, eliminating separate external keypad components. This integration maintains a clean vehicle exterior design while providing tactile feedback through the glass surface itself, which can be tapped or pressed by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The window glass serves multiple functions: it acts as both the vehicle window and the keyless entry interface. By making the window glass itself the input device, the system eliminates the need for separate mechanical buttons, achieving multi-functionality that reduces volume while maintaining reliability.
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 solution provides a user-friendly, weather-resistant, and cost-effective keyless entry system that improves vehicle styling and security, with tactile feedback and efficient power management, enabling secure and convenient vehicle access without the need for external keypad components.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric transducer that captures resonance on an outside surface of the vehicle window when pressure waves (e.g., voice commands or taps) impact the window glass
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system that uses a window as a microphone as a replacement for keyless entry to a vehicle. The system includes a window which acts as a microphone using a piezoelectric transducer that captures resonance on an outside surface of the vehicle window when pressure waves (e.g., voice commands or taps) impact it. To recognize this sound, a transducer controller amplifies vibrations from the window tap or spoken commands. The system may include a low-power mode that listens for input while the vehicle is off. In a second, high-power mode, the system may detect a tapping event, which may prompt a transition to a wake-up state. The system may associate a number and timing of taps with unique user keys, similar to key selections of numbers on a keypad. The system may also recognize verbal PIN code input using the piezoelectric transducer microphone.