Wireless Key Localization System with Inter-Vehicle Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of finding a lost vehicle key is stressful and time-consuming, often resulting in inconvenience or the need for external assistance, as traditional keys require physical insertion or a combination of physical and wireless connections, making it difficult to locate them without extending the search area effectively.
Innovation Solution
A key localization system utilizing wireless communication between a key unit connected to the vehicle key, a first communication unit in a vehicle, and at least one second communication unit in another vehicle, allowing for the extension of the search area through wireless communication coverage, with features like detect key signals, found key signals, and key alert signals to aid in locating the key, including vehicle position information and time stamps to manage network congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If wireless communication is used to extend the search area, then the search coverage is improved, but the network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic transmission of detect key signals and found key signals at scheduled time intervals, allowing multiple vehicles to communicate key location information without continuous transmission that would cause network congestion. Time stamps are added to signals to manage transmission timing and prioritize critical information.
Solution Approach 2:
A server acts as an intermediary to receive, process, and distribute key location information from multiple vehicles. The server manages the network traffic by consolidating information from second communication units and relaying it to the first communication unit, reducing direct peer-to-peer communication overhead and network congestion.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple vehicles are used to extend search coverage, then the search capability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the search function into separate communication units: first communication units in vehicles where keys are lost, second communication units in other vehicles that act as search participants, and a central server. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific, simplified function while collectively achieving extended search coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Second communication units in participating vehicles serve multiple purposes: they can search for keys for multiple different first communication units simultaneously and can themselves become first communication units when their keys are lost. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by using the same hardware for different roles.
3Measurement precision
If wireless communication signals are transmitted continuously, then the key location detection is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, the system transmits detect key signals and found key signals periodically at scheduled intervals. The processing circuitry is configured to send signals at specific times and receive responses at expected intervals, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate detection precision through strategic timing of transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The key unit automatically responds to detect key signals with found key signals without requiring continuous polling or manual intervention. Once a detect key signal is received, the key unit self-activates to send its location information, reducing the need for continuous energy-consuming transmissions from the searching vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A key localization system for finding a vehicle key. The system includes a key unit, a first communication unit, at least one second communication unit, and a processing circuitry operatively connected to the first communication unit and configured to cause the key localization system to send, via the first communication unit, a detect key signal and receive, via the first communication unit, in response to that the key unit has received the detect key signal, a found key signal from at least one of the key unit and the second communication unit.