Digital vehicle key system and vehicle-mounted module thereof
By using directional antennas or antenna arrays instead of omnidirectional antennas in the digital car key system and combining BLE and UWB technologies, the problems of low positioning accuracy, high cost and short effective range of the existing system are solved, and a more efficient and lower-cost vehicle module design is achieved to meet the needs of different vehicle models.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423117302.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-17
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-17
AI Technical Summary
The on-board modules of existing digital car key systems have problems such as low positioning accuracy, susceptibility to interference, long R&D time, high cost and short effective range. In particular, the use of omnidirectional antennas leads to increased system complexity and cost.
Directional antennas or directional antenna arrays are used instead of omnidirectional antennas. Combining BLE and UWB technologies, the direction adjustment and power concentration of directional antennas are achieved through motors or switching devices, the number of anchor points is reduced, and the antenna layout is optimized to adapt to different vehicle structures.
It improves the system's positioning accuracy and effective range, reduces power consumption and cost, simplifies the R&D process, reduces the number of antennas and anchor points, and meets the adaptation needs of different vehicle models.
Smart Images
Figure CN223420673U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicles. Specifically, the present invention relates to a digital vehicle key system. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to an on-board module of the digital vehicle key system. Background Art
[0002] With the development of smart cars, more and more OEMs are adopting digital car keys to replace traditional mechanical keys. Currently, digital car keys mainly use the following three technologies: NFC (near-field communication), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), and UWB (ultra-wideband). In current vehicle applications, digital car keys using the first two technologies are more common, while UWB is less common.
[0003] Figure 1A The figure shows an on-board module 1 for a digital car key using BLE technology, which includes a BLE controller 10 and three BLE anchor points 20. The controller is arranged inside the car, and the three anchor points are located outside the car, respectively arranged at two B-pillars and the rear of the vehicle. The disadvantage of this on-board module is that the accuracy of Bluetooth positioning is low and it is susceptible to interference. In addition, the BLE controller and each BLE anchor point are equipped with an omnidirectional antenna, which makes the system development time longer and the cost higher. Moreover, since the omnidirectional antenna needs to radiate or receive signals uniformly in a 360-degree range, its effective range is short. In addition, due to the different vehicle sizes and metal material distributions of different models, each vehicle needs to undergo time-consuming calibration work to achieve optimal performance.
[0004] UWB technology offers advantages such as high positioning accuracy, excellent penetration, and strong anti-interference capabilities. Currently, systems using UWB primarily rely on three ranging schemes: TOF (time of flight), TDOA (time difference of arrival), and PDOA (phase difference of arrival). Furthermore, digital car keys using UWB often combine two other technologies, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Bluetooth Low Energy (UWB). For example, when a key is far from a vehicle, BLE is used for rough positioning, and when it approaches the vehicle, UWB is used for precise positioning.
[0005] Figure 1B The image shows an in-vehicle module 1' for a digital car key using BLE+UWB. The module includes a BLE+UWB controller 10' and four BLE+UWB anchor points 20'. The controller is located inside the vehicle, while the four anchor points are located outside, one on each side of the front and rear bumpers. Optionally, the module can also include a BLE+UWB anchor point 30' located at the rear of the vehicle. Figure 1B The vehicle-mounted module adopts a TOF-based solution. In addition to the digital car key function, it can also realize CPD (in-vehicle liveness detection) and HFA functions.
[0006] Figure 1C Another vehicle-mounted module 1' of a digital car key using BLE+UWB is shown, which includes a BLE+UWB controller 10' and three optional BLE+UWB anchor points 20'. The controller is arranged inside the vehicle, and the three optional anchor points are located outside the vehicle, which can be arranged at the two B-pillars and the rear of the vehicle respectively. Figure 1C The vehicle-mounted module adopts a solution based on PDOA. In addition to the digital car key function, it can also realize the CPD function.
[0007] Figure 1B and Figure 1C The BLE+UWB controller and each BLE+UWB anchor point are equipped with a BLE omnidirectional antenna and a UWB omnidirectional antenna, which not only requires a large number of antennas, but also Figure 1A Similarly, the system development time is long and the cost is high. In addition, since the omnidirectional antenna needs to radiate or receive signals evenly within a 360-degree range, its effective range is short.
[0008] There is a need to improve an in-vehicle module of an existing digital car key system. Summary of the Invention
[0009] In the first aspect, the present invention provides an on-board module for a digital car key system. According to the present invention, the on-board module includes a BLE+UWB controller and multiple anchor points, wherein the controller has a directional antenna capable of rotating 360 degrees or an antenna array composed of multiple directional antennas pointing in different directions. With this arrangement, since a directional antenna is used instead of an omnidirectional antenna, the system power consumption is lower, and since more power can be invested in the directional antenna, the effective range of the directional antenna is farther. In addition, compared with omnidirectional antennas, directional antennas are simpler, less expensive, and take less time to develop, and the number of UWB chips in the required anchor points or the number of anchor points in the system is less. Also, compared with Figure 1B Compared with the vehicle-mounted module shown in FIG, the vehicle-mounted module of the present invention also requires fewer antennas.
[0010] According to an embodiment, the specific location and number of anchor points can be changed based on the metal material distribution of the vehicle, the vehicle size, the vehicle shape, etc. to achieve better adaptation.
[0011] According to one embodiment, the controller further includes a motor configured to rotate the directional antenna. With this arrangement, the motor can point the directional antenna in any desired direction, enabling communication between the digital car key system's onboard module and the digital car key (which can take any form, such as a UWB-enabled mobile phone, a UWB-enabled physical car key, or a UWB-enabled smart wearable device).
[0012] According to another embodiment, the controller further includes a switching device configured to focus transmission power on one or more directional antennas among the plurality of directional antennas in the antenna array. With this arrangement, the switching device can select one or more directional antennas pointing in a desired direction to achieve optimal signal strength for transmitting UWB signals.
[0013] According to one embodiment, the vehicle module includes three BLE anchor points located outside the vehicle, for example, at the two B-pillars and the rear of the vehicle. This arrangement enables, in addition to the digital car key functionality, CPD functions, such as rotating a directional antenna with a motor or switching the transmission power to multiple directional antennas in an antenna array for scanning to identify living objects within the vehicle.
[0014] According to another embodiment, the vehicle module includes two BLE anchor points located outside the vehicle, such as at the two B-pillars, and one BLE+UWB anchor point located outside the vehicle, such as at the rear of the vehicle. This arrangement allows for additional HFA functionality by reusing the anchor point at the rear of the vehicle.
[0015] According to another embodiment, the vehicle module includes two BLE anchor points located outside the vehicle, such as at the two B-pillars, one BLE+UWB or BLE anchor point located outside the vehicle, such as at the rear of the vehicle, and one UWB anchor point located outside the vehicle, such as at the front of the vehicle. This arrangement can additionally enable linkage functions with a power trunk, front trunk lock, etc. Alternatively, the vehicle module can include only one UWB anchor point located outside the vehicle, located at the front of the vehicle, to enable linkage functions with a power trunk, front trunk lock, etc.
[0016] According to one embodiment, the controller is configured to perform positioning based on PDOA. Accordingly, the controller may include two UWB directional antennas for determining phase difference.
[0017] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a digital car key system, including a digital car key (the key form is not limited, such as a mobile phone with UWB function, a physical car key with UWB function, a smart wearable device with UWB function, etc.) and the above-mentioned vehicle-mounted module, and the two can communicate with each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail in the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] Figure 1A It is an example of an in-vehicle module of a digital car key system in the prior art;
[0020] Figure 1B is another example of an in-vehicle module of a digital car key system of the prior art;
[0021] Figure 1C It is another example of an in-vehicle module of a digital car key system in the prior art;
[0022] Figure 2A It is an embodiment of the vehicle-mounted module of the digital car key system of the utility model;
[0023] Figure 2B This is another embodiment of the vehicle-mounted module of the digital car key system of the present utility model;
[0024] Figure 2C This is another embodiment of the vehicle-mounted module of the digital car key system of the present utility model;
[0025] Figure 2D This is another embodiment of the vehicle-mounted module of the digital car key system of the present invention.
[0026] In the accompanying drawings, for the sake of clarity, the embodiments of the present invention are shown in a simplified manner. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Like reference numerals in the accompanying drawings represent similar components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Refer to the following Figures 2A-2D The embodiments of the present utility model are described in detail.
[0028] Figure 2A The figure shows an in-vehicle module 100 for a digital car key system using BLE+UWB technology, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The module includes a BLE+UWB controller 110 and three BLE anchor points 120. The controller is located inside the vehicle, while the three anchor points are located outside the vehicle, for example, two at the B-pillar and one at the rear. (The specific location and number of anchor points can be adjusted based on the vehicle's metal material distribution, vehicle size, and vehicle styling to achieve better adaptation.) The controller may include two UWB directional antennas for determining phase differences and a motor (not shown) for rotating the directional antennas. The motor enables the directional antennas to rotate 360 degrees, enabling communication between the in-vehicle module of the digital key system and the digital key (the key can be in any form, such as a UWB-enabled mobile phone, a UWB-enabled physical car key, or a UWB-enabled smart wearable device). When in use, BLE is first used to roughly locate the digital car key (the key form is not limited, such as a mobile phone with UWB function, a physical car key with UWB function, a smart wearable device with UWB function, etc.), then the directional antenna is rotated to the located direction using a motor, and finally UWB is used to accurately locate the user (car key).
[0029] Figure 2AThe vehicle module uses a PDOA-based positioning solution. In addition to the digital car key function, it can also implement CPD (Current Positioning) by leveraging the radar function of UWB technology. To achieve this function, the digital car key system controller must have at least two UWB directional antennas (one for transmission and one for reception). That is, when it is necessary to determine whether there is a living person in the car (for example, when the vehicle is started and the car digital key is in the car, the person's position is checked to determine whether the seat belt is fastened, and if not, an alarm is issued; when the vehicle is locked and the car digital key is outside, the person's position is checked to see if there are people or pets trapped in the car), the motor rotates the directional antenna to scan and identify living people in the car. Therefore, the CPD function can be implemented by multiplexing the controller, with low additional cost.
[0030] Figure 2B The figure shows an in-vehicle module 200 for a digital car key system using BLE+UWB technology, another embodiment of the present invention. The module includes a BLE+UWB controller 210 and three BLE anchor points 220. The controller is located inside the vehicle, and the three anchor points are located outside the vehicle, for example, two at the vehicle's B-pillar and one at the rear. (The specific location and number of anchor points can be adjusted based on the vehicle's metal material distribution, vehicle size, and vehicle styling to achieve better adaptation.) The controller includes a switching device and an antenna array consisting of multiple directional antennas pointing in different directions. The switching device is used to concentrate transmission power on one or more directional antennas. The switching device can switch the transmission power to one or more directional antennas pointing in the desired direction, ensuring optimal signal strength for transmitting UWB signals.
[0031] When in use, BLE is first used to roughly locate the digital car key (the key form is not limited, such as a mobile phone with UWB function, a physical car key with UWB function, a smart wearable device with UWB function, etc.), and then a switching device is used to switch the transmission power to a directional antenna pointing in the desired direction, and finally UWB is used to accurately locate the user (car key).
[0032] Figure 2BThe vehicle-mounted module of the digital vehicle key system also adopts a positioning scheme based on PDOA. In addition to the digital vehicle key function, the radar function of the UWB technology can be used to realize the CPD function. In order to realize the function, the controller of the digital key system needs at least two UWB antennas (one for transmission and one for reception). The UWB signal receiving element is connected to the switching device, that is, when it is necessary to determine whether there is a living body in the vehicle (for example, when the vehicle is started, the position of the personnel is checked to determine whether the personnel have fastened the seat belt, if not, an alarm is issued; when the vehicle is stopped and locked, it is checked whether there is a person or pet trapped in the vehicle, etc.), the transmission power is switched to different directional antennas for scanning to identify the living body in the vehicle. Similarly, the CPD function can be realized by multiplexing the controller, and the additional cost is low.
[0033] Figure 2C The vehicle-mounted module 300 of the digital vehicle key system using BLE+UWB technology of another embodiment of the utility model is shown, which is similar to the vehicle-mounted module of the digital vehicle key system of the utility model Figure 2A and Figure 2B The vehicle-mounted module also includes one BLE+UWB controller 310 and three anchors, the controller is arranged in the vehicle, and the three anchors are arranged outside the vehicle, for example, two are located at the B pillars of the vehicle, and one is located at the tail of the vehicle (the specific position and number of the anchors can be changed based on the distribution of the metal material of the vehicle, the size of the vehicle, the modeling of the vehicle, etc. to achieve better adaptation). The difference lies in that only the anchors arranged at the B pillars of the vehicle are BLE anchors 320, and the anchor arranged at the tail of the vehicle is a BLE+UWB anchor 330. When it is necessary to determine whether the trunk meets the operation condition (for example, the digital key of the car is located in the operation function area of the trunk, the vehicle is stationary, etc.), whether there is an action triggering the operation of the trunk is scanned through the anchor 330 at the tail of the vehicle. Therefore, the HFA function can be realized by multiplexing the anchor at the tail of the vehicle, and the additional cost is low. In addition, the HFA function can be separated from other UWB functions by configuring the anchor at the tail of the vehicle to meet the different needs of customers. When only the HFA function is needed, the controller can also be integrated inside the HFA.
[0034] Figure 2D The vehicle-mounted module 400 of the digital vehicle key system using BLE+UWB technology of another embodiment of the utility model is shown, which is similar to the vehicle-mounted module of the digital vehicle key system of the utility model Figure 2CThe vehicle-mounted module of the vehicle is similar, and also includes one BLE+UWB controller 410, two BLE anchors 420, one BLE+UWB anchor 430 or a BLE anchor (depending on whether the customer needs the HFA function of UWB). The controller is arranged in the vehicle, and the other anchors are arranged outside the vehicle, for example, two are located at the B pillars of the vehicle, and one is located at the middle of the rear of the vehicle (the specific positions and number of anchors can be changed based on the distribution of metal materials of the vehicle, the size of the vehicle, the shape of the vehicle, etc. to achieve better adaptation). The difference lies in one UWB anchor 440, which is arranged at the front of the vehicle and can be added separately. Therefore, additional linkage functions with the electric trunk, trunk lock, etc. can be realized by adding one UWB anchor. For example, when it is necessary to determine that the trunk meets the operation condition (for example, the car digital key is located in the trunk operation function area, the vehicle is stationary, etc.), whether there is an action that triggers the trunk operation (for example, by using the recognition of user gestures / posture, opening / closing the trunk lock, opening / closing the trunk, etc.) is scanned through the front anchor 440 of the vehicle, and the additional cost is low. Similarly, the function can be separated from other UWB functions by configuring the controller or the anchor to meet the different needs of customers. When only the trunk related function is needed, the controller can also be integrated inside the anchor 440.
[0035] The above detailed explanation of the presently preferred embodiments of the present application is intended to illustrate the principles of the present application, and the wording and expressions used are illustrative rather than limiting. Those skilled in the art can understand that various modifications and changes of the above embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the present application. Therefore, in some cases, the features disclosed in the present application can be used independently of other features. On the other hand, when necessary, the features disclosed in the present application can be combined to provide various combinations.
Claims
1. A vehicle module for a digital car key, comprising a BLE+UWB controller and at least one anchor point, characterized in that: The controller has a directional antenna capable of rotating 360 degrees or an antenna array consisting of multiple directional antennas pointing in different directions.
2. The vehicle-mounted module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller also includes a motor configured to rotate the directional antenna.
3. The vehicle-mounted module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller further comprises a switching device configured to concentrate the transmission power to one or several directional antennas among the plurality of directional antennas in the antenna array.
4. The vehicle-mounted module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The vehicle-mounted module includes three BLE anchor points located outside the vehicle, two of which are located at the two B-pillars of the vehicle and one at the rear of the vehicle.
5. The vehicle-mounted module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The vehicle-mounted module includes two BLE anchor points outside the vehicle, which are arranged at the two vehicle B-pillars, and one BLE+UWB anchor point outside the vehicle, which is arranged at the rear of the vehicle.
6. The vehicle-mounted module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The on-board module includes a UWB anchor point located outside the vehicle, which is arranged at the front of the vehicle.
7. The vehicle-mounted module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The on-board module also includes a UWB anchor point located outside the vehicle, which is arranged at the front of the vehicle.
8. The vehicle-mounted module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The controller is configured to perform positioning based on the PDOA.
9. A digital car key system, comprising a digital car key, characterized in that It also includes an on-vehicle module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the two can communicate with each other.