Method and device for controlling a UWB sensing system of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an ultra-wideband (UWB) sensing system (2) on board a vehicle (6), the system comprising at least two pairs (PR1, PR2) of antennas, each pair being formed by two antennas (AT) respectively arranged at two opposite peripheral positions of the vehicle (6), the method comprising: a step of periodically activating each pair (PR1, PR2) of antennas during which period the two antennas (AT) of the pair operate simultaneously to exchange UWB signals (SG1) with the outside and transmit sensing signals representative of the exchanged UWB signals (SG1) to a processing module, the two pairs of antennas being activated for activation periods that alternate over time; and a step of activating the processing module to detect the potential presence of a UWB device (T1) from the sensing signals.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Method and device for controlling a UWB vehicle detection system

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention claims priority from French application 2203488 filed on 04 / 14 / 2022, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling a detection system of a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle. The invention relates in particular to an “ultra wide band” type detection system (hereinafter referred to as “Ultra Wide Band”) for detecting or locating UWB devices near a vehicle. The present invention aims in particular to control a UWB detection system on board a vehicle to detect a possible presence of a UWB device near the vehicle.

[0005] Technological background

[0006] UWB technology is a short-range wireless communication protocol. It is a radio transmission standard that is used not only for data transmission, but also for location and access control. The UWB standard differs from standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in that it occupies a very wide frequency band (e.g., 500 MHz), in a spectrum that, depending on the region, can range from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz, and has been designed to experience and cause minimal interference with other wireless communication standards. If there is too much interference in a given area for a given frequency range, other frequencies can be used in the ultra-wideband to compensate for this interference.

[0007] UWB technology provides spatial and directional information. Unlike the other wireless data transmission technologies mentioned above, the UWB standard can be used to determine the distance between UWB devices with relatively high accuracy. A UWB system can track the relative movements and positions between two UWB objects in real time with centimeter accuracy. With UWB, for example, a user can expect a location accuracy of around 10 cm in difficult environments, or even better accuracy in an open area. According to the Fira Consortium, the UWB standard offers a theoretical detection range of up to 200 meters in ideal conditions, but in practice the presence of obstacles (walls, etc.) reduces this range.

[0008] UWB technology is based on measuring the time of flight (ToF) of a message exchanged in the form of short pulses (of the order of 2 nanoseconds for example) between two UWB transceiver devices, which makes it possible to precisely deduce the distance separating these devices.

[0009] In practice, several UWB antennas, operating as UWB "anchors", can be distributed in an area in which it is desired to locate objects, namely UWB tags, also called UWB mobiles (or objects comprising such tags). The antennas and tags communicate with each other to exchange data according to the UWB protocol. This data exchange makes it possible to locate the tags relative to the antennas, for example by means of a triangulation technique (comparison of the communication angles between the tags and the antennas) or trilateration (comparison of the propagation times between the tags and the antennas).

[0010] UWB technology is currently being deployed in some vehicles to unlock them when a user approaches with a UWB-enabled device (phone, smartwatch, etc.). This technique requires the installation and operation of UWB antennas on the vehicle in question to detect the presence of a user (or more precisely, to detect their UWB beacon) near the vehicle. The UWB antennas in this type of system are active components that must regularly transmit and receive UWB signals, which results in significant energy consumption. In addition, this power consumption generally occurs even when the vehicle is locked and therefore on standby. The energy required for such a system therefore generally comes from the vehicle's battery, which poses technical challenges.The electrical consumption of the antennas requires the use of a sufficiently powerful battery, which creates significant constraints in terms of weight and battery size to ensure normal operation of the vehicle despite this electrical consumption in standby mode.

[0011] Summary of the present invention

[0012] One of the objects of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a technique allowing efficient detection or localization of a UWB device (beacon) near a vehicle, in particular in terms of detection performance and energy consumption.

[0014] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling an ultra-wideband type detection system, called UWB, on board a vehicle, said detection system comprising a processing module and at least a first and a second pair of antennas, each pair of antennas being formed by two antennas arranged respectively at two opposite peripheral positions of the vehicle, said method comprising:

[0015] - periodic activations of each pair of antennas during which the two antennas of said pair operate simultaneously to exchange UWB signals with the outside and transmit to the processing module detection signals representative of the exchanged UWB signals, the first and second pairs of antennas being activated during alternating activation periods in time; and

[0016] - carrying out by the processing module of a processing, according to the detection signals transmitted by the antennas of each pair of antennas, to detect a possible presence of a UWB device.

[0017] The present invention advantageously makes it possible to limit the energy consumption required to operate the antennas while ensuring efficient detection of a UWB device located near the vehicle. In particular, the alternating activation of two opposite antennas and then of two other opposite antennas makes it possible to cover a large detection region by means of the antennas, without it being necessary to activate the two pairs of antennas simultaneously. Thanks to the invention, it is therefore possible to extend the duration (or period) separating the periodic activations of the two pairs of antennas compared to a conventional detection system.

[0018] The present invention makes it possible in particular to save energy while maintaining good detection performance, which makes it possible, for example, to limit the size and weight of a battery used to electrically power the antennas (or more generally the detection system). By significantly reducing the energy consumption linked to the activity of the antennas, in particular when the vehicle is on standby, it is possible to reduce the necessary capacity of the battery, reduce the mass of the vehicle or even reduce the CO2 emissions of the vehicle. By limiting the energy taken from the battery to operate the detection system, the battery gains autonomy.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment, the first and second pairs of antennas are activated according to alternating (or offset) activation periods in time so that when one of the two pairs of antennas is activated, the other pair of antennas is deactivated.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment, the antennas of each pair of antennas are only electrically powered during the activation periods of said pair of antennas.

[0021] According to a particular embodiment, the antennas of the first pair of antennas are arranged opposite each other in a first direction (or first axis of the vehicle) and the antennas of the second pair of antennas are arranged opposite each other in a second direction (or second axis of the vehicle), different from the first direction.

[0022] According to a particular embodiment, the antennas of the first pair of antennas are arranged opposite each other along a first diagonal of the vehicle and the antennas of the second pair of antennas are arranged opposite each other along a second diagonal of the vehicle, different from the first diagonal.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment, the peripheral positions at which the antennas of each pair of antennas are arranged are corners of the vehicle. According to a particular embodiment, during said processing, the processing module analyzes the detection signals transmitted by the antennas, or transmits said detection signals to a remote analysis device, to detect a possible presence of a UWB device.

[0024] According to a particular embodiment, the processing carried out by the processing module comprises an evaluation of a distance of a UWB device relative to the vehicle from a time of flight of UWB signals exchanged between the antennas and the UWB device.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment, the processing comprises executing a vehicle control function based on whether the presence of a UWB device has been detected.

[0026] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to an ultra-wideband type detection system, known as UWB, on board a vehicle, said detection system comprising:

[0027] - at least a first and a second pair of antennas, each pair of antennas being formed by two antennas arranged at two opposite peripheral positions of the vehicle;

[0028] - a memory associated with at least one processor configured for implementing the steps of the method as defined above.

[0029] It should be noted that the various embodiments mentioned above in relation to the control method of the invention as well as the associated advantages apply in a similar manner to the control device of the invention.

[0030] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a detection system as defined above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the detection method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor. In other words, the different steps of the detection method are determined by computer program instructions. This computer program is configured to be implemented in a detection system as defined above, or more generally in a computer.

[0032] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0033] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a recording medium (or information medium), readable by a computer (or a processor), on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for executing the steps of the detection method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0034] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording medium or a hard disk.

[0035] Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

[0036] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question.

[0037] According to a particular embodiment, the invention is implemented by means of software and / or hardware components. In this regard, the term "module" may correspond in this document to a software component, a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components. Brief description of the figures

[0038] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 5, in which:

[0039] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates an environment comprising a terminal and a vehicle carrying a detection system, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates the vehicle of Fig. 1 while a first pair of antennas is in operation, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates the vehicle of Fig. 1 while a second pair of antennas is in operation, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates, in the form of curves, the successive periods of activation and deactivation of antennas over time according to a particular example;

[0043] [Fig. 5] schematically illustrates, in the form of curves, the successive periods of activation and deactivation of antennas over time according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] [Fig. 6] schematically illustrates a control device configured to control a vehicle detection system shown in Figures 1-3, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] [Fig. 7] schematically illustrates a control device configured to control a vehicle detection system shown in Figures 1-3, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [Fig. 8] illustrates in the form of a diagram different steps of a method for controlling a vehicle detection system of Figures 1-3, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Description of examples of implementation

[0047] The present invention relates in particular to a control method and a control device for controlling a vehicle detection system, as well as such a detection system. Examples of implementations of the invention will now be described in the following with reference to Figures 1-8. Unless otherwise indicated, elements common or similar to several figures bear the same reference signs and have identical or similar characteristics, so that these common elements are generally not described again for the sake of simplicity.

[0048] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)", etc.) are used in this document by arbitrary convention to identify and distinguish different elements (such as operations, threshold values, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below.

[0049] As previously indicated, the invention relates in particular to a method for controlling a detection system of a vehicle, such as a car or other type vehicle. This method is for example implemented by a control device which may be external (at least in part) or be part of the vehicle's detection system. The detection system of the invention is of the UWB type in the sense that it implements the UWB technology (or protocol) to detect or locate target elements, such as objects, individuals, etc. likely to approach a vehicle with a UWB device (beacon). As described below, this detection involves the exchange of UWB signals between at least one antenna of the detection system and an external UWB device located within detection range of said antenna.

[0050] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the detection system is embedded in a vehicle and comprises a processing module and at least two pairs of antennas, namely a first pair of antennas and a second pair of antennas. Each pair of antennas is formed by (or comprises) two antennas arranged respectively at two opposite peripheral positions of the vehicle. A control method is implemented to control the detection system so as to detect a possible presence of a UWB device (in other words, to locate a UWB device), for example a UWB device located near the vehicle. A UWB device located near a vehicle is understood to mean a UWB device which is within detection range of the UWB detection system of the invention.

[0051] The method of controlling the detection system is for example carried out by a control module (or device) according to the invention, this device being able to be external (at least in part) or being part of the vehicle's detection system.

[0052] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control method comprises periodic activations of each pair of antennas (of the detection system) during which the two antennas of said pair operate simultaneously to exchange UWB signals with the outside and transmit to the processing module detection signals representative of the exchanged UWB signals, the first and second pairs of antennas being activated during alternating (or offset) activation periods in time. In addition, the processing module of the detection system performs processing, as a function of the detection signals transmitted by the antennas of each pair of antennas, to detect a possible presence of a UWB device (or to locate a UWB device).By cooperating together according to the UWB protocol, the antennas of the detection system and the UWB device exchange UWB signals, which allows the processing module to detect the presence of the UWB device near the vehicle (within detection range of the antennas). As described below in particular examples, the processing comprises for example an estimation of the time of flight of UWB signals exchanged between the antennas of the detection system and the UWB device, the presence or absence of the UWB device being detected from the estimated time of flight.According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the antennas of the first pair of antennas are arranged opposite each other in a first direction (or first axis of the vehicle 6) and the antennas of the second pair of antennas are arranged opposite each other in a second direction (or second axis of the vehicle 6), different from the first direction. Thus, these two directions intersect.

[0053] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the antennas of the first pair of antennas are arranged opposite each other along a first diagonal of the vehicle and the antennas of the second pair of antennas are arranged opposite each other along a second diagonal of the vehicle, different from the first diagonal. The vehicle is for example rectangular, or substantially rectangular, although other shapes are possible (polygonal shapes for example).

[0054] The antennas are for example arranged on the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle, or at any other appropriate positions to allow effective implementation of the control method of the invention.

[0055] The alternation (or time shift) of the activation of the two pairs of antennas makes it possible to advantageously limit the energy consumption necessary to operate the detection system. The first and second pairs of antennas can thus be activated according to alternating (or time-shifted) activation periods in such a way that when one of the two pairs of antennas is activated, the other pair of antennas is deactivated. The control can be carried out so that the antennas of each pair of antennas are only electrically powered during the activation periods of said pair of antennas. In other words, between two consecutive activation periods, the antennas of one pair of antennas are not electrically powered or, at least, are deactivated (on standby), in order to limit energy consumption.

[0056] By alternating the successive activations of the first and second pairs of antennas, it is advantageous to limit the required energy consumption while ensuring efficient detection of a UWB device located near the vehicle, since the alternating activation of two opposite antennas and then of two other opposite antennas makes it possible to cover a large detection region by means of the antennas, without it being necessary to activate the two pairs of antennas simultaneously. Thanks to the invention, it is therefore possible to extend the duration (or period) separating the periodic activations of the two pairs of antennas compared to a conventional detection system.

[0057] The present invention makes it possible in particular to save energy while maintaining good detection performance, which makes it possible, for example, to limit the size and weight of a battery used to electrically power the antennas (or more generally the detection system). By significantly reducing the energy consumption linked to the activity of the antennas, in particular when the vehicle is on standby, it is possible to reduce the necessary capacity of the battery, reduce the mass of the vehicle or even reduce the CO2 emissions of the vehicle. By limiting the energy taken from the battery to operate the detection system, the battery gains autonomy.

[0058] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 6, for example a motor vehicle, carrying a detection system 2. The nature of the vehicle may vary depending on the case. It may be, for example, a coach, a bus, a truck, a utility vehicle or a motorcycle, that is to say a vehicle of the motorized land vehicle type.

[0059] The detection system 2 comprises a control device 4 and antennas (or antenna devices) AT, namely a first pair PR1 formed by antennas AT 1 and AT3 and a second pair PR2 formed by antennas AT2 and AT4. As described below, these AT antennas are of the UWB type in the sense that they are capable of communicating according to the UWB standard with the outside, in particular with a UWB device denoted T1 which is likely to be located near the vehicle 6.

[0060] The device T1 is a UWB transceiver device which can be of various types, such as a smartphone, a digital key, a connected watch, a tablet, or any other suitable devices capable of communicating according to the UWB standard with the AT antennas of the detection system 2. The control device 2 is coupled with each antenna AT1-AT4, i.e. with the antennas of the two pairs PR1, PR2. In particular, the control device 4 and the AT antennas are configured to cooperate (or communicate) together by any suitable communication means, for example via wireless or wired communication links.

[0061] Note that the number of antenna pairs is not limited to two, embodiments also being possible with three or more antenna pairs, these antenna pairs being configured and operating in a manner analogous to the antenna pairs PR1, PR2 as described in the present disclosure.

[0062] As illustrated in Figure 1, each pair of antennas PR1, PR2 is formed by two antennas AT arranged respectively at two opposite peripheral positions of the vehicle 6. Thus, in the example considered here, the antennas AT1, AT2, AT3 and AT4 are each positioned at the periphery of the vehicle, that is to say at one end or a peripheral edge of the vehicle 6. The antennas AT1 and AT3 are arranged at peripheral positions which are opposite one another on the vehicle 6 (front right position and rear left position). Similarly, the antennas AT2, AT4 are arranged at peripheral positions which are opposite one another on the vehicle 6 (rear right position and front left position).

[0063] The spatial arrangement of the AT antennas may vary depending on the case, as long as the two AT antennas of each pair are well arranged at opposite peripheral positions of the vehicle.

[0064] According to the particular example, the antennas AT1, AT3 of the first pair PR1 of antennas are arranged opposite each other in a first direction (or first axis of the vehicle 6) and the antennas AT2, AT4 of the second pair PR2 of antennas may be arranged opposite each other in a second direction (or second axis of the vehicle 6), different from the first direction. The non-zero angle at which these directions intersect may be adapted as appropriate to maximize detection efficiency.

[0065] More particularly, in the example shown in figure 1, the antennas AT1, AT3 of the first pair PR1 of antennas are arranged opposite each other along a first diagonal of the vehicle and the antennas AT2, AT4 of the second pair PR2 of antennas are arranged opposite each other along a second diagonal of the vehicle, different from the first diagonal.

[0066] The shapes and configurations of the vehicle 6 can be adapted as appropriate. In the example considered here, the vehicle 6 is generally rectangular in shape, although other shapes are possible, in particular polygonal shapes. The antennas AT are, for example, arranged, or fixed, at corners (or vertices) of the vehicle. In other words, the peripheral positions at which the antennas AT1-AT4 are arranged are corners (or vertices) of the vehicle 6.

[0067] More generally, the vehicle 6 may, for example, have the shape of a polygon (or substantially a polygon) comprising a plurality of vertices, the antennas AT of the two pairs PR1, PR2 being arranged at vertices of the vehicle 6.

[0068] The way in which the AT antennas are attached to the vehicle 6 may vary depending on the case. For example, the AT antennas are arranged on the bumpers of the vehicle 6 (AT1 and 14 on the front bumper, AT2 and AT3 on the rear bumper).

[0069] According to a particular example, the detection system 2 comprises at least one additional AT antenna, namely the antennas AT5 and / or AT6 in the present case, variants being possible without these additional antennas. These additional antennas AT5 and / or AT6 are not part of a pair of antennas within the meaning of the invention and are therefore not arranged and configured like the AT antennas of the pairs PR1 and PR2. The additional antennas PR5 and PR6 can be arranged at various positions of the vehicle, for example at central positions (and not on a peripheral edge). By way of example, the additional antennas AT5 and AT6 are installed respectively in the trunk and in the trunk lid of the vehicle 6.

[0070] In general, the control device 4 is configured to control the detection system 2 to implement a control method (or process) according to a particular embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, the control device 4 may comprise a control module (or control means) for controlling the activation / deactivation state of each antenna AT (or more generally of the pairs of antennas PR1 and PR2) and a processing module (or processing means) of signals transmitted by the antennas AT to detect a possible presence of an external UWB device, such as the device T1 in this example. Particular examples of implementation of the control device 4 are described later.

[0071] The AT antennas can thus alternate between two states, namely an activated state (or activation state) in which they are activated and can therefore operate, in particular to exchange UWB signals denoted SG1 with the outside (for example with T1), and a deactivated state (or deactivation state) in which they are deactivated and cannot therefore carry out such exchanges of UWB signals with the outside. The control module of the control device 4 can be configured to successively activate and deactivate the pairs PR1, PR2 of antennas. When a pair of antennas is activated, each AT antenna of said pair is activated. As described in detail later, each pair of antennas PR1, PR2 is activated periodically during respective activation periods, the activation periods of the pairs PR1 and PR2 being alternated (or offset) in time.

[0072] In the example shown here, the control module is part of the detection system 2 and is therefore embedded in the vehicle 6. Alternatively, the control module can be positioned outside the vehicle 6 and configured to control the AT antennas remotely.

[0073] In the particular case where the detection system 2 comprises the additional antennas AT5 and / or AT6 as previously indicated, these additional antennas can also switch between the activated and deactivated states under the control of the control device 4. On the other hand, these additional antennas AT5 and / or AT6 are not necessarily activated in the same way as the pairs PR1, PR2. According to a particular example, the additional antennas AT5 and / or AT6 are activated in a synchronized (or concomitant) manner with each pair of antennas PR1, PR2. In other words, the additional antennas AT5 and / or AT6 are activated each time that one of the pairs PR1, PR2 is activated.

[0074] According to a particular example, the AT antennas are electrically powered when they are in the activated state and are not electrically powered when they are in the deactivated state. For this purpose, the control module of the control device 4 can be configured to control the electrical power supply of the AT antennas, so that the latter are only electrically powered during the activation periods of said pair of antennas.

[0075] The electrical power supply of the antennas AT, and more generally of the detection system 2, can be done for example by means of a battery 10 on board the vehicle, other energy sources being however conceivable. Thus, the control module of the control device 4 can for example be configured to control the electrical power supply from the battery to the antennas AT so as to periodically switch the pairs of antennas PR1, PR2 between the activated and deactivated states, alternately as described below.

[0076] The processing module of the control device 2 can further be configured to analyze detection signals SG2 emitted by the antennas AT and to determine, from these detection signals SG2, a possible presence of a UWB device such as the terminal T1. To do this, the control device 2 can be coupled with the antennas AT via a communication link, for example of the wired or wireless type.

[0077] In the example considered here, this processing module is part of the detection system 2 and is therefore embedded in the vehicle 6. Alternatively, the processing module can be positioned outside the vehicle.

[0078] According to a particular example, the control device 4 can further be configured to control at least one function of the vehicle 6 based on the detection of a presence of a UWB device. As described below, various functions are possible, such as for example a locking function of the vehicle 6 which is controlled by the control device 4 to actuate the locking and / or unlocking of the vehicle 6 and thus allow access to an authorized person equipped with a UWB device such as the terminal T1.

[0079] As indicated above, the control device is configured to control the detection system 2 according to a control process. The control device 4 may for example take the form of a (or comprise a) computer, or a combination of computers. The control process implemented by the control device 4 (or more generally by the detection system 2) is now described in conjunction with Figures 1-5 according to particular embodiments.

[0080] In a first operation, the control device 4 periodically activates each pair PR1, PR2 of antennas. During the periodic activations of each pair PR1, PR2, the two antennas AT of said pair operate simultaneously to exchange UWB signals denoted SG1 with the outside (according to the UWB standard) and transmit to the processing module of the control device 4 detection signals representative of the exchanged UWB signals. In other words, when a pair of antennas is activated, the two antennas of said pair are activated. Conversely, when a pair of antennas is deactivated, the antennas AT of said pair are deactivated. Each pair PR1, PR2 thus switches successively between an activated state and a deactivated state.

[0081] As illustrated in Figure 1, when in the activated state, the AT antennas act as UWB anchors: for example, they emit SG1a signals at the output (of UWB type) that can be received by the terminal T1 and can also receive SG1b signals at the input (of UWB type) that can be emitted by the terminal T1. The terminal T1 then acts as a UWB beacon (or mobile). The exchanges of SG1 signals between the AT antennas and the terminal T1 are only possible if the terminal T1 is in the vicinity of the vehicle 6, i.e. within detection range (or communication range) of the AT antennas of the detection system 2. The UWB protocol is known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be described in detail for the sake of simplicity.

[0082] The antenna pairs PR1, PR2 are controlled so that they are activated during alternating (staggered) activation periods in time relative to each other.

[0083] Figures 2 and 3 respectively represent cases where the pairs PR1 and PR2 of antennas are activated respectively. As shown, the activation of a pair of antennas makes it possible to scan or probe areas in the vicinity of the vehicle 6 to detect the possible presence of a UWB device.

[0084] Figure 4 illustrates a first example based on a traditional approach in which the pairs PR1 and PR2 are activated synchronously (simultaneously), so that all AT antennas are activated simultaneously. Figure 5, on the contrary, illustrates a particular embodiment of the invention in which the pairs PR1, PR2 of antennas are activated during alternating (staggered) activation periods in time. Thus, when one of the two pairs PR1, PR2 of antennas is activated, the other pair of antennas is deactivated. In other words, the activation periods of the two pairs PR1, PR2 do not overlap in time.

[0085] If the detection system 2 includes additional antennas AT5 and / or AT6, these are for example activated periodically each time one of the pairs PR1, PR2 is activated. The antennas AT5 and / or AT6 can thus be activated twice as much as the antennas AT1-AT4 over time.

[0086] According to a particular example, the AT antennas of each pair of antennas are only electrically powered during the activation periods of said pair of antennas, which makes it possible to maximize energy savings. Thus, between the periodic activations of each pair PR1, PR2, the AT antennas of said pair are not electrically powered.

[0087] The temporal configuration of the activation periods and deactivation periods of the pairs PR1, PR2 can be adapted as appropriate. The activation periods of each pair PR1, PR2 are repeated, for example, periodically over time with a period greater than 0.1 s (second), or even greater than or equal to 0.2 s. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to extend the time interval between each activation period of a pair in order to limit energy consumption. The duration of the activation periods of each pair PR1, PR2 can also be adapted on a case-by-case basis, and can, for example, be less than or equal to 0.1 s, or even less than 0.05 s.

[0088] Still during the first operation (figures 1-3), when each pair PR1, PR2 is activated, the antennas AT of said pair transmit to the control device 4 (more specifically to its processing module) detection signals SG2 representative of the signals SG1 exchanged with the outside (with the terminal T1 in this example). The detection signals SG2 can be, or comprise, the signals SG1 or can be obtained from the signals SG1 (for example by any processing). During a second operation, the processing module of the control device 4 carries out a processing (or an analysis), according to the detection signals SG2 received from the antennas AT, to detect a possible presence of a UWB device, namely the terminal T1 in this example.According to a first example, the processing module embedded in the control device 4 includes the necessary analysis resources and therefore detects, by analyzing the received SG2 signals, the presence of the terminal T1. Alternatively, the processing module transmits the detection signals to a remote analysis device to detect the presence of the terminal T1.

[0089] The processing carried out by the processing module comprises for example an evaluation of a distance of a UWB device (the terminal T1 in this example) relative to the vehicle 6 from a flight time of UWB signals S1 exchanged between the antennas AT (or at least one antenna AT) and the UWB device. The manner in which such an evaluation of the flight time can be carried out is within the reach of those skilled in the art and will therefore not be explained in more detail in the present description. According to a particular example, the estimated distance between the vehicle 6 and the terminal T1 is less than a threshold distance, then the control device 4 detects the presence of the terminal T1. Otherwise, the presence of the terminal T1 is not detected.

[0090] According to a particular example, the control process comprises a third operation during which the control device (more specifically the processing module) executes or manages a control function of the vehicle 6 depending on whether a UWB device has been detected or not. This control function is for example controlled depending on the distance evaluated as described above.

[0091] As already indicated, the nature of the function thus controlled, and the manner in which the control is carried out, can be adapted according to the case. For example, a vehicle locking function is controlled so that the vehicle is unlocked when a UWB device of a legitimate user of the vehicle is detected nearby by the detection system 2. The terminal T1 can then act as a key to access the vehicle 6.

[0092] Figure 6 represents a particular non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the invention in which the control device executes a computer program PG1 comprising instructions for implementing the control module denoted MD2 and the processing module denoted MD4, as described previously. The control device 6 comprises for example at least one processor configured to execute the instructions defined by the computer program PG1, the latter being able to be recorded in a memory of the control device 4.

[0093] Figure 7 schematically illustrates, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a control system 2 comprising antennas AT 1 -AT4 (and possibly additional antennas AT5 and / or AT6) as well as a control device 4 configured to implement a method for controlling the control system 2. The control device 4 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 6 (figures 1-3), for example a computer. As already indicated, the control device 4 can be on board the vehicle 6 or, alternatively, at least one part can be positioned outside.

[0094] The control device 4 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations previously described with regard to figures 1-5 and / or the steps of the method described below with regard to figure 8. Examples of such a control device 4 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop. The elements of the control device 4, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The control device 4 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0095] The control device 4 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 40 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method (or the control process) and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the control device 4. The processor 40 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The control device 4 further comprises at least one memory 41 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0096] The computer code of the embedded software program(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 41. The memory 41 may constitute an information medium according to a particular embodiment in that it comprises a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method (or the control process) of the invention, for example PG1 represented in figure 6.

[0097] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the control device 4 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0098] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the control device 14 comprises a block 42 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example a remote server or the “cloud”, or the vehicle 6 when the control device 4 corresponds to a smartphone or a tablet for example. The interface elements of the block 42 comprise one or more of the following interfaces:

[0099] - RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (Universal Serial Bus);

[0100] - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface”).

[0101] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the control device 14 comprises a communication interface 43 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system or on-board sensors) via a communication channel 45. The communication interface 45 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 45.The communication interface 43 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard), Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard) or LIN (Local Interconnect Network) type.

[0102] The control device 14 is for example coupled to the AT antennas by means of the block 42 of interface elements or the communication interface 43.

[0103] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the control device 4 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers and / or other peripherals (projection system) via respective output interfaces. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the control device 4.

[0104] Figure 8 illustrates a diagram of the different steps of a method for controlling a detection system as previously described. The method is for example implemented by the control device 4 previously described, this device being able to be on board the vehicle 6.

[0105] The method comprises, during a first step 51, periodic activations of each pair PR1, PR2 of antennas during which the two antennas AT of said pair operate simultaneously to exchange UWB signals with the outside and transmit to the processing module of the control device detection signals SG2 representative of the exchanged UWB signals, the first and second pairs PR1, PR2 of antennas being activated during activation periods alternating in time (figures 1-5).

[0106] In a second step 52, processing is carried out by the processing module, as a function of the detection signals SG2 transmitted by the antennas AT of each pair of antennas, to detect a possible presence of a UWB device.

[0107] According to alternative embodiments, the variants and examples of the operations described above in relation in particular to figures 1-5 apply to the steps of the control method of figure 8.

[0108] A person skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments and variants described above constitute only non-limiting examples of implementation of the invention. In particular, a person skilled in the art may envisage any adaptation or combination of the embodiments and variants described above, in order to meet a very specific need.

[0109] The present invention is therefore not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends in particular to a control method which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for the implementation of such a method.

[0110] The present invention also relates to a lateral guidance system 19 comprising the control device 14 of Figure 4.

[0111] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the control device 14 of FIG. 4, and possibly also the lateral guidance system 19 above.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Method for controlling an ultra-wideband (UWB) detection system (2) installed in a vehicle (6), said detection system comprising a processing module (MD4) and at least a first and a second pair (PR1, PR2) of antennas, each pair of antennas being formed by two antennas (AT) arranged respectively at two opposite peripheral positions of the vehicle, said method comprising: - periodic activations (51) of each pair of antennas during which the two antennas of said pair operate simultaneously to exchange UWB signals (SG1) with the outside and transmit to the detection signal processing module (SG2) representative of the exchanged UWB signals, the first and second pairs of antennas being activated during alternating activation periods in time; and - implementation (52) by the processing module of a processing, based on the detection signals transmitted by the antennas of each pair of antennas, to detect a possible presence of a UWB device (T1).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pairs (PR1, PR2) of antennas are activated according to alternating activation periods in time such that when one of the two pairs of antennas is activated, the other pair of antennas is deactivated.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the antennas (AT) of each pair of antennas are only electrically powered during the activation periods of said pair of antennas.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the antennas (AT1, AT3) of the first pair (PR1) of antennas are arranged oppositely along a first diagonal of the vehicle and the antennas (AT2, AT4) of the second (PR2) pair of antennas are arranged oppositely along a second diagonal of the vehicle, different from the first diagonal.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the peripheral positions at which the antennas of each pair of antennas are arranged are corners of the vehicle (6).

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein during said processing, the processing module (MD4) analyzes the detection signals (SG2) transmitted by the antennas, or transmits said detection signals to a remote analysis device, to detect a possible presence of a UWB device.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the processing carried out by the processing module (MD4) includes an evaluation of a distance of a UWB device relative to the vehicle from a time of flight of UWB signals (SG1) exchanged between the antennas (AT) and the UWB device (T1).

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processing includes performing a vehicle control function based on whether the presence of a UWB device has been detected.

9. Ultra-wideband (UWB) detection system (2) installed in a vehicle (6), said detection system comprising: - at least one first and second pair (PR1, PR2) of antennas, each pair of antennas being formed by two antennas (AT) arranged at two opposite peripheral positions of the vehicle; - a memory (41) associated with at least one processor (40) configured for the implementation of the steps of the process according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Vehicle (6) comprising the control device (4) according to claim 9.

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