Triggering UWB communication between vehicle system and wearable identifier

Abstract

A method is proposed for using a vehicle system that has registered a portable identifier. The system and the identifier are configured to communicate using a UWB communication protocol within a first perimeter around the vehicle and to communicate using a BLE communication protocol within a second perimeter that includes the first perimeter. The method includes, as a user wearing the identifier approaches the vehicle, detecting that the identifier is located within the second perimeter and taking two distance measurements between the user and the vehicle. The method then includes determining the user's speed and predicting the remaining time until the user reaches a predetermined proximity distance from the vehicle. After the predicted remaining time has elapsed, the method includes initiating communication using the UWB communication protocol.The method provides improved use of the portable identifier. [Fig. 1].

Description

Title of the invention: Triggering UWB communication between vehicle system and portable identifier Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method of using a vehicle system having recorded a portable identifier, a computer program for such a system and / or such a portable identifier, a storage medium for such a program, a portable identifier and a vehicle system. Technical background

[0002] Today there are vehicles equipped with systems that have recorded one or more portable identifiers. These portable identifiers can be portable devices such as key fobs or smartphones. Each identifier includes a source of electrical energy (for example a battery) allowing it to be portable. Such systems allow the execution of functions by the vehicle, such as for example opening the doors and / or starting the vehicle depending on the location of the one or more portable identifiers.

[0003] To perform these functions, each portable identifier may be configured to communicate using one or more communication protocols with the system. For example, the portable identifier and the system may be configured to communicate using a UWB (Ultra Wide Band) communication protocol and a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication protocol. However, the use of these one or more communication protocols reduces the lifetime of the portable identifier's electrical power source.

[0004] In particular, BLE communication is used to ensure that the portable identifier is at a good distance from the vehicle before triggering a UWB communication. For this, in existing solutions, BLE exchanges are carried out between the system and the portable identifier while the user approaches the vehicle. However, these BLE exchanges consume the lifetime of the electrical energy source.

[0005] There is therefore a need to improve the use of such a system having recorded such a portable identifier. Summary

[0006] For this purpose, a method is proposed for using a vehicle system having in registered a portable identifier. The identifier comprises an electrical power source. The system and the identifier are configured to communicate using a UWB communication protocol in a first perimeter around the vehicle and to communicate using a BLE communication protocol in a second perimeter around the vehicle. The second perimeter includes the first perimeter. The method comprises, while a user carrying the identifier approaches the vehicle, the following five steps. The first step is a detection that the identifier is located in the second perimeter. The second step is performed after the detection and before the user reaches the first perimeter. The second step is a performance of a first and a second distance measurement between the user and the vehicle using the BLE communication protocol. The second measurement is performed after the first measurement.The third step is a determination of a speed of the user based on the first and second distance measurements. The fourth step is a prediction of a remaining time for the user to reach a predetermined close distance from the vehicle based on the determined speed. The fifth step is a triggering of a communication using the UWB communication protocol after the predicted remaining time has elapsed.

[0007] The prediction may comprise a calculation of a remaining distance between the distance measured by the second measurement and the predetermined near distance, and a calculation of the remaining time corresponding to the time for the user to travel the remaining distance taking into account the determined speed.

[0008] The method may comprise, after the user leaves the vehicle, the following four steps. The first step may be a detection (S60) that the identifier leaves a predetermined security perimeter around the vehicle, the first perimeter including the predetermined security perimeter. The second step may be a suspension (S70) of the communication using the UWB communication protocol. The third step may be a monitoring (S80) of RSSI measurements of successive BLE exchanges executed after the deactivation of the communication using the UWB communication protocol. The fifth step may be a reactivation (S90) of the communication using the UWB communication protocol when the monitoring indicates that the user returns to the vehicle.

[0009] The monitoring may indicate that the user is returning to the vehicle when one or more of the RSSI measurements of successive BLE exchanges are higher than one or more RSSI measurements of previous BLE exchanges.

[0010] The successive BLE exchanges monitored may include all BLE exchanges between the system and the identifier.

[0011] The identifier may comprise a microcontroller, a BLE component and a UWB component. Communication initiation may include sending a wake-up signal from the microcontroller to the UWB component. The BLE component may optionally be integrated into the microcontroller.

[0012] The electrical energy source may be a battery, preferably a button cell, and / or having a diameter of less than 25 millimeters and / or a height of less than 8 millimeters, for example less than 6 millimeters.

[0013] A first computer program for such a portable identifier is also provided. The computer program comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor of the portable identifier, cause the latter to implement one or more of the steps (for example all of the steps) of such a method.

[0014] Also provided is a first computer-readable storage medium on which such a first computer program is recorded.

[0015] A portable identifier is also provided. The portable identifier comprises such a first storage medium. The portable identifier is configured to perform one or more of the steps (e.g. all of the steps) of such a method.

[0016] A second computer program for such a vehicle system is also provided. The computer program comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor of the vehicle system, cause the latter to implement one or more of the steps (e.g. all of the steps) of such a method.

[0017] Also provided is a second computer-readable storage medium on which such a second computer program is recorded.

[0018] Also provided is a vehicle system having recorded a portable identifier. The vehicle system comprises such a second storage medium. The vehicle system is configured to perform one or more of the steps (e.g. all of the steps) of such a method.

[0019] Also provided is a vehicle system having recorded a portable identifier. The vehicle system comprises such a second storage medium. The vehicle system is configured to perform one or more of the steps (e.g. all of the steps) of such a method.

[0020] A third program comprising the first program and the second program is also proposed. Brief description of the figures

[0021] Non-limiting examples will be described with reference to the following figures:

[0022] [Fig.l] and [Fig.2] show flowcharts of examples of the method.

[0023] [Fig.3] illustrates an example of the use of the vehicle system according to the process.

[0024] [Fig.4] illustrates a comparison of an example of the use of the vehicle system according to the method with the use of the system according to an existing solution.

[0025] [Fig.5] illustrates an example of the architecture of the portable identifier. Detailed description

[0026] With reference to the flowchart of [Fig. 1], a method of using a vehicle system having registered a portable identifier is provided. The identifier comprises an electrical power source. The system and the identifier are configured to communicate using a UWB communication protocol in a first perimeter around the vehicle and to communicate using a BLE communication protocol in a second perimeter around the vehicle. The second perimeter includes the first perimeter. The method comprises, while a user carrying the identifier approaches the vehicle, the following five steps. The first step S10 is a detection that the identifier is located in the second perimeter. The second step S20 is performed after the detection S10 and before the user reaches the first perimeter.The second step S20 is a performance of a first and a second distance measurements between the user and the vehicle using the BLE communication protocol. The second measurement is performed after the first measurement. The third step S30 is a determination of a speed of the user based on the first and second distance measurements. The fourth step S40 is a prediction of a remaining time for the user to reach a predetermined close distance based on the determined speed. The fifth step S50 is a triggering of a communication using the UWB communication protocol after the predicted remaining time has elapsed.

[0027] The method provides improved use of the portable identifier.

[0028] Indeed, the method allows the triggering of communication using the UWB communication protocol only when the portable identifier is within the perimeter in which the UWB communication protocol can be used. This avoids having to make unsuccessful attempts to trigger UWB communication while the user is approaching the vehicle. The method therefore improves the lifetime of the electrical energy source of the portable identifier.

[0029] In particular, the two distance measurements make it possible to accurately and reliably evaluate the distance that remains for the user to travel to reach the predetermined close distance. They therefore make it possible to estimate the time remaining for the user to be in the first perimeter in which a UWB communication can be triggered. The method uses this estimation, which avoids having to use other means to achieve this (such as the BLE exchanges used in the solutions existing). In particular, the method allows these other means to be replaced by only two distance measurements. The method thus saves energy from the electrical power source of the portable identifier.

[0030] Furthermore, the method makes it possible to take into account the fact that the user may move at different speeds to approach the vehicle. For example, the user may run when it is raining or walk slowly when he or she is writing a message on his or her phone. The distance measurements make it possible to take these different speeds into account and adjust the triggering accordingly. In each of these different situations, the method therefore allows the UWB communication to be triggered at the right time.

[0031] The vehicle system and the portable identifier are configured to communicate using the UWB (acronym for Ultra Wide Band) communication protocol and the BLE (acronym for Bluetooth Low Energy) communication protocol. For each protocol, communication means exchanges, for example periodic, of signals between the portable identifier and the vehicle system according to the communication protocol.

[0032] In particular, the UWB communication protocol is used by the system and the portable identifier when the portable identifier is located in the first perimeter around the vehicle, that is to say that the exchanges using this UWB protocol (the UWB exchanges) can be carried out in this first perimeter. This first perimeter can comprise all the positions which are located at a distance from the vehicle system less than or equal to a first predetermined distance (for example 7 meters). On a 2D plane materializing the ground, this first perimeter can be represented by a circle centered on the vehicle and having a radius equal to the first predetermined distance.

[0033] The BLE communication protocol is used by the system and the portable identifier when the portable identifier is located in the second perimeter around the vehicle, that is to say that the exchanges using this BLE protocol (the BLE exchanges) can be carried out in this second perimeter. This second perimeter can comprise all the positions which are at a distance from the vehicle system less than or equal to a second predetermined distance (for example 40 meters). On the 2D plane materializing the ground, this second perimeter can be, like the first perimeter, represented by a circle centered on the vehicle, and can have a radius equal to the second predetermined distance.

[0034] Steps S10 to S50 may be performed by the portable identifier or by the vehicle system. Alternatively, one or more steps may be performed by the portable identifier and one or more other steps by the vehicle system. In examples, some steps may also be performed by both devices (portable identifier and vehicle system).

[0035] In examples, the vehicle system may have recorded multiple portable identifiers. In this case, when a user carrying one of these portable identifiers approaches the vehicle, the steps of the method may be executed for that identifier. When another of the portable identifiers approaches the vehicle (e.g., being carried by the same user or by another user), the method may be repeated for that other identifier.

[0036] The method executes steps S10 to S50 while the user carrying the identifier approaches the vehicle. For example, the method may execute steps S10 to S50 while the user is traveling a route to their vehicle, i.e., from a place of stay (e.g., their home, office, hotel, or business such as a store or restaurant) to the vehicle. The method may execute these steps S10 to S50 after a reactivation of the portable identifier. For example, the method may execute these steps S10 to S50 once the portable identifier is retrieved by the user, and the portable identifier has reactivated. This reactivation may be performed automatically by the portable identifier after a movement is detected.While the user is traveling to the vehicle, the portable identifier may initially be outside the second perimeter, and then, at some point during the travel, it may enter the second perimeter. At this point, the method may perform step S10.

[0037] After the identifier has entered the first perimeter and after the execution of step S10, the method can execute step S20. In particular, the method executes step S20 before the identifier has entered the first perimeter. During the user's journey, the portable identifier successively enters the second perimeter and then the first perimeter (the second perimeter being wider and including the first perimeter). The method executes step S20 during the part of the journey which is located in the second perimeter and before entering the first perimeter.

[0038] After step S20, the method executes steps S30 and S40 to predict the remaining time for the user to reach the predetermined close distance from the vehicle. Step S50 is executed by the method after the predicted remaining time has elapsed, i.e., at the time at which the method predicts that the user is at the predetermined close distance from the vehicle.

[0039] In examples, the method may repeat for each trip to the vehicle. For example, the method may repeat for each home-vehicle, work-vehicle, hotel-vehicle, and / or business-vehicle trip made by the user carrying the portable identifier.

[0040] Detection S10 may be performed at the time of entry by the identifier into the second perimeter, i.e. the perimeter of the BLE communication. Detection S10 may comprise a successful completion of a first BLE exchange between the vehicle system and the portable identifier. This first BLE exchange may comprise a sending of a signal by the system then a reception of this signal by the identifier. Alternatively, the signal may be sent by the identifier then received by the system. In examples, detection S10 may comprise a successful completion of several BLE exchanges between the identifier and the system (the identifier was only detected in the second perimeter after the success of these several BLE exchanges). The completion of this or these first BLE exchanges between the identifier and the system may mean that the portable identifier is in the second perimeter, i.e. that it is within range of the system.Before the success of this first BLE exchange, unsuccessful exchange attempts may have been carried out (because the identifier was not yet in the second perimeter).

[0041] The performance S20 of the distance measurements can also be executed from one or more BLE exchanges between the system and the identifier (for example one for each measurement). The first measurement can be performed after the detection S10. For example, the first measurement can be performed immediately after the detection S10 (i.e. from a BLE exchange performed just after the first exchange). Alternatively, the first measurement can be performed after a first predetermined duration has elapsed since the detection S10 (for example greater than 1 second and / or less than 5 seconds, for example 3 seconds after the detection S10 that the identifier is in the first perimeter). The second measurement is performed after the first measurement.For example, the second measurement may be performed after a second predetermined time has elapsed since the first measurement (e.g., greater than 5 seconds and / or less than 20 seconds, e.g., 10 seconds after the first measurement).

[0042] The first and second distance measurements can be performed in any way. For example, each measurement can be performed with “channel sounding” technology, which can be used in particular with Bluetooth 5 (for example nxp HADM). For example, each measurement can include a BLE exchange between the identifier and the system and a calculation of a time of flight between the identifier and the system during this BLE exchange. This time of flight can be the time taken by the signal exchanged during the BLE exchange to make the round trip between the identifier and the system. The time of flight can be calculated by the identifier or the system, and can be performed in any way. For example, each measurement can include recordings of the times of sending and receiving the exchanged signal, and the calculation can be done by deduction of these recordings. recording the time taken by the signal to make the round trip. Each measurement may then include a deduction of the distance between the identifier and the system from this flight time. For example, each measurement may include a multiplication of a signal speed with the calculated flight time. The signal speed may, for example, be a predetermined and known speed for this type of signal (e.g., recorded in the memory of the identifier or the system).

[0043] The determination S30 of the speed can be performed by the identifier or by the system. The determination S30 can be based on the two distance measurements made. The determination S30 can also be based on the time elapsed between the two distance measurements (i.e., for example, on the second predetermined time previously discussed). The determination S30 of the speed can be made by considering that the user is moving in a straight line towards the vehicle. For example, the determination S30 can comprise a calculation of the distance traveled by the user between the two distance measurements (by subtracting the distances measured for the two measurements) and a division of this calculated distance traveled by the time elapsed between the two distance measurements (i.e., by the second predetermined time).

[0044] Similarly to determination S30, prediction S40 may be performed by the identifier or by the system. In examples, the predetermined close distance may be substantially equal to the radius of the first perimeter, i.e., this distance may correspond to the maximum range (e.g., permitted in regulations) for performing UWB communication (e.g., 7 meters). The method thus ensures that the identifier is within the first perimeter before triggering the UWB communication (step S50). In other examples, the predetermined close distance may be less than this radius of the first perimeter. For example, the predetermined close distance may be less than 5 meters and / or greater than 1 meter (e.g., approximately equal to 3 meters). This further increases the energy saving of the energy source, since the UWB communication is triggered even later.Once the communication is triggered, the method may include performing one or more functions based on UWB exchanges of the triggered communication. These one or more functions may include remotely turning on the vehicle, for example, as soon as the user is closer than the predetermined close distance. For example, the method may include turning on the vehicle when the user is 4 meters from the vehicle. In this case, the predetermined close distance is greater than 4 meters.

[0045] The prediction S40 of the remaining duration from the determined speed can be carried out in any way. For example, the prediction S40 can comprise a calculation of a remaining distance to be traveled by the user to reach the predetermined near distance. For example, the prediction S40 can make the assumption that the user advances in a straight line towards the vehicle, and may comprise a calculation of the remaining distance by subtracting the predetermined near distance from the distance measured during the second measurement. The prediction S40 may then comprise a calculation of the remaining time by dividing the remaining distance by the user's speed determined in step S30

[0046] Like the determination S30 and the prediction S40, the triggering can be executed by the identifier or by the system. The triggering S50 can comprise a performance of one or more UWB exchanges between the portable identifier and the system, in particular to allow a negotiation of communication parameter(s) between the portable identifier and the system. The method can comprise a wait for the predicted remaining time to elapse before the performance of these one or more UWB exchanges. The wait can be performed from an internal clock (for example digital) of the identifier or of the system (which is for example that of the vehicle). When the wait is performed from an internal clock of the system, the method can comprise a sending of a message by the system to the identifier to tell it when to act. The wait can be performed from the second measurement.

[0047] The triggered UWB communication may continue, for example, until the user enters the vehicle or turns on the vehicle (e.g., turns on the vehicle's engine). At that time, the UWB communication may vary. For example, the triggered UWB communication may include periodic UWB exchanges. When the user enters the vehicle or turns on the vehicle, the frequency of these periodic UWB exchanges may decrease.

[0048] With reference to the flowchart of [Fig. 2], steps S60 to S90 are now discussed. In examples, the method may comprise these steps S60 to S90 after the execution of steps S10 to S50, and in particular after the user has entered the vehicle and has completed the journey he or she wished to make with the vehicle (for example a home-work, home-hotel, home-shop journey or vice versa), i.e., once he or she has arrived at the destination. The method executes steps S60 to S90 after the user leaves the vehicle. The method may execute steps S60 to S90 while the user is traveling an exit route from the vehicle, i.e., from the vehicle to a place of stay (for example, his or her home, office, hotel or a business such as a store or restaurant) to the vehicle. This place of stay can be the same as during the outward journey, or it can be another place of stay.Similar to steps S10 to S50, steps S60 to S90 may each be performed by the portable identifier, by the vehicle system, or by both devices (portable identifier and vehicle system).

[0049] The detection S60 that the identifier leaves the predetermined security perimeter can be do in any way. For example, the detection S60 may be based on distance measurements between the identifier and the system. Each distance measurement may be made from a UWB exchange between the portable identifier and the system, and may include a calculation of a time of flight for a UWB signal to travel a round-trip distance between the identifier and the system. Such a measurement from a UWB exchange may include a distance and a position of the identifier around the vehicle. The detection S60 may include a comparison of the measured distance with a distance corresponding to a radius of the predetermined safety perimeter. This distance may be specified in a manufacturer standard. It may for example be less than 3 meters and / or greater than 1 meter, for example about 2 meters.

[0050] The suspension S70 of the UWB communication is executed after the detection S60 that the identifier leaves the predetermined safety perimeter.For example, the S70 suspension may be executed immediately after the S60 detection. The S70 suspension may include a deprogramming of UWB exchanges between the identifier and the system. The S70 suspension may also include a sleep of the UWB component of the identifier.

[0051] In examples, the suspension S70 may also comprise a recording of the negotiated session parameters for the suspended UWB communication. Thanks to this recording, the UWB communication can be reactivated (in particular as in step S90) without renegotiation of these session parameters, i.e. by using the session parameters which were recorded during the suspension S70 and which will have already been negotiated during the triggering S50. This improves the efficiency of the method.

[0052] After the suspension S70, the method may comprise the monitoring S80 of the RSSI (acronym for "Received Signal Strength Indication") measurements of the successive BLE exchanges. For example, the method may comprise carrying out successive BLE exchanges between the identifier and the system, and the monitoring S80 may comprise, for one or more of these BLE exchanges (for example for all of these UWB exchanges), a measurement of the RSSI amplitude of this BLE exchange. For example, the method may monitor BLE exchanges carried out every X milliseconds, with X between 30 milliseconds and 500 milliseconds, for example approximately 300 milliseconds. The amplitude may be an amplitude measured upon reception of the signal exchanged during this exchange. For example, the amplitude may be measured upon reception of the signal at the portable identifier or upon reception at the system.When the amplitude is measured by the vehicle system, the latter can be configured to transmit it to the identifier.

[0053] Then, the monitoring can include, for each BLE exchange, a com comparison of the amplitude measured for this exchange with the amplitudes measured for the previous BLE exchanges. In examples, the monitoring may comprise, for each BLE exchange, a comparison of the amplitude measured for this exchange with the amplitudes measured for all the previous BLE exchanges (for example with each or with an average of these amplitudes measured for the previous BLE exchanges). Alternatively, the method may only compare the measured amplitude with that(s) measured at vehicle lock (for example with a hysteresis in dB to take into account fluctuation inherent in BLE operation). After each comparison, the method may comprise a recording of the measured amplitude (this amplitude then being used for comparison with the amplitude of the next signal).

[0054] When the result of the comparison is that the measured amplitude is lower than the amplitudes measured for the previous BLE exchanges, the monitoring S80 may indicate that the user is still moving away from the vehicle. When the result of the comparison is that the measured amplitude is substantially equal to the amplitude of the last previous exchange(s), the monitoring S80 may indicate that the user is stationary. In this case, the method may continue the monitoring S80 on the following exchanges to determine whether the user is turning back towards the vehicle or not.

[0055] When the result of the comparison is that the measured amplitude is greater than the amplitudes measured for the previous BLE exchanges, the monitoring S80 can indicate that the user is returning to the vehicle. In this case, the method comprises the reactivation (S90) of the communication using the UWB communication protocol. The reactivation S90 can be done using the session parameters which were recorded during the suspension S70 and which will have already been negotiated during the triggering S50, that is to say without renegotiation of these parameters. The reactivation S90 can comprise UWB exchanges between the identifier and the system using these already negotiated session parameters. These UWB exchanges can for example allow distance measurements between the identifier and the system.The process thus makes it possible to suspend UWB communication and only reactivate it when the user returns to the vehicle, which helps to improve the economy of the portable identifier's energy source.

[0056] Examples will now be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

[0057] [Fig. 3] illustrates an example of the use of the vehicle system according to the method. The figure shows the vehicle system 100 having recorded the portable identifier 200, 201, 202 carried by the user. The system 100 and the identifier 200 are configured to communicate using a UWB communication protocol in a first perimeter 310 around the vehicle 100 and to communicate using a BLE communication protocol in a second perimeter 320 around the vehicle. The figure shows the boundary 321 of the BLE connection and the boundary 311 of the UWB connection. The perimeters 310, 320 are not schematically illustrated in the figure, and this illustration does not represent the actual shape and scale of these perimeters. The second perimeter 320 includes the first perimeter 310.

[0058] The figure also shows the activities of the BLE component 400 and the UWB component 410 during the execution of the method. The figure also shows the activities of the motion sensor 420 and the microcontroller 430.

[0059] The method comprises, while a user carrying the identifier approaches the vehicle along the trajectory passing through the points 200, 201 and then 202, the following five steps. The first step S10 is a detection that the identifier is located in the second perimeter 320. The second step S20 is carried out after the detection S10 and before the user reaches the first perimeter 320, i.e. before the point 202. The second step S20 is a performance of a first 401 and a second 402 distance measurements between the user and the vehicle 100 using the BLE communication protocol 400. The second measurement 402 is carried out after the first measurement 401. The third step S30 is a determination of a speed of the user as a function of the first 401 and second 402 distance measurements.The fourth step S40 is a prediction of a remaining time for the user to reach a predetermined close distance 210 based on the determined speed. In this example, the predetermined close distance is a distance of 3 meters from the vehicle. The fifth step S50 is a triggering of a communication using the UWB communication protocol after the predicted remaining time has elapsed, i.e. at the time when it is predicted that the user is at the distance 210. The triggering of the UWB communication comprises UWB exchanges 411 between the identifier and the vehicle.

[0060] The figure also illustrates steps S60 to S90 of the method, which are executed after the user leaves the vehicle. The method comprises detecting S60 that the identifier leaves a predetermined security perimeter 330 around the vehicle. The first perimeter 310 includes this predetermined security perimeter 330. In this example, the predetermined security perimeter 330 comprises all of the positions located less than 2 meters from the vehicle. After detection S60, the method comprises suspending S70 the communication using the UWB communication protocol. Suspension S70 comprises stopping 412 the UWB exchanges 411.

[0061] The method then comprises monitoring S80 of RSSI measurements of successive BLE exchanges 403 executed after deactivation S60 of the communication using the UWB communication protocol. Reactivation S90 is not illustrated in the figure because the user continues to move away from the vehicle in this example. In other examples, during this monitoring S80, the user can decide to return to the vehicle. For example, at position 204, the user may begin returning to the vehicle 100. The monitoring S80 will then indicate that the user is now returning to the vehicle. For example, the monitoring may indicate that the user is returning to the vehicle when the RSSI measurements of the successive BLE exchanges 403 increase. At this time, the method may comprise reactivating S90 the communication using the UWB communication protocol.

[0062] [Fig.4] illustrates a comparison of an example of the use 600 of the system of vehicle according to the method with the use 500 of the system according to an existing solution. The figure shows that in the existing solution 500, the UWB component must perform UWB communication triggering tests 411', and this, as soon as the identifier enters the second perimeter 320. Indeed, the existing solution 500 performs these tests 411' to determine at what moment the identifier is in the first perimeter 310 (one of the tests 411' then succeeding). In the method 600, these tests 411' are replaced by two distance measurements 401 and 402, which drastically reduces the use of the battery energy source. In particular, when the close distance is less than the radius of the first perimeter (as in the illustrated example), the method 600 reduces the use of the battery even more, because it also avoids the first phase of UWB exchanges 412' of the existing solution 500.

[0063] When the user leaves the vehicle, the existing solution 500 includes UWB exchanges while the user is in the first perimeter. The method 600 makes it possible to avoid these UWB exchanges 414', since it makes it possible to suspend the UWB communication as soon as the user leaves the security perimeter 412. This contributes to improving the lifetime of the energy source. On the other hand, the monitoring S80 using BLE exchanges 403 makes it possible to avoid carrying out the tests 415' for triggering UWB communication which are carried out in the existing solution 500 when the identifier leaves the first perimeter 310, which also contributes to improving the lifetime of the energy source.

[0064] [Fig. 5] illustrates an example of architecture 800 of the portable identifier. The architecture 800 comprises a UWB component 810, a BLE component 820, a microcontroller 840 integrating the BLE component 820 and an internal communication 830 between the UWB component 810 and the BLE component 820 (via the microcontroller 840). The architecture 800 comprises a UWB antenna 811 connected to the UWB component 810. The architecture 800 comprises a BLE antenna 821 connected to the BLE component 820 (via the microcontroller 840). The internal communication 830 makes it possible to avoid the UWB component having to integrate a component for measuring time (for example a resonator). The architecture 800 comprises a motion sensor 860 connected to the microcontroller 840. The architecture 800 comprises a battery 850 powering the UWB component 810 and the microcontroller 840. After the prediction S40, the method comprises the triggering S50 of the UWB communication. The triggering S50 comprises sending a wake-up signal by the microcontroller 840 to the UWB component 810 using the internal communication 830. After receiving the wake-up signal, the UWB component 810 can start by powering itself from the electrical energy source 850 of the device. The method makes it possible to prevent the UWB component S810 from turning on while the user is not in the first perimeter, which reduces the risk of unnecessarily consuming the electrical energy source 850.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of using a vehicle system having stored a portable identifier, the identifier comprising an electrical energy source, the system and the identifier being configured to communicate using a UWB communication protocol in a first perimeter around the vehicle and to communicate using a BLE communication protocol in a second perimeter around the vehicle, the second perimeter including the first perimeter, the method comprising, while a user carrying the identifier approaches the vehicle: • detecting (S 10) that the identifier is located in the second perimeter; • after the detection (S 10) and before the user reaches the first perimeter, performing (S20) a first and a second distance measurement between the user and the vehicle using the BLE communication protocol, the second measurement being performed after the first measurement;• a determination (S30) of a speed of the user based on the first and second distance measurements; • a prediction (S40) of a remaining time for the user to reach a predetermined close distance from the vehicle based on the determined speed; and • a triggering (S50) of a communication using the UWB communication protocol after the predicted remaining time has elapsed.;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the prediction comprises: • a calculation of a remaining distance between the distance measured by the second measurement and the predetermined close distance; and • a calculation of the remaining time corresponding to the time for the user to travel the remaining distance taking into account the determined speed.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the method comprises, after the user leaves the vehicle: • a detection (S60) that the identifier leaves a perimeter of predetermined security around the vehicle, the first perimeter including the predetermined security perimeter; • a suspension (S70) of the communication using the UWB communication protocol; • a monitoring (S80) of RSSI measurements of successive BLE exchanges executed after the deactivation of the communication using the UWB communication protocol; and • a reactivation (S90) of the communication using the UWB communication protocol when the monitoring indicates that the user returns to the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the monitoring indicates that the user is returning to the vehicle when one or more of the RSSI measurements of successive BLE exchanges are greater than one or more RSSI measurements of previous BLE exchanges.

5. Method according to claim 3 or 4, in which the successive BLE exchanges monitored comprise all of the BLE exchanges between the system and the identifier.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the identifier comprises a microcontroller, a BLE component and a UWB component, the triggering (S50) of the communication comprising a sending of a wake-up signal by the microcontroller to the UWB component, the BLE component being optionally integrated into the microcontroller.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the source of electrical energy is a battery, preferably a button cell, and / or having a diameter of less than 25 millimeters and / or a height of less than 8 millimeters, for example less than 6 millimeters.

8. A computer program for a portable identifier and / or vehicle system comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the latter to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to claim 8 is recorded.

10. A portable identifier and / or system for a vehicle comprising the storage medium according to claim 9, the portable identifier and / or the system being configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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