Ultra-wideband positioning method, positioning device, and vehicle equipped with the positioning device for a positioning device disposed inside a vehicle

Abstract

Improved embodiments are provided for ultra-wideband location methods. [Solution] The present invention relates to an ultra-wideband location method (1) for a location device (3) arranged in a motor vehicle (2), comprising the steps of: 1) establishing, by means of the location device (3), a bidirectional ultra-wideband data communication (7) between the location device (3) and at least one object (4) having ultra-wideband communication capabilities and approaching the motor vehicle (2), wherein a first position and a trajectory (5) of the at least one object (4) relative to the motor vehicle (2) are determined by the location device (3) based on data packets (8) exchanged within the framework of the ultra-wideband data communication (7) and the first position and trajectory (5) of the at least one object (4) relative to the motor vehicle (2) are determined by the location device (3) based on data packets (8) exchanged within the framework of the ultra-wideband data communication (7). The method comprises the steps of: determining a second position and a trajectory (6) of the at least one object (4) relative to the vehicle (2) using a positioning device (3) for determining an ultra-wideband position and distance measurement (9) using the positioning device (3), by transmitting at least one ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal (30) and detecting, with a time delay, backscattered radio signals (31) of the ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal reflected by the at least one object (4). The invention further relates to a positioning device (3) for performing the above-mentioned ultra-wideband positioning method (1), as well as to a vehicle (2) equipped with such a positioning device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultra-wideband positioning method for a positioning device arranged inside a motor vehicle, as described in the first part of claim 1. In particular, the present invention relates to a positioning device for implementing the above-described ultra-wideband positioning method, and more particularly to a motor vehicle equipped with such a positioning device.

Background Art

[0002] Ultra-wideband positioning methods are described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below. In Patent Document 1 below, data packets transmitted from an ultra-wideband wireless module are used in ultra-wideband data communication in order to determine the position of an object moving relative to a certain station. On the other hand, Patent Document 2 below discloses the use of ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement, so-called ultra-wideband radar, in order to determine the position of an object moving relative to a certain station. The disadvantage of known methods for determining the position of an approaching object is that they function only relatively inaccurately.

[0003] Another ultra-wideband positioning method is known from Patent Documents 3 and 4 below. The ultra-wideband positioning method as described at the beginning is described in Patent Document 5 below.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved embodiment or at least one alternative embodiment for a ultra-wideband positioning method. In particular, an attempt is made to provide a ultra-wideband positioning method that functions relatively accurately compared to known methods.

MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0006] In the present invention, this problem is solved in particular by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] Accordingly, a ultra-wideband positioning method for a positioning device disposed in a vehicle is proposed. This method includes the following steps: 1) Establishing a two-way ultra-wideband data communication between the above-described positioning device and at least one object having ultra-wideband communication capabilities approaching the vehicle, particularly based on the ultra-wideband wireless standard (Ultra-wideband communication protokol; also known as Car Connectivity Consortium), using the positioning device. Here, the first position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the vehicle is determined using the positioning device based on data packets exchanged between at least one object and the positioning device within (within the range of) the established ultra-wideband data communication. Further, 2) Ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement, particularly a so-called ultra-wideband wireless radar, is performed using the positioning device. In this case, at least one ultra-wideband transmission radio signal is transmitted using the positioning device, and a backscattered radio signal of the ultra-wideband transmission radio signal reflected from at least one object is detected with a time delay, whereby the second position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the vehicle is Special determined using the positioning device.Special It is determined by a positioning device. Therefore, the ultra-wideband positioning method according to the present invention provides a fusion of two positioning and distance measurement methods for determining the position and / or trajectory of an object approaching a motor vehicle, namely, a combination of ultra-wideband data communication and ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement (so-called ultra-wideband radar). Thereby, the respective method technical advantages of these methods can be optimally utilized. This has the advantage that the accuracy of determining the position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the motor vehicle or relative to the positioning device is significantly improved compared to the accuracy of conventional positioning devices and distance measurement methods that have been achieved so far. Thereby, for example, the system functions of the motor vehicle can be activated as expected and significantly in advance in terms of time, thereby improving the comfort of the user of the motor vehicle in particular.

[0008] Accordingly, an ultra-wideband positioning method for a positioning device arranged inside a motor vehicle is proposed, which method is characterized by the following steps, namely, 1) establishing a two-way ultra-wideband data communication, in particular based on the ultra-wideband radio standard (Ultra-wideband communication protokol; also known as Car Connectivity Consortium), between the above-mentioned positioning device and at least one object having ultra-wideband communication capabilities approaching the motor vehicle, using the positioning device. Here, the first position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the motor vehicle is / are determined using the positioning device within the framework (range) of the established ultra-wideband data communication, in particular based on the data packets exchanged between at least one object and the positioning device. Further, 2) ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement, in particular so-called ultra-wideband radar, is carried out using the position measuring device. In this case, at least one ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal is sent using the positioning device, and the backscattered radio signal of the ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal reflected from at least one object is detected with a time delay, whereby the second position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the motor vehicle is determined by the position measuring device. Accordingly, the ultra-wideband positioning method according to the present invention provides a fusion of two positioning and distance measurement methods for determining the position and / or trajectory of an object approaching the motor vehicle, namely a combination of ultra-wideband data communication and ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement (so-called ultra-wideband radar). Thereby, the respective method-technical advantages of these methods can be optimally utilized. This has the advantage that the accuracy of determining the position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the motor vehicle or relative to the positioning device is significantly improved compared to the accuracy of conventional positioning devices and distance measurement methods that have been achieved so far. Thereby, for example, the system functions of the motor vehicle can be activated as expected and significantly in advance in terms of time, thereby improving in particular the comfort of the user of the motor vehicle.

[0009] In the present invention, the term "ultra-wideband" and the prefix "ultra-wideband" are preferably understood to be wireless technologies that use wireless signals that can be used for various purposes with a relatively large bandwidth of, for example, at least 500 MHz in terms of value in a predetermined frequency spectrum. The first purpose of use of this ultra-wideband wireless technology is, inter alia, to establish a two-way data communication, hereinafter referred to as ultra-wideband data communication, between two communication partners having ultra-wideband communication capabilities for exchanging data, particularly data packets. According to another purpose of use of this ultra-wideband wireless technology, position determination and distance measurement can be carried out by transmitting an ultra-wideband transmission wireless signal and then detecting, with a time delay, the scattered signal reflected from the ultra-wideband transmission wireless signal. In practice, this is also referred to as an ultra-wideband-based ultra-wideband radar.

[0010] Preferably, within the framework of the ultra-wideband position determination method, the first position and / or the second position of at least one object are jointly determined together with the associated trajectory. In the present invention, the term "trajectory" is preferably understood in the sense of a predicted movement path curve of at least one object at the first position and / or the second position of at least one object. According to the present invention, the above-mentioned trajectory is determined using a position determination device based on the determined first position and / or second position. According to the present invention, the future position of at least one object is predicted relatively accurately using the first position and / or the second position and the associated trajectory. According to the present invention, the calculation unit described below of the position determination device is used to determine the above-mentioned trajectory.

[0011] Preferably, the ultra-wideband positioning method is implemented in two steps, specifically, first, bi-directional ultra-wideband data communication is established using a positioning device, and then, additionally, ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement are performed using the positioning device. Specifically, here, within the framework of ultra-wideband data communication, first, a rough (approximate) first position of at least one object is determined. That is, rough positioning of at least one object is realized. More specifically, during ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement, a relatively accurate second position of at least one object is determined, so this can also be referred to as fine positioning of at least one object. Thus, by appropriately using the method technical advantages of ultra-wideband data communication and ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement (ultra-wideband radar), the accuracy of obtaining the first position and the second position of at least one object that can be achieved within the framework of the proposed ultra-wideband positioning method is optimized.

[0012] Even more preferably, within the framework of the ultra-wideband positioning method, as soon as at least one object comes to be located within the communication range set or settable for the positioning device, ultra-wideband data communication can be established between the positioning device and at least one object. The communication range preferably represents the distance set wirelessly by the positioning device and at least one object, within which ultra-wideband data communication can be established. The above-mentioned distance can be adjusted, for example, by setting the transmission output of the positioning device and / or at least one object. By the method proposed above, ultra-wideband data communication is established as early as possible between the positioning device and an object approaching the positioning device or vehicle, so when the ultra-wideband data communication is established between at least one object and the vehicle, a relatively large distance still exists. This has the advantage that there is a relatively long time for determining another position of at least one object and for further processing, for example, for activating the system functions of the vehicle.

[0013] According to the present invention, the above-described second position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the motor vehicle are such that the at least one object is immediately requested when it falls below a set or settable distance, this distance representing a proximity zone surrounding the motor vehicle that is between the object itself and the motor vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, when the at least one object corresponds to this distance, it is possible to request the above-described second position and / or trajectory of the at least one object relative to the motor vehicle. Thereby, at least within a settable proximity zone around the motor vehicle during ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement, a relatively accurate second position of the at least one object is determined. The above-described distance can preferably be easily adjusted by setting the radar transmission output of the positioning device.

[0014] Preferably, the ultra-wideband positioning method uses a propagation time measurement, also referred to as TOF (Time Of Flight), in which the propagation time of data packets between the at least one object and the positioning device is determined in order to determine the first position and / or trajectory of the at least one object relative to the motor vehicle, and the exchanged data packets are evaluated. Thereby, a suitable method based on bidirectional data exchange for determining the first position of the at least one object is provided. Further, instead of or in addition to determining the first position and / or trajectory of the at least one object relative to the motor vehicle, the exchanged data packets can be evaluated using triangulation. Thereby, a suitable second method based on data exchange for determining the first position of the at least one object is provided. It is clear that another method based on data exchange can also be used to determine the first position without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0015] Preferably, at least one object is realized by a mobile unit having ultra-wideband communication capabilities. In particular, the above-mentioned mobile unit can be realized by a mobile terminal device, for example, a so-called intelligent key (smart key), or a mobile phone (smartphone), or a so-called CoD, that is, a smart device owned by a user of an automobile (consumer owned smart device). Thereby, an embodiment regarding the above-mentioned at least one object is provided that can be comfortably handled by a user of an automobile and is widely accepted.

[0016] It is more preferable if determining the first position and / or trajectory of at least one object and the second position and / or trajectory of at least one object is realized by a calculation unit of a positioning device arranged in the automobile or an external calculation unit connected to or connectable to the automobile via wireless. The calculation unit is preferably a central calculation unit of the automobile or at least one component of the automobile, for example, a control device. More preferably, the calculation unit is designed to implement an ultra-wideband positioning method.

[0017] Preferably, a positioning device equipped with an ultra-wideband transceiver unit assembled to the automobile is provided. Each of these ultra-wideband transceiver units is designed to operate in a first operation mode capable of establishing two-way ultra-wideband data communication based particularly on an ultra-wideband wireless standard and a second operation mode capable of implementing ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement based particularly on ultra-wideband. By providing the ultra-wideband transceiver unit, the surrounding environment of the automobile, particularly the above-mentioned proximity zone, can be efficiently and relatively quickly monitored for approaching objects.

[0018] It is even more preferable when the ultra-wideband transceiver units each operate in either the first operation mode or the second operation mode according to the determined positions of at least one object. Further, all the ultra-wideband transceiver units can operate simultaneously, or at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit can operate in the first operation mode at the start of the ultra-wideband positioning method. Further, when ultra-wideband data communication is established or can be established between at least a part of the ultra-wideband transceiver units and at least one object located within the set or configurable communication range of the positioning device, all the ultra-wideband transceiver units can operate simultaneously in the first operation mode, or at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit can operate in the first operation mode. Further, at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit can operate in the second operation mode when at least one object is below the distance representing the set or configurable distance zone extending around the vehicle between the at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit and the at least one object. Preferably, when at least one object is in the immediate vicinity of its ultra-wideband transceiver unit, the at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit operates in the second operation mode. Thereby, in particular, it is achieved that the ultra-wideband transceiver units operate simultaneously in the first operation mode at the start of the ultra-wideband positioning method, whereby ultra-wideband data communication is established between the ultra-wideband transceiver units and at least one object existing within the communication range of the positioning device, and at that time, when that type of ultra-wideband data communication is established, those ultra-wideband transceiver units operate in the second operation mode when at least one object is below the set or configurable distance. Thereby, it is possible to realize the so-called switching point at which the operation mode of the ultra-wideband transceiver unit changes from the first operation mode to the second operation mode by using a simple means.

[0019] It is more preferable when the position determination device or at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit of the position determination device operates in a pulsed manner. For this purpose, preferably, the position determination device or at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit is designed to transmit a pulsed ultra-wideband transmission radio signal, and a transmission device is provided that is designed to transmit a pulsed ultra-wideband transmission radio signal with a length of only a few nanoseconds. Further, the position determination device or at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit is provided with a receiving device designed to receive a backscattered radio signal, and this receiving device is preferably designed to detect a temporally delayed pulsed backscattered signal of the previously transmitted pulsed ultra-wideband transmission radio signal. Thereby, the ultra-wideband transceiver unit realizes, in particular, a kind of ultra-wideband radar unit. This has the advantage that the first position and / or the second position of at least one object can be determined relatively accurately.

[0020] Preferably, within the framework of the ultra-wideband position determination method, an access system arranged inside the vehicle and connected to communicate with the position determination device for locking and unlocking and / or actively opening the vehicle door of the vehicle can be controlled using the position determination device according to the determined first position and / or trajectory and / or the second position and / or trajectory of at least one object. Thereby, using the ultra-wideband position determination method, the position of at least one object relative to the vehicle can be determined, and depending on this position, for example, the vehicle door of the vehicle can be locked or unlocked, or actively opened.

[0021] To solve the problems described at the beginning, furthermore, a positioning device having at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit, a computing unit, and a computer-readable storage medium is proposed. The storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by the computing unit, direct the positioning device to implement the ultra-wideband positioning method as described above. Thereby, a preferred embodiment of a positioning device for implementing the above-described ultra-wideband positioning method is provided. The positioning device can, in particular, be assembled in a motor vehicle, whereby in the motor vehicle, the above-described ultra-wideband positioning method can be implemented. However, this assembly is not limited to motor vehicles, but rather the proposed positioning device can also be used for other mobile applications, such as railway vehicles, aircraft, ships, and can also be used for stationary applications within buildings.

[0022] The above-described positioning device preferably has the feature that at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit comprises a transmitting device and a receiving device. The transmitting device is preferably designed to send out an ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal. The receiving device is preferably designed to detect a temporally delayed backscattered radio signal of a previously sent ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal and / or a response radio signal of at least one object. Thereby, preferably, the positioning device or at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit realizes both an ultra-wideband communication unit and an ultra-wideband radar unit. Thereby, a preferred embodiment of the ultra-wideband transceiver unit is provided.

[0023] The position determination device or at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit can preferably be provided with a pulse transmission device designed to transmit a pulsed ultra-wideband transmission radio signal. The pulse transmission device is preferably designed to transmit a pulse ultra-wideband transmission radio signal having a length of only a few nanoseconds. Further, the position determination device or at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit can be provided with a pulse reception device designed to receive a pulsed ultra-wideband transmission radio signal, and this pulse reception device is preferably designed to detect a temporally delayed pulse backscattered radio signal of a previously transmitted pulse ultra-wideband transmission radio signal and / or a response radio signal of at least one object. Thereby, preferably, the ultra-wideband transceiver unit realizes a kind of combined ultra-wideband communication unit and a pulse ultra-wideband radar unit. This has the advantage that the first position and / or the second position of at least one object can be determined relatively accurately.

[0024] The position determination device, or the above-mentioned ultra-wideband transceiver unit of the position determination device, preferably includes, in addition to the above-mentioned transceiver device, an internal system clock and / or a pulse wave generator and / or a radio signal amplifier and / or a wave delay detector, and / or is connected to communicate with them.

[0025] In order to solve the problems described at the beginning, furthermore, an automobile is proposed which has a position determination device as described above, and at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit of which is fixedly positioned on the automobile. This automobile further has an access system for locking and unlocking at least one vehicle door and / or bonnet of the automobile and / or for actively opening them. The position determination device is connected to the access system so as to communicate, and is designed to operate the access system according to the first position and / or trajectory and / or the second position and / or trajectory of at least one object. Thereby, as expected, the vehicle door of the automobile can be operated considerably in advance in terms of time, thereby improving the comfort of the user of the automobile in particular.

[0026] The ultra-wideband transceiver unit of the position determination device can in particular be arranged in the motor vehicle symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the motor vehicle, for example in the area of the bumper of the motor vehicle and / or in the area of the A-pillar of the motor vehicle and / or in the area of the B-pillar of the motor vehicle and / or in the area of the C-pillar of the motor vehicle. More preferably, the position determination device is implemented by six separate ultra-wideband transceiver units. The ultra-wideband transceiver units are more preferably interconnected to communicate with each other, and preferably also connected to the above-mentioned calculation unit of the position determination device and to an access system mounted on the motor vehicle for locking and unlocking and / or actively opening the vehicle doors of the motor vehicle, which will be further discussed below.

[0027] In summary, the present invention preferably relates to an ultra-wideband position determination method for a position determination device arranged in a motor vehicle, 1) a step of establishing a two-way ultra-wideband data communication between the position determination device and at least one object having an ultra-wideband communication capability approaching the motor vehicle, using the position determination device, wherein the first position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the motor vehicle is determined using the position determination device based on data packets exchanged within the framework of the ultra-wideband data communication, and 2) the position Special a step of performing ultra-wideband position determination and distance measurement using the determination device, wherein at least one ultra-wideband transmission radio signal is transmitted using the position determination device, and the backscattered radio signal of the ultra-wideband transmission radio signal reflected by at least one object is detected with a time delay, whereby the second position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the motor vehicle is determined using the position Special determination device. Furthermore, the present invention preferably relates to a position determination device for carrying out the above-mentioned ultra-wideband position determination method, and in particular to a motor vehicle equipped with such a position determination device.

[0028] Briefly, the present invention preferably relates to an ultra-wideband positioning method for a positioning device disposed inside a motor vehicle, comprising: 1) establishing a two-way ultra-wideband data communication between the positioning device and at least one object having an ultra-wideband communication capability approaching the motor vehicle, using the positioning device, wherein the first position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the motor vehicle are determined using the positioning device based on data packets exchanged within the frame of the ultra-wideband data communication; and 2) performing ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement using a position measuring device, wherein at least one ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal is sent using the positioning device, and the backscattered radio signal of the ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal reflected by at least one object is detected with a time delay, whereby the second position and / or trajectory of at least one object relative to the motor vehicle are determined using the position measuring device. Further, the present invention preferably relates to a positioning device for implementing the above ultra-wideband positioning method, and more particularly to a motor vehicle equipped with such a positioning device.

[0029] Further important features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings, and the associated description of each figure based on those drawings.

[0030] The features described above and those further explained below are not to be used only in the combinations shown, without departing from the scope of the present invention, but are to be understood as being usable in other combinations or alone as well.

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below, where the same reference numerals represent the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0032] Here, the drawings schematically depict the following respectively.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0034] As mentioned, FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an automobile, generally referenced by numeral 2, equipped with a positioning device 3 designed to implement the ultra-wideband positioning method 1 according to the present invention. This positioning device 3 has six separate ultra-wideband transceiver units 15 merely suggested by blocks, a computing unit 14 also suggested by a block, and a computer-readable storage medium integrated here with the computing unit 14. The ultra-wideband transceiver units 15 are each fixed to the automobile 2. Here, by way of example, they are fixed in pairs in the region of the front bumper 18 of the automobile 2, in the region of the B-pillar 20 of the automobile 2, in the region of the C-pillar 21 of the automobile 2, or in the region of the rear bumper of the automobile 2, symmetrically with respect to a central axis (not shown) of the automobile 2. The above-mentioned integrated storage medium contains instructions that, when executed by the computing unit 14, direct the positioning device 3 to implement the ultra-wideband positioning method 1 described below. Further, the automobile 2 of FIG. 1 has a plurality of vehicle doors 23 and an access system 22 for locking and unlocking these vehicle doors 23 and / or for actively opening them. The above-mentioned components of the positioning device 3 are connected to communicate with the access system 22, so that these components can be operated using the positioning device 3 within the framework of the ultra-wideband positioning method 1.

[0035] Within the framework of the above-described two-stage ultra-wideband positioning method 1, in order to determine the first position and trajectory 5 and / or the second position and trajectory 6 of an object 4 having ultra-wideband communication capabilities, here a mobile unit 13 having ultra-wideband communication capabilities, approaching the motor vehicle 2, first, as soon as at least one object 4 is located within the communication range set or settable for the positioning device 3, a two-way ultra-wideband data communication 7 between the positioning device 3, i.e., the ultra-wideband transceiver unit 15, and at least one object 4 is established using the positioning device 3. As soon as the ultra-wideband data communication 7 is establishable and also established, the first position and trajectory 5 of at least one object 4 relative to the motor vehicle 2 are determined using the computing unit 14 of the positioning device 3 based on the data packets 8 exchanged within the framework of the ultra-wideband data communication 7 between at least one object 4 and the positioning device 3. For example, here, in order to determine the above-described first position and trajectory 5, the propagation time of that type of data packet 8 between at least one object 4 and the ultra-wideband transceiver unit 15 of the positioning device 3 is measured, and by using the propagation time measurement called TOF (Time Of Flight), the exchanged data packets 8 can be evaluated. Furthermore, the first position and trajectory 5 can be evaluated additionally or alternatively using triangulation. Thereby, within the framework of the ultra-wideband data communication 7 established within the framework of the ultra-wideband positioning method 1, first, a relatively rough first position and trajectory 5 of at least one object 4 are determined. That is, rough positioning is achieved. Subsequently, as soon as at least one object 4 falls below the set or settable distance 12 between that object 4 and the motor vehicle 2, representing the proximity zone 11 extending around the motor vehicle 2, ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement 9, which can also be referred to as an ultra-wideband radar, is carried out using the positioning device 3, i.e., using the ultra-wideband transceiver unit 15. In this case, using the positioning device 3, i.e., using the ultra-wideband transceiver unit 15, first, at least one ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal 30 is transmitted, and subsequently, with a time delay, a backscattered signal 31 of at least one ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal 30 reflected by at least one object is detected.At this time, a second position and a trajectory 6 of at least one object 4 relative to the motor vehicle 2 are determined using the computing unit 14 of the positioning device 3. Thereby, within the framework of the implementation of ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement 9 (ultra-wideband radar), a relatively accurate second position and trajectory 6 of at least one object 4 are determined, which may also be referred to as a refined positioning of at least one object 4. Based on the determined first position and trajectory 5 and / or second position and trajectory 6, for example, the vehicle door 23 of the motor vehicle 2 and / or other system functions of the motor vehicle 2 can be activated as desired well in advance in terms of time, whereby, in particular, the comfort of the user of the motor vehicle 2 is improved.

[0036] In order to be able to establish and maintain ultra-wideband data communication 7 and to be able to carry out ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement 9 (ultra-wideband radar) using the ultra-wideband transceiver unit 15 of the positioning device 3, the ultra-wideband transceiver units 15 are each designed to operate in a first operating mode 16 in which a two-way ultra-wideband data communication 7 is established or can be established, and in a second operating mode 17 in which ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement 9 are carried out or can be carried out. In particular, the ultra-wideband transceiver unit 15 can operate in a pulsed manner in the second operating mode 17 (ultra-wideband radar). By way of example in this regard, the ultra-wideband transceiver unit 15 is provided with a transmitting device 24 designed to transmit a pulsed ultra-wideband transmission radio signal 3 and a receiving device 25 designed to receive a pulsed backscattered radio signal 31, respectively (see FIG. 2).

[0037] To explain this, FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the ultra-wideband positioning method 1 according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, an ultra-wideband transceiver unit 15 including a transmitting device 24 and a receiving device 25, each suggested by a block, is illustrated by way of example. The transmitting device 24 is supplied with an electrical control signal by an internal system clock 26 and a pulse wave generator 27, whereby the transmitting device 24 can send out a pulse ultra-wideband transmission radio signal 30 symbolically represented by an arrow. This pulse ultra-wideband transmission radio signal 30 is reflected by the mobile unit 13 with a time delay as a pulse backscatter radio signal 31. Thus, this pulse backscatter radio signal 31 can be detected by the receiving device 25 and supplied, by way of example, to the wave delay identification unit 28 of the positioning device 3. Subsequently, the wave delay identification unit 28 can evaluate the received pulse backscatter radio signal 31 and, in particular, can provide the second position and trajectory 6 to the user interface 29. Preferably, the wave delay identification unit 28 is a component integrated in the computing unit 14 or forms the computing unit 14.

Claims

1. An ultra-wideband positioning method (1) for a positioning device (3) arranged in a motor vehicle (2), a step of establishing a two-way ultra-wideband data communication (7) between the positioning device (3) and at least one object (4) having an ultra-wideband communication capability approaching the motor vehicle (2) using the positioning device (3), wherein a first position and trajectory (5) of the at least one object (4) relative to the motor vehicle (2) are obtained using the positioning device (3) based on data packets (8) exchanged within the frame of the ultra-wideband data communication (7); and a step of performing ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement (9) using the positioning device (3), wherein at least one ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal (30) is transmitted using the positioning device (3), and a backscattered radio signal (31) of the ultra-wideband transmitted radio signal (30) reflected by at least one object (4) is detected with a time delay, whereby a second position and trajectory (6) of the at least one object (4) relative to the motor vehicle (2) are obtained using the positioning device (3). In an ultra-wideband positioning method (1) having: a step of immediately obtaining the second position and trajectory (6) of the at least one object (4) relative to the motor vehicle (2) when the at least one object (4) is below a set or settable distance (12) between the at least one object (4) and the motor vehicle (2), which represents a proximity zone (11) extending around the motor vehicle (2); a step of obtaining the first trajectory (5) based on the first position and the second trajectory (6) based on the second position using the positioning device (3); a step of calculating the first trajectory (5) and the second trajectory (6) in a calculation unit (14) of the positioning device (3); and a step of obtaining a future first position from the first trajectory (5) and a future second position from the second trajectory (6). An ultra-wideband positioning method (1), characterized by comprising the above steps.

2. Implemented in two steps. Optionally, first, ultra-wideband data communication (7) is established using the positioning device (3), and then ultra-wideband positioning and distance measurement (9) are performed using the positioning device (3). The ultra-wideband location identification method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that...

3. As soon as at least one object (4) is located within the communication range set or settable for the location identification device (3), an ultra-wideband data communication (7) is established between the location identification device (3) and the at least one object (4). The ultra-wideband location identification method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that...

4. In order to determine the first position and trajectory (5) of the at least one object (4) relative to the motor vehicle (2), the data packets (8) exchanged within the framework of the established ultra-wideband data communication (7) are evaluated using propagation time measurements for determining the propagation time of the data packets (8) between the at least one object (4) and the location identification device (3). The ultra-wideband location identification method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that...

5. In order to determine the first position and trajectory (5) of the at least one object (4) relative to the motor vehicle (2), the data packets (8) exchanged within the framework of the established ultra-wideband data communication (7) are evaluated using triangulation. The ultra-wideband location identification method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that...

6. At least one object (4) is realized by a mobile unit (13) having ultra-wideband communication capabilities. The ultra-wideband location identification method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that...

7. Determining the first position and trajectory (5) of the at least one object (4) and the second position and trajectory (6) of the at least one object (4) is realized by a calculation unit (14) of the location identification device (3) arranged within the motor vehicle (2). The ultra-wideband location identification method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that...

8. The location identification device has an ultra-wideband transceiver unit (15) assembled to the motor vehicle (2). Each of the ultra-wideband transceiver units (15) is designed to operate in a first operating mode (16) in which a two-way ultra-wideband data communication (7) is established or can be established, and in a second operating mode (17) in which ultra-wideband location identification and distance measurement (9) are carried out or can be carried out. The ultra-wideband location identification method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that...

9. Each of the ultra-wideband transceiver units (15) operates in either the first operation mode (16) or the second operation mode (17) according to the determined first position (5) and / or second position (6) of the at least one object (4). And / or, At the start of the ultra-wideband positioning method (1), all of the ultra-wideband transceiver units (15) simultaneously, or at least one of the ultra-wideband transceiver units (15), operates in the first operation mode (16). And / or, When ultra-wideband data communication (7) is established or can be established between the ultra-wideband transceiver unit (15) and at least one object (4) located within a settable or set communication range of the positioning device (3), all of the ultra-wideband transceiver units (15) operate simultaneously or at least one of the ultra-wideband transceiver units (15) operates in the first operation mode (16). And / or, When the at least one target object (4) falls below a distance (12) representing a settable or set distance zone (11) extending around the motor vehicle (2) between the at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit (15) and the at least one object (4), at least one of the ultra-wideband transceiver units (15) operates in the second operation mode (17). The ultra-wideband positioning method (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. The positioning device (3), or at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit (15) of the positioning device (3), operates in a pulsed manner The ultra-wideband positioning method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

11. An access system (22) arranged within the motor vehicle (2) and connected to communicate with the positioning device (3) for locking and unlocking and / or actively opening the vehicle door (23) of the motor vehicle (2) operates using the positioning device (3) according to the determined first position and trajectory (5) and / or second position and trajectory (6) of the at least one object (4). The ultra-wideband positioning method (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that.

12. At least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit (15) designed to transmit and receive ultra-wideband wireless signals (30, 31), a computing unit (14) designed to perform arithmetic processing, and a computer-readable storage medium are provided. When executed by the computing unit (14), the storage medium includes instructions for instructing the positioning device (3) to implement the ultra-wideband positioning method (1) according to claims 1 to 11. A positioning device (3), characterized in that.

13. The at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit (15) has a transmitting device (24) and a receiving device (25). The positioning device (3) according to claim 12, characterized in that.

14. The positioning device (3) according to claim 12, having at least one ultra-wideband transceiver unit (15) fixed to an automobile (2). An access system (22) for locking and unlocking and / or actively opening a vehicle door (23) of the automobile (2) is provided. The positioning device (3) is connected to the access system (22) for communication, and is designed to operate the access system (22) according to the first position and trajectory (5) and / or the second position and trajectory (6) of the at least one object (4) obtained within the framework of the ultra-wideband positioning method (1). An automobile (2), characterized in that.

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