Mobile Robot Positioning for Vehicle Proximity Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for validating proximity functions in vehicles, such as smart access systems, are inefficient and lack precision in determining the position and distance of mobile objects like mobile phones or radio keys relative to the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A method and measuring device using a mobile robot equipped with ultra-wideband antenna modules and sensors to generate data sets by positioning a mobile object at test positions, recording coordinates and distances with timestamps, and synchronizing these data to validate distance-related functions, simulating human interaction with the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual testing methods are used to validate proximity functions, then the testing process is simple to set up, but the measurement precision and reliability of position determination are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination precisionVSAvoidtesting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A mobile robot is introduced as an intermediary device to hold and position the mobile object during testing. The robot executes pre-calculated trajectories to move the mobile object to specific test positions, enabling precise and repeatable positioning that manual methods cannot achieve, while the robot itself serves as the complex component that automates the process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Test positions and robot trajectories are pre-calculated and stored in a database before actual testing begins. The system determines optimal test positions based on vehicle sensor locations, pre-computes robot paths to reach these positions, and stores all trajectory data in advance. During testing, the robot simply executes these pre-planned movements, eliminating the need for real-time complex calculations and improving measurement consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple test positions are manually positioned, then more comprehensive validation data can be collected, but the time required for testing increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalidation reliabilityVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile robot periodically moves the mobile object through a sequence of pre-determined test positions along programmed trajectories. At each position, the system performs automated measurements of coordinates and sensor distances at regular time intervals, creating periodic data collection cycles that efficiently gather comprehensive validation data without manual intervention at each step

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Manual positioning operations are replaced with automated robot motion control systems. The robot's programmable movements substitute for manual mechanical positioning, allowing rapid transitions between test positions according to pre-calculated optimal paths, thereby reducing the time required to visit multiple test positions while maintaining comprehensive validation coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If precise positioning of mobile objects is achieved, then distance-related functions can be validated accurately, but the complexity of coordinating measurement data increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges two separate measurement data streams into a single coordinated data set: (1) mobile object coordinates measured by the robot's positioning system, and (2) distance measurements from vehicle sensors. By synchronizing these measurements in time and space using the robot's trajectory data as a reference framework, the system creates unified validation data sets that accurately correlate position with measured distance, reducing the perceived complexity through integrated data management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise validation of vehicle proximity functions by generating data sets that accurately determine the position and distance of mobile objects, allowing for improved testing and calibration of smart access systems.

Implementation Method 1

a mobile robot equipped with ultra-wideband antenna modules and sensors to generate data sets by positioning a mobile object at test positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltra-wideband radio wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

determining, by means of sensors of the first object, in each test position distances and/or position of the second object relative to the sensors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight measurement: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4632424A1Method and measuring device for generating data sets for validating distance-related functions of an object
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 BATTENBERG GUNTHER
  • EP4632424A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4632424A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4632424A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to methods and a measuring device for generating data records in front of, on and/or in a first object, such as a vehicle, during an interaction with a second object, such as a mobile phone or radio key. In order to be able to easily validate distance-related functions of the first object when the second object approaches, the following method steps are proposed: • Positioning the second object by means of the measuring device at test positions in the area of ​​the first object, • Determining coordinates of the second object for each of the test positions with a time stamp, in particular by means of the measuring device, and storing the coordinates of the second object for each of the test positions with the time stamp as first data, • Determining, by means of sensors of the first object, in each test position distances and/or position of the second object relative to the sensors with a time stamp, wherein the sensors are spatially related to one another,related to the first object and to the measuring device and storing the distances and/or position for each of the test positions with the time stamp as second data and • generating a data set by merging the first data and the second data with the same time stamp.,