Remote Park Assist User Detection Without Camera Tethering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote driver assist technologies for autonomous vehicles, such as Remote Park Assist, require accurate localization of a mobile device relative to the vehicle, which is challenging due to limited localization accuracy with conventional wireless technologies, and often rely on camera-based optical tethering that can be prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
The system uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology and other localization methods like Low-Frequency (LF) to determine the relative position of a mobile device to a vehicle without relying on camera sensors, employing magnetometer and GPS data to estimate the vehicle's heading and mobile device orientation, ensuring precise mobile device-to-vehicle localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If camera-based optical tethering is used to detect user orientation, then user engagement can be determined, but the system is prone to errors and failures due to various environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical/camera-based detection system with a wireless signal-based system using UWB and BLE technologies. Instead of using camera sensors to detect user orientation and vehicle position, the system uses wireless signal transmission, time-of-flight measurements, and phase information to determine spatial relationships and user engagement with the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless signals (UWB and BLE) as intermediaries to establish the relationship between the mobile device and vehicle. These signals serve as mediators that carry positioning and orientation information without requiring direct optical line-of-sight, thereby eliminating the need for complex image processing while maintaining reliable detection.
2Measurement precision
If conventional wireless technology is used for localization, then mobile device connectivity is achieved, but localization accuracy is insufficient to maintain the 6m tether boundary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wireless technologies (UWB and BLE) into a single localization system. By merging the capabilities of UWB (which provides precise distance measurement through time-of-flight) and BLE (which provides complementary positioning data), the system achieves the high localization accuracy needed to reliably maintain the 6m tether boundary while keeping the mobile device architecture standard.
3Ease of operation
If image processing is used to determine user orientation, then user engagement can be detected, but the system fails under various environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the camera-based image processing system with a wireless signal-based orientation detection system. Instead of analyzing images to determine whether the user is pointing the device at the vehicle, the system uses wireless signal characteristics and timing information to infer user orientation and engagement, providing reliable operation regardless of environmental conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a vehicle includes a vehicle processor disposed to control a drive system, and a memory for storing executable instructions. The vehicle processor is programmed to execute the instructions to determine, via the vehicle processor, a localization of a mobile device using a tethered wireless connection between the mobile device and the vehicle, receive, via the processor, an absolute heading of the mobile device, determine, via the vehicle processor, based on the localization of the mobile device, a relative bearing angle from the mobile device to the vehicle. The system may use the tethered wireless connection and the relative bearing angle from the mobile device to the vehicle to determine that a user is actuating a Human Machine Interface (HMI) element indicative of user attention to a remote parking maneuver and complete the remote parking maneuver.