Ultrasonic Driver Localization Using Vehicle Receiver Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the location of a vehicle driver, such as using high-frequency signals or optical devices, suffer from accuracy issues, require complex hardware, and are unreliable in varying conditions, especially during parking maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic system comprising a hand-held device with a transmitter and a vehicle equipped with multiple receivers, utilizing ultrasonic bursts with identifiable codes, to accurately determine the driver's location during parking operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-frequency signals (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) are used to determine driver location, then the system can provide driver location information, but the accuracy is restricted and multiple receivers are required throughout the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromagnetic signal-based location determination (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi) with an ultrasonic acoustic system. The hand-held device transmits ultrasonic signals that are received by microphones in the vehicle, substituting the complex multi-receiver electromagnetic system with a simpler acoustic field-based approach that achieves better precision through signal propagation characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic signals as an intermediary carrier for location determination. Instead of directly using electromagnetic signals or complex receiver arrays, the system uses ultrasonic waves as a mediator that can be transmitted from the hand-held device and detected by the vehicle's existing microphones, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If directional receivers are used to determine driver location, then location accuracy can be improved, but special hardware with additional parts and integration costs is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vehicle's existing microphones serve multiple functions: they are used both for standard vehicle operations and for ultrasonic signal reception in the location determination system. This eliminates the need for separate directional receiver hardware, reducing parts list and integration costs while maintaining location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own existing microphone infrastructure to perform the location determination function, rather than requiring external specialized hardware. The microphones already present in the vehicle are utilized for receiving ultrasonic signals, making the system self-sufficient and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If optical devices (cameras) are used to detect the driver, then driver identification can be achieved, but the system fails when the driver is concealed or light conditions are unfavorable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical detection systems with an acoustic-based ultrasonic method. Instead of using cameras that are susceptible to lighting conditions and physical concealment, the system uses ultrasonic signals that can penetrate through obstacles and are not affected by light conditions, thereby eliminating the harmful factors that cause optical system failures.
4Reliability
If optical passenger recognition technology is used to track the driver, then driver identification is possible, but tracking becomes difficult when the driver leaves the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ultrasonic signals as an intermediary that can detect the presence and location of the driver regardless of whether they are inside or outside the vehicle. The hand-held device continuously transmits ultrasonic signals that are received by the vehicle's microphones, allowing the system to track the driver's location even when they have left the vehicle, unlike optical systems that require visual contact.
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
Provides reliable, robust, and cost-effective driver location determination without the need for expensive hardware, ensuring safety by avoiding collisions and enabling driver observation during parking.
Implementation Method 1
a first ultrasonic sensor (16) arranged on a hand-held device (14), wherein the first ultrasonic sensor (16) has at least one transmitter
Implementation Method 2
transmitting of ultrasonic signals by at least a first ultrasonic sensor which is arranged on a hand-held device, receiving of the ultrasonic signals by a multiplicity of second ultrasonic sensors arranged on a vehicle, processing of the received ultrasonic signals, as a result of which the position of the hand-held device with respect to the vehicle can be determined
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic system for determining the location of a driver of a vehicle, includes a hand-held device with at least a first ultrasonic sensor, wherein the first ultrasonic sensor has at least one transmitter, and a motor vehicle having a multiplicity of second ultrasonic sensors, wherein the second ultrasonic sensors each have at least one receiver for receiving signals of the first ultrasonic sensor. A method is disclosed for determining the location of a driver of a vehicle.