User Equipment Position Sensing for Context-Aware Vehicle Controls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user equipment systems for controlling vehicle functions lack precision in determining the position of the user or user equipment relative to the vehicle, leading to potential errors and unsafe operations due to erroneous user inputs.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a combination of sensors, including ultrawide band (UWB) and other sensors, to accurately determine the position of the user or user equipment relative to the vehicle, enabling automated adjustment of vehicle control features based on this position without manual user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control features are displayed on the user interface, then the user can access more vehicle functionalities, but the risk of erroneous input increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle control functionalitiesVSAvoidinput accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by customizing the user interface display based on the user's position relative to the vehicle. When detected via sensors (camera, microphone, UWB), the system selectively displays only relevant control features appropriate for that position, rather than showing all possible controls. This reduces the chance of erroneous input while maintaining access to necessary functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the system provides automated functionality adjustment based on position, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated control adjustmentVSAvoidsensor integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the position detection functionality into multiple independent sensors (camera, microphone, UWB sensor) that each contribute to determining user position. This modular approach allows the system to achieve accurate position-based control adjustment while managing complexity through division of labor among specialized sensor components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances the accuracy and reliability of position detection, improving user experience by providing precise vehicle control features based on the user's proximity, thereby reducing the risk of accidental vehicle activation and enhancing safety.

Implementation Method 1

at least one sensor of a group of the first sensor and the second sensor is an ultrawide band sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrawide band: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4659982A1Method to operate user equipment, apparatus and computer program

Publication Date: 2025.12.10 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

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AI summary

A method (100) to operate a user equipment comprises receiving information about a position of a user or of the user equipment (110), the position being relative to a vehicle and adjusting a functionality of a software executed by the user equipment (120) based on the information about the position.