Vehicle Access Actuation Using UWB Gaze Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for actuating a motor vehicle's access system require multiple expensive sensors, including cameras for facial recognition, making them costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an ultra-wideband unit (UWB) operated in radar mode to detect the position and orientation of a person approaching the vehicle, allowing the access system to be actuated when the person looks towards the vehicle door, thereby eliminating the need for additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors including cameras for facial recognition are used to detect person's position and orientation, then the accuracy of access system actuation is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB unit is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both radar mode operations (detecting position and orientation of the person) and body position scanning (detecting line of sight and face orientation) that were previously requiring separate sensors like cameras. This single device now fulfills multiple detection functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate sensors (cameras for facial recognition, sensors for position detection) into a single UWB unit that operates in radar mode and performs body position scanning. By combining these detection capabilities into one integrated system, the patent reduces the total number of components while achieving the same or better measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If multiple expensive sensors are deployed to realize the access system, then the detection capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB unit serves multiple detection purposes (position, orientation, line of sight) that would traditionally require several different expensive sensors. This multi-functional approach maintains reliable detection capability while significantly reducing the bill of materials and manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for separate camera modules and multiple sensor arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the UWB unit to create a digital model or representation of the person's position, orientation, and line of sight through radar mode operations and body position scanning. This virtual copying of physical sensor data from multiple sources into a unified detection system achieves the same detection capability at lower cost by processing electromagnetic reflections rather than requiring multiple physical sensors.
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
This approach reduces the number of components required, making the system more cost-effective and efficient, while still ensuring accurate actuation of the access system based on the person's position and orientation.
Implementation Method 1
The UWB unit is set up to be operated in a radar mode and detects a position of a person approaching the motor vehicle
Implementation Method 2
carries out a body position scan of this person in order to detect a body position of this person; in the process, in particular, an orientation of the face of this person and/or a line of sight of this person can be determined
Data Source
AI summary
A method for actuating an access system of a motor vehicle uses an ultra-wideband (UWB) unit operated in a radar mode to detect a position of a person approaching the motor vehicle and perform a body position scan of the person in order to detect a body position of the person. An orientation of the face of the person and/or a line of sight of the person is determined by the UWB unit. The access system is actuated when this person looks in the direction of a vehicle door of the motor vehicle.