Hands-Free Vehicle Access Using Direction and Angle-of-Arrival
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle function activation systems using ultra-wideband communication face challenges in precise location of access equipment due to sensitivity to reflections and interference, leading to inaccurate activation of functions like hands-free unlocking or locking, and increased cost with multiple transceivers.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle function activation method and device using ultra-high frequency communication with access equipment equipped with a magnetometer and gyroscope, employing a transceiver with decoupled antennas to determine user direction and angle of arrival, distinguishing direct and indirect signal paths for precise location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ultra-wideband communication is used for vehicle function activation, then communication capability is improved, but location precision deteriorates due to sensitivity to reflections and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using multiple transceivers and signal path analysis. The system uses direct signal paths as a reference mediator to validate indirect signal paths, filtering out reflected or interfered signals by comparing their characteristics against the direct path baseline, thus maintaining location precision despite using ultra-wideband communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through multi-transceiver signal verification. Each transceiver provides feedback about signal quality and path characteristics, allowing the system to continuously adjust and validate location calculations. The feedback loop compares signals from multiple transceivers to distinguish direct paths from reflected paths, compensating for the inherent sensitivity of ultra-wideband communication to environmental interference.
2Measurement precision
If multiple transceivers are deployed to improve location precision, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using a minimal set of transceivers (at least two) rather than deploying extensive arrays. The system achieves sufficient location precision by selectively verifying signal paths from these limited transceivers, performing only the necessary calculations to distinguish direct from indirect paths without the excessive complexity of full multi-transceiver systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the essential information needed for location determination from the transceiver signals. By focusing on specific signal characteristics (direct path identification, angle of arrival) and ignoring redundant data, the system achieves accurate location with fewer transceivers. The extraction principle filters out unnecessary complexity while retaining the core functionality for precise location measurement.
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 reliable and precise location of access equipment, allowing accurate activation of vehicle functions based on direct signal paths, reducing the need for multiple transceivers and minimizing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a) receiving, with the transceiver, an ultra-high frequency signal from the access equipment
Implementation Method 2
the access equipment being equipped with a magnetometer and a gyroscope
Implementation Method 3
the access equipment being equipped with a magnetometer and a gyroscope
Data Source
AI summary
A method for activating a vehicle function, by an activation device including a transceiver to communicate with “hands-free” access equipment. The transceiver is equipped with a gyroscope and a magnetometer and two receiving antennas that have a coefficient of electromagnetic coupling between them that is below a threshold. The method includes the following steps for at least two consecutive footsteps: transmission of a signal comprising data of the gyroscope and the magnetometer of the “hands-free” equipment to the vehicle; comparison of the data with representative values of the gyroscope and the magnetometer of the transceiver; determination of a first direction of the user; determination of a second direction of the user based on an estimation of a first angle of arrival of the signal towards the transceiver; comparison of the first direction and the second direction; activation of the vehicle function on the basis of the result of the comparison.