Vehicle Access Device Location Detection Using BLE Signal Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for communicating with vehicles are susceptible to undesirable operating characteristics when determining the location of a vehicle access device relative to a vehicle, particularly in distinguishing between interior and exterior locations using wireless communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
A system and method employing multiple Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication nodes strategically placed on and within a vehicle, where the vehicle access device receives signal strength indication values from these nodes to identify the strongest signal, activating specific nodes for communication and determining the location of the access device based on received signal strength, optimizing power consumption and detection latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple wireless communication nodes are used to determine location, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the vehicle into multiple zones, each equipped with a separate wireless communication node. This segmentation allows the access device to determine its location by comparing signal strengths from multiple spatially distributed nodes, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-node to multi-node wireless communication, adding spatial dimensionality to the location determination process. By distributing communication nodes throughout the vehicle interior and exterior, the system creates a three-dimensional signal field that enables precise triangulation and zone identification of the access device.
2Measurement precision
If signal strength indication values are collected from multiple nodes, then location detection accuracy is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless communication nodes operate in periodic cycles, alternating between active signal transmission and idle states. The system collects signal strength indication values at specific intervals rather than continuously, enabling accurate location detection while significantly reducing the energy consumption of communication nodes compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The access device autonomously monitors and compares signal strengths from multiple nodes to determine its own location zone without requiring continuous active participation from all communication nodes. This self-service approach allows the access device to perform location determination using available signals while minimizing the energy burden on the vehicle's communication infrastructure.
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
Effectively determines the location of a vehicle access device relative to the vehicle, enhancing the performance of the BLE wireless communication protocol by accurately distinguishing between interior and exterior positions while optimizing power consumption and detection speed.
Implementation Method 1
a first wireless communication node disposed in a vehicle to (i) receive a plurality of signal strength indication values from a plurality of wireless communication nodes
Data Source
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AI summary
A method includes determining a distance between a vehicle access device and a vehicle. The method also includes activating at least one communication node in response to the distance being less than a threshold distance, and transmitting a signal from the at least one communication node. The method further includes gathering a plurality of received signal strength indication values corresponding to the signal, filtering the plurality of received signal strength indication values, and identifying at least one communication node corresponding to a highest value of the plurality of received signal strength indication values. The method also includes determining whether the vehicle access device is disposed in an interior portion of the vehicle or on an exterior of the vehicle based on the highest value of the plurality of received signal strength indication values.