Vehicle Access Device Location Determination Using Dynamic BLE Duty Cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for determining the location of a wireless communication device relative to a vehicle are sensitive to environmental factors such as distance, weather conditions, and barriers, leading to inaccurate determination of the device's location and distance from the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, where a vehicle communication system with multiple communication nodes and a vehicle access device exchange advertisements and signal strength indication values to determine the location of the vehicle access device, employing a high duty cycle advertisement mode to improve accuracy and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional advertisement modes are used for BLE communication, then power consumption is low, but location determination accuracy and speed are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning between different advertisement modes (low duty cycle and high duty cycle) based on operational requirements. The system dynamically adjusts the advertisement duty cycle from a first value during normal operation to a second value (higher than the first) when location determination is needed, optimizing both power consumption and measurement precision at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the use of low duty cycle advertisements during normal operation, where advertisements are transmitted at intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission reduces power consumption while maintaining basic functionality, and only switches to high duty cycle when location determination is required.
2Measurement precision
If high duty cycle advertisement is used continuously, then location determination accuracy improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the advertisement duty cycle based on operational needs. During normal operation, it uses a first duty cycle value that conserves power. When location determination is initiated, it switches to a second duty cycle value (higher than the first) only for the duration needed to collect sufficient signal strength indicators, then returns to the lower duty cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by collecting signal strength indicators from multiple advertisement packets during the high duty cycle period before final location determination is made. This preliminary data collection during the brief high-duty-cycle window enables accurate location determination without requiring continuous high power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If more signal strength indicators are collected, then location determination accuracy improves, but the time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the advertisement process continuously, but at different duty cycle levels. During high duty cycle mode, multiple advertisement packets are transmitted in succession without interruption, allowing the vehicle access device to collect numerous signal strength indicators continuously, thereby achieving high measurement precision in a short time frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data collection by gathering signal strength indicators from multiple advertisement packets during the high duty cycle period. This preliminary accumulation of data points happens rapidly during the brief high-duty-cycle window, enabling accurate location determination to be completed quickly without requiring extended measurement periods.
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
The system effectively determines the location of the vehicle access device relative to the vehicle with improved accuracy and reduced latency, while conserving power by collecting a larger number of signal strength indicators within a shorter time frame.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless communication protocol (e.g., short-range radio wave communication, Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH®, near field communication (NFC), etc.)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a location of a vehicle access device relative to a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a first communication node of the vehicle, an advertisement from the vehicle access device, and transmitting a connection request to the vehicle access device associated with the received advertisement. The method includes establishing, at the first communication node, a connection with the vehicle access device, and determining a general location of the vehicle access device. When the general location of the vehicle access device is less than a threshold distance, the method includes transmitting, from the first communication node, a high duty cycle advertisement command to a second communication node in communication with the first communication node. The method includes receiving, at the first communication node, a signal from the vehicle access device, the signal indicative of a location of the vehicle access device relative to the vehicle.