Vehicle Access Polling with Master-Slave Wake-Up Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle function activation systems, such as those used for unlocking/locking vehicle hatches or preheating seats, require frequent radio-frequency signal transmissions to detect user presence, leading to battery drain when the vehicle is parked for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize radio-frequency communication means to activate vehicle functions by selecting a master vehicle with increased transmission range and power, allowing it to detect user presence in an enlarged zone and wake up slave vehicles only when necessary, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent radio-frequency signal transmissions are used to detect user presence, then user presence detection reliability is improved, but battery energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic polling phases where vehicles alternately activate their radio-frequency transmission. Instead of continuous transmission, each vehicle performs polling at specific intervals, allowing other vehicles to remain in low-power mode during non-polling periods. This periodic action maintains detection reliability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a master vehicle as an intermediary that aggregates presence detection information from multiple slave vehicles. The master vehicle receives presence detection data from slave vehicles and makes the final determination about user presence. This intermediary structure allows slave vehicles to use lower power transmission while maintaining system-wide detection reliability through the master vehicle's coordination.
2Area of stationary object
If all vehicles perform polling simultaneously, then user presence detection coverage is improved, but network interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the polling function by designating one vehicle as master and others as slaves. The master vehicle performs polling at full power to ensure comprehensive detection coverage, while slave vehicles perform polling at reduced power or in coordination with the master. This segmentation maintains wide detection coverage while eliminating the interference that would result from all vehicles polling simultaneously at full power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic role assignment where vehicles can switch between master and slave roles based on current conditions. The master vehicle is selected based on criteria such as battery charge level, transmission range, and current load. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both detection coverage and interference management adaptively, with the master vehicle having the capability to extend its polling range to cover areas that would otherwise require multiple simultaneous pollers.
3Area of stationary object
If master vehicle extends transmission range, then detection coverage is improved, but energy consumption of master vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary selection of the master vehicle based on predetermined criteria including battery charge level, transmission range capability, and current operational load. By selecting a vehicle with sufficient energy reserves and high transmission capability as master before the polling process begins, the system ensures that the extended transmission range requirement can be met without compromising the overall energy balance of the network. The master vehicle's higher energy consumption is offset by its role in enabling other vehicles to consume less energy.
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 significantly reduces battery drain in parked vehicles by minimizing unnecessary radio-frequency transmissions and allowing for efficient detection of user presence, ensuring timely activation of vehicle functions.
Implementation Method 1
The signal received by the antenna of the activating device, containing the identifier of the access equipment, is sent via RF or LF waves (RF standing for radio-frequency and LF standing for low-frequency)
Implementation Method 2
The exact location of the portable equipment around the vehicle is determined via measurements of the strength of the LF signal received by the portable equipment (via the antennas and the electronic control unit) from the vehicle, which strength measurements are more commonly called RSSI measurements (RSSI standing for received signal strength indicator)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for activating a vehicle function, of one vehicle among a plurality of vehicles, by an activating device, the device communicating with a user's portable access equipment. The vehicle function triggered on detection of the presence of the portable equipment in a predetermined zone around the vehicle, in a polling phase, and on authentication of the equipment. The method includes: selecting from the plurality of vehicles, a master vehicle and slave vehicles; each slave vehicle sending the master vehicle a specific identifier; the master vehicle sending each slave vehicle an instruction putting their polling phase on standby; increasing the frequency and/or power of the polling transmissions of the master vehicle and generating an enlarged predetermined zone around the master vehicle. If the presence of an authenticated user is detected in the predetermined zone, the master vehicle sends a wake-up instruction to the slave vehicle corresponding to the identifier triggering its polling phase; activating the vehicle function of the slave vehicle if the authenticated user is located in a predetermined zone around the slave vehicle.