Vehicle BLE Node Handover Using UWB Position Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicles equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) nodes for communication with user devices, the connection quality often deteriorates when the user moves closer to the vehicle, becoming insufficient for desired applications due to signal shielding and distance-related issues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a position-based control mechanism that uses UWB nodes in combination with BLE nodes to measure the user device's relative position and switch connections between BLE nodes for improved quality, ensuring seamless handover of communication sessions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a user device connects to a BLE node when approaching the vehicle, then connection establishment is achieved, but connection quality deteriorates when the user moves closer due to signal shielding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection qualityVSAvoidsignal shielding
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches the connected BLE node based on the user device's position relative to the vehicle. When the user approaches, the system transitions from an exterior BLE node to an interior BLE node to maintain optimal connection quality, making the connection adaptive rather than static

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

UWB nodes are introduced as intermediary components to measure the relative position between the user device and the vehicle. These position measurements serve as intermediaries to determine when and how to switch BLE node connections, enabling indirect optimization of connection quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the user device maintains connection to the original BLE node, then connection stability is preserved, but connection quality becomes insufficient for desired use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection qualityVSAvoidconnection adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic connection management by continuously monitoring position and switching BLE nodes based on real-time conditions. This allows the connection to adapt to changing spatial relationships between the user device and vehicle, maintaining quality throughout the interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses UWB position measurements as feedback to determine when to switch BLE nodes. This feedback loop enables the system to respond to position changes and maintain optimal connection quality by selecting the most suitable BLE node at each stage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If position-based control is implemented to switch BLE nodes, then connection quality is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines BLE and UWB functionalities into a unified position-based connection management approach. The same position measurement mechanism serves multiple purposes: localization, connection decision-making, and handover triggering, reducing the need for separate systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

UWB position measurements serve as intermediaries that simplify the decision-making process for BLE node switching. Rather than directly measuring signal strength or quality, the system uses position as an intermediary parameter to determine optimal connections, decoupling the complexity of signal analysis from position tracking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 maintains or enhances connection quality by switching to a more suitable BLE node based on the user's position, reducing the need for direct signal strength measurements and avoiding communication session interruptions.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining information on the position of the user device comprises determining the position of the user device from one or more ultra-wideband, UWB, measurements of at least one UWB node of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4312440A1Vehicle, apparatus, computer program, and a method for controlling a connection between a user device and bluetooth low energy, BLE, nodes of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4312440A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4312440A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4312440A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle (220), an apparatus (300), a computer program, and a method (100) for controlling a connection between a user device (210) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) nodes of a vehicle (220). The method (100) comprises establishing (110) a first connection (241) between a first BLE node of the vehicle (220) and the user device (210) and obtaining (120) information on a position of the user device (210). Further, the method (100) comprises causing (130) that the first connection (241) is terminated and a second connection (242) between the user device (210) and a second BLE node of the vehicle (220) is established based on the information on the position of the user device (210).