Vehicle Identifier Detection Across BLE Channels for In-Out Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting an identifier inside or outside a motor vehicle using Bluetooth Low Energy signals suffer from large dispersions in power measurements across communication channels, leading to inaccurate location determination and potential false identifications.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates an average of power measurements, smooths them, and defines primary and secondary threshold powers through calibration, allowing precise determination of the identifier's location by comparing measurements against these thresholds on individual communication channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power measurements are taken on multiple communication channels, then the detection system can identify the identifier's presence, but the measurements show strong dispersions that reduce accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidpower measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection process by communication channel, evaluating power measurements independently for each channel rather than aggregating them. This allows identification of channel-specific characteristics and dispersions, enabling more precise determination of identifier location by analyzing patterns across segmented channel data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the evaluation parameter from raw power measurement values to threshold-based classification (inside/outside vehicle). By defining specific threshold power values for each channel based on calibration data, the system transforms continuous power measurements into discrete location determinations, reducing the impact of measurement dispersions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If power measurements are used to determine identifier location, then location detection is possible, but measurements at different distances on different channels become confused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination precisionVSAvoiddistance information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds the communication channel dimension to the analysis. Instead of relying solely on power measurement magnitude, the system evaluates the pattern of power measurements across multiple channel dimensions. This dimensional expansion allows differentiation of location scenarios that would otherwise produce similar power values on single channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If threshold values are set for power measurements, then location determination becomes possible, but strong dispersions cause false identifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation determination simplicityVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calibration to establish threshold power values for each communication channel before actual detection operations. During calibration, the system characterizes the power measurement dispersions under known conditions (identifier inside/outside vehicle) and sets thresholds that account for these dispersions, preventing false identifications during normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from calibration phase data to optimize threshold values. By analyzing actual measurement dispersions during calibration, the system adjusts thresholds to achieve optimal separation between inside and outside vehicle detection zones, reducing false positives while maintaining detection simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3804360B1Method of detecting an identifier inside or outside an automotive vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 VALEO COMFORT & DRIVING ASSISTANCE
  • EP3804360B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3804360B1 patent drawingFigure 3a
  • EP3804360B1 patent drawingFigure 3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (PR) of detecting an identifier (Id) inside or outside an automotive vehicle (V), said automotive vehicle (V) comprising a primary antenna (A1) and a primary processing unit (U1), said identifier (Id) comprising a secondary antenna (A2) and a secondary processing unit (U2), according to which said detection method (PR) comprises: - the cyclic emission by one of the two antennas, primary (A1) or secondary (A2), of a plurality of signals (Sg1) on a plurality of communication channels (C); - the cyclic reception by the other of the two antennas, primary (A1) or secondary (A2), of said plurality of emitted signals (Sg1); - the carrying out by one of the two processing units, secondary (U2) or primary (U1), for each communication channel (C) of a plurality of measurements of power (RSSI) of said plurality of received signals (Sg1') corresponding to said plurality of emitted signals (Sg1); - for each communication channel (C), the comparison by one of the two processing units, secondary (U2) or primary (U1), of a combination (Cb) of said plurality of power measurements (RSSI) carried out on said communication channel (C): - with a primary threshold power (P1) of passage from inside to outside the automotive vehicle (V); and - with a secondary threshold power (P2) of passage from outside to inside said automotive vehicle (V).