Vehicle Terminal Positioning With Polarization-Based Area Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning systems for vehicles struggle to accurately determine the position of a portable terminal relative to a vehicle, particularly in distinguishing between the exterior operating area and the prohibiting area due to the attenuation of radio waves and the reflection properties of vehicle metal bodies, leading to potential erroneous unlocking or locking of vehicle doors.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system that includes a vehicle exterior communication device with a dipole antenna installed perpendicular to the vehicle's side surface, utilizing linearly polarized waves to create a strong electrical field in the exterior operating area while maintaining a low field in the prohibiting area, allowing for precise detection of the portable terminal's position using a dual operation mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional antenna is used for wireless communication with portable terminals, then communication coverage is provided, but the detection precision of terminal position in exterior vs prohibiting areas deteriorates due to radio wave attenuation and reflection by vehicle metal bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different electromagnetic field characteristics in different spatial zones. The vehicle exterior communication device generates a first linearly polarized wave with electric field vibration perpendicular to the outer surface for exterior area detection, and a second linearly polarized wave with electric field vibration parallel to the outer surface for prohibiting area detection. This localized differentiation of field properties enables precise position determination in different regions around the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by switching between different polarization modes of electromagnetic waves. The positioning device changes the polarization parameter of the radiated waves - using perpendicular polarization (first linearly polarized wave) for detecting terminals in exterior operating areas, and parallel polarization (second linearly polarized wave) for detecting terminals in prohibiting areas. This parameter switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the detection method to the specific spatial zone.
2Ease of operation
If radio waves are transmitted for positioning, then portable terminal detection is enabled, but erroneous determination between exterior operating area and prohibiting area occurs due to metal body reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using fundamentally different electromagnetic wave polarization characteristics for different detection purposes. Instead of using symmetric or identical wave properties for all detection scenarios, the system employs asymmetric polarization approaches: perpendicular polarization for exterior area detection and parallel polarization for prohibiting area detection. This asymmetric approach exploits the different interaction mechanisms of polarized waves with the vehicle's metal body in different spatial regions, enabling accurate area differentiation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single operation mode is used for wireless communication, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to distinguish between exterior and prohibiting areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the vehicle exterior communication device to perform multiple detection functions through a single integrated structure. The same communication device radiates both first and second linearly polarized waves and processes both perpendicular and parallel polarization components, enabling it to detect portable terminals in both exterior operating areas and prohibiting areas. This multi-functional capability resolves the contradiction by making one device perform what would otherwise require multiple specialized systems.
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
Enhances the detection rate of the portable terminal in the exterior operating area while reducing erroneous determinations, ensuring accurate vehicle control and user convenience by effectively differentiating between the exterior operating and prohibiting areas.
Implementation Method 1
a first linearly polarized wave whose electrical field vibration direction is perpendicular to the outer surface portion is radiated toward a direction parallel to the outer surface portion
Implementation Method 2
a second linearly polarized wave whose electrical field vibration direction is parallel to the outer surface portion is radiated
Implementation Method 3
the reflection properties of vehicle metal bodies
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning system executes wireless communication with a portable terminal by adopting a radio wave of 1 GHz or higher to determine a position of the portable terminal relative to a vehicle. The positioning system includes a vehicle exterior communication device and a positioning device. The positioning device determines whether the portable terminal exists at an exterior operating area being a region outside a vehicle compartment within a predetermined operating distance from the vehicle, based on a reception status of the wireless signal received by the vehicle exterior communication device from the portable terminal in a first mode of the vehicle exterior communication device, and determines whether the portable terminal exists inside the vehicle compartment, based on the reception status of the wireless signal received by the vehicle exterior communication device from the portable terminal in a second mode of the vehicle exterior communication device.