In-Vehicle UE Positioning Using AOA for Driver Distraction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current approaches to prevent distracted driving, such as enabling 'driver' modes on smartphones, require user intervention and lack accurate methods to detect whether a smartphone is being operated by the driver or a passenger within a vehicle.
Innovation Solution
The relative position of a user equipment (UE) within a vehicle is determined using angular measurements, such as angle of arrival (AOA), and optionally ranging measurements, with respect to multiple wireless transceivers using wideband signals. This allows for the identification of whether the UE is within a personal zone or near the steering wheel, enabling appropriate restrictions on the UE's functionality and adjusting vehicle operations accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual user intervention is used to enable driver mode on smartphones, then the system complexity is reduced, but the automation level and effectiveness of preventing distracted driving deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless transceivers as intermediary devices installed in the vehicle to detect the UE's position. These transceivers act as mediators between the UE and the positioning entity, enabling automatic driver detection without requiring complex processing in the smartphone itself. The transceivers measure angular measurements and transmit this data to determine whether the UE is in the driver's personal zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interaction (physically enabling driver mode on the smartphone) with an automated wireless positioning system. Instead of requiring the user to manually switch modes, the system uses angular measurements from wireless transceivers to automatically detect the driver's position and trigger appropriate restrictions on the UE.
2Measurement precision
If wideband signals with bandwidth of at least 500 MHz are used for angular measurements, then the measurement precision and positioning accuracy improve, but the energy consumption and signal processing complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wideband signals with bandwidth of at least 500 MHz, which provides excessive precision for the positioning task. This excessive action ensures high measurement precision for determining angular measurements, even though it consumes more energy than strictly necessary. The high bandwidth enables accurate distinction of the driver's position from passenger positions.
3Reliability
If the UE is restricted when detected in the driver's personal zone, then the safety and reduction of distracted driving improves, but the ease of operation and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different operational qualities to different spatial zones within the vehicle. The driver's personal zone has restricted UE functionality to prevent distraction, while other zones (passenger areas) allow normal UE operation. This local differentiation enables safety restrictions specifically for the driver without affecting passenger convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts UE functionality based on the real-time detected position of the UE. When the UE is detected in the driver's personal zone, restrictions are automatically applied; when moved to other zones, normal functionality is restored. This dynamic adjustment balances safety requirements with user convenience.
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 method provides accurate and efficient detection of the UE's position within the vehicle, effectively restricting distracting functionalities of the UE and adjusting vehicle operations to enhance safety, thereby reducing the risk of accidents caused by distracted driving.
Implementation Method 1
angular measurements, such as angle of arrival (AOA), and optionally ranging measurements, with respect to a number of wireless transceiver within the vehicle using wideband signals
Data Source
AI summary
The relative position of a user equipment (UE) within a vehicle is determined using angular measurements, such as angle of arrival (AOA), and optionally ranging measurements, with respect to a number of wireless transceivers within the vehicle using wideband signals. The relative position of the UE with respect to a personal zone or the steering wheel may be determined based on known positions of the wireless transceivers. If the UE is determined to be within the personal zone, at least one functionality of the UE is restricted to avoid driver distraction and, optionally, the operation autonomous driving of the vehicle adjusted. If the UE is worn on the driver's wrist the relative position of the UE with respect to the steering wheel may be similarly determined and operation of the vehicle modified if the UE is determined to be outside a threshold distance from the steering wheel.