Vehicle UWB Ranging Triggered by User Approach Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultra-wide band ranging systems in vehicles require user interaction, such as pulling the door handle, to initiate ranging, which affects user experience and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Initiate ultra-wide band ranging sessions based on sensor data, such as from microphones, ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, or cameras, to determine the approach of a person to the vehicle, thereby starting the session passively and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If UWB ranging session is initiated only upon user action (e.g., pulling door handle), then energy consumption is reduced, but user experience deteriorates due to lack of proactive access control
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of user approach using sensors (camera, radar, ultrasonic, microphone, or Bluetooth) before the user actually interacts with the vehicle. When the system detects that a user is approaching, it proactively initiates the UWB ranging session in advance, so that when the user pulls the door handle or interacts with the vehicle, the ranging is already complete and access control can be immediately executed. This eliminates the need to wait for user action to start ranging, improving user experience while still maintaining energy efficiency by only activating sensors and UWB when approach is detected.
2Ease of operation
If UWB ranging session is continuously active to improve user experience, then user experience improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous UWB ranging operation, the system implements periodic activation based on detected user approach. Sensors monitor the environment periodically to detect when a user is approaching the vehicle. Only when approach is detected does the system activate the UWB ranging session. This periodic action pattern ensures that UWB ranging is available whenever needed (improving user experience) while remaining inactive during periods when no user is present (reducing energy consumption).
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses environmental sensors to automatically detect user approach and self-trigger the UWB ranging session without requiring continuous manual activation or continuous operation. The system serves itself by using sensor data to determine when ranging should be initiated, making the process energy-efficient while maintaining responsiveness to user needs.
3Ease of operation
If passive vehicle-triggered UWB ranging is initiated based on sensor data, then user experience improves and energy consumption decreases, but false initiation may occur without proper validation
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensor data (from cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors, microphones, or Bluetooth) is continuously monitored and analyzed to verify actual user approach. The system only initiates UWB ranging when the sensor feedback confirms genuine approach behavior, not merely presence. This feedback loop ensures that ranging initiation is both responsive (improving user experience) and accurate (preventing false initiation), thereby maintaining reliability while enabling passive triggering.
Data Source
AI summary
A method improves an ultra-wide band ranging session of a vehicle. The method includes obtaining sensor data indicative of an approach of a person to the vehicle. The method also includes determining the approach of the person to the vehicle based on the sensor data. Thereafter, the method includes initiating the ultra-wide band ranging session based on the determined approach.