Vehicle UWB Movement Detection for Reliable Hands-Free Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting user movements to open vehicle parts like doors and trunk lids are inefficient, unreliable, and require multiple sensors that can be affected by moisture and contamination, leading to suboptimal performance and increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A method using a transmitting and receiving antenna system, preferably UWB, to detect user movements by reflecting a sequence, calculating channel impulse responses, and determining user actions through Fourier transforms and fit functions to accurately and efficiently unlock vehicle parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors (e.g., capacitive sensors) are used to detect user movement, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to moisture/contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (presence detection, movement detection, authentication) into a single radar-based system. The radar sensor integrates transmitting and receiving antennas with signal processing capabilities to perform all detection tasks that previously required multiple separate sensors, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces contact-based or proximity-based mechanical/electrical sensors (capacitive sensors) with a radar-based electromagnetic wave system. This substitution eliminates the susceptibility to moisture and contamination that plagues traditional sensors, as radar waves can penetrate through various materials and are not affected by environmental factors like humidity or dirt.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are deployed to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: detecting user presence, tracking user movement, and enabling authentication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate sensors for each task, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high measurement precision through advanced signal processing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sophisticated signal processing techniques including Fourier transforms and channel impulse response analysis to extract precise movement information from radar signals. By changing the processing parameters and algorithms rather than adding more physical sensors, the system achieves high measurement precision at lower manufacturing cost.
3Device complexity
If existing sensors are used without optimization, then device complexity is reduced, but detection capability and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The radar system continuously transmits signals and receives reflected signals to track user movement in real-time. The system processes the received signals to generate channel impulse responses and uses this feedback information to maintain accurate detection of user presence and movement, thereby ensuring high reliability without requiring complex hardware configurations.
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 of user movements with improved accuracy, reliability, and reduced hardware requirements, allowing for efficient and cost-effective operation of vehicle parts like doors and trunk lids.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, using a receiving antenna, a receiving sequence, the receiving sequence being designed at least partially as a function of the transmitting sequence reflected at a user of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting a user movement within a vehicle. The method includes: (a) transmitting, using a transmitting antenna of a vehicle, a transmitting sequence; (b) receiving, using a receiving antenna, a receiving sequence, the receiving sequence being configured at least partially as a function of the transmitting sequence reflected at a user of the vehicle; (c) transmitting the receiving sequence to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle; (d) determining, by the ECU, a user movement of the user as a function of the receiving sequence; and (e) operating, by the ECU, the vehicle as a function of determining step. Further, the invention relates to a corresponding computer program product, a computer-readable data carrier, an ECU, and a vehicle.