Wearable-Assisted Passive Key Detection Under Wireless Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for passive key hands-free vehicle operations face inaccuracies in distance measurement due to wireless signal attenuation caused by intervening objects, such as body parts or clothing, which can lead to erroneous conclusions about the proximity of a personal communication device to the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device communicates with a personal communication device using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth signals to measure separation distance and compensate for signal attenuation by detecting changes in signal strength as the individual moves their arm, allowing for accurate proximity determination and correcting for errors caused by intervening objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional distance measuring procedures are used with wireless signals, then the system can determine proximity of the personal communication device to the vehicle, but the measurement accuracy is compromised due to signal attenuation from intervening objects like body parts or clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback by continuously monitoring signal strength variations and using this information to detect and compensate for attenuation effects. The wearable device and personal communication device exchange signals and analyze the received signal strength indicators (RSSI) to determine if attenuation is occurring, then adjust distance calculations accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement approach by using a wearable device as a intermediate node between the personal communication device and the vehicle. This wearable device helps characterize the attenuation effect by measuring signal strength in its proximity, serving as a mediator to correct the distance measurement performed by the vehicle's computer.
2Ease of operation
If the system relies on signal strength evaluation for proximity determination, then passive key hands-free operations can be enabled, but erroneous distance results occur when signals are attenuated by intervening objects
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where the wearable device communicates signal strength information back to the personal communication device and/or vehicle computer. This feedback loop allows the system to detect when attenuation is occurring and adjust the proximity determination logic accordingly, maintaining reliability while preserving hands-free operation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The wearable device acts as an intermediary that provides additional measurement data to improve reliability. By positioning the wearable device close to the personal communication device, it serves as a mediator that can detect signal characteristics and help distinguish between actual distance changes and attenuation effects, thereby improving proximity detection reliability.
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 enhances the accuracy of passive key hands-free operations by accurately determining the proximity of the personal communication device to the vehicle, even when attenuated by body parts or clothing, thereby improving the reliability of vehicle access and start functions.
Implementation Method 1
A wearable device communicates with a personal communication device using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth signals to measure separation distance
Implementation Method 2
A wearable device communicates with a personal communication device using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth signals to measure separation distance
Implementation Method 3
compensate for signal attenuation by detecting changes in signal strength as the individual moves their arm
Data Source
AI summary
In some cases, signal attenuation may occur when a mobile device communicates with a vehicle. To accommodate for this, a vehicle may determine a distance between the vehicle and the mobile device by evaluating a signal strength of a wireless signal received from the mobile device. An erroneous distance result may be produced when the wireless signal is attenuated by an intervening object. A wearable device worn by the individual is used to detect the presence of the mobile device. The detection procedure involves measuring a separation distance between the wearable device and the mobile device at different instances in time as the individual swings his/her arm back and forth while moving towards the vehicle.