User proximity detection for activating vehicle convenience functions
First Claim
1. Vehicle apparatus comprising:
- a convenience controller activating a user welcoming function in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user of a vehicle into an approach region around the vehicle, wherein the welcoming function does not include a door unlocking function;
a short range transmitter broadcasting a polling signal covering the approach region and having an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first predetermined repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a second predetermined repetition which is lower than the first predetermined repetition, and wherein the short range transmitter operating in the approach pending mode has a first power drain;
a short range receiver detecting a response from a first user-carried wireless device, wherein the short range receiver has a predetermined accuracy for detecting a proximity of the user-carried wireless device;
a wireless communication system configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region when the first user-carried wireless device is outside the range of the short range transmitter, wherein the detected user activity corresponds to a potential entry into the approach region, wherein monitoring by the wireless communication system has a second power drain less than the first power drain, wherein the wireless communication system has a coarser accuracy than the predetermined accuracy for detecting the proximity of the user-carried wireless device, and wherein the wireless communication system is configured to communicate with a second user-carried wireless device with a range greater than the short range transmitter;
wherein if the short range transmitter is in the baseline mode when the user activity is detected, then the short range transmitter switches to the approach pending mode.
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Abstract
A convenience controller activates a small zone high location precision welcoming detecting function (with high current utilization) in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user into a larger zone low location precision welcoming detecting function (with low current utilization) approach region around a vehicle. A short range transmitter broadcasts a polling signal covering the region. The short range transmitter has an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first predetermined repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a lower repetition. The short range transmitter has a first power drain in the approach pending mode. A wireless communication system is configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region corresponding to a potential user entry into the approach region, wherein monitoring by the wireless communication system has a lower power drain. If the short range transmitter is in the baseline mode when the user activity is detected, then the short range transmitter switches to the approach pending mode.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Vehicle apparatus comprising:
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a convenience controller activating a user welcoming function in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user of a vehicle into an approach region around the vehicle, wherein the welcoming function does not include a door unlocking function; a short range transmitter broadcasting a polling signal covering the approach region and having an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first predetermined repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a second predetermined repetition which is lower than the first predetermined repetition, and wherein the short range transmitter operating in the approach pending mode has a first power drain; a short range receiver detecting a response from a first user-carried wireless device, wherein the short range receiver has a predetermined accuracy for detecting a proximity of the user-carried wireless device; a wireless communication system configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region when the first user-carried wireless device is outside the range of the short range transmitter, wherein the detected user activity corresponds to a potential entry into the approach region, wherein monitoring by the wireless communication system has a second power drain less than the first power drain, wherein the wireless communication system has a coarser accuracy than the predetermined accuracy for detecting the proximity of the user-carried wireless device, and wherein the wireless communication system is configured to communicate with a second user-carried wireless device with a range greater than the short range transmitter; wherein if the short range transmitter is in the baseline mode when the user activity is detected, then the short range transmitter switches to the approach pending mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Vehicle apparatus comprising:
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a convenience controller activating a user welcoming function in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user of a vehicle into an approach region around the vehicle, wherein the welcoming function does not include a door unlocking function; a short range transmitter broadcasting a polling signal covering the approach region and having an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first predetermined repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a second predetermined repetition which is lower than the first predetermined repetition, and wherein the short range transmitter operating in the approach pending mode has a first power drain; a short range receiver detecting a response from a user-carried wireless device, wherein the short range receiver has a predetermined accuracy for detecting a proximity of the user-carried wireless device; a wireless communication system configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region when the user-carried wireless device is outside the range of the short range transmitter, wherein the detected user activity corresponds to a potential entry into the approach region, wherein monitoring by the wireless communication system has a second power drain less than the first power drain, wherein the wireless communication system has a coarser accuracy than the predetermined accuracy for detecting the proximity of the user-carried wireless device, and wherein the user activity for indicating the potential entry further comprises monitoring a time calendar associated with the user containing calendar entries indicating likely driving trips; wherein if the short range transmitter is in the baseline mode when the user activity is detected, then the short range transmitter switches to the approach pending mode. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification