US-12623631-B2 - Ultra wide band (UWB) based automatic trunk adjustment

US12623631B2US 12623631 B2US12623631 B2US 12623631B2US-12623631-B2

Abstract

Systems and methods are described herein for a system to automatically execute actions associated with moveable closures of one or more trunk compartments of a vehicle. The system may detect a user device is within proximity of the vehicle using ultra-wideband signals. The system may then determine a location of the user device, and based on the location of the user device, whether the user device is within a trigger zone. A trigger zone may represent a real-world area positioned about a trunk compartment of the vehicle, the trunk compartment comprising a moveable closure. Based on determining that the user device is within a trigger zone, the system may execute an action associated with the moveable closure.

Inventors

Brahmesh Saligrama Dharanendra Jain
Austin Shaski
Bernard Bekker
Pak Heng Lau

Assignees

TESLA, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20240708

Claims (20)

1 . A system configured for inclusion in a vehicle, the system comprising: one or more sensors; one or more processors; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: detect a user device, wherein the user device is authenticated as being associated with the vehicle; determine a location of the user device using ultra-wideband signals; determine whether the user device is located within a first trigger zone of a plurality of trigger zones, wherein each trigger zone represents a real-world area positioned about a trunk compartment of the vehicle, the trunk compartment comprising a moveable closure; and based on determining that the user device is located within the first trigger zone, executing a first action associated with the moveable closure, wherein the first action comprises initiating an opening sequence for the moveable closure, and wherein the one or more processors are configured to prevent a false open associated with the opening sequence based on a speed associated with the user device.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to calculate the first trigger zone based on a plurality of elliptical ranges, wherein a first elliptical range of the plurality of elliptical ranges is calculated based on a first circle around a first sensor of the one or more sensors having a radius corresponding to a predetermined distance from the first sensor, a second elliptical range of the plurality of elliptical ranges is calculated based on a second circle around a second sensor of the one or more sensors having a radius corresponding to a predetermined distance from the second sensor, and a third elliptical range of the plurality of elliptical ranges is calculated based on an ellipse having a center point between the first and second sensors, two predetermined vertex points, a first point located on the first circle, and a second point located on the second circle, and wherein the first trigger zone corresponds to an overlap between the first, second, and third elliptical ranges.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to: calculate the first trigger zone based on an elliptical range corresponding to a circle around a first sensor of the one or more sensors having a radius corresponding to a predetermined distance from the first sensor.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the moveable closure comprises a trunk door.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the trunk compartment is located in a rear portion of the vehicle.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the trunk compartment is located in a front portion of the vehicle.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first action further comprises opening the moveable closure.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first action further comprises closing the moveable closure.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the opening sequence comprising: causing a light associated with the moveable closure to illuminate; and causing an audio device associated with the moveable closure to emit a sound.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the opening sequence comprises a predetermined duration of time.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein upon conclusion of the predetermined duration of time, the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to: cause the light to turn off; cause the audio device to stop emitting a sound; and cause the moveable closure to open.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein based on a determination that the predetermined duration of time has not concluded and that the user device is outside of the first trigger zone, the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to: cause the light to turn off; cause the audio device to stop emitting a sound; and cause the moveable closure to open.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to: determine whether the user device is outside of a trigger zone; and based on determining that the user device is located outside of a trigger zone, executing a second action associated with one or more moveable closures of the vehicle, wherein the second action comprises rearming automated door opening functionality of the vehicle.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to: detect that the moveable closure was closed after the moveable closure was opened; determine whether a user device has been located within the first trigger zone for a first duration since the moveable closure was closed; and based on a determination that the user device has been located within the first trigger zone for the first duration since the moveable closure was closed, preventing the system from using the location of the user device to determine whether to open the moveable closure.
15 . A method comprising: detecting a user device, wherein the user device is authenticated as being associated with a vehicle, the vehicle comprising one or more sensors; determining a location of the user device using ultra-wideband signals; determining whether the user device is located within a first trigger zone of a plurality of trigger zones, wherein each trigger zone represents a real-world area positioned about a trunk compartment of the vehicle, the trunk compartment comprising a moveable closure; and based on determining that the user device is located within the first trigger zone, executing a first action associated with the moveable closure, wherein the first action comprises initiating an opening sequence for the moveable closure, and wherein the method further comprises preventing a false open associated with the opening sequence based on a speed associated with the user device.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising calculating the first trigger zone based on a plurality of elliptical ranges, wherein a first elliptical range of the plurality of elliptical ranges is calculated based on a first circle around a first sensor of the one or more sensors having a radius corresponding to a predetermined distance from the first sensor, a second elliptical range of the plurality of elliptical ranges is calculated based on a second circle around a second sensor of the one or more sensors having a radius corresponding to a predetermined distance from the second sensor, and a third elliptical range of the plurality of elliptical ranges is calculated based on an ellipse having a center point between the first and second sensors, two predetermined vertex points, a first point located on the first circle, and a second point located on the second circle, and wherein the first trigger zone corresponds to an overlap between the first, second, and third elliptical ranges.
17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising calculating the first trigger zone based on an elliptical range corresponding to a circle around a first sensor of the one or more sensors having a radius corresponding to a predetermined distance from the first sensor.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the opening sequence comprising: causing a light associated with the moveable closure to illuminate; and causing an audio device associated with the moveable closure to emit a sound.
19 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising: determining whether the user device is outside of a trigger zone; and based on determining that the user device is located outside of a trigger zone, executing a second action associated with one or more moveable closures of the vehicle, wherein the second action comprises rearming automated door opening functionality of the vehicle.
20 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a computing system including one or more processors, cause the computing system to: detect a user device, wherein the user device is authenticated as being associated with a vehicle; determine a location of the user device using ultra-wideband signals; determine whether the user device is located within a first trigger zone of a plurality of trigger zones, wherein each trigger zone represents a real-world area positioned about a trunk compartment of the vehicle, the trunk compartment comprising a moveable closure; and based on determining that the user device is located within the first trigger zone, executing a first action associated with the moveable closure, wherein the first action comprises initiating an opening sequence for the moveable closure, and wherein the computing system is further configured to prevent a false open associated with the opening sequence based on a speed associated with the user device.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57 and made a part of this specification. The present application is being filed concurrently with U.S. application Ser. No. 18/766,457, entitled ULTRA WIDE BAND (UWB) BASED AUTOMATIC MOVEABLE CLOSURE ADJUSTMENT, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. BACKGROUND Vehicles typically include moveable closures, such as doors or hoods, to enable access to different portions of the vehicle. With respect to doors, the doors typically have handles which may be used by persons entering the vehicle. Similarly, a hood may have a control within the vehicle, or a control proximate to the hood, with which a person may interact. These moveable closures have access control techniques, which typically include use of a key or key fob to unlock the vehicle. At present, such techniques may increase the time required to access the different portions of the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. The drawings are provided to illustrate embodiments of the subject matter described herein and not to limit the scope thereof. FIG. 1 depicts an example environment of a vehicle capable of detecting and locating a user device. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of geographic trigger zones for automated moveable closure opening. FIG. 3 illustrates an example of geographic trigger zones to rearm automated moveable closure opening after a manual closing. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of geographic trigger zones for automated moveable closure closing. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of geographic trigger zones to rearm automated moveable closure closing after an automated moveable closure opening. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of geographic trigger zones to rearm automated moveable closure action after a false open. FIG. 7 illustrates an example of geographic trigger zones for automated opening of a moveable closure located in the rear or front of a vehicle. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a process for triggering an automated moveable closure action associated with a door. FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a process for triggering an automated moveable closure action associated with a trunk compartment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview The systems and methods described herein provide for a system for automated moveable closure actions for a vehicle, such as automated opening and closing. Example moveable closures may include the doors of a vehicle, the trunk of a vehicle, a front trunk or hood of the vehicle, and so on. Modern mobile devices are configured with ever improving Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other signaling technologies, such as ultra-wideband (UWB). UWB is similar to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but may be more precise, reliable and effective. Specifically, UWB may enable high-precision positioning of an UWB-enabled device. For example, UWB may allow for use of time of flight to enable substantially accurate determinations regarding a distance of a UWB mobile device to a sensor. This technology may be used to determine whether a person carrying a UWB-enabled device is within range of a vehicle. The technology may also be used to determine a location of the person based on use of a multitude of sensors. A system, such as a processing system of a vehicle, may use this information to determine whether to open or close a moveable closure; providing a hands-free experience for the user of the vehicle. For example, the system may use a UWB sensor to detect that an individual with a connected device is within range of the trunk of a vehicle and may determine to open the based on this information. This provides a convenience to someone who may not have a free hand to open the trunk moveable closure, such as because they are carrying an item to be deposited in the trunk. In some cases, individuals may not want to wait for a long period of time for a door to open or may want an indication that the door will open when they walk up to it. Current systems may fail to be responsive to an individual's actions, such as not rapidly opening or closing a moveable closure as a person (e.g., a person authorized to access the vehicle) walks towards, or away from, the vehicle. Additionally, current systems may not quickly react to rearm automated door features based on an individual's action, such as leaving the vicinity of the vehicle. Further, current systems may not properly detect whether an individual is in- or outside of the vehicle and may accidentally close the door such that it impacts the individual. The system described herein improves on existing technology by using, in some embodiments, UWB based time-of-flight measurements from a connected user device