Self-contained proximity sensors in wireless communication with vehicle control system and methods of their operation
Proximity sensors, e.g., Bluetooth® sensors, are installed in a vehicle. Each sensor determines/estimates approximate distance from itself to a user mobile device. In response to the distance increasing above a predetermined distance departure limit, as the sensors communicate to a vehicle control system (VCS) through Bluetooth® or similar links, the VCS causes predetermined departure actions to be performed, such as locking the doors, turning off headlights, activating the vehicle's security system, and/or others. In response to the distance decreasing below a predetermined distance arrival limit, as the sensors communicate to the VCS through the link(s), the VCS causes predetermined arrival actions to be performed, such as unlocking the doors, flashing the headlights, beeping the horn, deactivating the security system, and/or others. Hysteresis may be applied to the decisions whether to perform the departure/arrival actions.
1 . A vehicle system comprising:
a vehicle controller; and
at least one radio frequency (RF) vehicle device in wireless communication with the vehicle controller and cooperating therewith to:
wirelessly communicate with an authorized mobile device to generate an estimated distance between the at least one RF vehicle device and the authorized mobile device based upon an RF signal strength therebetween,
detect a departure event when the estimated distance indicates the authorized mobile device crossed a distance departure limit to permit a departure action in response thereto, and
detect an arrival event when the estimated distance indicates the authorized mobile device crossed a distance arrival limit to permit an arrival action in response thereto, wherein the distance departure limit and the distance arrival limit are different.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle controller is configured to accept setting of the distance departure limit.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle controller is configured to accept setting of the distance arrival limit.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the departure action comprises at least one of locking vehicle doors, and activating a vehicle security feature.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle controller is configured to provide departure time hysteresis.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the arrival action comprises at least one of unlocking vehicle doors, activating a vehicle light, activating a vehicle horn, and deactivating a vehicle security feature.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle controller is configured to provide arrival time hysteresis.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle controller comprises a first housing and a first Bluetooth® transceiver carried therein.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one RF vehicle device comprises a second housing and a second Bluetooth® transceiver carried therein.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the authorized mobile device comprises a smartphone.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the authorized mobile device comprises a smartwatch.
12 . A vehicle system comprising:
a vehicle controller comprising a first housing and a first Bluetooth® transceiver carried therein; and
at least one radio frequency (RF) vehicle device comprising a second housing and a second Bluetooth® transceiver carried therein, the at least one RF vehicle device being in Bluetooth® communication with the vehicle controller and cooperating therewith to;
wirelessly communicate with an authorized mobile device to generate an estimated distance between the at least one RF vehicle device and the authorized mobile device based upon an RF signal strength therebetween,
detect a departure event when the estimated distance indicates the authorized mobile device crossed a distance departure limit to permit a departure action in response thereto, and
detect an arrival event when the estimated distance indicates the authorized mobile device crossed a distance arrival limit to permit an arrival action in response thereto, wherein the distance arrival limit is shorter than the distance departure limit.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the vehicle controller is configured to accept setting of the distance departure limit.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the vehicle controller is configured to accept setting of the distance arrival limit.
15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the departure action comprises at least one of locking vehicle doors, and activating a vehicle security feature.
16 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the vehicle controller is configured to provide departure time hysteresis.
17 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the arrival action comprises at least one of unlocking vehicle doors, activating a vehicle light, activating a vehicle horn, and deactivating a vehicle security feature.
18 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the vehicle controller is configured to provide arrival time hysteresis.
19 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the authorized mobile device comprises a smartphone.
20 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the authorized mobile device comprises a smartwatch.
21 . A method for vehicle control comprising:
operating a vehicle controller and at least one RF vehicle device in wireless communication with the vehicle controller and cooperating therewith to;
wirelessly communicate with an authorized mobile device to generate an estimated distance between the at least one RF vehicle device and the authorized mobile device based upon an RF signal strength therebetween,
detect a departure event when the estimated distance indicates the authorized mobile device crossed a distance departure limit to permit a departure action in response thereto, and
detect an arrival event when the estimated distance indicates the authorized mobile device crossed a distance arrival limit to permit an arrival action in response thereto, wherein the distance arrival limit is longer than the distance departure limit.
22 . The method of claim 21 , comprising operating the vehicle to accept setting of the distance departure limit.
23 . The method of claim 21 , comprising operating the vehicle controller to accept setting of the distance arrival limit.
24 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the departure action comprises at least one of locking vehicle doors, and activating a vehicle security feature.
25 . The method of claim 21 , comprising operating the vehicle controller to provide departure time hysteresis.
26 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the arrival action comprises at least one of unlocking vehicle doors, activating a vehicle light, activating a vehicle horn, and deactivating a vehicle security feature.
27 . The method of claim 21 , comprising operating the vehicle controller to provide arrival time hysteresis.
28 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the vehicle controller comprises a first housing and a first Bluetooth® transceiver carried therein.
29 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the at least one RF vehicle device comprises a second housing and a second Bluetooth® transceiver carried therein.
30 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the authorized mobile device comprises a smartphone.
31 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the authorized mobile device comprises a smartwatch.