Driver identification using vehicle approach vectors

摘要

A method of driver identification includes connecting first 122 and second 124 mobile devices via beacons 104 whilst zones A-M around the vehicle are monitored using ultrasonic sensors 106. A driver identifier 108 predicts trajectories 134, 136 for the mobile devices, based on information received from the beacons and the sensors, and determines which one of the mobile devices is associated with a driver based on which device is approaching the drivers door. The beacons and sensors may be activated when a key-fob scanner 102 detects a key-fob 110 within a certain distance 112 of the vehicle. The received signal strength RSSI or the transmitted amplitude may be used to determine the mobile devices positions using triangulation. The devices may have been paired with the beacons previously which allows the vehicle to identify multiple drivers and set up driver preferences on entering the vehicle where the number of key-fobs is less than the number of drivers.