Patent Publication Number: US-2021192383-A1

Title: System and method for automatic learning of remote sensors to at least one central computing device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Aspects disclosed herein generally relate to a system and method for automatic learning of remote sensors to at least one central computing device. These aspects and others will be discussed in more detail below. 
     BACKGROUND 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,915,997 to King et al. discloses a system and a method for remote activation of a device. The method includes transmitting a command message according to a first modulation, and transmitting a signal representing the command message for the device according to a second modulation. The signal representing the command message transmitted according to the second modulation may be transmitted within the command message transmitted according to the first modulation. 
     SUMMARY 
     In at least one embodiment, a system for performing automatic learning of a plurality of remote sensors positioned on a first body is provided. The system includes at least one transceiver and at least one central computing device. The at least one central computing device being is operably coupled to the at least one transceiver and is configured to wirelessly transmit a broadcast message in response to a user request to each of the plurality of remote sensors and to randomly receive a transmission message from one or more of the plurality of remote sensors in response to the broadcast message. The at least one central computing device is further configured to determine whether the transmission message from each of the plurality of remote sensors have been received and to learn the plurality of remote sensors to the at least one central computing device to enable the at least one central computing device to receive information corresponding to at least one of a command, a status of the first body, or a location of the first body from the plurality of remote sensors after determining that the transmission message from all of the plurality of remote sensors have been successfully received. 
     In at least another embodiment, a computer-program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium that is programmed for performing automatic learning of a plurality of remote sensors positioned on a first body is provided. The computer-program product includes wirelessly transmitting a broadcast message in response to a user request to each of the plurality of remote sensors and randomly receive a transmission message from one or more of the plurality of remote sensors in response to the broadcast message. The computer-program product includes determining whether the transmission message from each of the plurality of remote sensors have been received and learning the plurality of remote sensors to at least one central computing device to enable the at least one central computing device to receive information corresponding to at least one of a command, a status of the first body, or a location of the first body from the plurality of remote sensors after determining that the transmission message from all of the plurality of messages have been successfully received. 
     In at least another embodiment, a method for performing automatic learning of a plurality of remote sensors positioned on a first body is provided. The method includes wirelessly transmitting a broadcast message in response to a user request to each of the plurality of remote sensors and randomly receiving a transmission message from one or more of the plurality of remote sensors in response to the broadcast message. The method includes determining whether the transmission message from each of the plurality of remote sensors have been received and learning the plurality of remote sensors to at least one central computing device to enable the at least one central computing device to receive information corresponding to at least one of a command, a status of the first body, or a location of the first body from the plurality of remote sensors after determining that the transmission message from all of the plurality of messages have been successfully received. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments of the present disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other features of the various embodiments will become more apparent and will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompany drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a system for automatic learning of a plurality of remote sensors to a central computing device in accordance to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  provides a detailed view of a signal identification exchange between a plurality of transceivers of the central computing device and the plurality of remote sensors after a learning procedure has been performed in accordance to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a broadcast message as transmitted from the central computing device to the remote sensors in accordance to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a user interface to enter an identification for the plurality of remote sensors that are remote to the central computing device in accordance to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  depicts one method for automatically learning the remote sensors to the central computing device in accordance to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a user interface for automatic learning of the plurality of remote sensors that are remote to the central computing device in accordance to one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  depicts another method for automotic learning of the plurality of remote sensors to the central computing device in accordance to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     It is recognized that the controllers as disclosed herein may include various microprocessors, integrated circuits, memory devices (e.g., FLASH, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), or other suitable variants thereof), and software which co-act with one another to perform operation(s) disclosed herein. In addition, such controllers as disclosed utilize one or more microprocessors to execute a computer-program that is embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium that is programmed to perform the functions as disclosed. Further, the controller(s) as provided herein includes a housing and the various number of microprocessors, integrated circuits, and memory devices ((e.g., FLASH, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM)) positioned within the housing. The controller(s) as disclosed also include hardware-based inputs and outputs for transmitting and receiving data, respectively, to and from other hardware-based devices as discussed herein. 
     Aspects disclosed herein generally provide a smart learning method to enable at least one central computing device (or central controller) positioned within, or on a body (e.g., a vehicle, mobile device, etc.) to wirelessly electrically pair with one or more remote sensors that is positioned external to the body. For example, the central computing device may include a first transceiver that broadcasts a message to all corresponding transceivers on respective remote sensors. In this case, the message may correspond to a command to the transceivers to report their unique sensor identifiers. To avoid a message protocol collision from occurring from the various transceivers that report their corresponding unique sensor identifiers to the central computing device, each transceiver reports out their corresponding unique sensor identifier in a random time slot that is a function of their unique identifier. The automatic learning method may be accomplished when the remote sensors are placed in a learning mode. The remote sensors may be placed in a learn mode when manufactured and may remain in the learn mode until they are programmed to the central computing device. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a system  100  for automatic learning of a plurality of remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  (“ 102 ”) to at least one central computing device  104  (hereafter “central computing device  104 ”) in accordance to one embodiment. The central computing device  104  may be positioned on a first body  106 . The plurality of remote sensors  102  may be positioned on a second body  108 . It is recognized that the plurality of remote sensors  102  may include corresponding transceivers  103  to enable bi-directional wireless communication with the central computing device  104 . In general, the system  100  enables the central computing device  104  on the first body  106  to electrical pair, or mate to the plurality of remote sensors  102  that are positioned on the second body  108 . After the central computing device  104  is electrically paired to the plurality of remote sensors  102 , the central computing device  104  is configured to engage in wireless bi-directional communication with the plurality of remote sensors.  102  to perform various functional aspects as desired by a user. 
     It is recognized that the system  100  may be employed for any number of applications. For example, the system  100  may be employed with, but not limited to, a vehicle tire pressure monitoring system, a system for monitoring a location of vehicle seats once the seats are removed from the vehicle, an asset tracking system in which a mobile device can track the location of luggage, a vehicle remote keyless system (or passive entry passive start system (PEPS), etc. In light of the foregoing, the first body  106  may correspond to a vehicle, a mobile device, tablet, etc. The second body  108  may correspond to a keyfob, vehicle tires/wheels, luggage, vehicle seats, etc. 
     Consider that the system may be utilized in connection with a vehicle tire pressure monitoring system. In this case, the central computing device  104  may be positioned within an interior of the vehicle (or in a vehicle engine compartment) and the plurality of remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  may correspond to tire pressure monitoring sensors in which a corresponding remote sensor  102  is positioned on a respective wheel/tire of the vehicle. With this system, the tire pressure sensors may communicate tire pressure to a corresponding tire of the vehicle. Prior to the tire pressure sensors communicating a tire pressure to the central computing device  104 , the tire pressure sensors need to be electrically paired (or learned) to the central computing device  104  since the sensors are shipped separately from the central computing device  104  to a vehicle assembly plant. The interior of the vehicle or the engine compartment that receives the central computing device  104  may correspond to the first body  106  and the tire/wheel that receives the tire pressure sensor serves as the second body  108 . 
     In the example of the vehicle remote keyless system, the central computing device  104  may be positioned within an interior of the vehicle (or in the vehicle engine compartment) and a corresponding remote sensor  102  may be positioned within a corresponding key fob. With this system, the key fob may communicate with the central computing device to unlock/lock doors of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the key fob and the central computing device  104  may communicate with one another to start the vehicle Prior to the keyfob transmitting unlock/lock commands to the central computing device  104  (or the keyfob and the central computing device  104  enabling the vehicle to start), the keyfob needs to be electrically paired (or learned) to the central computing device  104  since the keyfob may be shipped separately from the central computing device  104  to a vehicle assembly plant. The interior of the vehicle or the engine compartment that receives the central computing device  104  may correspond to the first body  106  and the keyfob that receives the remote sensor serves as the second body  108 . 
     In the example of the system for monitoring vehicle seats, the central computing device  104  may be positioned on a mobile device and a corresponding remote sensor  102  may be positioned on a particular vehicle seat. With this system, the remote sensor  102  may communicate with the central computing device  104  to provide a location of the vehicle seat when such a seat is removed from the vehicle. This implementation may be beneficial for automotive manufactures who manufacture vehicles that enable vehicle seats to be removed from a vehicle (e.g., minivan, etc.). Assume for example that a vehicle is undergoing repair and that its corresponding vehicle seats are removed from the vehicle and spread about a repair shop with other vehicle seats. The system for monitoring vehicle seats may ascertain the location and actual position (e.g., front driver seat, front passenger seat, rear driver&#39;s side seat, passenger side seat, etc.) of the seat based on such information as provided by the remote sensors  102 . Prior to the central computing device  104  and the remote sensors  102  communicating with one another, the remote sensors  102  on the seats need to be electrically paired (or learned) to the central computing device  104  since the remote sensors may be shipped separately from the central computing device  104 . The mobile device that receives the central computing device  104  may correspond to the first body  106  and the vehicle seats that receives the remote sensors  102  may be the second body  108 . 
     In the example of the tracking asset system, the central computing device  104  may be positioned within the mobile device and the plurality of remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  may each be positioned on a corresponding piece of luggage. With this system, the remote sensor  102  may communicate with the central computing device  104  to provide a location of the luggage and to further provide an identification of the owner of the luggage. This system allows a user to track his/her luggage in airports or other establishments. Further, the system provides an identification of the owner of the luggage to prevent the luggage from being inadvertently carried away by another person. Prior to the central computing device  104  and the remote sensors  102  communicating with one another, the remote sensors on the luggage need to be electrically paired (or learned) to the central computing device  104  since the remote sensors may be shipped separately from the central computing device  104 . The mobile device that receives the central computing device  104  may correspond to the first body  106  and the luggage that receives the remote sensors  102  may be the second body  108 . 
     It is recognized that the systems identified above may utilize any number of wireless communication protocols to communicate with one another such as for example, BLUETOOTH, Low Energy BLUETOOTH, etc. or frequency-based transmissions such as such as ultra-wide band (UWB), radio frequency (RF), etc. The particular type of communication protocol used to enable communication between the central computing device  104  and the remote sensors  102  may vary based on the particular application that such devices are utilized for. 
     The system  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  utilizes UWB based communication to enable bi-directional communication between the central computing device  104  and the plurality of remote sensors  102 . The central computing device  104  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  will be described for use with one or more of the vehicle applications as noted above. The central computing device  104  includes a central microprocessor  120 , co-microprocessor  122 , a plurality of central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  (“ 124 ), and an application controller  126 . The co-microprocessor  122  may receive data from the central microprocessor  120  and provide the same in a format that is suitable for transmission from the central transceivers  124  to the remote sensors  102  positioned on the second body  108 . The co-microprocessor  122  may transmit data to the application controller  126 . It is recognized the each of the central microprocessor  120 , the co-microprocessor  122 , the application controller  126  may engage in bi-directional communication with one another. 
     The central microprocessor  120  and the co-microprocessor  122  may communicate with one another via a first communication data bus  130 . In one example, the first communication data bus  130  may correspond to a Universal Serial Bus (USB). The co-microprocessor  122  and the plurality of central transceivers  124  may communicate with one another via a second communication data bus  132 . In one example, the second communication data bus  132  may correspond to a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus. The co-microprocessor  122  may communicate with the application controller  126  via a third communication data bus  134 . The third communication data bus  134  may be implemented as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. The third communication data bus  134  may transmit/receive data at a faster rate than the first communication data bus  130  and the second communication data bus  132 . 
     One or more of the remote sensors  102  as positioned on the second body  108  may be coupled to a power supply  140 . The power supply  140  may provide power to the remote sensors  102 . As noted above, it is generally necessary to electrically pair the central computing device  104  with the plurality of remote sensors  102  given that the central computing device  104  and the plurality of remote sensors  102  may be provided by two different sources (i.e., suppliers or providers). To this end, the plurality of remote sensors  102  may be placed in a listen mode (or learn mode) after such sensors are manufactured and shipped to a distribution facility or assembly plant. While in the learn mode, the plurality of remote sensors  102  may configured to wait for a message from the central computing device  104  to initiate the pairing process. Likewise, the central computing device  104  may be in a learn mode. In this mode, the central computing device  104  is configured to receive messages from the remote sensors  102  to perform the pairing operation. While the central computing device  104  is in the learn mode, the device  104  may be considered to be in an unsecure mode since it can receive encrypted data (or key information) along with sensor identification information in the message from the remote sensors  102  during the pairing operation. Likewise, the transceiver  103  and the central transceiver  124   a - 124   n  may be in an unsecure mode. 
     To initiate the process of pairing the central computing device  104  to the remote sensors  102 , a user may, via a user interface  142 , control the central computing device  104  to wirelessly transmit a broadcast message to the one or more remote sensors  102 . In response to the broadcast message, each remote sensor  102  transmits a transmission message back to central computing device  104 . The transmission message generally includes sensor identification information (e.g., unique identifier) for the central computing device  104  to recognize that the transmission message is from an authorized transmitter. The transmission message may also include status information such as sensor health, sensor battery status, etc. (e.g., for the remote sensor  102 ). The central computing device  104  receives the transmission message from the various remote sensors  102  and authenticates the predetermined information to determine if the transmission message from the remote sensor  102  is from an authorized transmitter. The transmission messages may be transmitted randomly (e.g., in any time sequence) by the remote sensors  102  to the central computing device  104 . It is recognized that any two or more transmission messages as transmitted by the remote sensor  102  may be transmitted at the same time. Likewise, any two or more transmission messages as received at the central computing device  104  may be received at the same time at the transceivers  124   a - 124   n  of the central computing device  10 . 
     The central computing device  104  is generally programmed, based on the application, to electrically pair with a predetermined number of remote sensors  102 . Thus, considering for example that the central computing device  104  and the remote sensors  102  are used in connection with a tire pressure monitoring system, if the central computing device  104  does not a receive a transmission message from a total of 5 remote sensors (e.g., a remote sensor  102  for each sensor on a tire including a spare tire), the central computing device  104  refrains from pairing any of the remote sensors  102  thereto until the number of received transmission messages is equal to the number of remote sensors that are to be used for the particular system or application. After the central computing device  104  determines that all of the transmission messages from all corresponding remote sensors  102  have been received, the remote sensors  102  are successfully paired (or learned) to the central computing device  104  and the remote sensors  102  may then transmit information corresponding to at least one of a command, a status of the first body, or a location of the first body from the plurality of remote sensors  102 . One example of a command transmitted by the remote sensors  102  may correspond to a door lock command from a keyfob. One example of the status of the first body as transmitted by the remote sensors  102  may correspond to a pressure reading of a tire. One example of a location of the first body as transmitted by the remote sensors  102  may include the location of luggage or vehicle seat. 
       FIG. 2  provides a detailed view of a signal identification exchange  200  between the plurality of central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  positioned on the first body  106  and the plurality of transceivers  103   a - 103   n  of respective remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  after a learning procedure has been performed in accordance to another embodiment. As noted above, the system  100  may utilize UWB based communication to enable bi-directional communication between the central computing device  104  and the plurality of remote sensors  102 . 
     The method for performing the automatic learning of the remote sensors  102  to the central computing device  104  generally involves the remote sensor  102  exchanging identification information with the central computing device  104 . For example, the co-microprocessor  122  may include a UWB controller (not shown). Additionally or alternatively, the UWB controller may be positioned in any one or more of the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n . Typically, the UWB controller may encode, for example, a unique 32-bit identifier into each controller that is manufactured. If the UWB controller does not have an identifier, then the unique bit identifier can be created at the time the central computing device  104  is manufactured and this can be stored in non-volatile memory of the central computing device  104 . A UWB message may include a source field and a destination field. The source field of the UWB message may include unique identifiers for the device transmitting the message and the destination field may contain a unique identifier for the device that receives the message. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each central transceiver  124   a - 124   n  includes a source field  202   a - 202   n  and a destination field  204   a - 204   n . In a similar manner, each of the transceivers  103   a - 103   n  includes a source field  212   a - 212   n  and a destination field  214   a - 214   n . The central transceiver  124   a  includes a unique identifier for itself (e.g., $ABO016789) in the source filed  202   a  and a unique identifier for the various transceivers  103   a - 103   n  of the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  that the central transceiver  124   a  communicates with. In this instance, the destination field  204   a  of the central transceiver  124   a  includes the unique identifiers for the transceivers  103   a - 103   n  of the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  which may be, for example, $ABO016792, $ABO016793, $ABO016794, $ABO016795, respectively. The remaining central transceivers  124   b - 124   n  will be arranged in a similar manner. However, each central transceiver  124   b - 124   n  will include a unique identifier in the source field  202   b - 202   n  that is different from one another. Likewise, each source field  212   a - 212   n  for the transceivers  103   a - 103   n  will be different from one another. The destination fields  214   a - 214   n  for the transceivers  103   a - 103   n  include the corresponding unique identifiers for the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n.    
     The following description provides an overview of various UWB message traffic that may be supported by the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  on the first body  106  and the transceivers  103   a - 103   n  on the second body  108 . The central computing device  104  may transmit a broadcast message to the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  while these devices are in the learn mode. In response to receiving the broadcast message, each transceiver  103   a - 103   n  of the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  transmits its corresponding unique identifier as positioned within its corresponding source field  212   a - 212   n . One or more of the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  may be transmit a first targeted message to any one or more of the transceivers  103   a - 103   n  of the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n . The first targeted message may include secret key information and all the unique identifiers for the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n . The secret key may be used by the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  and the transceivers  103   a - 103   n  to communicate encrypted data to each other. The secret key may be part of an encryption algorithm such as for example, AES128. Each of the noted systems may have a unique secret key. The secret key may include any number of bits. For AES128, the secret key may be 128 bits long. 
     One or more of the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  may transmit a second targeted message to any one or more of the transceivers  103   a - 103   n  of the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n . The second targeted message may include a request for any one or more of the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  to respond with its corresponding operating mode (e.g., learn mode (where remote sensor  102   a - 102   n  where the sensors  102   a - 102   n  are ready to be electrically paired to the central computing device  104 ) or normal mode (where the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  are already electrically paired to the central computing device  104 ). 
     One or more of the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  may transmit a third targeted message to any one or more of the transceivers  103   a - 103   n  of the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n . The third targeted message may include a request to range with any one or more of the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n . In this example, the third targeted message may correspond to a request for the remote sensors  102  to transmit data so that the central computing device  104  may perform time of flight measurements. For example, the central computing device  104  may initiate a timer from the moment the first targeted message is transmitted therefrom to the moment in which the range information from the remote sensors  102  is received to ascertain the time of flight. Range information or range data may be exchanged between the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  and the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n . The range data may include multiple UWB frames. The exchanged frames include time stamps with nanosecond accuracy. The central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  may collect the time stamps and may determine a time of flight which is then converted to a range in meters. 
     One or more of the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  may transmit a fourth targeted message to any one or more of the transceivers  103   a - 103   n  of the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n . The fourth targeted message may include a request for any one or more of the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  to transition from the learn mode to the normal mode. Pairing may be one part of the learn process. In the general, the central computing device  104  may also want to confirm that each remote sensor  102   a - 102   n  can be successfully targeted and provide range data that is plausible. At that point, the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  transition to the normal mode. This aspect provides more flexibility for the system. 
       FIG. 3  depicts various broadcast messages  300   a - 300   n  as transmitted from the central computing device  104  and signal responses  350   a - 350   n ,  352   a - 352   n ,  354   a - 354   n  to the broadcast messages  300   a - 300   n  as transmitted from the plurality of remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  in accordance to one embodiment. When it is desirable to electrically pair the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n , the central computing device  104  may transmit the plurality of broadcast messages  300   a - 300   n  for a predetermined amount of time. In this case, the central computing device  104  and the plurality of remote sensors  102  may be in the learn mode. 
     As shown, the corresponding remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  may transmit the signal responses  350   a - 350   n  in response to the broadcast message  300   a  as transmitted by the central transceiver  124   a . In general, the central computing device  104  is configured to receive the signal responses  350   a - 350   n  randomly. Prior to the central computing device  104  exiting the learn mode or acknowledging that the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  have been learned to the central computing device  104 , the central computing device  104  may transmit the broadcast message a predetermined number of times to ensure that the central computing device  104  receives a signal response from the correct number of remote sensors  102   a - 102   n . In general, each central computing device  104 , depending on the application that it is used for, may be programmed to interface with a predetermined number of remote sensors  102   a - 102   n . For example, consider the example of the vehicle seat tracking application, the central computing device  104  may be programmed to interface with a total of four seats with each seat having a corresponding remote sensor  102 . For this application, the central computing device  104  may be programmed to interface with a total of four remote sensors  102   a - 102   n . If the central computing device  104  does not receive a signal response in the learn mode from all four of the remote sensors  102  in response to the broadcast message  300 , then the central computing device  104  will not electrically pair with the remote sensors  102 . Likewise, if more than the predetermined number of remote sensors  102  have transmitted a signal response, then the central computing device  104  will fail the electronic pairing operation. 
     To ensure that the proper number of remote sensors  102  are being utilized for a particular application, the central computing device  104  may transmit a predetermined number of broadcast messages  300   a - 300   n  to ensure that the same number of signal responses from the remote sensors  102  have been received in response to each broadcast message being sent.  FIG. 3  illustrates that the signal responses  352   a - 352   n  have been randomly received in response to the broadcast message  300   b  being sent. Likewise, it is shown that the signal responses  354   a - 354   n  have been received in response to the broadcast message  300   n  being sent. For this particular application, it is assumed that the central computing device  104  expects (or is programmed) to receive a total of three signal responses from a total of three remote sensors. Given that a total of three signal responses have been received in response to each broadcast message  300   a - 300   n  that was transmitted, the central computing device  104  determines that the learn operation was successful and initiates interfacing with the various remote sensors  102  of the system in a normal operating mode. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the user interface  142  to manually enter a unique identifier for each of the plurality of remote sensors  102  that are remote to the central computing device  104  in accordance to one embodiment. The user interface  142  includes a plurality of identification fields  370   a - 370   n  with each field being configured to manually receive a unique identifier input by a user for a corresponding remote sensor  102 . Once the unique identifiers for each remote sensor  102  is entered, the user may select an execute field  372  to initiate the learn procedure. The learn procedure exchanges all unique identifiers (e.g., the unique identifiers for the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  are transmitted to the remote sensors  102  and the unique identifiers for the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  are transmitted back to the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  of the central computing device  104 . A communication test may be performed to verify that the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  and the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  properly communicate with one another. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a method  400  for automatically learning the remote sensors  102  to the central computing device  104  based on the apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
     In operation  402 , the user interface  142  transmits a learn request to the co-microprocessor  122  via the central microprocessor  120 . For example, the learn request readies the co-microprocessor  122  to provide secret key information and the unique identifiers for the remote sensors  102  as input by the user into the user interface  142 . The co-microprocessor  122  instructs the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  to initiate the learning sequence. 
     In operation  404 , the co-microprocessor  122  controls the central transceiver  124   a  to transmit the second targeted message to the remote sensors  102  to determine if the remote sensors  102  are in the learn mode. In the event the signals from the remote sensors  102  indicate that all of the remote sensors  102  are in the learn mode, then the method  400  moves to operation  406 . In general, the remote sensors  102  are required to be in a learn mode before the central computing device  104  configures the remote sensor  102  with the secret key. If any of the remote sensors  102  provide a response indicating that they are not in the learn mode, then the learn process fails. For example, if any remote sensor  102  is not in the learn mode, then the learn process fails and the user interface  142  provides an error message. 
     In operation  406 , the co-microprocessor  122  controls the central transceiver  124   a  to transmit the third targeted message to the remote sensors  102 . As noted above, the third targeted message corresponds to a command for each remote sensor  102   a - 102   n  to send a signal with range data. The central computing device  104  verifies the range data and measures the time of flight for each signal received back from a corresponding remote sensor  102  to ensure that the range data is valid and to further ensure that the time of flight for the signals from the remote sensors  102  are within a predetermined time frame. As noted above, the signals are received back from the remote sensors  102  are received in a random fashion. In one example, the central computing device  104  may determine range\distance based on time of flight between, for example, two to three UWB messages being transmitted from central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  and the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n.    
     In operation  408 , the co-microprocessor  122  controls the central transceiver  124   a  to transmit the fourth targeted message to the remote sensors  102 . As noted above, the fourth targeted message corresponds to a command to control the remote sensors  102  to exit the learn mode and to enter into the normal mode to perform expected functions for the application that such devices are intended to operate within (e.g., tire pressure monitoring, vehicle seat tracking, RKE/PEPS, or asset tracking). The remote sensors  102  transmit a message back to the central computing device  104  to indicate that the remote sensors  102  are in the normal mode. Upon receiving the messages, the central computing device  104  controls the user interface to provide an indication to the user that the remote sensors  102  have been successfully paired to the central computing device  104 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts the user interface  142  that enables each of the plurality of remote sensors  102  that are remote to the central computing device  104  to be automatically learned to the central computing device  104  in accordance to one embodiment. In general, the user interface  142  as illustrated in  FIG. 6  is generally similar to the user interface  142  of  FIG. 4 . However, the user interface  142  of  FIG. 6  interfaces with the central computing device  104  to automatically pair (or program) the remote sensors  102  to the central computing device  104 . Thus, the user interface  142  is not required to manually input the unique identifiers for the remote sensors  102  into the various plurality of identification fields  370   a - 370   n . Rather, upon the user selecting the execute field  372  of the user interface  142 , the central computing device  104  automatically and wirelessly transmits the broadcast message(s) to the remote sensors  102  in order for the remote sensors  102  to provide their respective unique identifiers. Once the pairing process is complete, the identification fields  370   a - 370   n  automatically display the unique identifier for the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n , respectively. Once the pairing operation is complete, the remote sensors  102  may then transmit information corresponding to at least one of a command (e.g., door lock command from a key fob), a status of the first body (e.g., pressure reading of tire), or a location of the first body (e.g., location of luggage) from the plurality of remote sensors  102 . The pairing procedure as performed by the central computing device  104  and the remote sensors  102  will be discussed in more detail in connection with  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts another method for automatic learning of the plurality of remote sensors  102  to the central computing device  104  in accordance to one embodiment. 
     In operation  502 , the user interface  142  transmits a learn request to the co-microprocessor  122  via the central microprocessor  120 . For example, the learn request readies the co-microprocessor  122  to provide secret key information and the unique identifiers for the remote sensors  102  as input by the user into the user interface  142 . The co-microprocessor  122  instructs the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  to initiate the learning sequence. 
     In operation  504 , the central computing device  104  instructs the central transceivers  124   a - 124   n  to wirelessly transmit, via UWB, the broadcast message to the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n . The broadcast message corresponds to a request for the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  to provide their respective unique identifiers. In response to the broadcast message, the remote sensors  102   a - 102   n  transmit their respective unique identifiers to the central computing device  104 . The unique identifiers may be transmitted randomly (e.g., in any time sequence) by the remote sensors  102  to the central computing device  104 . It is recognized that any two or more unique identifiers as transmitted by the remote sensor  102  may be transmitted at the same time. Alternatively, all of the unique identifiers may be transmitted at different times from one another. Any two or more transmission messages as received at the central computing device  104  may be received at the same time at the transceivers  124   a - 124   n  of the central computing device  10 . Alternatively, all of the unique identifiers may be received at the central computing device  104  at different times from one another. The central computing device  104  records the total number of unique identifiers that are received from the remote sensors  102 . In this case, the central computing device  104  determines if the total number of received unique identifiers is equal to the predetermined number of remote sensors  102  that are positioned on the second body  108 . If this condition is true, then the method  500  proceeds to operation  506 . If for example, the total number of received unique identifiers is less than or greater than the predetermined number of remote sensors  102 , then the learning process fails and the method  500  ends. 
     In operation  506 , the co-microprocessor  122  controls the central transceiver  124   a  to transmit the second targeted message to the remote sensors  102  to determine if the remote sensors  102  are in the learn mode. In the event the signals from the remote sensors  102  indicate that all of the remote sensors  102  are in the learn mode, then the method  500  moves to operation  508 . In operation  506 , the co-microprocessor  122  may configure the remote sensors  102  with secret key. 
     In operation  508 , the co-microprocessor  122  controls the central transceiver  124   a  to transmit the third targeted message to the remote sensors  102 . As noted above, the third targeted message corresponds to a command for each remote sensor  102   a - 102   n  to send a signal with range data. The central computing device  104  verifies the range data and measures the time of flight for each signal received back from a corresponding remote sensor  102  to ensure that the range data is valid and to further ensure that the time of flight for the signals from the remote sensors  102  are within a predetermined time frame. As noted above, the signals are received back from the remote sensors  102  in a random fashion. 
     In operation  510 , the co-microprocessor  122  controls the central transceiver  124   a  to transmit the fourth targeted message to the remote sensors  102 . As noted above, the fourth targeted message corresponds to a command to control the remote sensors  102  to exit the learn mode and to enter into the normal mode to perform expected functions for the application such that the devices are intended to operate within (e.g., tire pressure monitoring, vehicle seat tracking, RKE/PEPS, or asset tracking). The remote sensors  102  transmit a message back to the central computing device  104  to indicate that the remote sensors  102  are in the normal mode. Upon receiving the messages, the central computing device  104  controls the user interface to provide an indication to the user that the remote sensors  102  have been successfully paired to the central computing device  104 . After the central computing device  104  determines that all of the unique identifiers from all corresponding remote sensors  102  have been received, the remote sensors  102  are successfully paired (or learned) to the central computing device  104 . The remote sensors  102  may then transmit information corresponding to at least one of a command (e.g., door lock command from key fob), a status of the first body (e.g., pressure reading of tire), or a location of the first body (e.g., location of luggage) from the plurality of remote sensors  102 . 
     While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.