Method for automatically unlocking a vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

Method (100) for automatically unlocking a vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) has an automatic unlocking function for at least one door (2, 2.1, 2.2) of the vehicle (1) when a user (3) of the vehicle (1) is near the vehicle (1), characterized by the following steps: - Checking (S101) whether the vehicle (1) is locked; - Deactivating (S103) the automatic unlocking function for a predetermined time period (S102, S104) after the vehicle (1) has locked; and - subsequently activating (S105) the automatic unlocking function, wherein, after the vehicle (S101) has locked, the automatic unlocking function is further suppressed if, after the predetermined time period (S104) has elapsed, a predetermined distance between the user (3) of the vehicle (1) and the vehicle (1) has been undercut (S104-1).

Description

The invention relates to the improvement of a method for automatically unlocking a vehicle. Vehicles with central locking have a convenient feature that recognizes the car key and unlocks automatically when the key is approached. However, this feature can be prone to false activation, meaning the car may unlock unintentionally. For example, if the driver parks, gets out, and locks the car, the feature might be triggered unintentionally while the driver is walking out of the parking space. In such cases, the driver must manually lock the car again with the key. In parking bays at shopping centers, it can also happen that, in a similar situation—that is, after the vehicle has been locked for the first time—the comfort function unlocks the vehicle again if the driver uses the key to, for example, retrieve a shopping basket. Shopping baskets are often located in small kiosks distributed throughout the parking lot, allowing the driver to approach the vehicle again after retrieving the basket. It's also possible that the kiosk containing the shopping baskets is located close to the vehicle, requiring the driver to remain near it for a certain period of time. In this case, too, the comfort function can be erroneously reactivated. Patent specification JP 5 275 850 B2 discloses a keyless system for automatically unlocking and automatically locking a vehicle, whereby unnecessary automatic locking is to be avoided. Patent DE 10 2004 064 181 B4 deals with a method for controlling a motor vehicle, wherein a keyless entry system unlocks the locking system after successful completion of an ID query with an ID transmitter. The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved automatic unlocking function that can prevent incorrect activation. According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for automatically unlocking a vehicle is provided, wherein the vehicle has an automatic unlocking function for at least one door when a user with a vehicle key is near the vehicle. The method comprises the following steps: checking whether the vehicle is locked; deactivating the automatic unlocking function for a predetermined period of time after the vehicle is locked; and subsequently activating the automatic unlocking function. The predetermined period begins within a predetermined time interval around the moment the vehicle is locked, preferably at the moment the vehicle is locked.Furthermore, after the vehicle has been locked, automatic unlocking is also suppressed if, after the predetermined time period has elapsed, a predetermined distance between the vehicle key and the vehicle has been exceeded. The automatic unlocking function means that a locking mechanism of the vehicle door is opened, allowing a user to easily open the door without having to handle a key. A door, as defined in the invention, preferably comprises a driver's door, a passenger door, a rear door, or a tailgate of the vehicle. Preferably, all doors or the tailgate are locked and / or unlocked simultaneously. The user can be a person with a vehicle key. This key can be, for example, a traditional key, or alternatively, a card, a token, or a key fob of any shape. Alternatively, the method can also be performed when the vehicle locks automatically. Preferably, the predetermined distance is user-defined. The invention enables an improved user experience for the vehicle operator, as the accuracy of the automatic unlocking is enhanced and unnecessary unlocking is avoided. This not only saves energy but also promotes safety, particularly by preventing unintentional or unnoticed automatic unlocking of the vehicle. Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the other features mentioned in the dependent claims. By linking the suppression of automatic unlocking to both a predetermined time period and a predetermined distance, the automatic unlocking can be precisely and user-specifically adjusted and adapted to various situations. For example, automatic unlocking is suppressed if the user is still near the vehicle at or immediately after the predetermined time period has elapsed, i.e., within the predetermined distance, preferably user-defined. In another embodiment, after the vehicle has been locked, automatic unlocking is further suppressed if a predetermined minimum distance between the vehicle key and the vehicle has not yet been reached or is not reached. The predetermined time period thus only begins after the minimum distance has been exceeded. This additional feature allows for further fine-tuning of the activation of the automatic unlocking, resulting in even greater accuracy in activation and, conversely, a lower error rate. A key advantage is that the predetermined time period can be selected by the vehicle user from a list of time values. Furthermore, the list of time values ​​is advantageously limited to multiple values ​​ranging from 0 to 300 seconds. This allows the user to freely choose from a predefined number of time values ​​without compromising vehicle safety. According to another advantageous implementation, the predetermined distance is selected by a vehicle user from a list of distance values. Advantageously, the list of distance values ​​consists of several values ​​in the range of 1 m to 10 m. Since every vehicle user has different preferences, habits, and / or circumstances (such as structural features) when interacting with their vehicle, manual selection by the user can further increase the accuracy of the automatic unlocking. This makes the aforementioned positive effects more likely. According to another embodiment, the process is restarted by manually operating the key. If the key is used several times in succession, it is advantageous to restart the process each time. This means the predetermined time period begins anew each time. In this way, reliable functionality is ensured. According to another embodiment, the values ​​for the predetermined time period and / or the values ​​for the user-dependent predetermined distance are selected via a user interface. A user interface is preferably a graphical user interface, such as a display or a head-up display (HUD), for example, in conjunction with an input device such as a rotary knob or buttons, or as a touchscreen. Alternatively, a mobile device connected to the vehicle or the vehicle's multimedia system can constitute the user interface. Acoustic input via a voice function or voice assistant is also possible. By selecting the values ​​themselves, the user can customize them even more precisely to specific circumstances. These circumstances include, for example, structural features such as the distance between frequently used parking spaces and nearby paths. For instance, after leaving their vehicle, a user might often walk to their nearby mailbox and then on to their house, passing the vehicle again along the way. In this case, the user can adjust the time interval and / or distance so that the vehicle is not automatically unlocked when they pass by it again. According to a further aspect of the invention, a vehicle is disclosed which comprises an automatically locking and unlocking door, a means for detecting a vehicle key, and a data processing means for carrying out the method according to the first embodiment of the method. The data processing means is operatively connected to both the means for detecting a vehicle key and the automatically locking and unlocking door. Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another. The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a method according to the present invention, Fig. 2 another method according to the present invention, Fig. 3 a further method according to the present invention, Fig. 4 a vehicle for the method according to the invention, and Fig. 5 a user interface for the method according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a flowchart of method 100 of the present invention according to a first general embodiment, in which automatic unlocking after the vehicle has been locked is suppressed under certain conditions. First, in a first step S101, it is checked whether the vehicle is locked, preferably by the user. Upon locking the vehicle, the process proceeds to step S102, and a counter is started for a predetermined time period. While the counter is running, an automatic unlocking function of the vehicle is deactivated, blocked, or suppressed (S103). After the predetermined time period in step S104 has elapsed, the automatic unlocking function is activated, or the blocking or suppression of the unlocking function is lifted, in a subsequent step S105.Activating the automatic unlocking function can also mean that suppressing or preventing the automatic unlocking process is disabled. When the user approaches the vehicle with the key, the vehicle will now unlock automatically. Monitoring the elapsed time of a predetermined period is preferably implemented using a counter. The counter corresponds to a predetermined time value and can, for example, count from a maximum value to 0 or from 0 to a maximum value, but is not limited to this implementation. Optionally, settings for the values ​​of procedure 100, particularly for the counter, can be configured via a user interface. This counter can initially assume a factory-defined value. Optionally, this default value can be adjusted by the user. The adjustment can be made by the user via the user interface described above. The predetermined time period can be, for example, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80, 90, 100, 120, 150, 180, 240, or 300 seconds. Preferably, the time period can assume any numerical value within a specific range.The specified range can be between 0 and 60 seconds, 0 and 120 seconds, 0 and 180 seconds, 0 and 240 seconds, or 0 and 300 seconds. It can be selected so that after locking the vehicle, the user can leave the area around the vehicle without it automatically unlocking and requiring the user to lock it again. A preferred time range is between 30 and 90 seconds. Locking can be done with a conventional key, a remote key, or any locking device that communicates with the vehicle. This embodiment advantageously allows the automatic unlocking to be adapted to different users. For example, some users move away quickly after locking the vehicle, while others, such as those who need to transfer their child to a stroller, require a little more time to leave the vehicle's vicinity.Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of the same procedure as in Fig. 1, but with the addition of a further step S104-1. Everything explained for Fig. 1 also applies to Fig. 2. After the predetermined time period in step S104 has elapsed, during which automatic unlocking of the vehicle is deactivated, blocked, or suppressed, step S104-1 checks whether a predetermined distance between the user or the vehicle key and the vehicle has been exceeded. Only when this distance has been exceeded, i.e., when the user has moved far enough away from the vehicle, is the automatic unlocking function reactivated for the future in step S105. The user approaching the vehicle again would then lead to automatic unlocking of the vehicle.If the distance is not exceeded, the system jumps back to step S102 of the counter start and continues with step S103. Alternatively, it jumps to step S103 without restarting the counter. In the latter case, it would check at regular intervals whether the predetermined distance to the vehicle has now been exceeded. Only then would the automatic unlocking function be activated. The predetermined distance, preferably user-dependent, will be referred to simply as "distance" below. The distance is preferably initially preset by the factory. Optionally, the distance can be selected by the vehicle user from a list of distance values. In other words, the distance can be adjusted by the user. This adjustment can be made via one of the user interfaces described above. The distance can be selected from values ​​such as < 1 m, < 2 m, < 3 m, < 5 m, < 7 m, < 10 m, or other values. Preferably, the distance value can take any value within a specific range. This range can be between 1 m and 3 m, 1 m and 5 m, 1 m and 10 m, or 1 m and 20 m. A short distance is suitable for urban areas where parking spaces and / or parking garages are small compared to rural areas. In rural areas, longer distances are more suitable, offering greater user convenience.The distance can be, in particular, less than the maximum range of the antennas for key detection. The special feature of this embodiment is that, by combining a specific time interval and a specific distance value, method 100 can be adapted to more usage scenarios compared to the first embodiment. As an example, consider the shopping center scenario mentioned at the beginning. In this scenario, for instance, automatic unlocking is not activated if the user passes the vehicle again with a shopping cart and does not fall below the required distance. The additional step S104-1 therefore improves the detection accuracy of when activating automatic unlocking is appropriate. Within the scope of this disclosure, the distance measurement between user and vehicle is preferably carried out by measuring the distance between a remote vehicle key carried in the vehicle and the vehicle using radio waves. Alternatively, the user's distance from the vehicle is determined directly via distance sensors on the vehicle or via cameras on the vehicle. Figure 3 shows a flowchart similar to those in Figures 1 and 2, but with an additional step, S101-1, between steps S101 and S102. Everything explained for Figures 1 and 2 also applies to Figure 3. When the vehicle is locked (S101), step S101-1 waits until the user or the vehicle key has moved a certain minimum distance away from the vehicle. This waiting period is unlimited. The minimum distance is a value that is defined analogously to a predetermined time interval or distance. Initially, this value can be factory preset. Optionally, the user can adjust the minimum distance. This adjustment can be made via one of the user interfaces described above. The minimum distance can also be selected from a list and consist of values ​​such as > 0.5 m, > 1 m, > 2 m, > 3 m, > 5 m, or other values.Preferably, the minimum distance value can be any value within a specific range. This range can be between 0.5 m and 1 m, 0.5 m and 2 m, 0.5 m and 3 m, or 0.5 m and 4 m. Preferably, this minimum distance is chosen to be small, preferably between 0.3 m and 0.5 m. As soon as the minimum distance is exceeded, it is concluded that the user is deliberately moving away from the vehicle, and the process proceeds to step S102. It should be noted that the minimum distance only needs to be exceeded once. After that, the process 100 continues regardless of the minimum distance, as in the previously described embodiments. That is, in the next step S104, it is also checked in this embodiment whether the predetermined time interval has not yet elapsed. Furthermore, step S104-1, checking the distance to the vehicle analogous to Fig. 2, can optionally be included.Here, the predetermined distance can be set to be greater than the minimum distance. In summary, for this example, the optional step S101-1 can be advantageous when the user regularly remains near the vehicle for an extended period, for example, when a stroller needs to be taken out or a small child moved. This can also apply, for instance, to situations where the driver regularly needs to cross the street after parking in a roadside parking space. If the traffic situation does not allow for a timely crossing, automatic unlocking could occur regularly if the time interval is set too short. The minimum distance setting can remedy this by ensuring that the time interval only begins once the minimum distance has been exceeded.It is therefore possible to selectively control the automatic unlocking using the three parameters minimum distance, predetermined time period and predetermined distance, i.e. to suppress unwanted automatic unlocking. Fig. 4 shows a schematic top view of an arrangement in which the method 100 according to this disclosure, and in particular according to Figs. 1, 2 to 3, can be applied. First, a vehicle 1 is shown, which has four doors 2. In right-hand traffic, 2.2 designates the driver's door and 2.1 the passenger's door. In left-hand traffic, the opposite is true. Outside the vehicle is a user 3 with a key 4 for the vehicle 1. Inside the vehicle is a means 9 for detecting the distance between the user and the vehicle. Preferably, as already explained, the distance between a radio key carried by the user and the vehicle is measured by means of radio waves. The vehicle also contains a data processing means 10, preferably a processor or a control unit, which controls the execution of the method 100 according to the invention. A radius r is drawn around the vehicle, which, depending on the embodiment, can denote the user-predefined distance or the minimum distance. Although the radius r is depicted as a circle, it is not limited to a circular shape but can have any other form, in particular oval, or circular around each antenna of an antenna arrangement in the vehicle, which can result in a flower-shaped form. If the radius r represents the predetermined distance, the key 4 is within the predetermined distance of step S104-1 of Fig. 2. The activation of the automatic unlocking function in step S105 would therefore not occur. If r represents the minimum distance, and the user 3 has just exited the vehicle with the key 4 and locked the vehicle, this state would represent step S101-1 according to Fig. 3.Only when the key leaves radius r would procedure 100 proceed to steps S102 to S105, which can be executed as described above. It goes without saying that the radius for the minimum distance and the radius for the predetermined distance can preferably have different, but also the same, values, so that, for example, a radius r1 is defined for the (user-dependent) predetermined distance and a radius r2 for the predetermined minimum distance (not shown). Fig. 5 shows a graphical user interface (GUI) 5 as it can be used for the method 100 according to the invention. Two selection windows 6 are shown by way of example. On the right is a first selection window 6 with a list for distance values ​​7 with corresponding predetermined distance values. On the left is a second selection window 6 with a list for time values ​​8 with corresponding predetermined time values. Although only two lists are shown here, a third list for the minimum distance can also be present. The values ​​such as time values, distance values, and minimum distance values ​​can be referred to as parameter values. The parameter values ​​can be selected individually or can be grouped into specific parameter value groups, which are preset for certain usage scenarios.This means that a parameter group would consist of at least a time value and, if selected, a distance value and / or a minimum distance value. In this way, a more general GUI with parameter groups can precede the GUI for the individual parameters, so as not to overwhelm the user directly with the complexity of the settings. However, the design of the GUI is not limited to the specified representation and can take any desired form. In particular, mobile phone GUIs utilize innovative input methods, which can also be applied. According to another embodiment of method 100, which is disclosed in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5, the parameter settings for method 100 according to the invention for automatically unlocking a vehicle can optionally be preselected by the user when purchasing the vehicle. Alternatively, the parameter values ​​can be queried via a setup wizard when the vehicle is used for the first time. Furthermore, if the vehicle detects that the automatically unlocked vehicle is subsequently locked again, an active suggestion for adjusting the parameter values ​​can be made. This would save the user from having to actively search for the settings in the manual or the user interface. The suggestion can be made via the user interface described above. The suggestion can also be generated and proposed based on the user's habits.Artificial intelligence (AI) can also be used in this process, which can be useful for analyzing usage patterns. False triggers could be linked to location data, and the parameter values ​​of the system could be further adjusted depending on the location. Furthermore, it can be configured which doors of the vehicle are subject to automatic unlocking. For someone who typically uses the vehicle alone, it can be advantageous to limit automatic unlocking to the driver's door. This reduces the risk of misuse of the automatic unlocking function by third parties. According to a specific embodiment, which also includes the description in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5, the suppression of automatic unlocking can also be referred to as debouncing. Furthermore, the method 100 according to this embodiment can be described as a comfort function; that is, in other words, it can be described as debouncing for the comfort function. According to the embodiment, the method 100 is implemented by a data processing device 10, such as a control unit. First, the data processing device 10, which controls at least one door 2, i.e., can unlock and lock it, detects that a door 2 is closed (S101). This is the case, for example, when the user presses the lock button on the key or when the vehicle is manually locked.In a first, optional step S101-1, the data processing unit additionally checks whether the distance between the key and the vehicle has exceeded a minimum distance at least once. Only if this optional condition is met does the data processing unit 10 proceed to step S102. If the optional step S101-1 is not executed, the data processing unit 10 proceeds directly to step S102. In step S102, a counter with a time value corresponding to a predetermined time interval is processed by the data processing unit 10 in such a way that the elapsed time interval is detected. This can be implemented, for example, by a counter that counts down to 0. At 0, the predetermined time interval has elapsed. As long as the counter is not at 0, the "automatic unlocking" comfort function is deactivated or suppressed.The counter can be selected, for example, on a touchscreen in the vehicle's user menu under "Central Locking." The user can optionally select the desired debouncing or suppression level after locking. The time interval can be selected from a drop-down list with values ​​such as 0 s, 10 s, 30 s, 60 s, 120 s, and 300 s. This allows the user to tailor the suppression of the comfort function to their driving behavior. If the counter expires in step S104, the data processing unit 10 can optionally proceed to step S104-1 or directly to step S105. Even without step S104-1, this configuration can prevent a large number of false activations of the "automatic unlocking" comfort function.In the optional step S104-1, once the counter has expired and the key is recognized, the data processing unit 10 additionally checks whether the distance between the user or the key being carried and the vehicle is less than the distance stored in a memory location of the data processing unit 9 and / or the distance selected by the user. If this is the case, the data processing unit 10 proceeds to step S105, in which an "automatic unlocking" program is executed by the data processing unit 10, continuously checking whether certain unlocking conditions are met. This condition can be met if a key is recognized as belonging to the vehicle. Then the data processing unit 10 can open the doors. Otherwise, the debouncing only suppresses the comfort function. The user can unlock the doors at any time using the unlock button on the key.Once the user locks the door again, the procedure 100 starts again. The above embodiments represent concrete examples of the present disclosure. However, this does not mean that the invention is limited to them. The disclosure must therefore be understood and interpreted in such a way that individual components can be combined with one another, which is also to be regarded as being covered by the disclosure. In particular, all optional features of the various embodiments can be combined with one another; that is, the optional features are not limited to the specifically stated contexts. Reference symbol list 1 Vehicle 2 Door 2.1 First door 2.2 Second door 3 User 4 Vehicle key 5 User interface 6 Selection window 7 List of distance values ​​8 List of time values ​​9 Means of detecting a vehicle key 10 Data processing means 100 Procedure S101 Vehicle is locked S101-1 Distance user-vehicle > Minimum distance? S102 Counter starts S103 Disable automatic unlocking function S104 Counter expired? S104-1 Distance user-vehicle > Predetermined distance S105 Enable automatic unlocking function

Claims

Method (100) for automatically unlocking a vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) has an automatic unlocking function for at least one door (2, 2.1, 2.2) of the vehicle (1) when a user (3) of the vehicle (1) is near the vehicle (1), characterized by the following steps: - Checking (S101) whether the vehicle (1) is locked; - Deactivating (S103) the automatic unlocking function for a predetermined time period (S102, S104) after the vehicle (1) has locked; and - subsequently activating (S105) the automatic unlocking function, wherein, after the vehicle (S101) has locked, the automatic unlocking function is further suppressed if, after the predetermined time period (S104) has elapsed, a predetermined distance between the user (3) of the vehicle (1) and the vehicle (1) has been reduced (S104-1). Method (100) according to claim 1, wherein after locking the vehicle (S101) the automatic unlocking (S105) is further suppressed if a predetermined minimum distance between the user (3) of the vehicle (1) and the vehicle (1) is undershot (S101-1), and wherein the predetermined time interval (S102) starts to run when the predetermined minimum distance between the user (3) of the vehicle (1) and the vehicle (1) is exceeded. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined time interval can be selected by a user (3) of the vehicle (1) from a list of time values ​​(8). Method (100) according to claim 3, wherein the list of time values ​​(8) consists of several values ​​in the range from 0 s to 300 s. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined distance is selected by a user of the vehicle (1) from a list of distance values ​​(7). Method (100) according to claim 5, wherein the list of distance values ​​(7) consists of several values ​​in the range of 1 m to 10 m. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method is restarted by manually operating a key (4). Method (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the values ​​for the predetermined time period and / or the values ​​for the predetermined distance are selected via a user interface (5). Vehicle (1), comprising at least an automatically locking and unlocking door (2, 2.1, 2.2), a means for detecting (9) a user (3) of the vehicle (1), and a data processing means (10) for carrying out the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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