VEHICLE WITH AN ACCESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTHORIZING ACCESS TO A VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the field of access management for a motor vehicle. More specifically, the invention concerns an automatic system for accessing and starting a motor vehicle, as well as a method for authorizing access to a motor vehicle.

[0002] Some motor vehicles are equipped with a keyless entry and start system, commonly known as "keyless entry and start." Such a system allows the vehicle's doors and / or other anti-theft security devices to be unlocked without manual intervention from the user. For this to work, the user is provided with an identifier, such as a key or an electronic card, commonly called a "keyless entry identifier," which allows a vehicle unlocking control unit to recognize the authorized user when that user is near a vehicle door and, generally, when the user operates the door handle or any other external door opening mechanism.

[0003] The identifier can be, for example, an electronic card or a transmitter providing an identification code which must be recognized by the vehicle's unlocking control unit to allow the unlocking maneuver.

[0004] Generally, automatic access and start systems include means for detecting the hands-free identifier in an area inside the vehicle's passenger compartment and in several areas located at least partially outside the vehicle, for example, near the vehicle doors and the rear of the vehicle. Thus, the automatic access and start system is able to recognize an identifier as its holder approaches and unlocks the vehicle.

[0005] Functions other than unlocking can also be implemented, such as starting the vehicle or adjusting personalized settings (height and position of the driver's seat, etc.), or even turning on the headlights and one or more spotlights forming a so-called "welcome lighting".

[0006] The welcome lighting can be activated before or simultaneously with the vehicle unlocking, as the holder of an authorized identifier approaches. Thus, the welcome lighting is activated as soon as an identifier (and therefore its holder) is detected entering a (virtually) defined zone around the vehicle. Therefore, each time the identifier holder enters this zone, the welcome lighting is activated. However, the welcome lighting consumes energy, which can lead to a risk of draining the vehicle's battery in certain situations, particularly if a user enters the welcome zone several times, or even the vehicle itself, without starting it.The US20150274126A document describes a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle access management system, the access management system being configured to detect the presence of an identifier near the vehicle, and to activate a welcome light when the identifier is detected inside a first zone, called the welcome zone, the access management system comprising a counter whose count value is incremented by one unit at each detection, the activation of the welcome light being no longer possible if the count value reaches a predetermined value for a given time.

[0007] The present invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art, and more particularly those described above, by proposing a hands-free access and start system implementing a welcome lighting system that helps to preserve the charge of the vehicle's battery.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle access management system, the access management system being configured to detect the presence of an identifier, such as an electronic key or a mobile phone, near the vehicle, and to activate a welcome light when the identifier is detected inside a first zone, called the welcome zone, the access management system comprising a counter whose counting value is incremented by one unit at each activation of the welcome light, the activation of the welcome light no longer being possible if the counting value reaches a predetermined value.

[0009] Thus, by allowing the welcome lighting function to be disabled after a certain number of consecutive activations, without the vehicle's engine having been started (or, alternatively, having run for a minimum duration), the invention saves the vehicle's battery, thereby ensuring that it retains a sufficient charge level for subsequent engine starts. The invention also has the advantage of being simple and inexpensive to implement.

[0010] In one implementation, the counter's reading value is reset to zero each time the engine is started.

[0011] In a design, the counter's counting value is reset to zero if, after starting, the engine's operating time reaches a predetermined minimum duration.

[0012] In a realization, the predetermined value is between 3 and 12, preferably between 5 and 10, and for example equal to 7.

[0013] In one implementation, the access management system is configured to unlock the vehicle if the identifier is detected inside a second zone encompassing the vehicle, called the unlocking zone.

[0014] In a given design, the unlocking area is smaller than the reception area.

[0015] In one implementation, the access management system is configured to lock the vehicle if the identifier is detected as having left a third zone encompassing the vehicle, called the lock zone.

[0016] In a given design, the locking area is smaller than the reception area and / or larger than the unlocking area.

[0017] In one implementation, the access management system includes a wireless communication module, and comprises a plurality of antennas that are distant from each other and remote from the communication module.

[0018] In a given implementation, the access management system includes at least four antennas.

[0019] In an embodiment, at least two antennas are lateral antennas, arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, for example in the side doors of the vehicle.

[0020] The invention relates to a method for authorizing access to a motor vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: activate a welcome lighting function when an identifier is detected as being located within a first zone encompassing the vehicle, called the welcome zone; increment the count value of a counter by one unit each time the welcome lighting function is activated; inhibit the vehicle's welcome lighting function when the counter count value reaches a predetermined value.

[0021] In one implementation, the counter's reading value is reset to zero each time the engine is started.

[0022] In a design, the counter's counting value is reset to zero if, after starting, the engine's operating time reaches a predetermined minimum duration.

[0023] In a realization, the predetermined value is between 3 and 12, preferably between 5 and 10, and for example equal to 7.

[0024] In one embodiment, the process includes the step of unlocking the vehicle if the identifier is detected inside a second zone encompassing the vehicle, called the unlocking zone.

[0025] In a given design, the unlocking area is smaller than the reception area.

[0026] In one embodiment, the process includes the step of locking the vehicle if the identifier is detected as having left a third zone encompassing the vehicle, called the locking zone.

[0027] In a given design, the locking area is smaller than the reception area and / or larger than the unlocking area.

[0028] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the figures 1 et 2 represent a vehicle comprising an automatic access and starting system according to the invention.

[0029] THE figures 1 et 2 represent a motor vehicle 1, vehicle 1 being equipped with an automatic access and start system according to the invention, or access management system 2. The access management system 2 is configured to detect an identifier 3 located near vehicle 1. The identifier 3 is a portable electronic device, such as an electronic key, an electronic card, a mobile phone, etc. The access management system 2 is configured to determine the distance and / or position of the identifier 3 relative to vehicle 1. More precisely, the access management system is capable of determining whether the identifier 3 (and therefore its bearer) is located within a first zone encompassing the vehicle, called the reception zone 4. The edge of the reception zone 4, in the example of a generally elliptical shape, is located, for example, at a distance from the vehicle of between 2 and 4 meters, and in particular equal to approximately 3 meters.

[0030] When the access management system 2 detects the presence of an authorized identifier within the reception area 4, the welcome lighting is activated. This activation includes, among other things, the headlights of vehicle 1 and various auxiliary lights, such as spotlights to illuminate the ground near the vehicle doors.

[0031] According to the invention, the access management system 2 includes a counter whose count value is incremented by one each time the welcome lighting is activated. When the counter's count value reaches a predetermined value, for example, 7, the welcome lighting function is inhibited: the welcome lighting cannot be activated again until the count value has been reset to zero. By inhibiting the welcome lighting function after a predetermined number of consecutive activations without the vehicle starting (and therefore without at least partial recharging of the vehicle battery via the engine-driven alternator), a sufficient battery charge level is maintained for subsequent starting.

[0032] The counter value can be reset, for example, each time the engine is started. Alternatively, this reset can be performed if, after starting the engine, it runs for a period greater than or equal to a predetermined duration.

[0033] The access management system 2 includes a wireless communication module 10, capable of exchanging data wirelessly with a portable electronic device such as an electronic key, an electronic card, a mobile phone (particularly a smartphone), such as the electronic key 3 shown in the figure 1 .

[0034] The access management system 2 comprises a plurality of antennas arranged in different areas of the vehicle 1. Advantageously, as shown in the figure 2 The vehicle has at least four antennas located away from the communication module 10: two side antennas 12 (positioned on each side of the vehicle, for example in a side door), a rear antenna 14 (positioned, for example, near the rear window), and a front antenna 16 (positioned, for example, near the windshield). This set of four antennas can advantageously be supplemented by one or more additional antennas; in this example, two additional antennas 18 and 20 positioned respectively in the rear and front bumpers.

[0035] In the example shown in the figures, all the remote antennas described above are low-frequency, and each antenna is capable of emitting its own low-frequency signal at regular intervals. When this signal is picked up by a hands-free identifier such as identifier 3, the latter emits a high-frequency signal in return, which the communication module 10 can receive by means of an internal high-frequency antenna. The signal received from the identifier allows the access management system to recognize identifier 3 as authorized and to determine whether it is near the vehicle, and more specifically, the position of identifier 3, based on the remote antenna whose identifier is closest to it.

[0036] The access management system 2 is thus able to detect any penetration of the identifier 3 (and therefore of its bearer) into the reception area 4 and, in response to this detection, to control the activation of the reception lighting.

[0037] Advantageously, one or more specific zones can be provided in addition to reception zone 4. For example, as seen on the figure 1Two smaller zones, encompassing vehicle 1, can be defined, each smaller than the reception zone 4. The smaller zone is an unlocking zone 6, where detection of identifier 3 results in the vehicle being unlocked. The edge of the unlocking zone 6, in this example of a generally elliptical shape, is located, for example, at a distance of between 0.5 and 1.5 meters from the vehicle. The intermediate zone, which in this example is smaller than the reception zone 4 but larger than the unlocking zone 6, constitutes a locking zone 5. Detection of identifier 3 leaving the locking zone 5 while the vehicle is unlocked (for example, after the vehicle has stopped or after identifier 3 has been detected in the unlocking zone 6) causes the access management system 2 to lock the vehicle.The edge of the locking zone 5, in the example of an overall elliptical shape, is located for example at a distance from the vehicle of between 1.5 and 2.5 meters.

Claims

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising an access management system (2) for the vehicle, the access management system (2) being configured to detect the presence of an identifier (3), such as an electronic key or a mobile telephone, in the vicinity of the vehicle (1), and to activate a welcome light when the identifier is detected within a first zone said reception zone (4), the access management system (2) comprising a counter whose count value is incremented by one unit at each activation of the reception lighting, the activation of the reception lighting no longer being possible if the count value reaches a predetermined value.

2. The vehicle (1) of the preceding claim, wherein the count value of the counter is reset to zero each time the engine is started.

3. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, wherein the count value of the counter is reset to zero if, after starting, the engine running time reaches a predetermined minimum time.

4. The vehicle (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined value is between 3 and 12, preferably between 5 and 10, and for example equal to 7.

5. Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the access management system (2) is configured to unlock the vehicle if the identifier (3) is detected within a second area encompassing the vehicle, the so-called unlocking area (6), the unlocking area (6) being, for example, more restricted than the reception area (4).

6. The vehicle (1) of the preceding claim, wherein the access management system (2) is configured to lock the vehicle if the identifier (3) is detected to have left a third area encompassing the vehicle, referred to as the lock area (5), the lock area (5) being for example more restricted than the welcome area (4) and / or larger than the unlock area (6).

7. A method for authorizing access to a motor vehicle (1), the method comprising the following steps: - activating a reception lighting function when an identifier (3) is detected inside a first zone encompassing the vehicle, known as the reception zone (4) ; - incrementing the count value of a counter by one unit each time the welcome lighting function is activated - inhibiting the reception lighting function of the vehicle when the count value of the counter reaches a predetermined value.

8. The method of the preceding claim, wherein the counter count value is reset to zero each time the engine is started.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the counter reading is reset to zero if, after starting, the engine run time reaches a predetermined minimum time.

10. The method of any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the predetermined value is between 3 and 12, preferably between 5 and 10, and for example equal to 7.