Method of unlocking and enabling engine start of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (8) for unlocking (B) and enabling (F) the engine start of a motor vehicle (1) by means of a vehicle key (5). The motor vehicle (1) comprises here at least one external node (6) for wireless connection with the vehicle key (5) outside the interior space of the motor vehicle (1), at least one internal node (7) for wireless connection with the vehicle key (5) inside the interior space of the motor vehicle (1), and a control system (2). The method (8) comprises the following steps in the following order: - establishing (A) a wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the external node (6), - unlocking (B) the motor vehicle (1), - forcibly terminating (D) the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the external node (6), - forcibly establishing (E) a new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the internal node (7). The invention also relates to the motor vehicle (1) with the control system (2) for carrying out the above-mentioned method (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for unlocking and enabling / allowing the engine start of a motor vehicle using a vehicle key. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a control system for performing the above-described method. Background Technology

[0002] As known from US20170164192A1 and US20170149946A1, digital vehicle keys are used to unlock and enable the engine start of a motor vehicle. It is also known to connect the vehicle's control system to the digital vehicle key via a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) connection. For this purpose, depending on the vehicle's structure, the vehicle may include several BLE nodes both inside and outside its interior (e.g., at the bumper). This ensures seamless BLE coverage inside and around the vehicle. When a customer approaches, the digital vehicle key connects to any BLE node outside the vehicle's interior, and the control system can unlock the vehicle at this time. Disadvantageously, when the customer enters the interior after successfully unlocking the vehicle, the BLE connection with the BLE node deteriorates sharply and may even be interrupted. Depending on the vehicle key, and particularly based on the BLE monitoring interval or BLE supervision timeout, establishing a new BLE connection with another BLE node on the vehicle can take up to 20 seconds. Furthermore, after a successful connection and before starting the vehicle's engine, data is exchanged between the vehicle key and the control system via a BLE connection to authorize driving. Starting the vehicle is not permitted during this period. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved or at least alternative method for unlocking and enabling the engine start of a motor vehicle using a vehicle key, in which the aforementioned disadvantages are overcome. Furthermore, a motor vehicle having a control system for performing the method is also provided.

[0004] This objective is achieved according to the invention through the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] A method according to the invention is provided for unlocking and enabling the engine start of a motor vehicle using a vehicle key. The motor vehicle has a control system for performing the method. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has at least one external node for wirelessly connecting to the vehicle key outside the interior space of the motor vehicle. Additionally, the motor vehicle has at least one internal node for wirelessly connecting to the vehicle key inside the interior space of the motor vehicle. In this method, a wireless connection is first established between the vehicle key and at least one external node of the motor vehicle. Then, the motor vehicle is unlocked by the control system. Then, the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one external node is forcibly terminated by the control system. Then, a new wireless connection is forcibly established between the vehicle key and at least one internal node of the motor vehicle by the control system. In this method, it is preferable that the establishment of the wireless connection, unlocking the motor vehicle, forcibly terminating the existing wireless connection, and forcibly establishing the new wireless connection are performed sequentially in a specified order.

[0006] In the context of this invention, the term "vehicle key" should be interpreted broadly. Advantageously, the vehicle key can be digital. Advantageously, the vehicle key can be a so-called smart device. Advantageously, the wireless connection can be a BLE-based connection (BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy). The interior space of a motor vehicle primarily refers to the passenger compartment. At least one external node is configured herein for wireless connection with the vehicle key currently located outside the interior space of the motor vehicle. Suitably, at least one external node may be located outside the motor vehicle, for example, at the bumper of the motor vehicle. At least one internal node is configured for wireless connection with the vehicle key currently located within the interior space of the motor vehicle. Suitably, at least one internal node may be arranged within the interior space of the motor vehicle, for example, in the center console.

[0007] Using the method according to the invention, the existing wireless connection is forcibly terminated by the control system, thereby enabling the establishment of a new wireless connection relatively quickly. Here, the time required for the customer to open the driver's door and enter the vehicle is used to establish a new wireless connection between the vehicle key and the internal node. Once the customer has entered the vehicle, the new wireless connection is established, and the vehicle can be started quickly.

[0008] Advantageously, the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and external nodes can be forcibly terminated by the control system, i.e., all external nodes can be disabled by the control system. Advantageously, when forcibly establishing a new wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one internal node of the motor vehicle, the vehicle key can be wirelessly connected only to that at least one internal node. Advantageously, the new wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one internal node of the motor vehicle can be forcibly established by the control system, i.e., after forcibly terminating the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and external nodes, the vehicle key can be wirelessly connected only to that at least one internal node.

[0009] Advantageously, the system can be configured so that the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one external node is forcibly terminated by the control system only after the driver's door of the vehicle is opened. In other words, the opening of the driver's door can be used by the control system as a trigger signal to forcibly terminate the existing wireless connection. Here, the existing wireless connection is not interrupted as long as the customer does not enter the vehicle. Thus, the customer can, for example, close the vehicle without any problems after placing purchased items inside and without entering the vehicle, without interrupting the existing wireless connection.

[0010] Advantageously, the system can be configured to regulate or control at least one external node via an entry system and at least one internal node via a driving authorization system. Advantageously, the entry system can, for example, check entry authorization and regulate or control the unlocking of the motor vehicle. Advantageously, the driving authorization system can, for example, check driving authorization and regulate or control the enabling of engine starting of the motor vehicle. It should be understood that the entry system and the driving authorization system can also regulate or control other functions of the motor vehicle.

[0011] Advantageously, the system can be configured to shift responsibility from the access system to the driving authorization system by forcibly terminating the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one external node, and by forcibly establishing a new wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one internal node of the motor vehicle. In other words, the responsibility for access terminates with the forced termination of the existing connection, and the responsibility for driving authorization begins with the forced establishment of the new wireless connection.

[0012] Advantageously, it can be configured such that, after a new wireless connection is forcibly established between the vehicle key and at least one internal node of the motor vehicle, the control system, particularly the driver authorization system, triggers the enablement to start the motor vehicle's engine.

[0013] Advantageously, the system can be configured such that, after forcibly establishing a new wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one internal node of the motor vehicle, the control system, particularly the driver authorization system, enables terminals used to generate permanent or on / off ignition pulses and / or deactivates anti-theft devices, preferably including a transmission control unit and / or a steering wheel lock. Alternatively or additionally, the control system, particularly the driver authorization system, can also release / activate the air conditioning control unit. Enabling of the terminals and / or deactivation of the anti-theft devices and / or release of the air conditioning control unit can occur simultaneously or sequentially.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a vehicle key and a control system. The motor vehicle here has at least one external node for wirelessly connecting to the vehicle key outside the interior space of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle further has at least one internal node for wirelessly connecting to the vehicle key within the interior space of the motor vehicle. According to the present invention, the control system of the motor vehicle is designed to perform the above-described method. To avoid repetition, please refer to the explanation above.

[0015] Other important features and advantages of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the drawings, and related figures based on the drawings.

[0016] It should be understood that the features mentioned above and below can be used not only in their respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or by themselves, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical parts. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Here,

[0019] Figure 1 A purely schematic view of a motor vehicle according to the present invention is shown schematically;

[0020] Figure 2 The schematic diagram illustrates a illustrative process of the method according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1 A purely schematic view of a motor vehicle 1 according to the present invention is shown. The motor vehicle 1 here has a control system 2 and a digital vehicle key 5, the control system having an entry system 3 and a driving authorization system 4. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 has several (two in this case) external nodes 6 and one internal node 7. As indicated by the solid arrow, the external node 6 is assigned to the entry system 3. As indicated by the dashed arrow, the internal node 7 is assigned to the driving authorization system 4.

[0022] Here, the corresponding external node 6 (not shown) is arranged on the exterior of the motor vehicle 1 and can be connected to the vehicle key 5, particularly when the vehicle key 5 is currently outside the interior space of the motor vehicle 1 or outside the motor vehicle 1. Here, the corresponding external node 6 is configured for wireless connection with the vehicle key 5. This wireless connection can be, for example, a BLE-based connection, and is indicated here by a dashed arrow. Here, one external node 6 can be arranged, for example, at the front bumper of the motor vehicle 1, and another external node 6 can be arranged, for example, at the rear bumper of the motor vehicle 1.

[0023] An internal node 7 (not shown here) is arranged within the interior space of the vehicle 1 and can be connected to the vehicle key 5, particularly when the vehicle key 5 is currently located within or inside the vehicle 1. The internal node 7 is configured to wirelessly connect to the vehicle key 5 in the same manner. Here, the internal node 7 may, for example, be arranged in the center console of the vehicle 1.

[0024] Figure 2 The process of method 8 according to the invention is illustrated schematically. In method 8 according to the invention, step A is performed first. In step A, a wireless connection is established between the vehicle key 5 and the external node 6 of the motor vehicle 1. Step A is also as follows... Figure 1 As shown in the diagram. Then, in step B, the motor vehicle 1 is unlocked via control system 2 or access system 3 of control system 2.

[0025] In step C, the driver's door of motor vehicle 1 is opened. The opening of the driver's door in step C is performed by the customer and serves as a trigger signal for the next step, D, in method 8. Advantageously, method 8 can also be performed without step C. In this case, step D is performed after step B.

[0026] In step D, the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key 5 and the external node 6 is forcibly terminated via the control system 2. Here, all external nodes 6 are disabled. In the subsequent step E, a new wireless connection between the vehicle key 5 and the internal node 7 is forcibly established.

[0027] Then, in step F, the engine of motor vehicle 1 can be enabled to start via control system 2 or driving authorization system 4. Subsequently, the start of motor vehicle 1 can be triggered or initiated by the customer. In addition, control system 2 or driving authorization system 4 can deactivate the anti-theft device when enabling the engine start of motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, the air conditioning control unit or other systems of motor vehicle 1 can be released before or after step F.

Claims

1. A method (8) for unlocking (B) and enabling (F) the engine of said motor vehicle (1) by means of a vehicle key (5) of said motor vehicle (1). in, The motor vehicle (1) has at least one external node (6) for wirelessly connecting to the vehicle key (5) outside the interior space of the motor vehicle (1). The motor vehicle (1) has at least one internal node (7) for wirelessly connecting to the vehicle key (5) within the interior space of the motor vehicle (1). The motor vehicle (1) has a control system (2) for performing the method (8). The method comprises the following steps in the following order: A wireless connection is established between the vehicle key (5) and at least one external node (6) of the motor vehicle (1); The motor vehicle (1) is unlocked (B) by the control system (2); The existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one external node (6) is forcibly terminated (D) by the control system (2); The control system (2) forcibly establishes (E) a new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1). The forced termination (D) of the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one external node (6) via the control system (2) occurs only after the driver's door of the motor vehicle (1) is opened (C).

2. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the external node (6) is thereby terminated by the forced termination (D) of the control system (2), that is, all external nodes (6) are deactivated by the control system (2).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, When the vehicle key (5) is forced to establish (E) a new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1), the vehicle key (5) is able to wirelessly connect only to the at least one internal node (7).

4. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1) is thus established by the forced establishment (E) of the control system (2), that is, after the forced termination (D) of the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the external node (6), the vehicle key (5) is able to wirelessly connect only to the at least one internal node (7).

5. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The at least one external node (6) is regulated or controlled by the entry system (3) of the control system (2), and the at least one internal node (7) is regulated or controlled by the driving authorization system (4) of the control system (2).

6. The method according to claim 5, Its features are, By forcibly terminating (D) the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one external node (6), and by forcibly establishing (E) the new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1), responsibility is transferred from the entry system (3) of the control system (2) to the driving authorization system (4) of the control system (2).

7. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, After the forced establishment (E) of the new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1), the control system (2) triggers the enable (F) of starting the engine of the motor vehicle (1).

8. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, After the forced establishment (E) of the new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1), the control system (2) enables the terminal for generating a permanent or on / off ignition pulse and / or disables the anti-theft device, and / or After the forced establishment (E) of the new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1), the control system (2) releases the air conditioning control unit.

9. A motor vehicle (1) having a vehicle key (5) and a control system (2). in, The motor vehicle (1) has at least one external node (6) for wirelessly connecting to the vehicle key (5) outside the interior space of the motor vehicle (1). The motor vehicle (1) has at least one internal node (7) for wirelessly connecting to the vehicle key (5) within the interior space of the motor vehicle (1). Its features are, The control system (2) is designed to perform the method (8) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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