Method, computer readable medium, system and vehicle for identifying a vehicle key

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle antenna, comprising: recognizing a person by a camera of the vehicle; recognizing a position and a direction of movement of the recognized person by the camera of the vehicle; determining a vehicle antenna depending on the direction of movement of the recognized person; increasing a maximum transmission power of the determined vehicle antenna towards the position of the recognized person; and recognizing a vehicle key or a mobile terminal device comprising a digital vehicle key of the person using the increased maximum transmission power of the vehicle antenna. The invention also relates to a computer-readable medium for recognizing a vehicle key, comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer or a controller, perform a method according to the invention. The invention also relates to a system for recognizing a vehicle key and to a vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for identifying a vehicle key. The invention also relates to a computer-readable medium for identifying a vehicle key, a system for identifying a vehicle key, and a vehicle including the system for identifying a vehicle key. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicle access control systems are typically contactless. The driver carries a transmitter, such as a key, chip card, or smartphone, which allows contactless entry into the vehicle. The vehicle can be unlocked if the transmitter is within range of the vehicle's antenna. However, the effective range of one or more vehicle antennas is technically limited for achieving high coverage. This may result in the vehicle only unlocking when the distance between the transmitter and antenna is short. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to identify vehicle keys from a greater distance between the transmitter and the vehicle antenna in a contactless vehicle access control system. In particular, the object of the present invention is to enable more comfortable operation of vehicle functions.

[0004] The objective is achieved by the features described below.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present invention is characterized by a method for identifying a vehicle key. This method may be a computer-implemented method and / or a controller-implemented method. The vehicle key may be a conventional vehicle key, a chip card with an integrated digital vehicle key, or a smartphone with an integrated digital vehicle key. The method includes identifying a person via a vehicle camera. The camera may be, for example, a driver assistance camera of the vehicle. The vehicle may be a motor vehicle. The method further includes: identifying the position and direction of movement of the identified person via the vehicle's camera; determining a vehicle antenna based on the direction of movement of the identified person; and increasing the maximum transmission power of the determined vehicle antenna toward the position of the identified person. For example, the maximum transmission power may be emitted in a cone shape by the determined antenna toward the identified person. Finally, the method includes identifying a vehicle key or a mobile terminal device including a digital vehicle key while using the increased maximum transmission power of the vehicle antenna.

[0006] Advantageously, the vehicle antenna's transmission power can be controlled based on a camera to recognize the vehicle key from a greater distance. Therefore, vehicle functions can be effectively executed from a greater distance. This can significantly improve comfort when approaching and / or entering the vehicle.

[0007] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the method may further include: executing vehicle functions after recognizing a person's vehicle key or a mobile terminal device including a digital vehicle key, using an increased maximum transmission power of the vehicle antenna, wherein the vehicle functions are preferably executed only when the person's direction of movement is towards the vehicle. This allows for efficient execution of vehicle functions. In particular, it effectively improves security when executing vehicle functions.

[0008] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the maximum transmit power of the vehicle antenna is temporarily increased toward the location of the person and / or toward the direction of the person's movement. This effectively increases the effective range of the antenna.

[0009] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the maximum transmission power of the antenna can be temporarily increased based on the distance to the person, and / or the transmission power of other antennas in the vehicle can be temporarily decreased based on the distance to the person, thereby achieving a predetermined total maximum transmission power for all antennas in the vehicle. This effectively increases the effective range of the antennas while simultaneously complying with the regulations regarding the total maximum transmission power of all antennas in the vehicle.

[0010] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the total transmission power of all antennas belonging to the vehicle access control system can be temporarily directed towards the person. This effectively increases the detection range of the vehicle antennas.

[0011] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the method may further include: performing a key exchange protocol with a vehicle key or a mobile terminal device including a digital vehicle key, using an increased maximum transmission power of the antenna, to verify the vehicle key or the mobile terminal device including a digital vehicle key. This effectively improves the comfort of the identified person entering the vehicle. Vehicle functions can be provided to the identified person from a greater distance.

[0012] According to another advantageous embodiment, the person can be identified via the vehicle's camera in a parking space monitoring mode; and the parking space monitoring mode can continuously monitor the surrounding environment near the vehicle while the vehicle is parked. This effectively identifies people in the surrounding environment near the vehicle and allows the vehicle's antenna to be adapted to the identified person.

[0013] According to another aspect, the present invention is characterized by a computer-readable medium for identifying a vehicle key, the computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed on a computer or controller, perform the methods described above.

[0014] According to yet another aspect, the present invention is characterized by a system for identifying vehicle keys, the system being configured to perform the methods described above.

[0015] According to another aspect, the present invention is characterized by a vehicle that includes the above-described system for identifying a vehicle key.

[0016] Further features of the invention will be derived from the accompanying drawings and description thereof. All features and combinations thereof mentioned above in the specification, as well as features and combinations thereof mentioned below in the description of the drawings and / or shown separately in the drawings, can be applied not only in the combinations given separately, but also in other combinations or individually. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This will lead to further details, preferred embodiments, and further improvements of the invention. Detailed illustrative description:

[0018] Figure 1 An exemplary method for identifying a vehicle key is shown, and

[0019] Figure 2 An exemplary system for identifying vehicle keys is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Figure 1 An exemplary method 100 for identifying a vehicle key is illustrated in detail. This method 100 can identify 102 people via a vehicle's camera. Furthermore, this method can identify the location and direction of movement of the identified person 104 via the vehicle's camera. The camera may be a driver assistance camera with a parking monitoring mode that is activated when the vehicle is parked. The parking monitoring mode of the driver assistance camera can monitor the surrounding environment of the parked vehicle to identify people within the driver assistance camera's field of view. Additionally, the driver assistance camera can authenticate the people identified within its field of view.

[0021] This method 100 can determine the vehicle's antenna 106 based on the direction of movement of the identified person. Furthermore, this method 100 can increase the maximum transmission power of the determined vehicle antenna 108 towards the location of the identified person. The maximum transmission power can be temporarily increased towards the identified person. Additionally or alternatively, the total transmission power of all antennas of the vehicle can be temporarily oriented towards the direction of movement of the identified person. Additionally or alternatively, the sensitivity of the vehicle antenna to the vehicle key can be improved. Additionally or alternatively, the receiving range of the vehicle antenna can be oriented towards the identified person.

[0022] This method can further identify vehicle keys for up to 110 people using the increased maximum transmission power of the vehicle antenna. If this method 100 identifies a vehicle key, it can execute a vehicle welcome scene and / or allow entry into the vehicle by unlocking and / or opening one or more doors and / or one or more covers.

[0023] Figure 2 An exemplary system 200 for identifying vehicle keys is shown in detail. A vehicle 202 includes four cameras. Each camera can detect and monitor a predetermined area 204, 206, 208, 210. When a person 212 enters area 204, the vehicle camera can identify that person. Furthermore, the camera can determine the position and / or direction of movement of the person 212 within area 204. Area 216 represents the maximum transmission power of the vehicle antenna, which is cone-shaped towards the identified person 212. Therefore, the vehicle can identify the key carried by the identified person 212 early and can perform one or more vehicle functions.

[0024] Advantageously, by increasing the transmission power of the vehicle's antenna, vehicle keys can be identified earlier. For the identified person, comfort can be effectively improved, for example, by enabling a welcome scene, vehicle entry, and / or door opening from a greater distance, as defined by the detection range of the vehicle's camera.

[0025] List of reference numerals

[0026] 100 methods

[0027] 102 Identify People

[0028] 104 Identify position and direction of movement

[0029] 106 Determine the antenna

[0030] 108 Increase the maximum transmission power

[0031] 110 vehicle key recognition

[0032] 200 system

[0033] Vehicle 202

[0034] Detection range of 204 cameras

[0035] Detection range of 206 cameras

[0036] Detection range of the 208 camera

[0037] Detection range of the 210 camera

[0038] 212 people

[0039] 214 Direction of motion

[0040] Detection range of 216 antennas

Claims

1. A method for identifying a vehicle key, the method comprising: Identify people using vehicle cameras; The vehicle's cameras identify the location and direction of movement of people. The vehicle antenna is determined based on the direction of movement of the identified person; Increase the maximum transmission power of the vehicle antenna toward the location of the identified person; as well as Identify a person's vehicle key while using the vehicle antenna at its maximum transmission power.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: When using the increased maximum transmission power of the vehicle antenna, vehicle functions are executed after recognizing a person's vehicle key or a mobile terminal device including a digital vehicle key. The vehicle function is only executed when the person's direction of movement is towards the vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 2, in, The vehicle functions are only activated when the person's direction of movement is directed toward the vehicle.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The maximum transmit power of the vehicle antenna is temporarily increased towards the location of the person and / or towards the direction of the person's movement.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The maximum transmission power of the antenna is temporarily increased based on the distance to the person; and / or the transmission power of other antennas in the vehicle is temporarily decreased based on the distance to the person, thereby achieving the predetermined total maximum transmission power of all antennas in the vehicle.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The total transmission power of all antennas belonging to the vehicle access control system is temporarily directed towards the person.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: When using the increased maximum transmission power of the antenna, a key exchange protocol is executed with the vehicle key or a mobile terminal device including a digital vehicle key to verify the vehicle key or the mobile terminal device including a digital vehicle key.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The person is identified by the vehicle's camera in the parking space monitoring mode of the camera; and the parking space monitoring mode of the camera continuously monitors the surrounding environment of the vehicle while the vehicle is parked.

9. A computer-readable medium for identifying a vehicle key, the computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed on a computer or controller, perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A system for identifying vehicle keys, wherein, The system is configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A vehicle, including the system for identifying a vehicle key as claimed in claim 10.

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