Method for authorizing access to a motor vehicle by means of a mobile electronic identification device

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for authorizing access to a motor vehicle (1) that can be unlocked by means of a mobile electronic identification device (2), the identification device (2) being able to communicate with the motor vehicle (1) to transmit data via a first wireless communication link (3a) operating according to the UWB standard and a second wireless communication link (3b) operating according to the BLE standard, wherein the maximum effective range (RM1) of the first communication link is less than the maximum effective range (RM2) of the second communication link (3b), the method comprising the following steps: a) the movement of the identification device (2) away from the motor vehicle (1) causing the motor vehicle (1) to move away from the motor vehicle (1) When the distance (A) between the vehicle (1) and the identification device (2) increases, the signal strength (S) of the second communication link (3b) is detected to weaken. b) Once the first communication link (3a) between the vehicle (1) and the identification device (2) is deactivated / interrupted, the instantaneous signal strength (S) of the second communication link (3b) is stored as a reference value. c) During the process of the identification device (2) moving towards the vehicle (1) again, once the signal strength (S) of the second communication link (3b) exceeds the stored reference value due to the decrease in the distance (A) between the vehicle (1) and the identification device (2), the first communication link (3a) is reactivated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for authorizing access to a motor vehicle by means of a mobile electronic identification device, and a system / apparatus including a motor vehicle and an identification device, the system being configured / programmed to implement the method. Background Technology

[0002] Mobile electronic identification devices can replace mechanical car keys for authorizing entry into motor vehicles. Communication between the identification device and the vehicle typically uses a low-frequency radio system. This allows for the wireless transmission of authentication data. In this context, using a radio connection compliant with the so-called UWB standard is a well-known practice. Using this UWB-compliant communication link not only allows data transmission between the identification device and the vehicle, but also enables the relatively high-precision measurement of the instantaneous distance between the identification device and the vehicle, transmitting this instantaneous distance to the vehicle.

[0003] This can be achieved using methods such as the "ping-pong" method or the so-called "polling" method. These methods are based on determining the signal transmission time required for the signal to be transmitted between the identification device and the vehicle, and calculating the distance between the vehicle and the identification device based on this signal transmission time.

[0004] However, the disadvantages of this UWB connection are relatively high power requirements and relatively short operating distance.

[0005] In this context, in addition to UWB connectivity, traditional vehicles authorized to enter using mobile identification devices can also wirelessly transmit authorization information via a radio connection conforming to the so-called BLE standard ("Bluetooth Low Energy"). Compared to UWB-compliant communication links, BLE-compliant communication links have the advantages of a longer operating range and lower power consumption. However, unlike UWB connections, BLE connections cannot precisely determine the position or distance of the identification device relative to the vehicle.

[0006] The authorized method described in US 2019 0263356 A1 utilizes these characteristics of BLE connectivity. Accordingly, when the identification device approaches a motor vehicle, a UWB communication link is activated using a BTE communication link. To this end, the signal strength of the BLE connection between the motor vehicle and the identification device is analyzed; if it exceeds a specific threshold, the UWB connection is activated. The UWB connection is then used to calculate the distance between the motor vehicle and the identification device so that a specific operation can be triggered within the motor vehicle even when the distance is below a specific minimum.

[0007] However, practical results show that the challenge of this method lies in determining a suitable reference value for the signal strength of the BLE connection, because the signal strength may depend to a great extent on various environmental conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, considering the above-mentioned problems, the object of the present invention is to create an improved method for authorizing entry into a motor vehicle by means of a mobile electronic identification device.

[0009] This objective is achieved through the subject matter described below. Preferred embodiments are also described below.

[0010] Accordingly, the basic idea of ​​this invention is as follows: when the identification device is moving away from the vehicle, the signal strength of the BLE connection is detected to weaken, and when the UWB connection exceeds its maximum operating distance, causing the UWB connection to be interrupted (i.e., deactivated), the measured instantaneous signal strength is stored as a reference value. Because the operating distance is greater, the BLE connection remains active at this time.

[0011] When the identification device approaches the vehicle again at a later time, the BLE connection with a longer operating range is activated first, thereby detecting the increase in the signal strength of the BLE connection—due to the reduced distance between the identification device and the vehicle. When the signal strength reaches or exceeds a previously stored reference value, the first communication link, namely the UWB connection, is reactivated so that the instantaneous distance between the identification device and the vehicle can be determined through this communication link (as part of the authorization process).

[0012] The method according to the invention is used to authorize entry into a motor vehicle that can be unlocked by means of a mobile electronic identification device. The identification device is connected to the motor vehicle in a data-transmitting manner or in a data-transferring manner via a first wireless communication link operating according to the UWB standard and a second wireless communication link operating according to the BLE standard. The first wireless communication link is designed to be used to determine the instantaneous distance between the identification device and the motor vehicle. Common methods known to those skilled in the art can be used for this purpose, such as the so-called "ping-pong" method or the so-called polling method. The basic idea of ​​these methods is to calculate the instantaneous distance between the identification device and the motor vehicle by determining the signal propagation time of a signal transmitted from the identification device to the motor vehicle or vice versa.

[0013] The maximum effective distance of the first communication link, measured with the motor vehicle as the starting point, is less than the maximum effective distance of the second communication link, also measured with the motor vehicle as the starting point.

[0014] The method according to the invention comprises three steps a), b), and c). According to step a), when the movement of the identification device away from the vehicle increases the distance between the vehicle and the identification device, the signal strength of the second communication link is preferably detected as weakening by the vehicle. In practice, this occurs when a person carrying the identification device—such as the driver of the vehicle—leaves the vehicle after parking and moves away from it. The signal strength can be monitored in either the vehicle or the identification device. According to a further step b), once the first communication link between the vehicle and the identification device is deactivated or interrupted, the instantaneous signal strength of the second communication link is stored as a reference value. This typically occurs when the distance between the vehicle and the identification device exceeds the maximum effective distance of the first communication link. Since the maximum effective distance of the second communication link is greater, the second communication link usually remains unchanged at the point when the first communication link is deactivated or interrupted, thus the signal strength of the second communication link can be easily measured at that point in time.

[0015] When the identification device moves toward the vehicle again at a later time—typically when the driver of a parked vehicle wants to move it—according to the invention, during the process of the identification device moving toward the vehicle again, once the signal strength of the second communication link exceeds a stored reference value due to the decrease in distance between the vehicle and the identification device, the deactivated first communication link is reactivated. Here, exceeding the reference value indicates that the identification device is within the effective range of the first communication link, and therefore the first communication link can be used again to determine the distance between the vehicle and the identification device (as part of vehicle entry authorization).

[0016] Ideally, the first communication link should be deactivated if the identification device moves away from the vehicle beyond its maximum operating distance. However, it is also conceivable to deactivate the first communication link at an earlier point in time, for example, because the identification device requires a significant amount of electrical energy to operate the first communication link. Therefore, to prevent the energy storage device (typically a rechargeable battery) in the identification device from being completely depleted, it may be reasonable to deactivate the first communication link before reaching its maximum operating distance. However, even in this case, steps b) and c) can be followed.

[0017] Particularly preferred is that, after reactivating the first communication link in step c), the instantaneous distance between the identification device and the motor vehicle is determined in step d) following step c) using the first communication link (as part of the process of authorizing a person carrying the identification device to enter the motor vehicle). This allows various operations to be triggered within the motor vehicle based on the determined distance.

[0018] According to an advantageous further design, once the distance measured in step d) is lower than a preset minimum value, the identification device can transmit the authorized data to the motor vehicle via a second communication link.

[0019] That is, once the distance measured in step d) is lower than or has already fallen below a predetermined minimum value, the predetermined operation can be performed, particularly preferably, in or on a motor vehicle. In a further design of this variation, two or more such operations can also be performed, wherein a separate minimum distance value can be assigned to each individual operation. This will result in a variety of design options.

[0020] Particularly preferably, the predetermined operation may include, or may include, unlocking at least one door of the vehicle. This significantly improves comfort when a person carrying an identification device wants to enter the vehicle while the doors are still locked, because the vehicle can automatically unlock before they reach the door, thus enhancing comfort.

[0021] Preferably, in step b), the reference value can be determined by averaging the signal strength over a predetermined time period. This has the advantage of compensating for local temporal or spatial fluctuations in the measured signal strength, much like a low-pass filter.

[0022] It has been found that for this predetermined time period, a particularly desirable value is between 1 and 5 seconds, with approximately 4.5 seconds being preferred.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the electronic identification device can be part of a smartphone. Since modern smartphones are typically designed to transmit data using both BLE and UWB standards, commercially available smartphones can be used to implement the method according to the invention without requiring hardware upgrades.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a system comprising a motor vehicle and a mobile electronic identification device, the identification device communicating with the motor vehicle via, or through, a first wireless communication link conforming to the UWB standard and a second wireless communication link conforming to the BLE standard.

[0025] The first wireless communication link is designed to determine the instantaneous distance between the identification device and the vehicle. Conventional methods, such as the so-called polling method, can be used for this purpose. The basic idea of ​​this method is to calculate the instantaneous distance between the identification device and the vehicle by determining the signal propagation time of a signal sent from the identification device to the vehicle or vice versa. The system also includes a control / regulation device present in the vehicle, configured / programmed to implement the method of the invention as described above. Therefore, the advantages of the method according to the invention as described above also apply to the system according to the invention.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the system, the electronic identification device is part of or constitutes a smartphone. Since modern smartphones are typically designed to transmit data using both BLE and UWB standards, the method according to the invention can be implemented using commercially available smartphones without requiring hardware upgrades.

[0027] Other important features and advantages of the present invention are derived from the description herein, the accompanying drawings, and the related description based on the drawings.

[0028] It should be understood that the above features and the features to be explained below can be used not only in their respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which will be explained in detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components. Figure 1 An example of the system 20 according to the invention is shown in the form of a plan view. Detailed Implementation

[0030] System 20 includes a motor vehicle 1 with doors 4 through which the interior of the vehicle 1 can be accessed. The motor vehicle 1 includes a control / regulation device 10 configured / programmed to implement the method according to the invention. The control / regulation device 10 may be a control device connected to a fieldbus (e.g., LIN bus or CAN bus) in the motor vehicle 1. Furthermore, system 20 includes a mobile electronic identification device 2. The electronic identification device 2 may be part of, or constituted by, a smartphone 11. As the identification device 2 approaches the motor vehicle 1, it is able to automatically authorize entry into the motor vehicle 1.

[0031] The mobile identification device 2 can communicate with the control / regulation device 10 of the motor vehicle 1 via a first wireless communication link 3a conforming to the UWB standard and a second wireless communication link 3b conforming to the BLE standard. For this purpose, a corresponding first transmitting and receiving device 6a can be installed in the motor vehicle 1, which is connected to the control / regulation device 10 for data transmission and can communicate with a corresponding first transmitting and receiving device 7a in the identification device 2 via the first communication link 3a. Correspondingly, a second transmitting and receiving device 6b can be installed in the motor vehicle 1, which is connected to the control / regulation device for data transmission and can communicate with a corresponding second transmitting and receiving device 7b in the identification device 2 via the second communication link 3b. The first maximum effective distance RM1 of the first communication link 3a from the motor vehicle 1 to the identification device 2, originating from the motor vehicle 1, is less than the second maximum effective distance RM2 of the second communication link 3b, also originating from the motor vehicle 1. Figure 1 The first maximum effective distance RM1 and the second maximum effective distance RM2 are represented by dashed lines. The effective distances RM1 and RM2 shown in the figure are not drawn to scale.

[0032] The following will refer to Figure 1 The method according to the present invention will be illustrated by example.

[0033] The method includes three steps: a), b), and c).

[0034] According to step a), when the movement of the identification device 2 away from the vehicle 1 increases the distance A between the vehicle 1 and the identification device 2, a decrease in the signal strength of the second communication link 3b is detected. In step b), once the maximum effective distance RM1 of the first communication link 3a is exceeded during the movement of the identification device 2 away from the vehicle 1, the instantaneous signal strength of the second communication link 3b is stored as a reference value. In this case, the first communication link 3a between the vehicle 1 and the identification device 2 is deactivated, while the second communication link 3b remains unchanged. The reference value can be determined by calculating the average signal strength over a predetermined time period. This predetermined time period can be, for example, between 1 second and 5 seconds, particularly approximately 4.5 seconds. According to step c), during the process of the identification device 2 moving towards the vehicle again, once the signal strength of the second communication link exceeds the stored reference value due to the decrease in the distance between the vehicle and the identification device, the deactivated first communication link 3a is reactivated.

[0035] After reactivating the first communication link 3a in step c), the current distance A between the identification device 2 and the vehicle 1 can be determined in step d) following step c) using the first communication link 3a. Once the distance A measured in step d) is lower than a preset minimum value AMIN, the identification device 3 can transmit the authorized data, preferably in encrypted form, to the vehicle 1 via the second communication link 3b. Similarly, once the distance A measured in step d) is lower than the preset minimum value AMIN (see... Figure 1 Then, a predetermined operation can be performed in vehicle 1. For example, the predetermined operation could be unlocking one of the doors 4 of vehicle 1.

Claims

1. A method for authorizing access to a motor vehicle (1) that can be unlocked by means of a mobile electronic identification device (2), wherein the identification device (2) is capable of communicating with the motor vehicle (1) to transmit data via a first wireless communication link (3a) operating according to the UWB standard and a second wireless communication link (3b) operating according to the BLE standard, and the maximum operating range (RM1) of the first communication link (3a) is less than the maximum operating range (RM2) of the second communication link (3b). wherein The method comprises the following steps: a) When the movement of the identification device (2) away from the motor vehicle (1) increases the distance (A) between the motor vehicle (1) and the identification device (2), a decrease in the signal strength (S) of the second communication link (3b) is detected. b) Once the first communication link (3a) between the motor vehicle (1) and the identification device (2) is disabled / interrupted, the instantaneous signal strength (S) of the second communication link (3b) is stored as a reference value. c) During the process of the identification device (2) moving toward the motor vehicle (1) again, once the signal strength (S) of the second communication link (3b) exceeds the stored reference value due to the decrease in distance (A) between the motor vehicle (1) and the identification device (2), the first communication link (3a) is reactivated.

2. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, If the identification device (2) moves away from the motor vehicle (1) beyond the maximum effective distance (RM1) of the first communication link (3a), the first communication link is deactivated.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, After reactivating the first communication link (3a) in step c), the instantaneous distance (A) between the identification device (2) and the motor vehicle (1) is determined in step d) following step c) using the first communication link (3a).

4. The method according to claim 3, Its features are, Once the distance (A) measured in step d) is lower than the preset minimum value (AMIN), the identification device (2) transmits the authorized data to the motor vehicle (1) via the second communication link (3b).

5. The method according to claim 3, Its features are, Once the distance (A) measured in step d) is lower than the preset minimum value (AMIN), the motor vehicle (1) performs at least one predetermined operation.

6. The method according to claim 5, Its features are, The at least one predetermined operation includes or is unlocking at least one door (4) of the motor vehicle (1).

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, In step b), the reference value is determined by calculating the average value of the signal strength (S) over a predetermined time period.

8. The method according to claim 7, Its features are, The predetermined time period is between 1 second and 5 seconds.

9. The method according to claim 8, Its features are, The predetermined time period is 4.5 seconds.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The electronic identification device (2) is part of the smartphone (11).

11. A system (20) for authorizing access to a motor vehicle (1) that can be unlocked by means of a mobile electronic identification device (2), comprising: - Motor vehicles (1) - A mobile electronic identification device (2), which communicates with the motor vehicle via or is capable of communicating via a first wireless communication link (3a) conforming to the UWB standard and a second wireless communication link (3b) conforming to the BLE standard. - A control / regulation device (10) present in the motor vehicle (1), the control / regulation device being configured / programmed to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The system according to claim 11, Its features are, The electronic identification device (2) is part of or constitutes a smartphone (11).

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