Control of vehicle functions of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A control device (115) for a motor vehicle (105) comprises a wireless interface (140); a processing device (135) which is configured to determine a boundary of a garage (110) surrounding the motor vehicle (105); establishing wireless communication with the mobile device (125); and control a predetermined vehicle function. The processing device (135) is designed to not control the vehicle function if the mobile device (125) is located outside the determined boundary of the garage (110).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the control of vehicles. In particular, the present invention relates to the automatic control of functions when approaching a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The motor vehicle is protected with a digital vehicle key. The control device on the motor vehicle can communicate wirelessly with the device in the environment and execute an encrypted exchange protocol to authenticate the device and the motor vehicle or its control device to each other. After the authentication is completed, the motor vehicle can be used.

[0003] The device may in particular include a mobile device assigned to an individual for personal use. The mobile device may include, for example, a smart phone, a laptop, a tablet computer or a smart watch.

[0004] When the device enters the effective communication range of the motor vehicle, vehicle functions can be automatically controlled. The motor vehicle can thus be prepared for use or auxiliary functions can be performed, which facilitate use by the person. For example, the luggage compartment lid can be opened so that the person can easily load the items they are carrying into the motor vehicle; or interior or exterior lighting can be activated so that the person can more easily orient themselves within the area of ​​the motor vehicle.

[0005] If a motor vehicle is parked, for example, in a garage near a residence, devices in the residence may come into the communication range of the motor vehicle without the person intending to use the motor vehicle or vehicle functions. In this case, the motor vehicle may be unlocked, for example, so that unauthorized access is possible. In addition, the controlled vehicle functions may put a strain on the energy budget of the energy storage device of the motor vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved technology for controlling vehicle functions. The present invention achieves this object by means of the technical solution of the independent claim. The dependent claims provide preferred embodiments.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a control device for a motor vehicle comprises a wireless interface and a processing device. The processing device is configured to determine the boundaries of a garage surrounding the motor vehicle; establish wireless communication with a mobile device; and control a predetermined vehicle function. However, if the mobile device is located outside the determined garage boundaries, the vehicle function is not controlled.

[0008] The control device can prevent erroneous control of vehicle functions if the person with the mobile device is close to the motor vehicle but cannot use vehicle functions because he is separated from the motor vehicle by the boundary of the garage. This situation can occur, for example, if the garage is part of the house or very close to the house and the person moves around the house with the mobile device.

[0009] The boundaries of the garage are preferably determined in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, the boundaries may not completely surround the motor vehicle, for example if the garage door is open. The boundaries may also be determined in the vertical direction so that no vehicle functions are controlled if the mobile device is located, for example, in a basement below the garage or in a room above the garage. The boundaries may include walls, ceilings or floors. The boundaries may be constructed in a wooden structure and may include, for example, wooden beams and sheathing made of wood or plasterboard. Such boundaries are permeable to radio waves for wireless communication.

[0010] Various methods are conceivable with which the control device can determine the boundaries of the garage. In one specific embodiment, the processing device is configured to determine the boundaries by means of a wireless interface based on reflections of emitted radio waves.

[0011] The wireless interface can include, in particular, an ultra wide band (UWB) interface or a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) interface. The interface can be controlled to briefly transmit radio waves and receive reflections of the transmitted radio waves. The distance between the wireless interface and the reflecting object, in particular the garage boundary, can be determined based on the duration that elapses between the transmission and reception of the radio waves. The corresponding operating mode of the wireless interface is also referred to as sensing. In practice, the wireless interface can work in the manner of a radar sensor.

[0012] In another specific embodiment, the control device comprises an interface for connecting to a scanning device of the motor vehicle, and the processing device is configured to control the scanning device in order to determine the boundaries of the garage.

[0013] The scanning device can include, for example, a camera, a lidar sensor, a radar sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. Such a scanning device can be provided to scan the surroundings of the motor vehicle and, for example, to avoid collisions when parking, to identify other road users or road markings. The scanning device can quickly and accurately determine the boundaries of the parking garage.

[0014] In another embodiment, the processing device is configured to determine a position of a wireless device relative to a motor vehicle, the device being fixedly mounted relative to a garage; determine a pose of the motor vehicle in the garage based on the relative position; and determine a boundary of the garage based on the pose.

[0015] The communication between the control device and the device installed in the garage can be carried out in the same way as the communication between the control device and the mobile device. In particular, the control device and the device installed in the garage can be mutually authenticated by means of a predetermined encryption process. For this purpose, a digital key can be assigned to the device.

[0016] In one variant, the boundary position of the wireless device relative to the parking garage boundary can be known on the control device side. In another variant, this information can be transmitted to the control device via the wireless device.

[0017] Furthermore, the processing device is preferably configured to determine the position of the mobile device based on communication parameters with the mobile device. The wireless interface of the control device can be operated in an operating mode that can be referred to as ranging. Data packets can be exchanged between the control device and the mobile device and the transmission time can be determined. The transmission time can be determined in a one-way transmission (one shot) or in a round trip. In addition, connection parameters such as signal strength or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be taken into account to determine the position. The position can be determined based on a distance measurement of the mobile device and the interface.

[0018] Preferably, a plurality of wireless interfaces are installed in a distributed manner on the motor vehicle. The position of an object relative to the motor vehicle can be determined by means of the interface by determining a plurality of distances to different wireless interfaces and comparing them with one another. This method is called "triangulation". In different embodiments, a plurality of interfaces can be operated sequentially or simultaneously in order to perform distance measurements.

[0019] It is also possible to transmit radio waves or information from the first wireless interface and to receive their reflections or responses to the information again by means of the second wireless interface. In this case, multiple distances can be determined.

[0020] To further reduce the probability of vehicle functions being triggered erroneously, vehicle functions can only be controlled if movement is detected within the boundaries of the garage.

[0021] The processing device may be configured to determine the position of the mobile device relative to the motor vehicle and to control a vehicle function only when the position of the mobile device assumes a predefined position relative to the motor vehicle.

[0022] In another embodiment, the processing device can be configured to determine the movement of an object in the area of ​​the mobile device relative to the motor vehicle and to control a vehicle function only if the movement exceeds a predetermined speed. Alternatively or additionally, the distance or direction of the movement can also be taken into account. The movement of the mobile device is preferably determined with the aid of one or more wireless interfaces that are operated in a distance measurement mode. The object can in particular be a person who can carry the mobile device. In this variant, the distance or direction of the movement can also be taken into account in addition or alternatively. In order to determine the movement of the person, one or more wireless interfaces can be operated in a sensing mode.

[0023] If a plurality of wireless interfaces are arranged at different locations on the motor vehicle, the movement can be determined with the aid of one of the wireless interfaces which is close to the mobile device or the object. In contrast, the wireless interfaces which are further away can be switched off. The processing device can be configured to determine the movement with the aid of the interface which is facing the mobile device and to deactivate the interface which is facing away from the mobile device. Advantageously, use can be made of the fact that the approximate position of the mobile device relative to the motor vehicle can already be easily determined with the aid of one wireless interface. By switching off the wireless interfaces which are not well positioned during the movement determination, power can be saved.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle comprises a control device as described herein. The motor vehicle preferably comprises a passenger car, but may also comprise other motor vehicles, such as a minibus, a truck or a commercial vehicle.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a motor vehicle includes the following steps: determining a boundary of a garage surrounding the motor vehicle; establishing a wireless connection between a mobile device and the motor vehicle; determining that the mobile device is located within the determined boundary; and controlling a predetermined vehicle function. Conversely, if it is determined that the mobile device is located outside the determined boundary, the predetermined vehicle function cannot be controlled or deactivated.

[0026] The method can be implemented partially or completely with the aid of a control device for a motor vehicle and a device for installation in a garage as described herein. For this purpose, the control device or the device in the garage can each have a processing device. The processing device is preferably implemented electronically and can, for example, include a programmable microcomputer or microcontroller. The method can exist in the form of a computer program product with program code means. The computer program product can also be stored on a computer-readable data carrier. The features or advantages of the method can be transferred to the devices involved in the implementation or vice versa.

[0027] The vehicle function may generally include preparing the motor vehicle for use. For example, the vehicle function may include unlocking the motor vehicle, in particular a door or a hood, opening a door or a hood or activating one of the welcome functions of the motor vehicle. The welcome function may, for example, include activating exterior or interior lighting, setting a seat or an entertainment system or charging or activating other user settings that may be assigned to a user of the mobile device.

[0028] The technology described herein can be advantageously implemented on the basis of a known technology called digital vehicle key. This technology is defined in the technical specifications published by the Car Connectivity Consortium and can ensure the security of vehicle functions on the basis of an exchange process of cryptographic keys. In this case, a private key and a public key can be assigned to the vehicle and the device respectively. Mutual authentication can be performed on the basis of a challenge-response process.

[0029] The vehicle functions are preferably only controlled if mutual authentication between the mobile device and the motor vehicle has been successful. The same encryption technology can be used for the communication between the control vehicle or the control device and the device installed in the garage. Since the digital key stored on the device side of the garage does not authorize the use or control of the vehicle functions, a unilateral authentication of the device with respect to the control device or the motor vehicle can also be performed in this case.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, a device for installation in a garage of a motor vehicle comprises a wireless interface and a processing device, which is configured to perform a security authentication with respect to the motor vehicle.

[0031] The position of the device relative to the garage and the garage boundary can be stored on the device side and transmitted to the control unit of the motor vehicle when necessary. If the device is operated according to the technical specifications of the digital car key, a storage area that can be called a private mailbox or confidential mailbox can be used for this purpose. Both the device and the control unit of the motor vehicle can access this storage area in a read and write manner.

[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, a system comprises the motor vehicle described herein and the device described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are as follows:

[0034] Figure 1 illustrates the system; and

[0035] Figure 2 A flow chart showing the method is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 The system 100 is shown. A motor vehicle 105 is located in a garage 110. A control device 115 is provided on the motor vehicle 105, which is provided for controlling predetermined vehicle functions. A device 120 is installed at a fixed position relative to the garage 110. A mobile device 125 is located in the environment of the motor vehicle 105, which can be assigned to a person 130.

[0037] The control device 115 is configured for wireless communication with the mobile device 125 or the device 120. The communication may include the transmission of a digital key in order to mutually authenticate the respective communication partners 115, 120, 125. The digital key may be granted with authorization for the use of predetermined vehicle functions of the motor vehicle 105. In particular, the key of the mobile device 125 may be granted with authorization for opening the motor vehicle 105 or driving the motor vehicle 105. Preferably, the device 120 is not granted authorization for the use of vehicle functions of the motor vehicle 105.

[0038] The control device 115 on the motor vehicle 105 includes a processing device 135 and one or more wireless interfaces 140, which are installed at different locations on the motor vehicle 105. Figure 1 In the illustration of FIG. 1 , four wireless interfaces 140 are installed by way of example at the corners of the motor vehicle 105. Optionally, another wireless interface 140 may be provided approximately in the middle of each longitudinal side of the motor vehicle 105. Other or additional interfaces 140 are also possible.

[0039] Preferably, an interface 145 for connecting to another device on the motor vehicle 105 is also provided. The other device may include, in particular, a scanning device 150. The scanning device 150 may include, for example, a camera, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor. In one embodiment, a plurality of scanning devices 150 are provided on the motor vehicle 105. Devices that perform predetermined vehicle functions of the motor vehicle 105 can also be controlled via the interface 145. Preferably, the interface 145 is connected to a data bus on the motor vehicle 105, which can connect a plurality of devices to each other.

[0040] The device 120 comprises a processing means 155 and a wireless interface 160. Accordingly, the mobile device 125 preferably comprises a processing means 165 and a wireless interface 170.

[0041] The control device 115 can communicate with the devices 120, 125 by means of the wireless interface 140, which are located within the symbolically shown communication range 175. In particular, if the garage 110 is located near the house, the person 130 carrying the mobile device 125 may be located within the communication range 175, but outside the garage 110. In order to ensure safety against accidental triggering of the intended vehicle function in this case, it is proposed to determine whether the mobile device 125 is located inside or outside the garage. In addition, it can be determined whether the mobile device 125 or the person 130 in the garage 110 is moving relative to the motor vehicle 105.

[0042] Figure 2 A flow chart of method 200 for controlling a vehicle function is shown. In step 205 , it can be determined that motor vehicle 105 is parked.

[0043] Optionally, it may be determined in step 210 whether motor vehicle 105 is parked sufficiently close to garage 110 . To this end, the geographical location of motor vehicle 105 may be determined and compared with the geographical location of garage 110 .

[0044] Subsequently, the boundaries of garage 110 relative to motor vehicle 105 can be determined. Different methods are conceivable for this purpose. In a first variant, the surroundings of motor vehicle 105 can be scanned in step 215 by means of scanning device 150 of motor vehicle 105. For this purpose, control device 115 can correspondingly control scanning device 150 of the vehicle itself.

[0045] In a second variant, the surroundings of motor vehicle 105 can be scanned in step 220 by means of one or more wireless interfaces 140 . Interface 140 can be operated in a sensing operating mode and emit radio waves, the reflections of which at the boundary of garage 110 can be received again.

[0046] In a third variant, the position of the device 120 can be determined in step 225. The device 120 can also be referred to as an anchor and is fixedly installed at a certain position relative to the garage 110. The control device 115 can exchange data with the device 120 via one or more wireless interfaces 140, wherein data parameters or connection parameters can be determined to determine the distance. Then, the posture of the motor vehicle 105 in the garage 110 can be determined based on the position of the interface 140 installed on the motor vehicle 105, which posture can include the position and orientation.

[0047] In step 230, the boundaries of garage 110 in which motor vehicle 105 is located may be determined. It should be noted that several of variants 215-225 may also be combined with one another in order to determine the boundaries.

[0048] Subsequently, the motor vehicle 105 can be placed in a stationary state in which most of the electrical systems are deactivated. The control device 115 can determine in step 235 that the mobile device 125 has entered the communication effective range 175 relative to the motor vehicle 105. In step 240, the position of the mobile device 125 can be determined. This determination is preferably carried out with the aid of one or more wireless interfaces 140, which are operated in a ranging operating mode. It can then be determined based on the determined boundaries of the garage 110 and the position of the mobile device 125 whether the mobile device 125 is located in the garage 110. If this is not the case, the method 200 can end here and the predetermined vehicle function of the motor vehicle 105 cannot be controlled, otherwise the predetermined vehicle function is controlled when the mobile device 125 approaches.

[0049] If it is determined that the mobile device 125 is located within the boundaries of the garage 110, the movement of the mobile device 125 relative to the motor vehicle 105 can be determined in step 245. For this purpose, one or more wireless interfaces 140 can be operated in a distance measurement operating mode. It can also be determined whether a movement of an object, in particular a person 130, can be detected within the boundaries of the garage 110. Both movements can be compared with predetermined reference parameters in order to determine whether the respective movement is large enough to infer the presence of a person 130 carrying the mobile device 125 in the garage 110.

[0050] If this is the case, a predetermined vehicle function of the motor vehicle 105 can be executed in step 250. The vehicle function can include, in particular, unlocking or opening a door or hood. The opening of the door or hood is preferably controlled only when there is no fear of a collision with the boundary of the garage 110.

[0051] Reference numerals list

[0052] 100 Systems

[0053] 105 Motor Vehicles

[0054] 110 Garage

[0055] 115 Control Equipment

[0056] 120 devices

[0057] 125 Mobile devices

[0058] 130 people

[0059] 135 Processing device

[0060] 140 Wireless Interface

[0061] 145 Interface

[0062] 150 Scanning device

[0063] 155 Processing Device

[0064] 160 Wireless Interface

[0065] 165 Processing Device

[0066] 170 Wireless Interface

[0067] 175 Communication effective range

[0068] 200 Methods

[0069] 205 Confirm the parking location of the vehicle

[0070] 210 Determine the housing situation (Heimat)

[0071] 215 Scan the environment through the detection system

[0072] 220 Scanning with the help of radio waves

[0073] 225 Determine the UWB anchor point location

[0074] 230 Determine the boundary surrounding the garage

[0075] 235 Confirm that the mobile device is within the effective communication range

[0076] 240Where is the mobile equipment located in the garage?

[0077] 245 Movement of a mobile device or movement in an area of ​​a mobile device? 250 Execute vehicle functions

Claims

1. A control device (115) for a motor vehicle (105), wherein: The control device (115) comprises: - wireless interface (140); a processing device (135) configured to determine the boundaries of a garage (110) surrounding the motor vehicle (105); establish wireless communication with the mobile device (125); and control predetermined vehicle functions; The invention is characterized in that the processing device (135) is configured not to control vehicle functions if the mobile device (125) is located outside the determined boundaries of the garage (110).

2. The control device (115) according to claim 1, wherein: The processing device (135) is configured to determine the boundary based on reflections of the emitted radio waves by means of a wireless interface (140).

3. The control device (115) according to claim 1 or 2 further comprises an interface for connecting to a scanning device of a motor vehicle (105); the processing device (135) is configured to operate the scanning device to determine the boundary of the garage (110).

4. The control device (115) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The processing device (135) is configured to: - determining the position of a wireless device (120) relative to a motor vehicle (105); said wireless device being fixedly mounted relative to a garage (110); - determining the posture of the motor vehicle (105) in the garage (110) based on the relative position; and - Determining the boundaries of the garage (110) based on the gesture.

5. The control device (115) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A plurality of wireless interfaces (140) are installed in a distributed manner on the motor vehicle (105).

6. The control device (115) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The processing device (155) is configured to determine the position of the mobile device (125) relative to the motor vehicle (105) and to control a vehicle function only when the position of the mobile device (125) relative to the motor vehicle (105) occupies a predefined position.

7. The control device (115) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The processing device (135) is configured to determine the movement of an object in the area of ​​the mobile device (125) relative to the motor vehicle (105) and to control a vehicle function only if the movement exceeds a predetermined speed.

8. A control device (115) according to claim 6 or 7 as dependent on claim 5, wherein: The processing device (135) is configured to determine the movement by means of an interface facing the mobile device (125); and to deactivate an interface facing away from the mobile device (125).

9. Motor vehicle (105) comprising a control device (115) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A method (200) for controlling a motor vehicle (105), wherein: The method (200) comprises the following steps: - determining (230) the boundaries of the garage (110) surrounding the motor vehicle (105); - establishing (235) a wireless connection between the mobile device (125) and the motor vehicle (105); - determining (235) that the mobile device (125) is located within the determined boundary; and - controlling (250) predetermined vehicle functions.

11. The method (200) of claim 10, wherein: If the mobile device (125) is outside the boundaries of the garage (110), vehicle functions are not controlled (250).

12. The method (200) according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein: The vehicle function includes one of unlocking the motor vehicle (105), opening a door, and activating a welcome function.

13. A device (120) for installation in a garage (110) of a motor vehicle (105), wherein: The device (120) comprises a wireless interface (170) and a processing device (165) which is configured to perform a security authentication with respect to a motor vehicle (105).

14. System (100) comprising a motor vehicle (105) according to claim 9 and a device (120) according to claim 13.

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