Mobile access device for allocating access apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile access device (10), in particular a vehicle key, for permitting access to a device, in particular a vehicle, in which the vehicle key (10) is brought into an unlocked state by a predefined sequence of movement (B), and the vehicle key (10) is brought into an unlocked state by a predefined sequence of movement (B). And an unlocking signal can be transmitted to the vehicle only in the unlocking state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile access device, in particular a vehicle key, for granting access to an installation, in particular to a vehicle. The invention also relates to a corresponding method. Background Art

[0002] With the help of a mobile access device, such as a vehicle key, a user can be granted access to a device, such as a vehicle. For this purpose, the device can be unlocked wirelessly with the help of the mobile access device. The device can also be locked wirelessly with the help of the mobile access device and access to the device can thus be denied. Thus, for example, a vehicle can be locked and unlocked without cables with the help of a vehicle key.

[0003] Especially in the case of vehicles, it is very important to prevent unauthorized access to the vehicle and thus prevent the vehicle from being stolen. Known anti-theft mechanisms are provided, for example, with a UWB sensor (UWB = Ultra Wideband) arranged in the vehicle key, with the aid of which the distance of the vehicle key from the vehicle can be determined from the propagation time of the radio signal. If means for radio extension are used, as is often used in vehicle thefts, the vehicle no longer reacts. However, if the mobile access device, i.e., in particular the vehicle key, is lost or stolen, any third party can gain access to the device, i.e., in particular to the vehicle.

[0004] DE 10 2016 112 548 A1 describes a method for operating a passive entry system for a motor vehicle, which has an ID transmitter that performs radio communication, in particular in the low-frequency range, with a motor vehicle control unit arranged in the motor vehicle to unlock and / or lock the motor vehicle.

[0005] DE 10 2009 052 078 A1 relates to a portable remote control device for a vehicle, which has an acceleration sensor for detecting the movement of the remote control device and for outputting corresponding acceleration data. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention is now based on the object of providing a mobile access device and a corresponding method which do not have the disadvantages mentioned and which in particular offer a higher degree of security against unauthorized access.

[0007] The invention achieves this object by means of a mobile access device and a method. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the description and the drawings.

[0008] According to the present invention, a mobile entry device for allowing access to a device includes a transmitting unit for wirelessly transmitting an unlocking signal to the device to unlock the device; a sensor unit for identifying the movement of the mobile entry device in a space; and a control unit connected to the sensor unit, wherein the control unit is constructed to: receive sensor data from the sensor unit; based on the received sensor data, identify the movement sequence of the mobile entry device in the space; determine whether the identified movement sequence is consistent with a predefined first movement sequence; if the identified movement sequence is consistent with the predefined first movement sequence, unlock the mobile entry device, wherein the unlocking signal transmitted to the device is released only when the mobile entry device is in the unlocked state.

[0009] The method for allowing access to an equipment by means of a mobile entry device according to the present invention comprises the following steps: receiving sensor data of a sensor unit of the mobile entry device; identifying a movement sequence of the mobile entry device in a space based on the received sensor data; determining whether the identified movement sequence is consistent with a predefined first movement sequence; if the identified movement sequence is consistent with the predefined first movement sequence, unlocking the mobile entry device, wherein an unlock signal transmitted to the equipment is released only when the mobile entry device is in the unlocked state.

[0010] The control unit of the mobile access device according to the invention is designed to implement the method according to the invention. The method can therefore be implemented by means of the mobile access device. The mobile access device and the method associated therewith will be explained together below. The explanations of the mobile access device or its control unit apply accordingly to the method and vice versa.

[0011] The mobile access device according to the invention overcomes the disadvantages mentioned at the beginning, because the mobile access device can only be unlocked by a predefined, i.e. predetermined, in particular personalized, sequence of movements. A sequence of movements refers to a movement along a path of movement / trajectory in space, which is performed by the user's hand, for example, when the user holds the mobile access device in his hand. A sequence of movements can also be referred to as a gesture. If, in other words, the mobile access device is moved by the user according to a predefined sequence of movements, the mobile access device changes from a locked state to an unlocked state. Only in this unlocked state, i.e. not in a locked state, can the mobile access device send an unlock signal to unlock the device. In other words, as long as the mobile access device is not unlocked but in a locked state, the mobile access device cannot be used to unlock the device. Therefore, an unauthorized third party does not gain access to the device even if the third party, for example, takes possession of the mobile access device by theft, because such an unauthorized third party does not know the sequence of movements required to unlock the mobile access device.

[0012] The mobile access device is designed to allow a user to enter the device, and more precisely, the mobile access device transmits an unlocking signal to the device without cables / wirelessly by means of its transmitting unit. The device can be unlocked in response to the reception of the unlocking signal and thus allow the user to enter. Preferably, the transmitting unit is also designed to emit a locking signal for locking the device. In particular, the transmitting unit is a radio unit, that is, it can be designed to emit a radio signal. The transmitting unit can form a part of a transceiver, which is also designed to receive (radio) signals. The mobile access device preferably includes an operating unit, such as an operating button, when the operating unit is operated, the transmitting unit emits an unlocking signal and / or a locking signal. When the predefined distance between the mobile access device and the device is lowered, the transmitting unit can also automatically emit an unlocking signal and / or a locking signal. In the following, it is particularly related to a vehicle key as a mobile access device, wherein the vehicle key can allow access to a vehicle as a device, that is, the vehicle can be unlocked. Thus, as is known in principle, the vehicle can be unlocked and locked wirelessly with the help of the vehicle key.

[0013] The sensor unit of the mobile access device comprises one or more sensors which are designed to detect the movement of the mobile access device in three-dimensional space. For this purpose, in particular, the sensor unit has a gyroscope sensor. The sensor unit can also have an acceleration sensor. For example, the control unit can infer the movement sequence of the mobile access device based on the position change of the mobile access device in space detected by the sensor unit and the acceleration of the mobile access device detected by the sensor unit.

[0014] The mobile access device also has a control unit. The control unit includes in particular a processor. The control unit is designed to implement the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the control unit can access a computer program (product) stored on a storage unit. In other words, the control unit of the mobile access device and thus the mobile access device implement the steps according to the invention when executing the stored computer program (product). The control unit is preferably also designed to control the transmitting unit to emit an unlocking signal and / or a locking signal.

[0015] According to the invention, the control unit of the mobile access device receives sensor data from the sensor unit, i.e., measurement data of one or more sensors contained in the sensor unit. For example, the control unit receives data from a gyroscope sensor. The control unit evaluates these sensor data and determines the movement sequence of the mobile access device in space from the sensor data. Thus, the control unit monitors how the mobile access device moves. In particular, the control unit can continuously evaluate the sensor data and thus monitor the movement of the mobile access device. It can also be provided that the control unit only evaluates the sensor data, i.e., only then monitors the movement of the mobile access device, when an input unit provided for this purpose obtains a predefined user input, for example, when the user uses an operating element. The movement sequence can also be referred to as a movement pattern. The movement sequence can be executed in particular in such a way that the user holds the mobile access device in his hand and executes the movement sequence with his hand, in such a way that the user performs a gesture corresponding to the movement sequence with the mobile access device in his hand.

[0016] According to the invention, the control unit compares the recognized motion sequence of the mobile access device with a predefined first motion sequence. To this end, the control unit of the mobile access device can use one or more saved motion sequences. These motion sequences can be stored and therefore saved in the storage unit of the mobile access device. Predefined here means that the first motion sequence is, for example, saved in the storage unit. For example, the first motion sequence can be predefined by the factory. In particular, the first motion sequence can be one of a plurality of motion sequences predefined by the factory, i.e. saved, wherein the user (e.g. when using the mobile access device for the first time) selects one of the motion sequences as the first motion sequence. Preferably, the first motion sequence can be defined by the user in the following way, i.e., the user performs any gesture with the hand carrying the mobile access device, wherein the gesture is then saved as the first motion sequence by the control unit. By such a selection or definition, the motion sequence can be personalized. The selection or definition of the first motion sequence can preferably only be performed in the unlocked state of the device, which improves security.

[0017] If the comparison performed by the control unit shows that the identified motion sequence is consistent with the first motion sequence saved, the control unit unlocks the mobile entry device, that is, puts the mobile entry device from the locked state into the unlocked state. Therefore, the mobile entry device can either occupy the locked state or the unlocked state. Only in the unlocked state, that is, not in the locked state, can the mobile entry device transmit an unlock signal to the device, because only then can the release of the transmission of the unlock signal to the device by means of the transmitting unit be released. This means that in the unlocked state of the mobile entry device, the release transmits the unlock signal to the device, while in the locked state of the mobile entry device, the transmission of the unlock signal to the device is prohibited. Prohibition means that the unlock signal is not sent. For example, this can be achieved in the following way, that is, the control unit deactivates the transmitting unit in the locked state of the mobile entry device, and only activates the transmitting unit in the unlocked state. This saves energy in addition. In other words, the mobile entry device can be unlocked and therefore used to unlock the device only when the mobile entry device previously moved along the first motion sequence. Therefore, the first sequence movement is a motion sequence set and required for the unlocking of the mobile entry device. Security is thereby increased since a person who does not know the first movement sequence required for unlocking the device cannot use the mobile access device to unlock the installation.

[0018] In one embodiment, the mobile access device is a vehicle key for granting access to the vehicle and / or to a unit assigned to the vehicle. In this embodiment, the device is therefore a vehicle and / or a unit assigned to the vehicle. For example, the unit assigned to the vehicle is a roof box that can be mounted on the roof of the vehicle or a bicycle rack that can be mounted, for example, at the rear of the vehicle. According to this embodiment, the vehicle can therefore only be unlocked if the user has previously performed a first movement sequence with the vehicle key. This first movement sequence unlocks the vehicle key and thus releases its function of unlocking the vehicle. This significantly increases the anti-theft security of the vehicle, since unauthorized third parties cannot unlock the vehicle even if they have the vehicle key.

[0019] In one design, the control unit of the mobile access device is further configured to: determine whether the identified motion sequence is consistent with a predefined second motion sequence; if the identified motion sequence is consistent with the predefined second motion sequence, the mobile access device is locked, wherein the transmission of an unlocking signal to the device is prohibited in the locked state of the mobile access device. According to this design, the mobile access device can not only be unlocked but also locked by means of a predefined motion sequence. Therefore, the control unit is preferably configured to move the mobile access device from an unlocked state to a locked state when the second motion sequence is identified. Therefore, the second motion sequence is a motion sequence provided and required for locking the mobile access device. For example, the second motion sequence can also be stored in a storage unit of the mobile access device. The second motion sequence can also be stored from the factory, can also be selected by the user from a plurality of stored motion sequences, or can be defined by the user by means of hand movements, as explained above for the first motion sequence. Other explanations of the first motion sequence also apply to the second motion sequence accordingly. In particular, the second motion sequence can be the same as the first motion sequence. Therefore, according to one design, the same motion sequence as that used to unlock the mobile access device can be used to lock the mobile access device. This is simple, because the user only needs to remember one motion sequence.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second sequence of movements is different from the first sequence of movements. Thus, according to this embodiment, the second sequence of movements provided and required for locking the device is different from the first sequence of movements provided and required for unlocking the device. In this case, the user must remember two different sequences of movements. However, this further increases safety, since the user cannot accidentally unlock the device by executing the sequence of movements for locking.

[0021] In one embodiment, the transmitting unit is activated only in the unlocked state of the mobile access device. According to this embodiment, the transmitting unit is correspondingly deactivated in the locked state of the mobile access device. As already mentioned, it can be achieved that the transmission of the unlocking signal to the device is released only in the unlocked state of the mobile access device. Activation here means, in particular, that energy / current is supplied to the transmitting unit, while deactivation means that energy / current is not supplied to the transmitting unit. The activation of the transmitting unit only in the unlocked state of the mobile access device, i.e. the deactivation of the transmitting unit in the locked state of the mobile access device, saves energy. As a result, the (rechargeable) battery of the mobile access device provided for the energy supply of the mobile access device can be maintained for a longer time.

[0022] In one embodiment, the mobile access device has an indicator element for outputting an unlocking confirmation to the user, wherein the control unit is configured to manipulate the indicator element to output an unlocking confirmation to the user when unlocking of the mobile access device occurs. According to one embodiment, the mobile access device also has an indicator element for outputting a locking confirmation to the user, wherein the control unit is configured to manipulate the indicator element to output a locking confirmation to the user when locking of the mobile access device occurs. The indicator element for outputting the unlocking confirmation is in particular the same as the indicator element for outputting the locking confirmation. It can thus be displayed to the user that the unlocking and / or locking of the mobile access device was successful. The user thus receives feedback about the successful locking / unlocking of the mobile access device and therefore about the correctness of the executed motion sequence.

[0023] In the design scheme in this regard, the indicator element includes a light source, wherein the light source emits a light signal as an unlock confirmation based on the control performed by the control unit. Accordingly, a light signal can also be emitted as a lock confirmation. The light source is preferably an LED (light emitting diode). A first light source and a second light source can be provided, wherein the first light source is controlled by the control unit to emit a light signal as an unlock confirmation, and the second light source is controlled by the control unit to emit a light signal as a lock confirmation. A single light source can also be provided, which is controlled by the control unit to emit a light signal as an unlock confirmation and as a lock confirmation. The light source can emit the same light signal as an unlock confirmation and as a lock confirmation, or emit different light signals, such as light signals of different colors. In particular, a green light signal can be emitted as an unlock confirmation and / or a red light signal as a lock confirmation. Therefore, it is possible to optically display to the user in a simple manner: the unlocking and / or locking of the mobile entry device is successful, or which state the mobile entry device is currently in (unlocked or locked).

[0024] In one design, the mobile access device has an input unit for obtaining a user input, wherein the control unit is configured to: identify whether the input unit obtains a predefined first user input; and if the recognized motion sequence is consistent with the predefined first motion sequence and if the predefined first user input has been recognized, the mobile access device is unlocked. Therefore, according to this design, it is provided as an additional condition for unlocking the mobile access device that a predefined first user input is made via the input unit. The first user input is here a user input provided and required for unlocking the mobile access device. The control unit can also be configured to identify whether the input unit obtains a predefined second user input, and if the recognized motion sequence is consistent with the predefined second motion sequence and if the predefined second user input has been recognized, the mobile access device is locked. The second user input can be a user input provided and required for locking the mobile access device. In particular, the input unit includes an operating button for obtaining a button press as a predefined user input. Therefore, in this design, the mobile access device is unlocked only when the user presses the operating button and performs the first sequence of motions. The additional condition of the user input via the input unit for unlocking and / or locking the mobile access device ensures that the mobile access device is not accidentally unlocked and / or locked if the user inadvertently performs the first and / or second sequence of movements.

[0025] In one design, the first motion sequence and / or the second motion sequence are personalized motion sequences. As already mentioned, the motion sequence for unlocking and / or locking the mobile access device can be selected individually, i.e. user-specifically. In particular, each user of the mobile access device or the device can be assigned a personalized first and / or second motion sequence. For example, personalization can be achieved by the following, i.e., the user can select the first and / or second motion sequence from a plurality of motion sequences predefined (i.e., saved) since the factory. The first and / or second motion sequence can also be personalized by the user in the following manner, in which the user performs any gesture with the hand carrying the mobile access device, wherein the gesture is then saved as the first and / or second (therefore personalized) motion sequence by the control unit. The personalization of the first and / or second motion sequence is preferably only possible in the unlocked state of the device, which improves security. The personalization of the first and / or second motion sequence further improves security, because it is difficult or even impossible for unauthorized third parties to determine the corresponding motion sequence required for unlocking / locking.

[0026] Unless stated otherwise in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can advantageously be combined with one another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention is explained below in the following embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 The mobile entry device is shown in an unlocked state and in a locked state according to one embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 The movement sequence to be performed in order to unlock and / or lock the mobile access device is shown.

[0030] Figure 3 A mobile access device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals refer to the same objects hereinafter.

[0032] Figures 1 to 3 A design of a mobile access device 10 according to the invention is shown, which is used to grant access to a device (not shown). In the present exemplary embodiment, the mobile access device is a vehicle key and the device is a vehicle.

[0033] The vehicle key 10 includes an operating element 12, a transmitting unit 20 for wirelessly transmitting an unlocking signal and a locking signal to the vehicle to unlock or lock the vehicle in response to manipulation of the operating element 12, a sensor unit 30 for identifying movement of the vehicle key 10 in space, a storage unit 50, and a control unit 40 connected to the sensor unit 30, the transmitting unit 20, and the storage unit 50. The vehicle key 10 also includes an indicator element 14 (the indicator element is currently configured as an LED) and an input unit 16 for obtaining user input, wherein the input unit 16 is currently configured as an operation button, see Figure 3 .

[0034] The vehicle can be locked and unlocked in a manner known per se by means of the vehicle key 10, by the user actuating the operating element 12. Thus, when the operating element 12 is actuated, an unlocking signal and / or a locking signal is emitted by means of the transmitting unit 20. The unlocking signal and the locking signal can be identical.

[0035] However, the vehicle key 10 according to the present invention is only allowed to send the unlock signal and the lock signal when the vehicle key 10 is in the unlocked state. In the locked state of the vehicle key 10, the sending of the unlock signal and the lock signal is prohibited. Only through a predefined movement sequence of the vehicle key 10 can the vehicle key 10 be brought into the unlocked state and the locked state.

[0036] To this end, the control unit 40 monitors the movement of the vehicle key 10 in space by evaluating the sensor data determined by the sensor unit 30. For example, the sensor unit 30 may include a gyroscope as a sensor. The control unit 40 compares the movement sequence identified based on the sensor data with predefined movement sequences stored in the storage unit 50 and unlocks / locks the vehicle key 10 if the identified movement sequence corresponds to one of the predefined movement sequences.

[0037] exist Figure 1 1 shows the vehicle key 10 in its unlocked state on the left. This is displayed to the user via an LED 14, which lights up green, for example. In this unlocked state, the user can lock the vehicle by operating the operating element 12.

[0038] If the user now performs a predefined movement sequence with the hand carrying the vehicle key 10, the vehicle key 10 is placed in the locked state, as in Figure 1 shown in the middle. Figure 1 The vehicle key 10 on the left side of the figure is facing Figure 1 The arrow pointing to the center vehicle key 10 here is intended to illustrate the execution of the movement sequence. The locked state is also displayed to the user via the LED 14, which lights up red, for example. In the locked state of the vehicle key 10, actuation of the operating element 12 has no effect - i.e. no unlocking signal can be transmitted to the vehicle. The vehicle therefore remains locked.

[0039] If the user now performs a predefined movement sequence again with the vehicle key 10 in his hand, the vehicle key 10 is moved to the unlocked state again, such as Figure 1 The user can now unlock the vehicle by actuating the operating element 12 , because in this state, when the operating element 12 is actuated, the transmitting unit 20 emits an unlocking signal.

[0040] exist Figure 2 An example of such a predefined movement sequence B for the vehicle key 10 is shown in . Here the predefined movement sequence is represented as “8”. Of course, any other movement sequences are possible and programmable.

[0041] The present invention achieves a higher degree of security against unauthorized vehicle access, because only authorized users know the movement sequence required for unlocking (and locking) the vehicle key. Unauthorized third parties who do not know this movement sequence cannot use the vehicle key to unlock (or lock) the vehicle.

[0042] Preferably, as a further condition for unlocking and / or locking the vehicle key 10, actuation of the operating button 16 is also required. Thus, locking and / or unlocking of the vehicle key 10 only occurs if the user previously pressed the operating button 16 or kept pressing it and executed a predefined motion sequence. This prevents accidental unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle key 10 if a predefined motion sequence is inadvertently executed.

[0043] Reference numerals list

[0044] 10 Mobile entry device / vehicle key

[0045] 12 operating elements

[0046] 14 indicator elements / LED

[0047] 16 input units / operation keys

[0048] 20 launch units

[0049] 30 sensor units

[0050] 40 control unit

[0051] 50 storage units

[0052] B Movement sequence.

Claims

1. A mobile access device (10) for granting access to an installation, in particular to a vehicle, wherein: The mobile entry device (10) comprises: a transmitting unit (20) for wirelessly transmitting an unlocking signal to the device to unlock the device; a sensor unit (30) for identifying the movement of the mobile entry device (10) in space, the sensor unit comprising a gyroscope sensor; and a control unit (40) connected to the sensor unit (30), wherein the control unit (40) is configured to: receiving sensor data from the sensor unit (30); Based on the received sensor data, identifying the movement sequence of the mobile entry device (10) in the space; determining whether the identified motion sequence is consistent with a predefined first motion sequence; If the recognized movement sequence matches the predefined first movement sequence, the mobile access device (10) is unlocked, wherein the transmission of the unlocking signal to the device is only released in the unlocked state of the mobile access device (10).

2. The mobile access device (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The mobile access device is a vehicle key (10) for granting access to a vehicle and / or to a unit associated with the vehicle.

3. The mobile access device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control unit (40) is configured to: determining whether the identified motion sequence is consistent with a predefined second motion sequence; If the recognized movement sequence corresponds to the predefined second movement sequence, the mobile access device (10) is locked, wherein in the locked state of the mobile access device (10) the transmission of the unlocking signal to the device is prohibited.

4. The mobile access device (10) according to claim 3, wherein: The second motion sequence is different from the first motion sequence.

5. The mobile access device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The transmitting unit (20) is activated only when the mobile entry device (10) is in an unlocked state.

6. The mobile access device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The mobile entry device (10) has an indicator element (14) for outputting a release confirmation to a user, wherein the control unit (40) is configured to: When unlocking of the mobile access device (10) occurs, the indicator element (14) is actuated to output the unlocking confirmation to the user.

7. The mobile access device (10) according to claim 6, wherein: The indicator element comprises a light source (14), wherein the light source (14) emits a light signal as unlocking confirmation based on the manipulation by the control unit (40).

8. The mobile access device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The mobile access device (10) has an input unit (16) for obtaining a user input, wherein the control unit (40) is configured to: identifying whether the input unit (16) obtains a predefined first user input; If the recognized movement sequence corresponds to the predefined first movement sequence and if the predefined first user input has been recognized, the mobile entry device (10) is unlocked.

9. The mobile access device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first motion sequence is a personalized motion sequence.

10. A method for granting access to an installation, in particular a vehicle, by means of a mobile access device (10), the method being executed by a control unit (40) of the mobile access device (10) and comprising the following steps: receiving sensor data from a sensor unit (20) of the mobile entry device (10); Based on the received sensor data, identifying the movement sequence of the mobile entry device (10) in the space; determining whether the identified motion sequence is consistent with a predefined first motion sequence; If the recognized movement sequence matches the predefined first movement sequence, the mobile access device (10) is unlocked, wherein the emission of an unlocking signal to the device is only released when the mobile access device (10) is in the unlocked state.

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