Device and method for operating function of motor vehicle, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) and a method for operating a function of a motor vehicle (1), the device (100) comprising: a first transceiver (10), the first transceiver device is arranged at a first position of the motor vehicle and is designed to receive a function signal for actuating a function of the motor vehicle (1) from a function device (200) different from the motor vehicle (1); and a control device (90) which is communicatively connected to the first transceiver device (10) and which is designed to determine that the first transceiver device (10) is out of communication and to manipulate or block the function on the basis of the determination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a motor vehicle function and to a motor vehicle equipped with such a device. Background Art

[0002] Currently, it is possible to access motor vehicle functions from the outside via one or more transceiver devices that communicate with the functional devices. However, these transceiver devices can be controlled.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the misuse of artificially extending the radio range (so-called relay attacks) in order to prevent the request signal of the motor vehicle from being transmitted beyond the original radio range of the motor vehicle to the functional device outside the vehicle, so that the functional device sends its response signal without the user's knowledge.

[0004] A possible protection measure against artificial extension of the range of action is known, for example, from DE 199 27 253 A1. According to this, the verification unit is equipped with an additional motion sensor and, when receiving a request signal from a motor vehicle, checks whether the verification unit has been in motion during a predetermined time interval before. The starting point of this solution is that the user performs a stepping movement when approaching the motor vehicle, which can be detected by the motion sensor and can be used to check the plausibility of the activation process. If the verification unit is not used, for example in a house, it is at rest and is prevented from generating a response signal even if a request signal from a motor vehicle is transmitted to the verification unit, so that the activation process fails. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device for controlling a motor vehicle function and an improved method for controlling a motor vehicle function.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] A device for operating a motor vehicle function according to the present invention includes: a first transmitting and receiving device, which is arranged at a first position of the motor vehicle and is configured to receive a function signal for operating the motor vehicle function from a function device different from the motor vehicle; and a control device, which is in communication connection with the first transmitting and receiving device and is configured to determine that the first transmitting and receiving device has lost communication and to operate or block the function based on the determination.

[0008] The device is used, in particular, to detect manipulation of one or more transceiver devices and thus prevent unauthorized access to functions of the motor vehicle.

[0009] For this purpose, the device firstly comprises a first transceiver device which is situated at a first location of the motor vehicle.

[0010] The transceiver may also be referred to as a transceiver, antenna or anchor and is a device of a motor vehicle for sending and receiving signals. In particular, the transceiver is designed for wireless reception of signals.

[0011] The first transceiver device is arranged at a first location of the motor vehicle, in particular on or near a body part, such as, for example, in or on a fender, in or on an apron, in or on a roof element (such as a roof hood), and / or in or on an A, B and / or C pillar. In particular, more than one such transceiver device is provided, which is similarly or identically designed, for example at least four, six, eight or ten such transceivers, each at different locations of the motor vehicle.

[0012] In this case, the transceiver device is designed to receive function signals for actuating motor vehicle functions from functional devices other than the motor vehicle.

[0013] The functional device is an independent object that is separate from the motor vehicle and can be separated in space and is used to trigger, execute or initiate a function by a user of the motor vehicle, without the functional device itself having to be in the motor vehicle for this purpose. For this purpose, the functional device can be spaced apart from the motor vehicle for operation, for example 1 meter, 2 meters, 5 meters or 10 meters.

[0014] For this purpose, the functional device is designed to communicate, in particular wirelessly, with the motor vehicle or the transceiver. In particular, the functional device uses ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for this purpose. In particular, the functional signal includes a characteristic pulse signal from which the desired function can be derived. Furthermore, the functional device can also support or use another radio technology, by means of which communication by means of ultra-wideband is prepared and / or initiated.

[0015] In this case, the functional device can be designed in particular as a dedicated device, such as, for example, a key, a transponder and / or a handle, and provide one or more functions of the motor vehicle via dedicated keys or buttons.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the functional device can also be designed as a mobile radio device, in particular a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop and / or a wearable device, which likewise provides functions of the motor vehicle by means of one or more applications.

[0017] The device also includes a control device in communication connection with the first transmitting and receiving device.

[0018] The control device is used to control, trigger and / or implement one or more functions of the motor vehicle, especially including - but not limited to - such functions that can be controlled by the functional device. The control device can also be called a controller, especially also a central controller.

[0019] In this case, the control device is in particular connected to all transceiver devices, in particular connected by lines, for example via a bus such as a CAN bus, and is designed to communicate with the transceiver devices and in particular to receive information from them.

[0020] The control device is designed in this case to determine whether the first transceiver device has lost communication and to activate or block the function based on this determination.

[0021] Loss of communication here also includes only a temporary loss of the communication possibility or accessibility with the first transceiver device. This can be determined, for example, by not responding to a request from the control device, by receiving a shutdown signal from the transceiver device, or by receiving a reset signal from the transceiver device.

[0022] In particular, the loss of communication is caused by a temporary disconnection of a wired connection between the transceiver device and the control device or a bus, through which the power supply of the transceiver device is also provided.

[0023] It is therefore also or alternatively determined whether the transceiver device was temporarily without power and has therefore been switched off or switched on again.

[0024] In this case, this does not involve a complete loss of power or communication, but rather only an isolated loss of the first transceiver device.

[0025] If this has been confirmed by the control device, the function is blocked or not executed. In particular, in response to the determination of loss of communication, the transceiver involved is blocked, especially for a predetermined duration, during which the function signals received by the transceiver are not processed.

[0026] If, however, it is determined that communication has not been lost, the control device is designed to control, trigger or initiate the function.

[0027] For this purpose, the control device can in particular receive information about the desired function provided by the first transceiver device and / or by the second transceiver device.

[0028] However, other transceiver devices not involved in the loss of communication can still be used to receive the function signal and likewise cause the function to be performed.

[0029] The device according to the invention makes it possible to detect an actuation, in particular a temporary disconnection of the first transceiver device from the motor vehicle, and to initiate suitable defensive measures.

[0030] Protection against unauthorized access to vehicle functions can thus be achieved.

[0031] According to a further development, the function comprises unlocking the motor vehicle.

[0032] Unlocking can include not only one door of the motor vehicle but also multiple and all doors of the motor vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, unlocking can include the trunk, in particular in combination with an automatic opening device that opens the trunk lid.

[0033] In particular, the unlocking can be achieved by actuating a key, a transponder and / or a button on the handle and / or a button on the mobile radio device.

[0034] In particular, unlocking can also be carried out contactlessly, that is, not by the user actually actuating a button, but only by approaching the functional device. This function can also be called keyless entry or comfort access.

[0035] This further development makes it possible to achieve particularly good protection against unauthorized access to the interior.

[0036] According to a further development, the function includes igniting the motor vehicle.

[0037] In this case, ignition includes in particular starting an engine, in particular an internal combustion engine and / or an electric machine, and may also be referred to as providing, enabling or starting an engine function, after which the motor vehicle can be moved or driven directly, for example by actuating an accelerator pedal.

[0038] In this case, the ignition can be effected, for example, via a rotary knob or a button on the operating function device and enables a so-called remote start, for example, in order to air condition, in particular heat or cool, the motor vehicle.

[0039] Ignition can also be effected by actuating a button or a rotary knob in the motor vehicle, which is not effected by interaction with the functional device. In this case, however, the run time between the functional device and the first transceiver device and the run time between the functional device and the second transceiver device are measured and compared with one another in order to enable ignition if a threshold value is undershot and to prevent ignition if a threshold value is exceeded.

[0040] This further development makes it possible to achieve particularly good protection against unauthorized engine starting.

[0041] According to a further development, the control device is designed to determine a time period which has elapsed since the loss of communication and to activate or block the function based on the determined time period which has elapsed.

[0042] Thus, despite the fact that the loss of communication was previously detected, the functional signal of the functional device can again be taken into account by the previously blocked first transceiver device after a period, in particular a predetermined period of time.

[0043] In other words, after the time period has elapsed, the blocking of the transceiver can be released again.

[0044] In this case, the duration can be, for example, at least 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes or 120 minutes.

[0045] This further development makes it possible to take into account a loss of communication caused by repair or maintenance of the transceiver device and to put the transceiver device into operation again after a period of time has elapsed.

[0046] In this case, both for unlocking and for ignition a separate elapsed time period can be defined in each case, after which the function is again enabled or activated, and thus forms the basis for a two-stage test.

[0047] In particular, a shorter duration can be set for unlocking than for ignition. For example, the duration on which ignition is based can be 10%, 20%, 50% or 100% longer than the duration for unlocking.

[0048] According to a further development, the control device is further designed to cancel the blocking function upon receipt of a function signal at the second transceiver device.

[0049] In particular, since the loss of communication has been confirmed, the function and / or the transceiver, in particular the first transceiver, has previously been blocked. If a function signal is then received on the second transceiver, the blocking can thus be cancelled again.

[0050] It is thus possible to reactivate or authenticate a blocked function and / or a blocked transceiver device by subsequent authentication with the aid of another transceiver device.

[0051] A method for controlling a motor vehicle function according to the present invention comprises the following steps: receiving a function signal for controlling a motor vehicle function from a function device different from the motor vehicle at a first transceiver device arranged at a first position in the motor vehicle; and determining that the first transceiver device has lost communication, and based on the determination, controlling or blocking the function by a control device that is in communication connection with the first transceiver device.

[0052] The method can be carried out in particular by means of the above-described embodiment of the device.

[0053] A motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a device according to one of the above-described embodiments.

[0054] With regard to embodiments of the method and the motor vehicle and their advantages, reference is made to the previously described embodiments of the device and their advantages.

[0055] Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims, the drawings and the description of the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description and the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the drawings and / or shown individually in the drawings can be used not only in the respectively given combination but also in other combinations or individually. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] The present invention will now be described in more detail based on preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0057] Figure 1 A schematic top view shows an embodiment of a device and a method for controlling a motor vehicle function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar functions.

[0059] Figure 1 A schematic top view of a device 100 and a method for controlling a function of a motor vehicle 1 is shown.

[0060] In this case, motor vehicle 1 comprises device 100 and is designed to carry out or bring about the method described below.

[0061] Device 100 here firstly has a total of six transceiver devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60, shown as an example. In this case, the first transceiver device 10 is arranged on the left front fender, the second transceiver device 20 is arranged on the right front fender, the third transceiver device 30 is arranged in the left center position in the roof headliner, the fourth transceiver device 40 is arranged in the right center position in the roof headliner, the fifth transceiver device 50 is arranged on the left rear fender, and the sixth transceiver device 60 is arranged on the right rear fender.

[0062] Transceiver devices 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 , 50 , 60 are designed here to receive function signals for actuating functions of motor vehicle 1 from a function device 200 that is different from motor vehicle 1 and is spaced apart therefrom.

[0063] Device 100 further comprises a control device 90 which is communicatively connected to transceiver devices 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 , 50 , 60 and is designed to detect a loss of communication with the respective transceiver device 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 , 50 , 60 and to control or block the functions based on this detection.

[0064] The control device 90 is also designed to determine a time period that has elapsed since the loss of communication and to control or block the function based on the determined time period that has elapsed.

[0065] The control device 90 is also designed to cancel the blocking function upon receipt of a function signal at the second transceiver device 20 .

[0066] In this case, the functions include both unlocking the motor vehicle 1 and starting the ignition of the motor vehicle 1 .

[0067] Reference numerals list

[0068] 1Motor Vehicle

[0069] 10First transmitting and receiving device

[0070] 20 Second sending and receiving device

[0071] 30 Third sending and receiving device

[0072] 40 Fourth sending and receiving device

[0073] 50 fifth transmitting and receiving device

[0074] 60 Sixth sending and receiving device

[0075] 90 Control Device

[0076] 100 devices

[0077] 200 functional devices

Claims

1. A device (100) for operating a function of a motor vehicle (1), comprising a first transceiver device (10) which is arranged at a first location of the motor vehicle and is designed to receive a function signal for actuating a function of the motor vehicle (1) from a function device (200) different from the motor vehicle (1); and A control device (90) is in communication connection with the first transceiver device (10) and is designed to determine that the first transceiver device (10) has lost communication and to activate or block the function based on the determination.

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein The function comprises unlocking the motor vehicle (1).

3. The device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The function includes igniting the motor vehicle (1).

4. The device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control device (90) is designed to determine a time period that has elapsed since the loss of communication and to activate or block the function based on this determination.

5. The device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The control device (90) is designed to cancel the blocking function upon receipt of a function signal at the second transceiver device (20).

6. A method for operating a function of a motor vehicle (1), comprising: receiving, at a first transceiver device (10) arranged at a first location of the motor vehicle (1), a function signal for operating a function of the motor vehicle (1) from a function device (200) different from the motor vehicle (1); as well as A loss of communication of the first transceiver device (10) is determined and based on this determination the function is actuated or blocked by a control device (90) which is in communication connection with the first transceiver device (10).

7. The method (100) according to claim 6, wherein: The function comprises unlocking the motor vehicle (1).

8. The method (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The function includes igniting the motor vehicle (1).

9. The method (100) according to claims 6 to 8, further comprising: The duration that has elapsed since the loss of communication is determined and the function is actuated or blocked by the control device (90) based on the determination.

10. Motor vehicle comprising a device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5.

Images