Control of motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (200) for controlling a motor vehicle (105), comprising the following steps: determining (215) that a door (110) of the motor vehicle (105) is open; determining (235) that the person (150) leaves the motor vehicle (105); determining (220) a position of the predetermined mobile device (135) relative to the motor vehicle (105); and closing (230) the vehicle door (110) if the mobile device (135) leaves the vehicle door (110).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the control of a motor vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to the control of a safety system of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] The motor vehicle comprises a security system, with the aid of which security-relevant functions can be controlled. The security-relevant functions can control access to the motor vehicle, for example by opening or closing a door unlock, or control use of the motor vehicle, for example by opening or closing an anti-theft lock or a steering wheel lock. The security system can be based on a mobile device carried by a user of the motor vehicle. The mobile device can communicate wirelessly with the security system and control the security-relevant functions.

[0003] In one embodiment, functions, in particular safety-related functions, can be controlled depending on the position of the mobile device. Thus, when a person with a mobile device approaches the motor vehicle, the doors can be unlocked or opened. The doors can also be closed automatically before the person drives away. However, after getting in the vehicle, the person may change his mind and get out again. In this case, the doors can be closed automatically.

[0004] Determining the position of a person in a motor vehicle can require a lot of electrical energy. This is usually not critical on the vehicle side, but the user's mobile device can be taxed by this. Therefore, the position determination of a mobile device in a motor vehicle is usually observed only for a predetermined time after entering the vehicle. For example, the position determination can be switched off after about one minute.

[0005] If the person leaves the motor vehicle after this period, the door remains open because the position of the mobile device is no longer detected. Summary of the invention

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

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for controlling a motor vehicle comprises the following steps: determining that a door of the motor vehicle is open; determining that a person leaves the motor vehicle; determining a position of a predetermined mobile device relative to the motor vehicle; and closing the door if the mobile device leaves the door.

[0008] The method can be easily integrated with known methods for controlling vehicle doors. With the proposed method, it is possible to cover situations in which a person stays in the vehicle longer than the time required to determine the location of his mobile device. Instead of a mobile device, the method can monitor the person and determine when the person leaves the motor vehicle. In this case, the vehicle doors can be closed. Preferably, the vehicle doors are only closed if the person takes his mobile device with him during the period of leaving the motor vehicle. Thus, it can be prevented that the vehicle doors are closed and the person cannot access his mobile device located in the motor vehicle. It can also be prevented that the doors are closed incorrectly when the person leaving is not the same person as the person carrying the mobile device. In addition, it can also be assumed that if a person leaves his mobile device in the motor vehicle, he does not intend to leave the motor vehicle far enough or for long enough to lock the motor vehicle.

[0009] Before opening the door, the motor vehicle can be unlocked with the aid of a mobile device. The door can be opened manually by a person or automatically with the aid of an actuator. It can be assumed that the person carries the mobile device with him. When the distance between the mobile device and the motor vehicle falls below a predetermined distance, unlocking or opening can be triggered automatically.

[0010] In this context, a mobile device is understood to be a device that is provided for wireless communication with a motor vehicle and for controlling safety-related functions of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, a mobile device may include a device assigned to a person, such as a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch or laptop. Such devices are usually designed as multifunctional devices and the functionality for controlling safety-related functions may be retrofitted in the form of an application.

[0011] As an alternative, the mobile device can also include a special handheld device, which is configured to control the safety-relevant functions in a corresponding manner. The handheld device can have several buttons and be in the form of a handheld transmitter, a remote control or a key fob, for example. The energy storage device of such a handheld device can be dimensioned very small.

[0012] In this context, a safety-related function is understood to be a function which enables or prevents access to or use of a motor vehicle. A first possible safety function relates to locking and can control the locking or unlocking of doors. In addition, doors can be opened or closed. A second possible safety function relates to an anti-theft lock, which must be released in order for the motor vehicle to move under its own power. A third possible safety function relates to a traction protection device, which must be released in order for the motor vehicle to move on its own axles. The traction protection device can include, for example, a parking brake or a steering wheel lock.

[0013] Unlocking can be based on a two-way encrypted authentication between the motor vehicle and the mobile device. For this purpose, an asymmetric encryption method is preferably used, which provides each communication user with a pair of private and public digital keys. The authentication can be carried out according to a predetermined protocol, wherein the request for the motor vehicle function to be controlled can be part of the authentication information.

[0014] The authentication between the mobile device and the motor vehicle is particularly preferably performed according to the method specified by the Car Connectivity Consortium for digital vehicle keys. The definition is contained, for example, in Car Connectivity Consortium Digital Key Release 3; Technical Specification; Version 1.1.0 (CCC-TS-101), published on July 20, 2022.

[0015] It is further preferred that the position of the mobile device is determined continuously for a predetermined duration after unlocking. For example, the distance determination can be performed periodically, for example in a rhythm of seconds. In one embodiment, the predetermined duration can be approximately one minute. After the duration has expired, the position of the mobile device can no longer be determined regularly. It is provided that the position is determined again when there is an indication that the person may have left the motor vehicle.

[0016] The person leaving is preferably determined by means of a sensor of the motor vehicle. The sensor may already be installed in the motor vehicle for other functions. The sensor signal provided by the sensor can thus be used for other purposes. If the sensor is fed by the onboard power supply of the motor vehicle, which supplies sufficient power for its operation, the operation of the sensor may be non-critical in terms of its energy consumption.

[0017] In a first variant, the sensor is provided for scanning the outer area of ​​the motor vehicle. The sensor can also be provided for identifying persons. Furthermore, the position and / or movement of the identified person can be determined. The sensor can be imaging and the identification device can be part of the sensor or implemented separately from the sensor.

[0018] The sensor may include one of an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, an external space camera, a lidar sensor or a UWB sensor. Typically, a plurality of UWB sensors are arranged at different locations on the motor vehicle. The UWB sensor is typically used to determine the position of the mobile device relative to the motor vehicle based on the distance between the mobile device and each UWB sensor. For this purpose, the time required for the transmission of the radio signal can be determined. In order to determine a person, the UWB sensor can detect the reflection of the emitted signal at the person. The movement of the person can be determined based on the time variation of the reflection. The following fact can be used: the person has at least approximately known reflection characteristics and moves in at least approximately known manner.

[0019] In a second variant, the sensor is configured to scan the interior of the motor vehicle. The occupancy state of a seat that can be attached to a door is particularly preferably determined based on the sensor signal of the sensor. If the occupancy state changes in a predetermined manner, for example from "occupied" to "free", a person leaving the motor vehicle can be determined.

[0020] It should be noted that the determination of a person leaving the motor vehicle can also be based on a plurality of sensors and that the two variants can be combined with one another.

[0021] The sensor for scanning the interior space may include one of an interior space camera, a gesture camera, a driver attention camera, a seat occupancy pad, an ultrasonic sensor, an exterior space camera, a lidar sensor, or a UWB sensor.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, a control device for a motor vehicle includes: a first device for determining an open state of a door of the motor vehicle; a second device for determining whether a person has left the motor vehicle; a third device for determining a position of a predetermined mobile device relative to the motor vehicle; a processing device, which is configured to determine whether the mobile device has left the door; and an actuator for closing the door.

[0023] The processing device is preferably configured to partially or completely implement the method described herein. For this purpose, the processing device can be implemented electronically and can include, for example, an integrated circuit, a programmable logic module or a programmable microcomputer. The method can be implemented in the form of a configuration or as a computer program product with program code means for the processing device. The configuration or the computer program product can be stored on a computer-readable data carrier. Features or advantages of the method can be transferred to the device or vice versa.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, a motor vehicle comprises a control device as described herein. The motor vehicle may in particular comprise a car, a truck or a bus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are as follows:

[0026] Figure 1 showing control equipment on board a motor vehicle; and

[0027] Figure 2 A flow chart showing the method is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 A control device 100 is shown on board a motor vehicle 105. The motor vehicle 105 comprises a door 110 which is associated with a seat 115, in the present case by way of example, with the driver's seat. The control device 100 may be configured to control safety-related functions of the motor vehicle 105, which may relate to controlling access to or use of the motor vehicle 105. The motor vehicle 105 comprises an actuator 120 which is configured to close the door 110, and the control device 100 is configured to control the actuator 115.

[0029] The control device 100 comprises a processing device 125 and preferably comprises at least one wireless interface 130 for communicating with a mobile device 135. The wireless interface 130 may comprise a UWB interface 125 and further preferably a plurality of wireless UWB (ultra-wideband) interfaces 130 installed at different locations on the motor vehicle 105. The position of the mobile device 135 relative to the motor vehicle 105 can be determined by determining the distance from the UWB interface 120 to the mobile device 135. Further preferably, a further wireless interface 140 is provided, which operates according to other protocols, in particular Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and is provided for communicating with the mobile device 135. Data can preferably be exchanged via the further interface 140.

[0030] Various sensors may be provided on motor vehicle 105 , which are configured to scan the interior or exterior of motor vehicle 105 . Figure 1 1 and 2 . The seat occupancy pad 138 and the interior space sensor 145 are shown by way of example. The seat occupancy pad 138 is provided for determining an occupancy state of the seat 115, which indicates whether a person 150 is located on the seat. The determination can also be performed or assisted by means of the interior space sensor 145. The interior space sensor 145 can, for example, include a camera, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor or a lidar sensor. The interior space sensor 145 can be part of other systems on board the motor vehicle 105, such as an interior space monitoring system, a system for identifying driver fatigue or attention, or an alarm. It should be noted that a plurality of interior space sensors 145 can be provided and a person 150 on board the motor vehicle and in particular on the predetermined seat 115 can be identified based on the sensor signals of the plurality of interior space sensors 145.

[0031] Furthermore, two external space sensors 155 are shown as an example, which can be respectively provided for scanning the external space or environment of the motor vehicle 105. The external space sensor 155 can include, for example, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, a camera or an ultrasonic sensor. The external space sensor 155 can be part of other systems such as a lane keeping assistance system, a distance assistance system, a navigation system, a pre-collision system or a parking system. One or more sensors 155 can also be provided for the external space, and their sensor signals can be used to determine the person 150. Optionally, a door sensor 160 can also be used, which provides a signal indicating the open state of the door 110.

[0032] The control device 100 usually establishes communication with the mobile device 135 and performs a two-way authentication. For this purpose, the position relative to the mobile device 135 and in particular the distance to the mobile device 135 can be determined by means of the NFC interface 130. Under predetermined conditions, which may include less than a predetermined distance, the motor vehicle 105 can be automatically unlocked and the door 110 can be opened. The person 150 can sit on the seat 115. If the vehicle 105 is to be driven away, the door 110 can be automatically closed. For example, when the drive motor is started, a gear is engaged in the transmission, or when the motor vehicle 105 starts to move, the driving away can be determined.

[0033] However, if person 150 enters motor vehicle 105 and does not leave, the position of mobile device 135 can be further determined using the UWB interface. If person 150 leaves motor vehicle 105 with mobile device 135, door 110 can close automatically. However, in order to save energy (especially with respect to mobile device 135), the duration of the position or distance determination is limited to, for example, about one minute. Thereafter, the position determination can be deactivated. If person 150 then also leaves motor vehicle 105, this cannot be determined at first. In this case, door 110 will remain open.

[0034] Therefore, it is provided that one or more sensors 130, 138, 145, 155 are used to determine whether person 150 has exited motor vehicle 105. In this case, the position of mobile device 135 can also be determined. If it is determined that mobile device 135 has also left motor vehicle 105, door 110 can be closed.

[0035] Figure 2 A flow chart of a method 200 for controlling motor vehicle 105 is shown. Method 200 may be carried out, in particular, by means of control device 100 .

[0036] It is assumed that the motor vehicle 105 is initially locked and that no person 150 is in the vehicle. In step 205, the person 150 can approach the motor vehicle 105 with the mobile device 135. Once communication is possible via the further interface 140, a distance determination can be performed via the interface 130. The range of the interface 130 is usually smaller than the range of the further interface 140.

[0037] If the distance is below a predetermined threshold, a mutual authentication can be performed in step 210 between mobile device 135 and motor vehicle 105, more precisely control device 100, more precisely processing device 125. Asymmetric encryption methods can be implemented here, for example in accordance with the provisions of the digital vehicle key mentioned here.

[0038] If the two-way authentication is successful, the door 110 can be opened in step 215. This can be done manually by the person 150 or automatically by means of the actuator 120. The person 150 can then enter the motor vehicle 105. Whether the person is sitting in the seat 115 can be determined, for example, by means of a seat occupancy system, which can evaluate the sensor signal of the seat occupancy pad 138.

[0039] Starting from successful authentication, opening of door 110 or entry of person 150, the position or distance of mobile device 135 relative to motor vehicle 105 can be determined over a predetermined period of time. This determination can be performed periodically, for example, and the time interval between successive determinations can typically be in the range of a few milliseconds to a few seconds. If it is determined in step 225 that mobile device 135 is again in the outer area, door 110 can be closed in step 230 by means of actuator 120. Optionally, door 110 can also be locked.

[0040] The predetermined duration of the distance or position determination in step 220 is typically approximately one minute. Thereafter, further distance or position determinations can initially no longer be performed by means of interface 130 .

[0041] It is provided that, at the latest upon completion of the distance determination, in step 235 an indication is determined by means of sensors of motor vehicle 105 that person 150 has left motor vehicle 105 again. For this purpose, on the one hand, a change in the occupancy state of seat 115 previously occupied by person 150 can be determined, more precisely, preferably from “occupied” to “free”. It can also be determined by means of interior sensors 145 that person 150 is not present. On the other hand, it can be determined by means of exterior sensors 155 that person 150 is outside motor vehicle 105. It can further preferably be determined whether the movement path of person 150 is away from motor vehicle 105 and in particular door 110.

[0042] It should be noted that it is also possible to determine by means of one or more interfaces 130 that a person 150 is not in the motor vehicle 105 and is in the environment of the motor vehicle 105 or is moving in the environment of the motor vehicle 105. For this purpose, an interface 130 in the form of a radar sensor can be controlled to emit radio pulses and receive reflections of the radio pulses. From the reflection characteristics, such as delay, attenuation, spectrum or signal strength, it is possible to infer the reflecting object. Different reflecting objects can be distinguished from each other. It is preferably possible to determine whether the reflecting object is a person 150. In addition, the movement of the person 150 can be determined.

[0043] If it has been determined that person 150 is no longer on board and / or that person 150 has left motor vehicle 105 , a branch may be made from step 235 directly to step 230 , in which door 110 may be closed.

[0044] In another embodiment, the process returns to step 220 and the distance or position of the mobile device 135 can be determined. Preferably, in this case, step 220 is performed more frequently and for a shorter period of time than when it was first executed. For example, the distance to the mobile device can be determined in approximately 2 seconds instead of approximately 60 seconds, and the distance measurement can be performed every approximately 2 seconds instead of every second. If the suspicion that the person 150 is no longer in the motor vehicle 105 cannot be confirmed based on the distance measurement, the process can be continued with step 235, in which it can be checked again whether the person 150 has left the motor vehicle 105 and in particular the door 110.

[0045] Otherwise, if there is a consistent indication that person 150 has left motor vehicle 105 (e.g., because person 150 is not in motor vehicle 105 and / or outside motor vehicle 105), while mobile device 135 is located in a similar area outside motor vehicle 105, then door 110 can be closed in step 230.

[0046] Reference numerals list

[0047] 100 control devices

[0048] 105 Motor Vehicles

[0049] 110 doors

[0050] 115 seats

[0051] 120 actuators

[0052] 125 Processing device

[0053] 130 interface (UWB)

[0054] 135 Mobile devices

[0055] 138 Seat Occupancy Pad

[0056] 140 interface (BLE)

[0057] 145 Internal Space Sensor

[0058] 150 people

[0059] 155 External Space Sensor

[0060] 160 Door Sensor

[0061] 200 Methods

[0062] 205 Determine location

[0063] 210 Two-way Verification

[0064] 215 Open the door

[0065] 220 Determine the location of the mobile device

[0066] 225 mobile device leaves

[0067] 230 Close the door

[0068] 235 people left

Claims

1. A method (200) for controlling a motor vehicle (105), wherein: The method (200) comprises the following steps: - determining (215) that a door (110) of the motor vehicle (105) is open; - determining (235) that the person (150) has left the motor vehicle (105); - determining (220) a position of a predetermined mobile device (135) relative to the motor vehicle (105); and - If the mobile device (135) leaves the vehicle door (110), closing (230) the vehicle door (110).

2. The method (200) according to claim 1, comprising unlocking (215) the motor vehicle (105) by means of the mobile device (135) before opening the vehicle door (110).

3. The method (200) according to claim 2, wherein: Unlocking is performed based on two-way encrypted authentication (210) between the motor vehicle (105) and the mobile device (135).

4. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The location of the mobile device (135) is continuously determined (220) over a predetermined duration after unlocking.

5. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A person (150) leaving is detected using sensors (130, 138, 145, 155) of a motor vehicle (105).

6. The method (200) according to claim 5, wherein: The sensor (155) is provided for scanning an outer area of ​​the motor vehicle (105).

7. The method (200) of claim 6, wherein: The sensor (155) includes one of an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, an external space camera, a lidar sensor, and an ultra-wideband sensor.

8. The method (200) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: The occupancy state of the seat (115) matched with the vehicle door (110) is determined based on the sensor signals of the sensors (138, 145); and if the occupancy state changes from occupied to vacant, a person (150) leaving the motor vehicle (105) is determined.

9. The method (200) of claim 8, wherein: The sensor (145) includes one of an interior space camera, a gesture camera, a driver attention camera, a seat occupancy pad, an ultrasonic sensor, an exterior space camera, a lidar sensor, or an ultra-wideband sensor.

10. A control device (100) for a motor vehicle (105), the control device (100) comprising the following elements: - a first device (160) for determining an open state of a door (110) of a motor vehicle (105); - a second device (130, 138, 145, 155) for determining that a person (150) has left the motor vehicle (105); - a third device (130) for determining the position of a predetermined mobile device (135) relative to the motor vehicle (105); - a processing device (125) configured to determine whether the mobile device (135) has left the vehicle door (110); and - an actuator (120) for closing the door (110).

11. A motor vehicle (105) comprising a control device (100) according to claim 10.

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