Wireless communication system, wireless communication method and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a wireless communication system comprising a motor vehicle 10 and at least two mobile devices 20 which are designed to communicate with the motor vehicle 10 and which are located in a radio range for wireless communication with the motor vehicle 10. Furthermore, the at least two mobile devices 20 each have a digital key 24, which is valid and registered for the motor vehicle 10 and which is stored on the respective mobile device 20. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 10 has a storage device which is configured to store a priority value assigned to each of the at least two mobile devices 20, and the motor vehicle 10 is configured to store a priority value assigned to each of the at least two mobile devices 20 upon detection of a request from each of the at least two mobile devices 20. It causes the transmission of a respective response to each mobile device 20 to overlap in time, sending a response to the mobile device 20 having the highest priority value among the priority values of the at least two mobile devices 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a wireless communication system according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a wireless communication method for a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In the current version 3 of the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standard for digital car keys, the Bluetooth protocol with low energy consumption (also known as "Bluetooth Low Energy," BLE) is used for identification and communication. The vehicle plays a subordinate role, while the smartphone plays a central role. This means that the smartphone dictates the communication time grid and anchor points for connection intervals. If multiple devices connect to the same vehicle node, these connection events may overlap, potentially leading to loss of connection events.

[0003] However, since the time sequence is specified by the central device, the vehicle cannot influence the time sequence of the connection. Even if the vehicle sends a connection attribute update to change the anchor point of the connection event, the smartphone can still reject the vehicle's request.

[0004] In this regard, document EP 4 177 118 A1 discloses a device comprising a circuit adapted to receive request data. The request data represents a request to provide dynamic status information about a vehicle or to perform a vehicle function on the vehicle. The request data also represents identification characteristics of a digital vehicle key for the vehicle and / or a token derived from the digital vehicle key. However, this document does not disclose how to handle overlapping requests.

[0005] Furthermore, document WO 2020 / 147 875 A1 discloses a system and method for managing authorizations for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle-side storage module having a key list containing multiple entries for a plurality of digital keys that can be assigned to respective users via a first electronic device. Each digital key represents a vehicle authorization for a user, and each entry in the key list is assigned a unique identifier. Furthermore, the vehicle includes a communication module configured to transmit at least one identifier from the vehicle to the first electronic device, the identifier being associated with an unassigned entry in the key list.

[0006] However, as the number of connections increases, the probability of connection events overlapping also increases, especially when the connection interval is short, such as the 30 millisecond connection interval recommended by the CCC specification. If connection events overlap, the Bluetooth chipset must service the connection that appears first. This can result in a connection going unanswered for several connection intervals, potentially leading to connection termination due to a timeout event. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and enable reliable connection with multiple smartphones or smart devices.

[0008] This object is achieved by the technical solution of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention is based on the idea that a plurality of connections are assigned priority values ​​and that a motor vehicle can respond to these connections according to the order of the priority values, even though the motor vehicle is not centrally involved in the connection.

[0010] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising a motor vehicle and at least two mobile devices configured to communicate with the motor vehicle, the at least two mobile devices being located within a radio range for wireless communication with the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the at least two mobile devices each have a digital key valid for the motor vehicle and registered, the digital key being stored on the corresponding mobile device. Furthermore, the motor vehicle has a storage device configured to store a priority value assigned to each of the at least two mobile devices, and the motor vehicle is configured to, upon detecting a respective request from the at least two mobile devices, cause the sending of a corresponding response to each mobile device to overlap in time, sending a response to the mobile device having the highest priority value among the priority values ​​of the at least two mobile devices.

[0011] In other words, a wireless communication system is provided that includes a motor vehicle and at least two mobile devices, such as mobile terminals, remote control keys, mobile phones, smart watches, or the like, configured to communicate with the motor vehicle. Only mobile devices within the radio range for wireless communication with the motor vehicle are considered. A digital key is stored on each mobile device and is valid and registered for the motor vehicle. This means that pairing has been successful and the key contains authorization to perform functions on the motor vehicle, such as unlocking the vehicle and / or enabling the vehicle to operate.

[0012] The motor vehicle includes a storage device that contains a priority value for each registered digital key. This priority value is assigned to the mobile device on which the corresponding digital key is stored. If the motor vehicle, for example, detects, using a control device, that requests have been issued from at least two mobile devices, each of which requires a corresponding response to be sent, resulting in the responses being sent overlapping in time, the motor vehicle is configured to send a response to the mobile device with the highest priority value among the at least two mobile devices. The motor vehicle can then respond to other requests from other mobile devices, for example, in descending order of priority value. For example, if two requests have the same priority, the decision on which response to send first can be made randomly. If a digital key is connected to the motor vehicle for the first time, a standard priority value corresponding to an average priority can be assigned. The priority values ​​can be stored, for example, in a table on the motor vehicle's storage device. The standard priority value can be, for example, 10 or 100. Furthermore, priority values ​​can be manually assigned, for example, via the infotainment system, allowing a user to upgrade or downgrade the priority of a particular device. Within the scope of the present invention, a request can include a command, instruction, or query intended to and / or cause the motor vehicle to perform a vehicle function.

[0013] The present invention allows the vehicle to simply prioritize responses to requests from high-priority connections or devices, thereby reducing the likelihood of timeouts or connection interruptions in these high-priority connections or devices. Since other devices or connections have lower priorities, a high probability of connection interruptions is not a concern.

[0014] The present invention includes other designs that provide additional advantages.

[0015] According to another advantageous embodiment, the motor vehicle is configured to increase the priority value for the mobile device if the vehicle detects that a request from the mobile device is for controlling the drive engine and / or brake system. Furthermore, the motor vehicle or the control device may be configured to increase the priority value for the mobile device if the vehicle detects that the request is for controlling the vehicle speed and / or vehicle position. Furthermore, the motor vehicle may be configured to increase the priority value for the mobile device if the vehicle detects that the request from the mobile device is for controlling an enduring action. The term "enduring action" here refers to commands or requests that require a longer duration, such as opening a window by pressing a corresponding button on a remote control key for a longer period of time. In this case, the window-opening command is transmitted to the vehicle, and the vehicle sends a response to the command back to the remote control key. If the button is pressed further, another request is sent to the vehicle at regular intervals to continue the action. If the connection is interrupted, this can result in a negative user experience, as the intended window opening may be stopped. Therefore, upgrading or increasing the priority value for the mobile device transmitting such a request can avoid the connection interruption in this case, and the response can be sent back to the instructing mobile device in time without connection interruption.

[0016] According to another advantageous embodiment, the vehicle or the control device is configured to increase the priority value of the mobile device in question if the vehicle detects that a request from a mobile device is a time-critical request. This is particularly advantageous because time-critical requests, such as opening or unlocking a door or window, should be processed quickly to provide the user with quick feedback. Therefore, upgrading or increasing the priority value of the mobile device in question is suitable for providing a better user experience for the user.

[0017] According to another advantageous embodiment, the motor vehicle or the control device is configured to increase the priority value of the mobile device in question if the motor vehicle detects that a request from a mobile device is a request to unlock or lock a door and / or a request to open or close a window. In other words, the control device can assign a higher priority value to a request for controlling a window or door, or the mobile device that sends such a request can receive a higher priority value. This ensures that requests to open or close a window or unlock or lock a door are responded to with higher priority, allowing the user to receive immediate feedback, for example on a smartphone.

[0018] According to another advantageous embodiment, the motor vehicle or the control device is configured to determine a response time for a request from a mobile device based on the priority value of the mobile device. In other words, the response time can be determined based on the priority value and, for example, it can be determined that a response to a request from a mobile device is sent not in the following time period but in a later time period. This ensures that, for example, an expected, for example, delayed, request from another mobile device with a higher priority is responded to first.

[0019] According to another advantageous embodiment, the motor vehicle or control device is configured to specify a priority value for the mobile device based on the type of mobile device. In other words, a mobile device, such as a digital key stored on a smartphone, can be prioritized over a request from a key fob. This allows, for example, a parking application running on the mobile device to have a higher priority, enabling remote parking of the vehicle. Furthermore, a smartwatch, for example, can be prioritized over a smartphone because smartwatches are typically worn on the user's wrist, and the user is therefore likely to prefer a faster response time for requests from the smartwatch.

[0020] According to another advantageous embodiment, the wireless communication between the motor vehicle and the at least one mobile device takes place via the Bluetooth protocol, in particular Bluetooth Low Energy. This embodiment describes a particularly preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] According to another advantageous design scheme, a wireless communication method for a motor vehicle is provided, wherein the motor vehicle is constructed for wireless communication with at least two mobile devices, the mobile devices are constructed for communicating with the motor vehicle, the at least two mobile devices are located in a radio range for wireless communication with the motor vehicle, the at least two mobile devices each have a digital key that is valid and registered for the motor vehicle, the digital key is stored on the corresponding mobile device, characterized in that the motor vehicle has a storage device that stores a priority value assigned to each of the at least two mobile devices, and when the motor vehicle detects a request from each of the at least two mobile devices, the request causes the sending of a corresponding response to each mobile device to overlap in time, and a response is sent to the mobile device having the highest priority value among the priority values ​​of the at least two mobile devices.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the invention, a motor vehicle is provided according to claim 9 .

[0023] 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 combination indicated in each case but also in other combinations or individually. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail according to a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a situation between a motor vehicle and a plurality of mobile devices;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Here Figure 1 A motor vehicle 10 is shown having a control device 12. Figure 1 In the case shown, without limiting generality, three mobile devices 20 are located within the radio range of the motor vehicle 10, each of which includes an application 22 on which a digital key 24 is stored. The mobile devices 20 are authorized mobile devices 20, which have a valid and registered digital key 24 stored on the respective mobile device 20. The digital key 24 is valid for the motor vehicle 10, and in the motor vehicle 10, a priority value assigned to each of the mobile devices 20 shown is stored in the control device 12. If, for example, two of the mobile devices 20 send a request to the motor vehicle 10, which would result in the sending of a corresponding response to each of the two mobile devices 20 overlapping in time, the motor vehicle 10 can be configured to send a response to the mobile device 20 that has the highest priority value among the priority values ​​of the at least two mobile devices 20. Thus, the motor vehicle 10 can, for example, send a request to Figure 1 The top mobile device 20 sends a response and can delay the response from Figure 1 Requests from mobile device 20 are shown in the middle. Therefore, the mobile radio connection to the topmost mobile device 20 is less likely to be interrupted, so applications 22 on that mobile device 20, such as a parking application, are prioritized. This improves the user experience and prevents the vehicle 10, controlled by the parking application, from having to stop suddenly due to a connection interruption. Furthermore, for example, requests from mobile device 20 that send an unlock command to vehicle 10 can be prioritized, preventing the user from having to endure long wait times. Furthermore, requests to activate the brake system, for example, can be executed with high priority to prevent vehicle 10 from rolling and bring it to an immediate stop.

[0028] For example, if motor vehicle 10 detects that a request from mobile device 20 is a time-critical request, the priority value of mobile device 20 may be increased. Furthermore, if motor vehicle 10 detects that a request from mobile device 20 is a request to unlock or lock a vehicle door and / or a request to open or close a vehicle window, motor vehicle 10 (or control device 12) may increase the priority value of the mobile device 20 in question. Particularly preferably, the priority value of mobile devices 20 that are requests to control vehicle speed and / or vehicle position and / or requests to control ongoing actions may also be increased. Furthermore, motor vehicle 10 or control device 12 may be configured to determine a response time to a request from mobile device 20 based on the priority value of the mobile device 20. Furthermore, motor vehicle 10 or control device 12 may be configured to specify the priority value of mobile device 20 based on the type of mobile device 20. For example, motor vehicle 10 may prioritize a smartwatch over a smartphone, which in turn may prioritize a remote key, for example.

[0029] The wireless communication preferably takes place via the Bluetooth protocol or the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol.

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart of the method according to the present disclosure is shown. In a first step S1, the motor vehicle 10 can determine that at least two mobile devices 20, each having a valid and registered digital key 24, are within radio range for wireless communication with the motor vehicle 10. This step is optional and can be omitted if necessary.

[0031] In step S2, the motor vehicle 10 may assign a priority value to the mobile device 20 or read the priority value from the control device 12. This step is also optional, and the priority value of the mobile device 20 may be stored, for example, in a memory of the control device 12 of the motor vehicle 10. In step S3, the presence of two requests from the at least two mobile devices 20 is detected, and the motor vehicle 10 may determine that responding to each mobile device 20 would result in overlapping transmissions of the corresponding responses to each mobile device 20. In step S3, the motor vehicle 10 may select the mobile device 20 with the highest priority value among the priority values ​​of the at least two mobile devices 20. In step S4, the motor vehicle 10 transmits a response to the mobile device 20 with the highest priority value among the two mobile devices 20.

[0032] A particularly preferred embodiment is described below. In the current CCC standard for digital keys, version 3 (CCC Digital Car Keys, version 3), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is used to detect and communicate with devices that use digital keys. The vehicle plays a subordinate role, while the smart device plays a central role. This means that the time grid and anchor points for connection intervals are specified by the smart device. When multiple devices connect to the same vehicle node, connection events may overlap, potentially causing some connection events to be lost. Because the time sequence—the time grid and anchor points for connection intervals—is specified by the smart device, the vehicle cannot influence the temporal order. Even if the vehicle sends a connection parameter update to change the anchor point for a connection event, the smart device can reject or ignore the vehicle's request. The probability of connection event overlap increases precisely with an increasing number of connections, especially with shorter connection intervals, such as the 30 milliseconds recommended by the CCC specification. If connection events overlap, the Bluetooth chipset must service the connection that occurs first. This can result in some connection events not being responded to for multiple connection intervals, causing the monitoring time to expire until the connection is broken, or a timeout may occur (exceeding the predetermined maximum response time) and the connection terminated.

[0033] According to the present disclosure, an interface is defined for setting a priority or priority value for a specific connection. If a connection thus has the highest priority (has an assigned priority value that is the highest among the stored, respectively active, priority values), then connection events of this connection can be serviced or responded to even if they overlap with other connection events of other connections.

[0034] If multiple connections exist to the same vehicle anchor point, the vehicle or its control unit can decide which connection has the highest priority, such as a device executing a remote parking application. In this case, the connection ID is sent to the BLE chipset so that the connection event for that connection can be prioritized.

[0035] Reference Signs List

[0036] 10 Motor vehicles

[0037] 12 control devices

[0038] 20 mobile devices

[0039] 22 applications

[0040] 24 keys

Claims

1. A wireless communication system comprising a motor vehicle (10) and at least two mobile devices (20), wherein the at least two mobile devices (20) are designed to communicate with the motor vehicle (10), The at least two mobile devices (20) are located within a radio range for wireless communication with the motor vehicle (10), The at least two mobile devices (20) each have a digital key (24) that is valid and registered for the motor vehicle (10), and the digital key is stored on the corresponding mobile device (20), characterized in that: The motor vehicle (10) has a storage device configured to store a priority value assigned to each of the at least two mobile devices (20), and The motor vehicle (10) is configured to, upon detecting a respective request from the at least two mobile devices (20), cause the sending of a corresponding response to each mobile device (20) to overlap in time, sending a response to the mobile device (20) having the highest priority value among the priority values ​​of the at least two mobile devices (20).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The motor vehicle (10) is configured to increase a priority value for the mobile device (20) if the motor vehicle (10) detects that a request from the mobile device (20) is a request for controlling a drive engine and / or a brake system, a request for controlling a vehicle speed and / or a vehicle position, and / or a request for controlling a continuous action.

3. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The motor vehicle (10) is configured to increase the priority value of the mobile device (20) in question if the motor vehicle (10) detects that the request of the mobile device (20) is a time-critical request.

4. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The motor vehicle (10) is configured to increase the priority value of the mobile device (20) in question if the motor vehicle (10) detects that a request from a mobile device (20) is a request for unlocking or locking a vehicle door and / or a request for opening or closing a vehicle window.

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The motor vehicle (10) is configured to determine a response time to a request from the mobile device (20) based on a priority value of the mobile device (20).

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The motor vehicle (10) is configured to specify a priority value for the mobile device (20) depending on the type of the mobile device (20).

7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Wireless communication takes place via the Bluetooth protocol, in particular Bluetooth Low Energy.

8. A wireless communication method for a motor vehicle (10), wherein: The motor vehicle (10) is designed to communicate wirelessly with at least two mobile devices (20), the at least two mobile devices being designed to communicate with the motor vehicle (10), The at least two mobile devices (20) are located within a radio range for wireless communication with the motor vehicle (10), The at least two mobile devices (20) each have a digital key (24) that is valid and registered for the motor vehicle (10), and the digital key is stored on the corresponding mobile device (20), characterized in that: The motor vehicle (10) has a storage device that stores a priority value assigned to each of the at least two mobile devices (20), and When the motor vehicle (10) detects a respective request from the at least two mobile devices (20), the request causing the sending of a corresponding response to each mobile device (20) to overlap in time, and the response is sent to the mobile device (20) having the highest priority value among the priority values ​​of the at least two mobile devices (20).

9. A motor vehicle (10) having a control device and a storage device, wherein: The motor vehicle (10) is configured for wireless communication with an external mobile device (20) and for carrying out the method according to claim 8.

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