Control of wireless radio connections in a vehicle

Abstract

Control unit (5) for a vehicle (1) with multiple interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for wireless radio connections, which is configured to set a respective communication parameter of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for wireless radio connections with mobile entertainment electronic devices (9a, 9b, 9c) depending on an expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio connection on the side of the respective interface (7a, 7b, 7c), wherein the control unit (5) is configured - to determine whether at least one further control unit (6) of another vehicle is arranged in a specified area around the vehicle (1), wherein the further control unit (6) has several interfaces for wireless radio connections and the further control unit (6) is configured to set a respective communication parameter of the interfaces for wireless radio connections with mobile entertainment electronics devices, depending on an expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio connection on the side of the respective interface, and the control unit (5) is designed to - if at least one further control unit (6) of another vehicle is arranged in the specified area around the vehicle (1), to set the respective communication parameters of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronic devices (9a, 9b, 9c), additionally depending on a comparison with the at least one further control unit (6).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to the control of wireless radio connections in a vehicle. It relates in particular to the control in a vehicle with multiple interfaces for wireless radio connections.

[0002] Modern vehicles feature an ever-increasing number of interfaces for wireless connections to mobile entertainment devices. These interfaces are designed, for example, for wireless connections to an MP3 player, wireless headphones, and / or a smartphone. Furthermore, the number of mobile entertainment devices is constantly growing.

[0003] DE 11 2011 104 792 T5 discloses a radio communication device that performs radio communication with a plurality of communication equipment components, the radio communication device comprising: a radio LAN communication unit for performing radio communication with the communication equipment via a radio LAN, and for detecting an interference wave due to radio communication via a radio LAN in order to determine a frequency channel of the interference wave; a radio communication unit for performing radio communication based on a communication scheme that uses the same frequency band as the frequency band of the communication equipment and the radio LAN; a channel aggregation unit for setting a frequency channel of the radio LAN communication unit to the same frequency channel as the frequency channel of the interference wave that the radio LAN communication unit determines;and an allocation control unit for assigning a frequency channel of the radio communication unit to a different frequency channel than the frequency channel set by the channel aggregation unit.

[0004] The object underlying the invention is to create a control system that contributes to ensuring that wireless radio connections in a vehicle have a high connection quality.

[0005] This problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0006] The invention is characterized in a first aspect by a control unit for a vehicle with multiple interfaces for wireless radio connections. The control unit is configured to set a respective communication parameter of the interfaces for wireless radio connections with mobile entertainment electronics devices. The control unit is configured to set the respective communication parameter depending on the expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio connection on the side of the respective interface. In particular, one or more communication parameters can be set for each interface.

[0007] Furthermore, the control unit is designed to determine whether at least one further control unit of another vehicle is arranged in a specified area around the vehicle, wherein the further control unit has several interfaces for wireless radio connections and the further control unit is designed to set a respective communication parameter of the interfaces for wireless radio connections with mobile entertainment electronic devices, depending on an expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio connection on the side of the respective interface.Furthermore, the control unit is designed to adjust the respective communication parameters of the interfaces for wireless radio connections with mobile entertainment electronic devices if at least one other control unit of another vehicle is located in the specified area around the vehicle, and additionally depending on a comparison with the at least one other control unit.

[0008] Further aspects of the invention include a corresponding method for controlling the radio connections and a correspondingly equipped vehicle.

[0009] This matching process allows for a very effective response to interference from neighboring vehicles. For example, if two vehicles are positioned side by side, each vehicle can be assigned half of the available communication frequencies, minimizing mutual interference.

[0010] The interfaces include, for example, multiple interfaces for wireless radio connections of the same radio standard. Alternatively or additionally, the interfaces may include, for example, multiple interfaces for wireless radio connections of different radio standards.

[0011] One such wireless standard is Bluetooth, according to the IEEE 802.15.1 standard, which enables short-range wireless data transmission between a consumer electronics device and its interface. An alternative or additional wireless standard is Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), according to the IEEE 802.11 standard family, which can potentially achieve greater transmission power and range, and potentially higher data rates, than Bluetooth. Other alternative or additional wireless standards include Kleer and / or other industry and / or manufacturer standards. Kleer is a proprietary transmission standard for audio streaming using radio frequencies at 2.4 GHz.

[0012] The interfaces are particularly representative of the respective access points, which are designed as access points for the consumer electronics devices.

[0013] Mobile consumer electronics devices are devices that can be connected to the respective interfaces via a wireless radio connection, such as mobile phones and / or smartphones and / or wireless headphones and / or video players and / or music players, such as MP3 players, which are designed to play audio files of different audio formats, such as MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis and / or video formats.

[0014] The ever-increasing number of interfaces, the ever-increasing data rates, and the growing number of mobile entertainment devices in vehicles frequently lead to interference in wireless transmission between these devices and the interfaces. This can negatively impact the connection quality between the devices and the interfaces. For example, if the vehicle has multiple wireless interfaces using the same radio standard, these interfaces may interfere with each other during wireless transmissions, for instance, due to frequency overlap, potentially causing interference.If the vehicle has multiple interfaces for wireless radio connections of different radio standards, these interfaces can also interfere with each other during radio connections, as the respective radio connections may use at least partially the same radio frequencies. The control unit enables centralized control and coordination of the coexistence of the various interfaces. It can thus act as a so-called coexistence manager for the interfaces, coordinating different access points for mobile entertainment devices in the vehicle, such as multimedia devices and / or smartphones.

[0015] If the respective communication parameters of the interfaces are set based on the expected connection quality of the respective wireless connection on the interface side, the interfaces can be specifically configured to minimize mutual interference. This makes it possible to configure multiple interfaces for wireless connections of the same radio standard, as well as multiple interfaces for wireless connections of different radio standards, to minimize mutual interference. This contributes to a high-quality connection between mobile consumer electronics devices and the interfaces.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, setting the respective communication parameter of the interfaces includes assigning respective communication frequencies to the interfaces.

[0017] Interference can be easily avoided by assigning communication frequencies. For example, WLAN according to the IEEE 802.11 standard family provides three non-overlapping transmission channels in the 2.4 GHz band, allowing up to three interfaces to establish wireless connections without interfering with each other by appropriately assigning their respective communication frequencies. A similar approach is possible with Bluetooth and other wireless standards.

[0018] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to adjust the respective communication parameters of the interfaces for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronics devices when a wireless radio connection is added and / or when a wireless radio connection is removed, and additionally depending on the wireless radio connection being added and / or removed.

[0019] If a wireless connection fails, for example because a mobile entertainment device is disconnected from a user, a transmission channel may become available. To make use of this newly available channel, the communication parameters of the respective interface can be adjusted for all or at least some of the existing wireless connections so that all available communication frequencies are used evenly.

[0020] If a wireless connection is added, for example, because a user connects a mobile entertainment device to one of the interfaces, a transmission channel is required. In this case, the communication parameters of the respective interface can be adjusted for all or at least some of the existing wireless connections so that all available communication frequencies are used evenly.

[0021] By adjusting the system when radio connections are added or removed, i.e., by this load-dependent reconfiguration, it is possible to ensure that a consistently high connection quality is maintained for all active wireless radio connections.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to set the respective communication parameters of the interfaces for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronics devices, additionally depending on the expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio connection on the side of the respective mobile entertainment electronics device.

[0023] The respective mobile entertainment device is, for example, located in a different area of ​​the vehicle than the interface to which it is connected. Therefore, the mobile entertainment device may experience different interference than the interface. Consequently, a different communication parameter may result in a high connection quality for the mobile entertainment device than for the interface. By considering both sides when setting the communication parameter, a high connection quality can be achieved for both the interface and the entertainment device.

[0024] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to detect external interference frequencies. The control unit is further designed to adjust the respective communication parameters of the interfaces for wireless radio connections with mobile consumer electronics devices, additionally depending on the detected external interference frequencies.

[0025] Since wireless radio connections may also be affected by externally caused frequencies, i.e., external interference frequencies, the connection quality can be improved by taking these external interference frequencies into account, for example by not assigning strong interference frequencies as communication frequencies.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to set the respective communication parameters of the interfaces for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronics devices, additionally depending on a predetermined minimum quality for the respective wireless radio connection.

[0027] The specified minimum quality is defined, for example, in such a way that the respective radio connection is at least functional. This helps to ensure that at least all wireless radio connections are functional and that none of the radio connections fail.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the control unit is designed to set the respective communication parameters of the interfaces for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronics devices in such a way that available communication frequencies are used evenly.

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a schematic drawing.

[0030] It shows: Fig. 1 a vehicle with a control unit.

[0031] Fig.Figure 1 shows a vehicle 1. It can be, in particular, a motor vehicle. The vehicle 1 has several interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c for wireless radio connections. The interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c can include corresponding transmitting and / or receiving components such as antennas, modulators, and / or demodulators, which comply with the respective radio standards and are familiar to those skilled in the field of communications engineering. The interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c are, for example, assigned to respective control devices. Such control devices are, for example, configured to reproduce and / or forward data that is sent from or to a respective mobile consumer electronics device 9a, 9b, 9c.

[0032] One such control device is, for example, a so-called head unit, which is designed, for example, to control a radio and / or a navigation device of vehicle 1.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, such a control device is a so-called Combox, which is designed, for example, to establish a telephone connection using the radio and a mobile phone connected to the Combox. Alternatively or additionally, such a control device is a so-called Rear seat entertainment unit, which is designed to To control entertainment electronics units located in the rear seating area of ​​vehicle 1.

[0034] Interfaces 7a, 7b, and 7c, for example, include multiple interfaces for wireless radio connections using the same radio standard. Alternatively or additionally, interfaces 7a, 7b, and 7c may include multiple interfaces for wireless radio connections using different radio standards. Such radio standards include, for example, Bluetooth, WLAN, Kleer, and / or other manufacturer and / or industry standards.

[0035] Vehicle 1 also contains, for example, several of the mobile entertainment electronic devices 9a, 9b, 9c. Such entertainment electronic devices 9a, 9b, 9c include, for example, wireless headphones and / or mobile phones and / or smartphones and / or MP3 players and / or tablet PCs and / or laptops.

[0036] Vehicle 1 is further equipped with a control unit 5. The control unit 5 is configured to set the respective communication parameters of interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c for wireless radio connections with mobile entertainment electronics devices 9a, 9b, 9c, depending on the expected connection quality of the respective radio connection on the side of the respective interface 7a, 7b, 7c. This takes into account, for example, the respective number and / or arrangement of interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c in vehicle 1. Alternatively or additionally, it takes into account, for example, which radio standard for wireless radio connections the respective interface 7a, 7b, 7c is configured to use.

[0037] Setting the respective communication parameters of interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c includes, for example, assigning respective communication frequencies to interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c. The communication frequencies are assigned, for example, in such a way that the assigned communication frequencies of adjacent interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c do not overlap, or at least overlap as little as possible.

[0038] The control unit 5 is, for example, alternatively or additionally designed to adjust the respective communication parameters depending on the addition and / or termination of a wireless radio connection. In this context, for example, when a wireless radio connection is added and / or terminated, the communication parameters are adjusted for all or at least some of the existing wireless radio connections in such a way that all available communication frequencies are used as evenly as possible.

[0039] The control unit 5 is, for example, alternatively or additionally configured to adjust the respective communication parameters depending on the expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio link on the side of the respective mobile entertainment electronics device 9a, 9b, 9c. For this purpose, it is checked, for example, how heavily the available communication frequencies are already being used on the side of the respective mobile entertainment electronics device 9a, 9b, 9c.

[0040] The control unit 5 is, for example, alternatively or additionally designed to detect external interference frequencies and to adjust the respective communication parameters depending on the detected external interference frequencies. For this purpose, it checks, for example, how heavily the available communication frequencies on the side of the respective interfaces 7a, 7b, and 7c are already being used.

[0041] The control unit 5 is, for example, alternatively or additionally designed to set the respective communication parameter depending on a specified minimum quality for the respective wireless radio connection, whereby the minimum quality is specified, for example, in such a way that the respective radio connection is at least functional.

[0042] The control unit 5 is, for example, alternatively or additionally designed to determine whether at least one further control unit 6 of another vehicle is arranged in a specified area around the vehicle 1.

[0043] The additional control unit 6 has, in particular, the same functions as the control unit 5. The specified range is, for example, a maximum transmission range of the respective interface 7a, 7b, 7c.

[0044] The control unit 5 is designed, for example, to adjust the respective communication parameter based on a comparison with the at least one other control unit 6 if at least one further control unit 6 of another vehicle is located in the specified area around vehicle 1. For this purpose, for example, if two vehicles are located next to each other, half of the available communication frequencies are assigned to each vehicle so that the two vehicles interfere with each other as little as possible.

[0045] The control unit 5 described above can be used to specifically adjust the communication parameters of the respective interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c so that these interfaces minimize mutual interference during radio connections to the mobile entertainment devices 9a, 9b, 9c. This allows for the configuration of multiple interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c for wireless connections of the same radio standard, as well as multiple interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c for wireless connections of different radio standards, ensuring a high-quality connection between the mobile entertainment devices 9a, 9b, 9c and the interfaces 7a, 7b, 7c. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 5 Control unit 6 additional control units 7a, 7b, 7c interfaces 9a, 9b, 9c Mobile consumer electronics device

Claims

[1] Control unit (5) for a vehicle (1) with a plurality of interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for wireless radio connections, which is designed to set a respective communication parameter of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for wireless radio connections with mobile entertainment electronic devices (9a, 9b, 9c), depending on an expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio connection on the side of the respective interface (7a, 7b, 7c), wherein the control unit (5) is designed to - to determine whether at least one further control unit (6) of a further vehicle is arranged in a predetermined area around the vehicle (1), wherein the further control unit (6) has a plurality of interfaces for wireless radio connections and the further control unit (6) is designed to set a respective communication parameter of the interfaces for wireless radio connections with mobile entertainment electronic devices, depending on an expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio connection on the side of the respective interface, and the control unit (5) is designed to - if at least one further control unit (6) of a further vehicle is arranged in the predetermined area around the vehicle (1), to set the respective communication parameters of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronics devices (9a, 9b, 9c), additionally depending on a comparison with the at least one further control unit (6). [2] Control unit (5) according to claim 1, wherein setting the respective communication parameter of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) comprises assigning respective communication frequencies to the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c). [3] Control unit (5) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (5) is designed to set the respective communication parameters of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronics devices (9a, 9b, 9c) when a wireless radio connection is added and / or when a wireless radio connection is removed, and additionally depending on the added and / or removed wireless radio connection. [4] Control unit (5) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (5) is designed to set the respective communication parameters of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronics devices (9a, 9b, 9c), additionally depending on an expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio connection on the side of the respective mobile entertainment electronics device (9a, 9b, 9c). [5] Control unit (5) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (5) is designed to - detect external interference frequencies and - to set the respective communication parameters of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronic devices (9a, 9b, 9c), additionally depending on the detected external interference frequencies. [6] Control unit (5) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit (5) is designed to set the respective communication parameters of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronic devices (9a, 9b, 9c), additionally depending on a predetermined minimum quality for the respective wireless radio connection. [7] Control unit (5) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit (5) is designed to set the respective communication parameters of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronics devices (9a, 9b, 9c) in such a way that available communication frequencies are used evenly. [8] Vehicle comprising a plurality of interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for wireless radio connections and a control unit (5) according to one of claims 1 to 7. [9] Method for controlling radio connections in a vehicle (1) comprising a plurality of interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) for wireless radio connections, in which a respective communication parameter of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) is set for wireless radio connections with mobile entertainment electronic devices (9a, 9b, 9c), specifically depending on an expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio connection on the side of the respective interface (7a, 7b, 7c), wherein the method additionally determines whether at least one further control unit (6) of a further vehicle is arranged in a predetermined area around the vehicle (1),wherein the further control unit (6) has a plurality of interfaces for wireless radio connections, and the further control unit (6) is designed to set a respective communication parameter of the interfaces for wireless radio connections with mobile entertainment electronics devices, depending on an expected connection quality of the respective wireless radio connection on the side of the respective interface, and if at least one further control unit (6) of a further vehicle is arranged in the predetermined area around the vehicle (1), the respective communication parameter of the interfaces (7a, 7b, 7c) is set for the wireless radio connections with the mobile entertainment electronics devices (9a, 9b, 9c), additionally depending on a comparison with the at least one further control unit (6).

Images