Method and system for operating a vehicle

Abstract

Method for operating a vehicle (100), wherein - an authorization device (200) for authorizing the operation of the vehicle (100) comprises a device-side audio communication interface (211) and a device-side further communication interface (221), and - the vehicle (100) includes at least three vehicle-side audio communication interfaces (111, 113, 115) and one additional vehicle-side communication interface (121), and in the procedure - the device-side additional communication interface (221) is coupled to the vehicle-side additional communication interface (121) via signal technology, - a predefined audio signal (A) is provided through the device-side audio communication interface (211), - the specified audio signal (A) is received by the vehicle's audio communication interfaces (111, 113, 115), - depending on the audio signals received, the authorization device (200) is located in relation to an interior of the vehicle (100), wherein the location of the authorization device (200) includes triangulation, trilateration or, in the case that more than three audio communication interfaces are used in the vehicle (100), multilateration depending on the audio signal received, and - depending on the location of the authorization device (200), an authorization of the authorization device (200) with regard to the operation of the vehicle (100) is carried out by the vehicle (100), using the respective further communication interface (121, 221), and in the procedure - the authorization device (200) is provided with a start signal (S) by the vehicle (100), and - the specified audio signal is provided (A) depending on the start signal (S).

Description

[0001] A procedure for operating a vehicle and a corresponding system are specified.

[0002] Keyless access systems for vehicles, especially motor vehicles, are also known as keyless entry, comfort access, keyless go, or comfort go. These systems allow for the automatic unlocking and starting of a vehicle without the active use of a car key. For this purpose, the vehicle user carries a special short-range communication unit, which, for example, after the user mechanically operates a door handle, provides the vehicle with a cryptographic key for authentication. After successful authentication, the vehicle is unlocked and can be started.

[0003] Documents DE 60 2005 001 935 T2 and JP 2013-104 247 A deal with keyless or "hands-free" access systems. Document DE 10 2013 224 540 A1 concerns a localization system.

[0004] One objective of the invention is to create a method for operating a vehicle that contributes to comfortable vehicle operation. A further objective of the invention is to create a corresponding system that can be implemented cost-effectively.

[0005] The problems are solved by the independent patent claim. Advantageous embodiments are characterized in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle. An authorization device for authorizing the operation of the vehicle comprises a device-side audio communication interface and a device-side further communication interface.

[0007] Furthermore, the vehicle includes at least three vehicle-side audio communication interfaces and one additional vehicle-side communication interface.

[0008] In this process, the device's additional communication interface is coupled to the vehicle's additional communication interface via signal transmission. Furthermore, the device's audio communication interface provides a predefined audio signal, which is received by the vehicle's audio communication interfaces.

[0009] Depending on the received audio signals, the authorization device is located within the vehicle's interior. Based on this location, the vehicle then authorizes the device to operate the vehicle using the appropriate communication interface.

[0010] This advantageously enables convenient operation of the vehicle. By locating the authorization device within the vehicle's interior, it can be ensured, in particular, that the vehicle's engine cannot be started as long as the authorization device is located outside the vehicle.

[0011] Due to this simple positioning method for the authorization device, mobile phones or other existing portable data processing devices can be used as authorization devices. In particular, the authorization device can be a so-called "smartphone" or a so-called "smartwatch." The method can also be implemented cost-effectively in existing vehicles without extensive retrofitting.

[0012] The location of the authorization device includes triangulation, trilateration or, in the case that more than three audio communication interfaces are used in the vehicle, multilateration, depending on the audio signal received.

[0013] This advantageously enables a simple and precise determination of the position of the authorization device.

[0014] The audio communication interfaces include, for example, a loudspeaker for providing the specified audio signal and microphones for receiving the provided audio signal.

[0015] The respective additional communication interface is, for example, an interface of a predefined radio protocol such as Bluetooth.

[0016] Such interfaces are mostly already installed in novel, portable data processing devices and vehicles.

[0017] The location tracking can, in particular, distinguish whether the authorization device is located inside or outside the vehicle. The position of the authorization device can be determined, for example, with an accuracy of approximately 10 to 30 cm.

[0018] The authorization of the authorization device with regard to operating the vehicle includes, for example, a signal exchange between the vehicle-side and device-side communication interfaces, whereby a message is sent back from the authorization device in response to a request from the vehicle. This message is representative of a cryptographic key for authorizing the operation of the vehicle. In this context, the authorization device includes, for example, a hard-wired cryptographic component, which can also be referred to as a "secure element".

[0019] According to the first aspect, the authorization device is provided with a start signal by the vehicle, and the respective predetermined audio signal is provided depending on the start signal.

[0020] This advantageously contributes to energy-saving operation of both the authorization device and the vehicle. The start signal can, in particular, be a so-called "wake-up signal" that awakens a control unit of the authorization device from a power-saving mode.

[0021] Additionally, the start signal can, for example, serve as a request to the authorization device to send the specified audio signal.

[0022] For example, the start signal is provided by the vehicle depending on a trigger time, for example in the case that a user of the vehicle approaches a door handle or presses an engine start button of the vehicle.

[0023] The start signal is provided primarily via the respective additional communication interface. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide the start signal as a separate, predefined audio signal.

[0024] For example, depending on the start signal, such as after a predetermined waiting period following receipt of the start signal, and / or after transmission of the start signal, the respective predefined audio signal is sent out. This allows for a simple time-of-flight measurement of the respective predefined audio signal. In other words, the start signal can serve as a time reference for a time-of-flight measurement.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first, the localization of the authorization device comprises determining a runtime and / or an amplitude and / or a phase depending on the respective provided predefined audio signal and the received audio signal.

[0026] This advantageously enables a simple and precise determination of the position of the authorization device.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the first aspect, the respective specified audio signal includes frequencies in the infrasound range and / or frequencies in the ultrasound range.

[0028] This advantageously contributes to the comfortable operation of the vehicle. In particular, the respective predefined audio signal comprises exclusively frequencies in the range inaudible to humans.

[0029] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a system for operating a vehicle. The system comprises the vehicle with at least three vehicle-side audio communication interfaces, as well as a further vehicle-side communication interface, and an authorization device. The authorization device includes a device-side audio communication interface and a further device-side communication interface. The system is configured to carry out a method according to the first aspect.

[0030] In a further advantageous embodiment according to the second aspect, the vehicle-side audio communication interfaces are designed as microphones. Furthermore, the device-side audio communication interface is designed as a loudspeaker.

[0031] Examples of implementation are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings.

[0032] They show: Fig. 1 a system for operating a vehicle, Fig. 2 a flowchart for operating the system according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3. A first sequence diagram for operating the system according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a second sequence diagram for operating the system according to Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 a third sequence diagram for operating the system according to Fig. 1.

[0033] Elements of the same construction or function are provided with the same reference symbols across all figures.

[0034] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a system 1 for operating a vehicle 100. The system 1 comprises an authorization device 200 for authorizing the operation of the vehicle 100. The authorization device 200 can, in particular, be a mobile data processing device such as a so-called "smart device", for example, a so-called "smartphone" or a so-called "smartwatch".

[0035] System 1 is particularly suitable for locating mobile data processing devices in the interior and immediate vicinity of the vehicle 100 and already works with existing data processing device and vehicle hardware.

[0036] In this embodiment, the vehicle 100 has three vehicle-side audio communication interfaces 111, 113, 115. However, the number of such vehicle-side audio communication interfaces 111, 113, 115 can exceed three. The vehicle-side audio communication interfaces 111, 113, 115 are distributed throughout the vehicle 100; that is, the vehicle-side audio communication interfaces 111, 113, 115 are not located on a common axis.

[0037] Apart from the authentication duration, the number of vehicle-side audio communication interfaces (111, 113, 115) is not limited; in fact, a higher number increases the precision of localization and position determination. The authentication duration describes the maximum permitted time for an authentication process, after which it is aborted and the program terminates.

[0038] In a first embodiment, the vehicle-side audio communication interfaces 111, 113, 115 are loudspeakers of the vehicle 100, each configured to transmit a predefined audio signal A1, A2, A3 (compare Fig. 3).

[0039] In a second embodiment, the vehicle-side audio communication interfaces 111, 113, 115 are microphones of the vehicle 100, each designed to receive a predefined audio signal A (compare Fig. 5) For example, the vehicle-side audio communication interfaces 111, 113, 115 are part of a hands-free system of the vehicle 100.

[0040] The vehicle-side audio communication interfaces 111, 113, 115 are, for example, coupled to an audio control unit 110 for control, which according to the first version variant can also be referred to as the so-called “Audio Tx controller”.

[0041] The vehicle 100 also has an additional vehicle-side communication interface 121. This additional vehicle-side communication interface 121 is, for example, a Bluetooth interface.

[0042] The authorization device 200 has, corresponding to the vehicle 100, a device-side audio communication interface 211 and a device-side further communication interface 221. The device-side further communication interface 221 is specifically designed for communication with the vehicle-side further communication interface 121; for example, this is also a Bluetooth interface.

[0043] In the first embodiment, the device-side audio communication interface 211 is configured as a microphone to receive the predefined audio signals A1, A2, and A3. In the second embodiment, the device-side audio communication interface 211 is configured as a loudspeaker to transmit the predefined audio signal A.

[0044] In both versions, the range and signal level of the respective predefined audio signals A1, A2, A3, and A can be adjusted via the signal intensity and volume of the corresponding audio communication interface 111, 113, 115, and 211, respectively. In particular, the intensity of the respective predefined audio signals A1, A2, A3, and A is high enough to allow the authorization device 200 to be detected inside the vehicle 100, while simultaneously being low enough to prevent harm, especially to people and / or animals.

[0045] The device-side audio communication interface 211 is, for example, coupled to another audio control unit 210, which, according to the first embodiment, can also be referred to as a so-called "audio input".

[0046] The device-side additional communication interface 221 is controlled, for example, via a radio control unit 220, which can also be referred to as a "radio transceiver". In this exemplary embodiment, the device-side additional communication interface 221 is coupled via this radio control unit to a cryptographic component 230, which can also be referred to as a "secure element". This component may be required for complete authentication of the authorization device 200 and, in particular, may be hardwired to the device-side additional communication interface 221, similar to a so-called "single-wire protocol" for near-field communication (NFC).

[0047] The authorization device 200 also has a processor 240, or a so-called "App CPU", which is used for the device-side execution of the following flowchart. Fig. The procedure for operating the vehicle 100 described in Section 2 is configured as follows. In this embodiment, the processor 240 is connected to the cryptographic component 230 via a secure protocol, such as the aforementioned "Single Wire Protocol". In other embodiments, the authorization device 200 can, alternatively or additionally, have an interface from the processor 240 to the radio control unit 220, instead of the connection between the cryptographic component 230 and the processor 240. Analogous to the processor 240, the vehicle 100 has, for example, a control unit 140 configured for carrying out this procedure on the vehicle side.

[0048] The program starts in step S1, in which variables are initialized, for example. In this step, processor 240 and control unit 140 are initially in a power-saving mode. The program then continues in step S3.

[0049] In step S3, for example, the power-saving mode of processor 240 and control unit 140 is terminated. This occurs, for instance, as a result of a predefined trigger initiated by a user, such as using a door handle on vehicle 100.

[0050] In step S3, the device-side additional communication interface 221 is first coupled to the vehicle-side additional communication interface 121 via signal technology, and a start signal S is transmitted by the vehicle 100 to the authorization device 200 using the respective additional communication interfaces 121 and 221 (compare sequence diagram of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 5) Alternatively, at least in the first version, the start signal S can also be sent as a further predefined audio signal via one of the vehicle-side audio communication interfaces 111, 113, 115 to the device-side audio communication interface 211 (see sequence diagram of the Fig. 4) In particular, in step S3 the authorization device 200 is prepared for the subsequent program steps via a so-called "trigger", either via the respective further communication interface 121, 221 or by waking up the authorization device 200 by means of an initiating audio signal.

[0051] The program then continues in step S5.

[0052] In step S5, in the first execution variant (compare Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) the specified audio signals A1, A2, A3 are emitted by vehicle 100 as already described.

[0053] In the second version (compare Fig. 5) In contrast, as already described, only the specified audio signal A is transmitted by the authorization device 200. The program then continues in step S7.

[0054] In step S7, the authorization device 200 is located. For this purpose, it is first checked whether an audio signal has been received at the corresponding vehicle-side or device-side audio communication interface 111, 113, 115 or 211.

[0055] In the event that an audio signal has been received, the following applies according to the first execution variant (compare Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) The authorization device 200 provides the vehicle 100 with a response signal M using the respective additional communication interfaces 121, 221. The location can be determined, for example, by the authorization device 200. In this case, the response signal M already includes, for example, the position of the authorization device 200 relative to the interior of the vehicle 100.

[0056] Preferably, however, the location tracking is performed by vehicle 100. In this case, the response signal M includes, for example, characteristics of the received audio signal, such as phase and / or amplitude and / or frequency and / or propagation time of the received audio signal. For example, the reception of the start signal S is used as a time reference. Alternatively or additionally, the response signal M can also include the received audio signal or a version thereof compressed, for example, using MP3.

[0057] According to the second version (compare Fig. 5) If an audio signal has been received, the response signal M can be omitted.

[0058] In both versions, localization can be achieved, for example, through trilateration or multilateration of the received audio signals. In the first version, two different procedures are possible.

[0059] The predefined audio signals A1, A2, A3 can be transmitted sequentially, with each vehicle-side audio communication interface 111, 113, 115, for example, transmitting a predefined audio signal A1, A2, A3 after a predefined time interval. For example, the authorization device 200 measures the arrival time of the audio signals and sends as a response signal M either the result of the measurement, individual detection times, or the recorded audio signal, e.g., as an MP3 file, via the device-side communication interface 221 to the vehicle 100.

[0060] Secondly, the predefined audio signals A1, A2, A3 can be transmitted in parallel, in particular simultaneously, wherein each of the predefined audio signals A1, A2, A3 has a predefined frequency spectrum that is disjoint from the others. The authorization device 200, in turn, measures the received audio signal and sends as a response signal M either the result of the measurement (here the demodulated signal or the arrival times) or the recorded audio signal (e.g. as an mp3) via the device's further communication interface 221 to the vehicle 100.

[0061] In both cases, the arrival time of the audio signal from a loudspeaker is determined by its travel time and the speed of sound in air. The receiver's position can be determined by trilateration based on the time difference between the audio signals. This evaluation can preferably be performed by the vehicle 100 or by the authorization device 200.

[0062] The arrival time of an audio signal defines, over its propagation time, a circular distance around the respective vehicle-side audio communication interface 111, 113, 115. An intersection of these circles defines the location of the authorization device 200.

[0063] The specified audio signals A1, A2, A3 or A can be in the audible range, but do not have to be.

[0064] Without special hardware and audio signals in the kHz range, resolutions below 30 cm are possible. At a 44 kHz sampling rate at the respective receiving audio communication interface 211 or 111, 113, 115, the audio signal would be measured 44 times per millisecond, thus enabling resolutions significantly below 30 cm.

[0065] Otherwise, if no audio signal is received, it can be assumed that the authorization device 200 is located outside the vehicle 100. In the first implementation variant, this is also represented, for example, by the response signal M. The authentication itself is not handled via the audio communication interfaces 111, 113, 115, and 211, but rather via the respective additional communication interfaces 121 and 221. The program continues in step S9 following step S7.

[0066] In step S9, depending on the location, authorization of the authorization device 200 with regard to operating the vehicle 100 is carried out. For example, a cryptographic signal exchange takes place, in which a request C (so-called "challenge" signal) is answered by the authorization device 200 with a message R (so-called "response" signal). For example, if the authorization was successful and the authorization device 200 is inside the vehicle, operation of the vehicle 100 is enabled and the program is terminated. Reference symbol: 1 system 100 vehicles 110 Audio control unit 111, 113, 115 vehicle-side audio communication interfaces 121 additional vehicle-side communication interface 140 control unit 200 authorization device 210 additional audio control unit 211 Device-side audio communication interface 220 radio control unit 221 Device-side additional communication interface 230 cryptographic component 240 processor S1,...,S9 Program steps A, A1, A2, A3 predefined audio signals S Start signal M response signal C Inquiry R message

Claims

[1] Method for operating a vehicle (100) wherein - an authorization device (200) for authorizing the operation of the vehicle (100) comprises a device-side audio communication interface (211) and a device-side further communication interface (221), and - the vehicle (100) includes at least three vehicle-side audio communication interfaces (111, 113, 115) and one additional vehicle-side communication interface (121), and in the procedure - the device-side additional communication interface (221) is coupled to the vehicle-side additional communication interface (121) via signal technology, - a predefined audio signal (A) is provided through the device-side audio communication interface (211), - the specified audio signal (A) is received by the vehicle's audio communication interfaces (111, 113, 115), - depending on the audio signals received, the authorization device (200) is located in relation to an interior of the vehicle (100), wherein the location of the authorization device (200) includes triangulation, trilateration or, in the case that more than three audio communication interfaces are used in the vehicle (100), multilateration depending on the audio signal received, and - depending on the location of the authorization device (200), an authorization of the authorization device (200) with regard to the operation of the vehicle (100) is carried out by the vehicle (100), using the respective further communication interface (121, 221), and in the procedure - the authorization device (200) is provided with a start signal (S) by the vehicle (100), and - the specified audio signal is provided (A) depending on the start signal (S). [2] The method of claim 1, wherein - the location of the authorization device (200) includes determining a runtime and / or an amplitude and / or a phase depending on the provided predefined audio signal (A) and the received audio signal. [3] Method according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein - which includes specified frequencies in the infrasound range and / or frequencies in the ultrasound range. [4] System (1) for operating a vehicle (100), comprising - at least three vehicle-side audio communication interfaces (111, 113, 115) and one additional vehicle-side communication interface (121), and - an authorization device (200) with a device-side audio communication interface (211) and a device-side further communication interface (221), wherein the system (1) is configured to perform a method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3. [5] System (1) according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle-side audio communication interfaces (111, 113, 115) are designed as microphones and the device-side audio communication interface (211) is designed as a loudspeaker.

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