System for connecting a mobile device to a motor vehicle

Abstract

System (1) for connecting a mobile device (2) to a motor vehicle (4) via a Bluetooth connection (12), comprising a processing unit (8) for detecting the signal strength of a signal transmitted between the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4), and for determining the position of the mobile device (2) in relation to the motor vehicle (4) based on the signal strength, and a connection unit (10) for pairing the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4) via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection (6), for establishing a Bluetooth connection (12) between the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4) and for pairing the mobile device (2) with the motor vehicle (4) via the Bluetooth connection (12) based on the position of the mobile device (2) and the Bluetooth Low Energy connection (6), wherein the processing unit (8) is configured to detect a transmission energy and / or a signal-to-noise ratio of the signal transmitted between the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4) and to determine the position of the mobile device (2) on a combination of the signal strength and the transmission energy and / or the signal-to-noise ratio.

Description

[0001] The proposed invention relates to a system for connecting a mobile device to a motor vehicle via a Bluetooth connection according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein the mobile device and the motor vehicle are coupled via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection, and to a method for connecting a mobile device to a motor vehicle via a Bluetooth connection according to the preamble of claim 9.

[0002] It is common to connect a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or similar device, to a motor vehicle. This allows the vehicle's occupants, among other things, to play their own stored music through the vehicle or to make phone calls using a hands-free system integrated into the vehicle. To do this, the mobile device, for example, a mobile phone, must be paired with the vehicle in several steps, for which a Bluetooth Classic connection (hereinafter referred to simply as a Bluetooth connection) can be used. However, this requires pairing the mobile device with the vehicle manually at least once, i.e., by entering manual commands. For example, both devices to be paired must be discoverable. For this to happen, the vehicle must be brought into a specific state, e.g.,(By selecting the corresponding function) and an action is also required on the mobile device to make it discoverable. Pairing via Bluetooth can only occur when both devices are in this state. Further actions, such as selecting the respective device on the other communication partner and confirming a code, are also required.

[0003] If multiple mobile devices are to be used with the vehicle, it is also necessary to define in advance which Bluetooth settings or permissions each mobile device should have within the vehicle. This also requires manual input, at least initially. However, such manual input is difficult or even impossible to perform while the vehicle is in operation, i.e., while driving.

[0004] DE 10 2016 121 894 A1 discloses a method in which the position of a user's personal device can be determined using signal strength information between a wireless transmitter-receiver of the personal device and a plurality of vehicle components. The personal device can be automatically paired and connected to a device of the vehicle's computer system if the position is in the driver's seat zone and the personal device is not connected to the device. The personal device can be automatically disconnected from the device if the position is not in the driver's seat zone and the personal device is connected to the device.

[0005] US 2014 / 0073244A1 discloses a method for running an application based on a connection between devices by automatically connecting devices.The procedure comprises: detecting the occurrence of an initial short-range communication between at least one external device and the device; receiving connection information relating to a second short-range communication mode and application information relating to the at least one external device from the at least one external device via the initial short-range communication; establishing a connection based on the second short-range communication mode between the at least one external device and the device based on the received connection information relating to the second short-range communication mode; and controlling the at least one external device via the second short-range communication mode using an application executable based on the received application information.

[0006] US 2017 / 0105101A1 discloses a system for microlocating a portable device, comprising: a plurality of proximity sensors arranged in a vehicle, wherein the proximity sensors are arranged at different locations and each proximity sensor is configured to transmit a signal; a portable device configured to receive the signals transmitted by the proximity sensors in order to determine its location relative to the vehicle; and a control module arranged in the vehicle and configured to enable or disable vehicle control functions of the portable device based on the location of the portable device.

[0007] WO 2018 / 000156A1 and WO 2018 / 000134A1 disclose methods for establishing a classic Bluetooth connection using a Bluetooth Low Energy connection.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system with which a simpler coupling of a mobile device with a motor vehicle via a Bluetooth connection is possible.

[0009] This problem is solved by a system for connecting a mobile device to a motor vehicle via a Bluetooth connection according to claim 1 and a method for connecting a mobile device to a motor vehicle via a Bluetooth connection according to claim 9.

[0010] In the following, a Bluetooth connection always refers to a classic Bluetooth connection (also called Bluetooth Classic), as opposed to a Bluetooth Low Energy connection (also known as BLE or BTLE connection).

[0011] According to the proposed system, the mobile device and the vehicle are first paired via a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection, which is then used to establish the Bluetooth connection. Bluetooth Low Energy is a wireless technology that allows devices to connect with lower power consumption, a longer range, and a simpler pairing algorithm compared to conventional Bluetooth. To connect via Bluetooth Low Energy, either the vehicle or the mobile device periodically sends packets on a so-called advertising channel. The other device periodically listens on this channel, and the connection is successful as soon as a packet is received. The mobile device and the vehicle can exchange various types of information via this Bluetooth Low Energy connection, as explained in more detail below.

[0012] To establish a Bluetooth connection, the system includes a processing unit. This unit first detects the signal strength of the signal transmitted between the mobile device and the vehicle (i.e., from the mobile device to the vehicle or vice versa). Based on the signal strength, the processing unit can then determine the mobile device's position relative to the vehicle. The processing unit is also configured to detect the transmission power and / or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal transmitted between the mobile device and the vehicle. By using both the signal strength (RSSI) and the transmission power and / or SNR, the mobile device's position can be determined more accurately.Since not only the signal strength but also other information from the signal is used, the position can be determined more accurately than based solely on signal strength. For example, machine learning (e.g., based on neural networks) can be used to interpret the various values ​​of signal strength, transmission energy, and / or signal-to-noise ratio.

[0013] This allows for the determination of whether the mobile device is located inside or outside the vehicle. Depending on the information used (e.g., the number of antennas), the position of the mobile device inside the vehicle can also be determined, i.e., whether it belongs to the driver or another occupant of the vehicle.

[0014] Based on the determined location, a connection unit of the system can first pair the mobile device and the vehicle via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection. This only occurs if the mobile device's location is within the vehicle. Subsequently, a Bluetooth connection can be established between the mobile device and the vehicle. This uses, firstly, the existing Bluetooth Low Energy connection through which the mobile device and the vehicle are already connected, thus ensuring mutual identification. Secondly, the mobile device's location is also used.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the processing unit is configured to assign a specific position to a stored profile for a Bluetooth connection. Once the processing unit has determined the position of the mobile device within the vehicle, it can ascertain whether it belongs to the driver or another occupant. For example, the driver might be assigned a different profile than another occupant. The profiles can be distinguished by different permissions. For instance, one profile might specify that the driver's mobile device is paired with the vehicle for a telephone connection, whereas another occupant's mobile device is only intended for transmitting music data.

[0016] In this way, targeted Bluetooth connections can be established, defining which profiles should be used for the Bluetooth connection without any additional manual input. Compared to a conventional pairing between two devices via a Bluetooth connection, the proposed system is therefore able to enable a simpler connection setup, eliminating the need to manually define which permissions should be granted to the mobile device in the vehicle when pairing via Bluetooth. This is done solely based on the determined location of the mobile device.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the system has one or more antennas arranged in the vehicle. These antennas can be used to receive the signal transmitted between the mobile device and the vehicle. The positions of the various antennas within the vehicle make it possible to determine the signal strength at different locations and, based on this, to ascertain the position of the mobile device. For example, the processing unit can perform triangulation based on the signal received by the antennas to determine the precise position of the mobile device within the vehicle.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the connection unit is configured to obtain information about the mobile device and the vehicle using the Bluetooth Low Energy connection. This information may include, for example, an image of the device or information about the device's preferences, such as which Bluetooth profile the mobile device typically uses to connect, in order to establish those connections. The information may therefore include, for example, stored profiles, associated users, further device information, and / or historical data indicating how the mobile device has previously connected.

[0019] For example, historical data might indicate that the mobile device has previously been identified as the driver's device and connected to the vehicle with that profile. Based on this historical data, the mobile device can then be connected as the driver's device even if it is in the passenger seat.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the connection unit is designed to automatically pair the mobile device and the vehicle via Bluetooth. The Bluetooth Low Energy connection can be established as described above. Once contact has been established, either the mobile device or the vehicle can initiate the pairing via Bluetooth Low Energy. For this purpose, a message about the pending pairing is displayed on both devices, i.e., a display unit of the vehicle and a display unit of the mobile device. This message, or the pairing itself, must then be confirmed by a user, such as the driver or another occupant.

[0021] Unlike Bluetooth connections, which typically require entering a code, this method only requires pairing confirmation. Since the devices are already familiar with each other via the Bluetooth Low Energy connection, there's no need to enter additional codes for identification purposes. Therefore, if such a Bluetooth Low Energy connection exists, establishing a Bluetooth connection also doesn't require entering a code. Instead, this can be done automatically by the vehicle or mobile device without any manual user input.

[0022] According to another aspect, a method for connecting a mobile device to a motor vehicle via a Bluetooth connection is proposed.The procedure comprises the following steps: detecting the signal strength of a signal transmitted between the mobile device and the vehicle; detecting the transmission power and / or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal transmitted between the mobile device and the vehicle; determining the position of the mobile device relative to the vehicle based on a combination of the signal strength and transmission power and / or signal-to-noise ratio; pairing the mobile device and the vehicle via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection; establishing a Bluetooth connection between the mobile device and the vehicle; and pairing the mobile device with the vehicle via the Bluetooth connection based on the position of the mobile device and the Bluetooth Low Energy connection.

[0023] The embodiments and features described for the proposed device apply accordingly to the proposed method.

[0024] Furthermore, a computer program product is proposed which has program code designed to initiate the execution of the procedure described above on a computer.

[0025] A computer program product, such as a computer program tool, can be provided or delivered from a server on a network, for example, as a storage medium such as a memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM, DVD, or as a downloadable file. This can be done, for example, in a wireless communication network by transmitting the corresponding file containing the computer program product or tool.

[0026] Other possible implementations of the invention also include combinations of features or embodiments described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In such cases, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

[0027] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments are specified in the description, the drawings, and the claims. In particular, the combinations of features specified in the description and the drawings are purely exemplary, so that the features may also exist individually or in different combinations.

[0028] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. These exemplary embodiments and the combinations shown in them are purely illustrative and do not define the scope of protection of the invention. The scope of protection is defined solely by the appended claims.

[0029] They show: Fig. 1: A schematic block diagram of a system for connecting a mobile device to a motor vehicle, and Fig. 2: A schematic flowchart of a procedure for connecting a mobile device to a motor vehicle.

[0030] In the following, identical or functionally equivalent elements are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0031] Fig. Figure 1 shows a system 1 for connecting a mobile device 2 to a motor vehicle 4. The system 1 can be part of the motor vehicle 4 or arranged separately from it. Furthermore, the system 1 can also consist of one or more parts that may be arranged in different or the same positions (i.e., inside or outside the motor vehicle 4).

[0032] The mobile device 2 and the vehicle 4 are first paired via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection 6. This connection is established between the mobile device 2 and the vehicle 4 by the vehicle 4 detecting that a mobile device 2 is within range. This is done, for example, by measuring the signal strength of a signal emitted by the mobile device 2 or the vehicle 4.

[0033] The signal strength of the signal transmitted between device 2 and vehicle 4 can be determined by a processing unit 8 of system 1. Based on the signal strength, the processing unit 8 can determine the position of the mobile device 2, specifically whether the mobile device 2 is inside or outside the vehicle 4. In addition to the signal strength (RSSI), the processing unit 8 can also use a signal-to-noise ratio or transmission energy to determine the precise position of the mobile device 2.

[0034] To determine the signal strength of a signal from the mobile device 2, one or more antennas 14, 16 can be provided in the motor vehicle 4. The processing unit 8 can use signals received by the antennas 14, 16 to, for example, perform a triangulation of the signals in order to determine the exact position of the device 2 in relation to the motor vehicle 4 or even within the motor vehicle 4.

[0035] The position of the mobile device 2 can also define whether it belongs to the driver or another occupant of the vehicle 4. Based on this position, a connection unit 10 of the system 1 can first pair the mobile device 2 and the vehicle 4 via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection 6. The connection unit 10 can then initiate a Bluetooth connection 12 between the mobile device 2 and the vehicle 4. Establishing the Bluetooth connection 12 utilizes both the position of the mobile device 2 and the Bluetooth Low Energy connection 6. The position of the mobile device 2 determines whether a connection should be established at all. If the mobile device 2 is located outside the vehicle 4, neither a Bluetooth Low Energy connection 6 nor a Bluetooth connection 12 is established.If a more precise position of the mobile device 2 within the vehicle 4 is known, this can be used to determine which profile the mobile device 2 will use to connect to the vehicle 4. The profile can then define which rights are assigned to the mobile device 2 within the vehicle 4.

[0036] Additionally, the Bluetooth connection 12 can be established without any further manual input from a user, since the mobile device 2 and the vehicle 4 already communicate via the Bluetooth Low Energy connection 6 and are familiar with each other. Therefore, further confirmation of the devices by entering a code is unnecessary.

[0037] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart of a procedure for connecting a mobile device 2 to a motor vehicle 4 via a Bluetooth connection 12. As in connection with Fig. As described in Figure 1, the mobile device 2 and the vehicle 4 are initially paired via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection 6. To pair the mobile device 2 and the vehicle 4 via a Bluetooth connection 12, the signal strength of a signal transmitted between the mobile device 2 and the vehicle 4 is detected in a first step S1. This can be done as described in connection with Fig. 1 described below.

[0038] Based on the signal strength, the position of the mobile device 2 relative to the vehicle 4 is determined in a second step S2. For this purpose, the signal can be received from several antennas 14, 16 in the vehicle 4, and the position of the mobile device 2 can be determined by the different signal strengths at each of the antennas 14, 16.

[0039] Once the position of the mobile device 2 has been determined, in a third step S3 the mobile device 2 can first be paired with the motor vehicle 4 via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection 6.

[0040] Following this, in a fourth step S4, the Bluetooth connection 12 between the mobile device 2 and the vehicle 4 can be established, and the mobile device 2 and the vehicle 4 can be paired using the Bluetooth Low Energy connection 6. In step S5, the mobile device 2 can then be connected to the vehicle 4 via the Bluetooth connection 12 using an associated profile. The profile takes into account, if possible, the position of the mobile device 2 within the vehicle 2.

[0041] The described system or method thus makes it possible to easily connect a mobile device to a motor vehicle, whereby in particular different profiles can be automatically assigned to a device based on an existing Bluetooth Low Energy connection for a Bluetooth connection to be established. Reference sign 1 system 2 mobile devices 4 Motor vehicle 6 Bluetooth Low Energy connection 8 processing units 10 connection unit 12 Bluetooth connection 14, 16 antennas S1-S5 process steps

Claims

[1] System (1) for connecting a mobile device (2) to a motor vehicle (4) via a Bluetooth connection (12), comprising a processing unit (8) for detecting the signal strength of a signal transmitted between the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4), and for determining the position of the mobile device (2) in relation to the motor vehicle (4) based on the signal strength, and a connection unit (10) for pairing the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4) via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection (6), for establishing a Bluetooth connection (12) between the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4) and for pairing the mobile device (2) with the motor vehicle (4) via the Bluetooth connection (12) based on the position of the mobile device (2) and the Bluetooth Low Energy connection (6), wherein the processing unit (8) is configured to detect a transmission energy and / or a signal-to-noise ratio of the signal transmitted between the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4) and to determine the position of the mobile device (2) on a combination of the signal strength and the transmission energy and / or the signal-to-noise ratio. [2] System according to claim 1, characterized byone or more antennas (14, 16) arranged in the motor vehicle (4), wherein the antennas (14, 16) are designed to receive the signal transmitted between the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4). [3] System according to claim 2, characterized by , that the processing unit (8) is designed to perform a triangulation based on the signal received from the antennas (14, 16). [4] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the processing unit (8) is configured to assign the specified position to a stored profile for a Bluetooth connection (12). [5] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the connection unit (10) is configured to obtain information about the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4) using the Bluetooth Low Energy connection (6). [6] System according to claim 5, characterized by , that the connection unit (10) is designed to establish the Bluetooth connection (12) based on the information obtained. [7] System according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by that the information includes stored profiles and / or historical data. [8] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the connection unit (10) is designed to automatically pair the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4) via the Bluetooth connection (12). [9] Method for connecting a mobile device (2) to a motor vehicle (4) via a Bluetooth connection (12), comprising the following method steps: Detecting (S1) the signal strength of a signal transmitted between the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4), Detecting the transmission energy and / or signal-to-noise ratio of the signal transmitted between the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4), Determining (S2) the position of the mobile device (2) in relation to the motor vehicle (4) based on a combination of the signal strength and the transmission energy and / or the signal-to-noise ratio, Pairing the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4) via a Bluetooth Low Energy connection (6), Establishing (S3) a Bluetooth connection (12) between the mobile device (2) and the motor vehicle (4), and Pairing (S4) the mobile device (2) with the motor vehicle (4) via the Bluetooth connection (12) based on the position of the mobile device (2) and the Bluetooth Low Energy connection (6).

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