Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, and method for using a device for detecting wirelessly received signals

Abstract

A vehicle (1) can send a notification to an external unit (5a, 5b) upon detecting signals of a defined type. In particular, a detection device (14) that is already used for access control can be used to detect devices such as trackers and inform an external unit. The type of devices to be detected can be configurable.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle, which may be a ground vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft. Preferably, it is a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a method for using a device located downstream of an antenna unit in a vehicle for detecting first signals received wirelessly via the antenna unit, i.e., transmitted wirelessly overall, by a first type of device.

[0002] In a specific embodiment, the device for detecting wirelessly transmitted signals can be designed, in particular, for short-range detection and, furthermore, can be part of a keyless access control system. In this case, a first type of device ("wireless key") is carried by a user of the vehicle. This device emits initial signals. As the user approaches the vehicle, the vehicle can detect these signals and activate a locking or unlocking system.

[0003] It is known to use the antenna unit employed by this system in other ways as well. For example, DE 102 17 044 A1 discloses a system for operating a vehicle antenna device. This device has a receiver for receiving first signals from a keyless entry system. It is also possible to receive a second signal from a second system, in particular radio signals. For instance, the receiver can be contained within a radio, where the signals are first fed to a splitter, which then forwards them either to the receiver or to the radio, where they are processed accordingly. DE 10 2007 058 985 A1 describes a method for selectively transmitting and / or receiving signals for at least one first and one second different service using a correspondingly switchable antenna device. One of the services provides a keyless entry system.A second service could be a mobile telephone service. DE 10 2011 001 467 A1 relates to a method for operating a keyless access control system for a vehicle, in which the antennas are also used to locate a driver recognition device.

[0004] German patent application DE 10 2014 119 655 A1 discloses a vehicle comprising a passive entry system that includes a controller and at least one antenna in the vehicle. The controller is effectively arranged with the at least one antenna and is designed to cause the at least one antenna to send at least one query in response to a trigger event, receive a response to the query indicating a tag in the vehicle's vicinity, and identify an object based on the tag.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2020 131 078 A1 discloses a method for detecting unauthorized entry into or unloading of the loading area of ​​a truck or trailer equipped with a braking system, in which the axially acting axle load is detected by means of at least one sensor belonging to the braking system. Unauthorized entry into or unloading of the loading area is detected if, in the event of the truck or trailer being stationary, there is a minimum change in the weight underlying the load signal.

[0006] In addition to devices used in a wireless access control system that transmit initial signals, there are so-called wireless tracking devices ("trackers") that often use the same frequency band, for example via Bluetooth. ®The trackers use Bluetooth Low Energy (BT LE) and / or Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. Similar technologies for short-range communication also exist. These trackers are particularly well-known in the form of key finders. They can be attached to keys, wallets, backpacks, pet collars, and the like. They contain a battery and emit a wireless signal (called "beacons") at regular intervals. These beacons can be detected by receivers. A smartphone is often used to locate the item, such as keys.

[0007] Trackers are available from various providers, and their signals have different structures. Typically, the signal contains information on how to decode it. Well-known trackers from smartphone manufacturers include the "Galaxy SmartTag". ®“ from Samsung and the “AirTag” ® “ from Apple.

[0008] The object of the invention is to expand the possibilities for locating trackers and thus for locating the objects associated with them. This object is achieved in one aspect by a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with the features according to claim 1, and by a method with the features according to claim 8.

[0009] The vehicle according to the invention thus comprises a (built-in) antenna unit and a (also built-in) unit downstream of it for detecting first signals wirelessly received via the antenna unit from a first type of device. According to the invention, the detection device also includes a notification unit which is designed, based on the detection of signals of a defined type from a device, to effect the wireless transmission of notification signals (for example, via a mobile network) to an external unit different from the device (and naturally from the vehicle itself).

[0010] The vehicle can thus be used as a device for locating other devices, particularly trackers. The information can be centrally collected in the external unit, providing useful information to someone who has lost an object. Preferably, this is achieved by the vehicle having a position detection unit whose measurement results can be transmitted to the notification unit. The notification unit is designed to transmit, along with the notification signals, information about the vehicle's position and / or a position of the device from which the defined signal originates, derived from the vehicle's position and other measured values. This allows the external unit to be queried to determine the location of a lost item. The external unit can be configured as a server provided by a tracker vendor.

[0011] According to the invention, the vehicle further comprises a device for measuring at least one parameter when acquiring signals of a defined type. This parameter is intended to play a role, in particular, in subsequent billing. In this respect, the vehicle owner or keeper is compensated for the service, for example, for locating a tracker. The parameter can simply represent the number of devices whose signals have been acquired and for which a notification signal has been transmitted to the external device. Alternatively, the number of notification signals can be determined as the parameter. For example, a notification signal can be sent to a device multiple times, or conversely, information can be collected (preferably in connection with position tracking for a device, especially a tracker) and only later transmitted to the external unit.The parameter can also relate to the energy expenditure used in acquiring and transmitting the notification signals, or costs incurred in acquiring a device, such as the use of mobile network and / or satellite capacity (the notification unit can, in particular, provide internet access), the costs of using a SIM card installed in the vehicle, and much more. Preferably, in this context, it is provided that the notification unit can also be configured along with the acquiring device to determine whether a notification signal is sent to the external unit each time a signal of a predetermined type is acquired and / or how often a signal of a predetermined type is acquired (immediately or at predetermined time intervals). The entirety of all parameter values ​​determined by the measuring device described here for various expenditures or...For the sake of simplicity, costs will be referred to as "expense" in the remainder of this invention.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the detection device is designed to also detect secondary signals received via the antenna unit from a second type of device, and the notification unit is designed to trigger a notification signal to the external unit upon detecting secondary signals from the second type of device (i.e., of a defined type) (preferably not upon detecting primary signals from the first type of device). It becomes clear here that the detection device in the vehicle can already have another function and can additionally detect secondary devices, such as, in particular, trackers.

[0013] In this context, given the multitude of standards used by trackers, it may be necessary to configure the detection device so that the second type of device can be specified (and thus a signal shape for the second signals, meaning that signals of a defined type can be specified). This configurability can relate in particular to a software unit. This unit can be designed to recognize that the signals are second signals and to evaluate them according to their signal shape (or "signal form").

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second signals are short-range signals, and preferably the detection device is designed to detect only signals according to the same transmission standard, in particular only Bluetooth. ®-signals or exclusively ultra-wideband signals.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the detection device is designed, upon receiving initial signals from a first type of device, to subject these signals to a check for assignment to the vehicle and, if the check is successful, to activate an unlocking and locking unit (in particular for the doors of the (motor) vehicle). Here, a device for a wireless access system is actually used as the detection device. The assignment can involve checking a key signal of a known format (of a known signal shape) against a code, i.e., comparing a signal from a key of a model from a manufacturer (for example, using cryptographic authorization and authentication methods) with the vehicle in question.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the notification unit is further designed to transmit notification signals only under predetermined conditions regarding detection, in particular only after the same signal has been detected multiple times, over a predetermined period of time, or only when the vehicle is stationary. This prevents, for example, trackers passing other vehicles with their owners from becoming known to the external unit while the vehicle is in motion (or, if desired, achieves the exact opposite: "detection only when the vehicle is in motion").

[0017] The inventive method for utilizing a device located downstream of an antenna unit in a vehicle for capturing first signals wirelessly received via the antenna unit from a first type of device is also a method for capturing second signals wirelessly received via the antenna unit from a second type of device, wherein, according to the invention, a message is transmitted to a unit external to the vehicle upon capture of the second signals. In this respect, the device for capturing the first signals, which is already present in principle, can thus be used further, for example, for detecting trackers and sending a corresponding message to a central server.

[0018] According to the inventive method, the acquisition of the second signals results in the measurement of at least one parameter representing the effort required for acquisition and / or the effort required for transmitting a notification signal, and the corresponding measurement results are transmitted to the external unit either with a notification signal for acquisition or with a separate notification signal. This enables, in particular, billing with the external unit.

[0019] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the procedure and are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, according to the procedure, an error message and / or a request for user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0020] The invention also includes the control device for the (motor) vehicle. The control device can comprise a data processing device or a processor unit configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor unit can comprise at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Furthermore, the processor unit can comprise program code configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor unit. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor unit. The processor circuit of the processor unit can, for example, comprise at least one circuit board and / or at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0021] The invention also includes further developments of the method according to the invention, which have features already described in connection with the further developments of the (motor) vehicle according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the method according to the invention are not described again here.

[0022] The vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0023] As a further solution, the invention also includes a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a processor circuit of a computer or a computer network, causes it to execute an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can, for example, be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data storage medium (e.g., as flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data storage medium (e.g., as RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be arranged within the processor circuit's data storage. However, the storage medium can also be operated, for example, as a so-called server on the internet. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with at least one microprocessor. The program code can be binary code or assembly language and / or source code of a programming language (e.g.,C) and / or be provided as a program script (e.g. Python).

[0024] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0025] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, in which: Fig. 1 schematically shows the basic components of a system used within the scope of the invention; Fig. 2 the components of the system Fig. 1 shows a larger, more detailed view; Fig. 3 based on the components from Fig. 2 illustrates the process of configuration; and Fig. 4 based on the components from Fig. 2 illustrates the process of transmitting notifications.

[0026] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently of one another and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0027] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0028] A motor vehicle, designated as a whole by 1, comprises an antenna unit 12, to which a signaling device 14 is connected. This device is designed, in a conventional manner, to control a door locking mechanism. The motor vehicle includes a notification device 16 as part of the detection device 14, as well as a communication interface 18. Keys 2-1, which wirelessly transmit a signal S1 to the motor vehicle 1, are detected by the device 14. A check is performed to determine whether the key 2-1 is indeed the key to the motor vehicle 1 (or whether it could belong to another vehicle). If the check is successful and the key 2-1 is indeed the key to the motor vehicle 1, the doors of the motor vehicle are unlocked. In this case, a tracker 2-2, which transmits a signal S2 at regular intervals, is also intended to be detectable by the detection unit 14.For this purpose, a configuration is performed externally via a network 3, originating from a server unit 5 (see the arrow "Conf"). If the tracker 2-2 is a tracker of the type for which the configuration has been performed, a message is transmitted to a network 3 (or to a subordinate server 5) when the tracker is detected. Communication interface 18 is used for this purpose. The message can contain information about the position of the vehicle 1, so that the tracker 2-2 can actually be located. In particular, the signal strength of signal S2 can also be detected by the device 14 and included in the message M, for example, to determine the distance of the tracker 2-2 from the position of the vehicle 1, and so on.Alternatively, a distance value is determined in the device 14 for recording from the recorded signal strength of signal S2 and transmitted in the message M to the network 3 or the subordinate server 5.

[0029] In detail, the situation is in Fig. Figure 2 shows that the signal acquisition device 14 comprises the actual access control device 141 with a memory 142 containing software for operating the device 141, and a control unit 143 for the locking and unlocking mechanism of the motor vehicle 1. The device 14 also includes the aforementioned notification unit 16 and an associated measuring unit 20, which records the effort required to obtain signals from trackers 2-2 and send corresponding notifications. A configuration file Config-1 (software package or software unit) is stored in the notification unit, and a corresponding configuration file Config-2 is also stored in the memory 142. These software packages (as indicated by their name "Config-n") are intended to be externally accessible (so that the entire device 14 can be configured).The communication interface 18 includes, firstly, a position acquisition unit 181, which can be designed, for example, as a GNSS module (GNSS stands for "Global Navigation Satellite System," i.e., a satellite system for global navigation). It can, for instance, be a receiver for GPS ("Global Positioning System") or for the "Galileo system." The GNSS module 181 communicates with satellites 6-1 to 6-n. The communication interface 18 is also designed to communicate wirelessly via a radio communication modem 182 over the network 3, and further via the internet 4 with servers 5a and 5b. In this example, server 5a is operated by the manufacturer of the vehicle 1 or by the operator of a fleet of vehicles, while server 5b is operated by a third party, such as a tracker 2-2.

[0030] Based on the Fig. 3. The process of configuration will now be explained: Configuration data can exist on both server 5a and server 5b. In the example case of the Fig. 3. Server 5b first sends configuration data to server 5a (via the internet 4, not shown here). Server 5a adds further configuration data or performs a combination / merging of existing data and sends the result via the internet 4, network 3, and modem 182 to notification unit 16 on the one hand, to store software unit Config-1, and to memory 142 of device 14 on the other, to provide software unit Config-2. This enables the vehicle 1 to detect not only the keys 2-1, the first type of device that transmits the first signals S1, but also second devices 2-2 (the trackers), which transmit the second signals S2.

[0031] Signals S1 and S2 can differ from each other, particularly in their signal structure, for example, by a preamble (comparable to a "header" in a computer data packet) which may contain training sequences from which a pattern for signal detection can be derived. Typically, in the case of wirelessly transmitted signals, a preamble is not part of the user data itself, but rather serves solely for the coordination and synchronization of the participants.

[0032] If, as described above, a second device 2-2 (tracker) is detected instead of the first device, the key 2-1, the notification unit 16 sends a notification packet to server 5a via modem 182, network 3, and the internet 4. At least part of this packet, containing information about the tracker, is then forwarded to server 5b. The notification packet may also contain information about what (i.e., what effort) the measuring unit 20 has measured. This allows server 5a to later determine the compensation or amount to be billed to the operator of server 5b (the third party) for the service.

[0033] The described embodiment enables a motor vehicle to detect not only the signals (S1) of a first device 2-1 but also (definable) signals (S2) of other devices 2-2 and to issue a corresponding message M.

[0034] Overall, the examples show how vehicles offering sensor capabilities can be deployed.

Claims

[1] Vehicle (1), in particular motor vehicle, with an antenna unit (12) and a device (14) arranged downstream of the antenna unit for detecting first signals (S1) received wirelessly via the antenna unit (12) from a first type of device (2-1), wherein the device (14) for detecting also comprises a notification unit (16) which is designed to cause the wireless transmission of notification signals to an external unit (5a, 5b) different from the second type of device (2-2) and the vehicle (1) based on the detection of second signals (S2) of a defined type from a second type of device (2-2), characterized by , that the vehicle (1) comprises a device (20) for measuring at least one characteristic when detecting the second signals (S2) of a defined type, wherein the notification unit (16) is configurable to determine whether a notification signal is sent to the external unit (5a, 5b) each time second signals (S2) of a defined type are detected or how often when second signals (S2) of a defined type are detected. [2] Vehicle (1) according to claim 1, with a position detection unit (181), the measurement results of which can be fed to the notification unit (16), wherein the notification unit (16) is designed to transmit, with the notification signals, also information on the position of the vehicle (1) and / or a position of the second type of device (2-2), from which the second signals (S2) originate, derived from the position of the vehicle (1) and further measured values. [3] Vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the means (14) for detecting is designed to also detect the second signals (S2) received via the antenna unit (12) from the second type of device (2-2), wherein the notification unit (16) is designed to cause a notification signal to the external unit (5a, 5b) based on the detection of the second signals (S2) from the second type of device (2-2). [4] Vehicle (1) according to claim 3, wherein the means (14) for detecting is configurable so that the second type of device (2-2) can be predetermined. [5] Vehicle (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the device (14) for detecting is designed to detect, as the first and second signals (S1, S2), exclusively signals transmitted according to a same transmission standard, in particular exclusively Bluetooth signals or exclusively ultra-wideband signals. [6] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means for detecting (14), when detecting the first signals (S1) from the first type of device (2-1), subjects these signals to a test for assignment to the vehicle (1) and, if the test is positive, activates an unlocking and / or locking unit. [7] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the notification unit (16) is designed to transmit notification signals only under predetermined conditions relating to the detection, in particular only after repeated detection of the same signal and / or over a predetermined period of time and / or depending on the state of movement of the vehicle (1). [8] Method for using a device (14) arranged downstream of an antenna unit (12) in a vehicle (1) for detecting first signals (S1) received wirelessly via the antenna unit (12) from a first type of device (2-1) and for detecting second signals (S2) received wirelessly via the antenna unit (12) from a second type of device (2-2), wherein, based on the detection of the second signals (S2), a message is transmitted to a unit (5a, 5b) external to the vehicle (1), characterized by that with the detection of the second signals (S2) a measurement of at least one characteristic variable reflecting the effort of detection and / or the effort of transmitting a notification signal is carried out and measurement results are transmitted with a notification signal for detection or with a separate notification signal to the external unit (5a, 5b).

Images