Control of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A mobile device (115) comprises a device for receiving a voice command; a wireless interface (135) for communicating with a motor vehicle (105, 110); and a processing device (125). The processing device (125) is configured to determine a vehicle function associated with the voice command; to determine several motor vehicles (105, 110) on each of which at least one vehicle function can be controlled; to automatically select one of the motor vehicles (105, 110); and to control the determined vehicle function on the selected motor vehicle (105, 110).

Description

The present invention relates to the control of a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to the control of a vehicle function of the motor vehicle from a mobile device.A motor vehicle comprises a control device which is configured to communicate with a mobile device. The mobile device can be used, for example, by a driver of the motor vehicle if he is not on board the motor vehicle. By means of the mobile device, a person can control a predetermined vehicle function from outside the vehicle. The mobile device can be used simultaneously as a digital key for the motor vehicle, so that the control of the vehicle function can be possible only if the mobile device and the motor vehicle have mutually authenticated themselves by means of a cryptographic method. For example, the driver can already bring about the opening of a tailgate when approaching the motor vehicle, so that he can easily place an object carried along in the cargo space.Some mobile devices allow controlling a vehicle function based on a received voice command. If the mobile device is configured to control different motor vehicles, for example if digital keys for a plurality of motor vehicles are stored, it may be unclear at first which motor vehicle a voice command relates to. Selection of a motor vehicle on a touchscreen of the mobile device is usually undesirable for reasons of use economy.An object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technique for voice-guided control of a vehicle function of one of a plurality of motor vehicles. The invention achieves this object by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Dependent claims represent preferred embodiments.According to a first aspect of the present invention, a mobile device comprises a device for detecting a voice command; a wireless interface for communication with a motor vehicle; and a processing device. The processing device is configured to determine a vehicle function assigned to the voice command; to determine a plurality of motor vehicles on each of which at least one vehicle function can be controlled; to automatically select one of the motor vehicles; and to control the determined vehicle function on the selected motor vehicle.The mobile device can improve a voice-guided remote control of the motor vehicle by automatically selecting from among a plurality of motor vehicles the one to which the voice command is most likely to relate. For the selection of the motor vehicle, information can preferably be used which is locally available on the part of the mobile device. However, it is also possible to transmit information from a motor vehicle to the mobile device within communication range and evaluate it there. In this case, a plurality of determinations can be carried out or a plurality of items of information can be related to one another in order to make the selection automatically.The mobile device may comprise a personal device of a person associated with the motor vehicle. The personal device can in particular comprise a smartphone, a smart watch, a laptop computer or a tablet computer. For use of the mobile device or a function described herein, a person can authenticate himself with respect to the mobile device. In this case, the person can, for example, input a secret or present a biometric feature for scanning. A cryptographic key can be stored on the mobile device, which can be checked in a predetermined cryptographic exchange method with the motor vehicle. In this case, the motor vehicle can authenticate itself to the mobile device and / or the mobile device to the motor vehicle. If the authentication is successful, the use of the motor vehicle by the person or the control of a vehicle function by the mobile device can be made possible.In one embodiment, the processing device is configured to determine that a communication connection exists only to a motor vehicle; and to select this motor vehicle. The communication link may include, for example, Bluetooth, Bluetooth-LE, or Ultra Wide Band (UWB). Wireless communication links generally have limited ranges. A motor vehicle that could potentially be controlled by the mobile device but is outside the range of the wireless interface used cannot be considered in the selection. A motor vehicle which is in communication range but to which a wireless communication connection would first have to be established cannot also be selected.In another embodiment, a motor vehicle once selected may remain further selected. For example, within a predetermined time after the control of a first vehicle function of one of the motor vehicles, a further vehicle function to be controlled can be related to this motor vehicle.In a further embodiment, the processing device is configured to determine a circumstance under which the voice command was detected. The motor vehicle can then be selected with respect to a past control on the motor vehicle under comparable circumstances.For example, it may be determined that one of the motor vehicles is being used in a predetermined usage pattern using the mobile device. The usage pattern may include, for example, tumous trips from a home to a worksite and back. If it is determined that the request for the vehicle function fits into such a turnus, the associated motor vehicle can be selected.Circumstances of the control of a motor vehicle can be determined, for example, by means of a Bayesian filter. Alternatively, a machine learning technique may be used to determine common circumstances. Circumstances in which the present voice command has been detected can then be compared with known circumstances in order to optionally select the motor vehicle.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the controller behind has been concerned with a vehicle function that is comparable to the particular vehicle function. For example, vehicle functions related to opening or closing different doors or flaps on the same motor vehicle may be considered comparable. It is thus possible to prevent a completely different vehicle function from being incorrectly considered as part of a usage rhythm or turnus.In a further embodiment, the processing device is configured to determine distances between the mobile device and the plurality of motor vehicles. The motor vehicle having the smallest distance from the mobile device can then be selected. The distance determination is preferably carried out using the wireless interface. An approximate distance can be determined, for example, on the basis of a signal strength or a signal-to-noise ratio. If the wireless interface uses Bluetooth-LE, the distance can be determined by means of a technique called channel sounding.In a further embodiment, it can be taken into account which section of a motor vehicle on which the vehicle function acts faces the mobile device furthest. The processing device can be configured to determine distances between the mobile device and sections of a plurality of motor vehicles at which the vehicle function acts in each case; wherein the motor vehicle having the smallest distance can be selected.If, for example, two motor vehicles controllable by the mobile device are switched off antiparallel, wherein the mobile device is located at the front of one motor vehicle and at the rear of the other motor vehicle, and if the vehicle function relates to the opening of a tailgate, then the motor vehicle whose tailgate is located closer to the mobile device can be selected.In a further embodiment, the processing device is configured to receive an indication of a distance between the mobile device and a motor vehicle from the motor vehicle. The determination of the distance can be determined on the part of the motor vehicle with more accurate or other sensors than on the part of the mobile device. In addition, a two-sided distance determination can be carried out in this way. The motor vehicle can be configured to also determine a relative position of the mobile device in addition to the distance.It is further preferred that the processing device is configured to select a motor vehicle configured to execute the specific vehicle function.If the vehicle function relates, for example, to the opening of a top, but of two possible motor vehicles only one has a controllable top, this motor vehicle can be selected. In particular, when the vehicle function is parameterized or comprises further details about a desired procedure, it can easily be determined whether a motor vehicle is in principle able to control the desired vehicle function or not.According to yet another specific embodiment, the processing device is configured to select a motor vehicle in which the specific vehicle function may be executed directly.If the vehicle function relates, for example, to the opening of a door which is already open on one of the motor vehicles, this motor vehicle cannot be selected. Another motor vehicle, the door of which is still closed, on the other hand, can be a probable candidate for the motor vehicle concerned.The mobile device can advantageously cooperate with a control device on board a motor vehicle to be controlled.In another variant of the invention, the mobile device cannot unambiguously determine to which motor vehicle the voice command is directed or which motor vehicle the speaker means. In this case, the selection of the correct motor vehicle can be effected by one or more of the motor vehicles.The processing device of the mobile device can be configured to select a plurality of motor vehicles; and to transmit a request for the vehicle function to the plurality of motor vehicles. In this case, an indication can additionally be transmitted that the request has been transmitted to more than one single motor vehicle. The motor vehicle evaluating the request can then determine whether it is presumably addressed by the voice command or not.In another embodiment, the request may include a geographic position of the mobile device. A receiving motor vehicle can then determine a distance to the mobile device on the basis of its own geographical position. If the distance falls below a predetermined threshold value, the motor vehicle can determine itself as a probable receiver of the voice command.The indication transmitted to the motor vehicles may include an indication of another motor vehicle to which the request was sent. On board a received motor vehicle, it can then be estimated in an improved manner which of the motor vehicles is the most likely receiver of the voice command. In one embodiment, communication may occur between motor vehicles that have received a request. On the basis of locally available information in each case, it is then possible to tune which of the motor vehicles is a probable recipient of the voice command.According to a further aspect of the present invention, a control device for a motor vehicle is configured to receive a request for executing a vehicle function; to receive an indication that the request has been transmitted to more than one single motor vehicle; to determine a distance of the surrounding motor vehicle from the mobile device; and to execute the vehicle function if the distance falls below a predetermined threshold value.The distance may be determined based on received signals of a wireless interface, for example with respect to a signal strength or an SNR. Alternatively, the control device can also use a sensor or a detection system on board the motor vehicle for determining the distance to the mobile device. The sensor may include, for example, a camera or a LiDAR sensor. For this purpose, the control device can be connected to a corresponding sensor or a scanning system of the motor vehicle by means of an interface.The request may include a geographic position of the mobile device; wherein the distance may be determined based on a geographic position of the motor vehicle. The position can be obtained from a positioning system of the motor vehicle, which comprises a GNSS receiver, for example.In a further embodiment, the control device is configured to determine a position of the mobile device with respect to the motor vehicle; and to provide the position to the mobile device. For example, a position of the mobile device relative to the motor vehicle can be determined in polar coordinates, wherein a distance and a direction angle can be detected. In a further embodiment, one or more zones are defined in the area of the motor vehicle, and the control device is configured to determine whether the mobile device is located in one of the zones or in which of the zones it is located.The control device may be configured to receive an indication of a vehicle function to be executed; and provide a response regarding feasibility of the vehicle function.The response can relate both to a general suitability of the motor vehicle for executing the desired vehicle function and to the possibility of directly executing the specific vehicle function. In a further embodiment, an authorisation of the mobile device or of a digital key used for carrying out the desired vehicle function can be checked. If a desired vehicle function must not be able to be executed by a requesting mobile device, the mobile device can support the selection of one of a plurality of motor vehicles on this information.According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a motor vehicle includes a control device described herein. The motor vehicle preferably comprises a passenger car, a truck or an bus.A system includes a mobile device and a motor vehicle described herein. Optionally, the system includes a plurality of motor vehicles of the type described herein. In addition, the system may include one or more motor vehicles configured in a conventional manner for wirelessly controlling a predetermined vehicle function.A method for controlling a motor vehicle comprises steps of detecting a voice command; determining a vehicle function associated with the voice command; determining a plurality of motor vehicles on which the vehicle function can be controlled; automatically selecting one of the motor vehicles; and controlling the vehicle function on the selected motor vehicle.The method may be carried out partially or completely by means of a mobile device and / or a control device described herein. The mobile device or the control device can comprise a processing device which is in particular electronic and can comprise, for example, a programmable microcomputer or microcontroller. The method can be in the form of a computer program product with program code means. The computer program product can be stored on a computer-readable data carrier. Features or advantages of the method can be transferred to the mobile device or the device, or vice versa. Accordingly, features or preferences may also be transferred between the mobile device and the control device.The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a system; and FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a methodillustrated.FIG. 1 shows a system 100 having a first motor vehicle 105, a second motor vehicle 110 and a mobile device 115. The mobile device 115 is assigned to a person 120 who has the authorisation to use the mobile device 115 and the motor vehicles 105, 110.In order to use one of the motor vehicles 105, 110 or to control a vehicle function, a digital key assigned to the respective motor vehicle 105, 110 can be stored in the mobile device 115, the existence and validity of which key can be checked before the control or use. The digital key can in particular comprise a digital car key according to a known specification of the car connectivity consortium. Authenticating the mobile device 115 against the motor vehicles 105 and 110, respectively, or authenticating the person 120 against the mobile device 115 to enable access to the digital key are assumed to be known and are not discussed further herein.The person 120 can use the mobile device 115 to control a predetermined vehicle function of one of the motor vehicles 105, 110. For this purpose, an application can run on the mobile device 115, which can be operated, for example, via a touchscreen of the mobile device 115. In the present case, it is assumed that a voice-controlled operation of the application or of the mobile device 115 by the person 120 is possible. To do so, the person 120 can direct a voice command to the mobile device 115 that includes an indication of a vehicle function. The mobile device 115 is configured to select one of the motor vehicles 105, 110 known to it, to which the voice command most probably relates.The mobile device 115 includes a processing device 125, a microphone 130, and a wireless interface 135.On board the motor vehicles 105, 110, a control device 140 can be provided in each case. The control device 140 comprises a processing device 145, an interface 150 and a wireless interface 155. The interface 150 is configured for connection to a further device on board the motor vehicle 105, 110, which device can control a predetermined vehicle function. Interface 150 is usually connected to a data bus of respective motor vehicle 105, 110, via which multiple control units can be reached. The wireless interface 155 is configured to communicate with the wireless interface 135 of the mobile device 115. Wireless communication is carried out, for example, on the basis of Bluetooth, Bluetooth-LE or UWB.One of the control devices 140 may be configured to gather information indicating a selection of a motor vehicle 105, 110 that could be affected by a received voice command of the person 120 to the mobile device 115.For example, the control device 140 can determine a distance or a location of the mobile device 115 with respect to the respective motor vehicle 105, 110. For this purpose, the control device 140 can access an in-vehicle device by means of the interface 150, which device can determine a position of the mobile device 115. Such a device can comprise, for example, a surroundings detection system or an external camera. In addition, the control device 140 can determine, via the interface 150, which vehicle functions of the motor vehicle 105, 110 are available for control by the mobile device 115. In addition, a state of a controllable vehicle function or of a device controllable by means of a vehicle function can be determined. If the vehicle function relates, for example, to an electrical seat adjustment of a seat on board a motor vehicle 105, 110, an adjustment position of the seat can be determined as the current state and provided to the outside. Generally or specifically controllable vehicle functions can be determined via the interface 150 by dialog of the control device 140 with another device on board the motor vehicle 105, 110.FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary method 200 for controlling a motor vehicle 105, 110. Method steps which are illustrated in a left-hand region are usually executed by the mobile device 115; method steps illustrated in a right-hand region are assigned to one of the motor vehicles 105, 110.In a step 205, a voice command of the person 120 can be detected by the mobile device 115. For example, the person 120 may speak a predetermined keyword followed by a linguistic indication of a desired vehicle function. The voice command may include a parameter or argument for the expressed vehicle function.In a step 210, a vehicle function associated with the voice command may be determined. In addition, an argument or a parameter of the vehicle function may be determined. If the vehicle function concerns, for example, a locking function of a motor vehicle 105, 110, it can be specified as an argument whether the locking is to be opened or closed. A parameter may include a value to which the vehicle function is to be controlled. If the vehicle function relates, for example, to the adjustment of a seat position in the longitudinal direction, the parameter can describe the longitudinal position, for example, in centimeters.In a step 215, it can be determined that mobile device 115 is set up or equipped to control multiple motor vehicles 105, 110. In addition, it can be determined which motor vehicles can be controlled. A motor vehicle is usually assigned a digital key which is required for access to a vehicle function.Information can be collected below, which in each case give an indication as to which of the plurality of motor vehicles 105, 110 is to be affected by the detected voice command. A selection of one of the motor vehicles 105, 110 can then take place on the basis of one of the information items or a combination of the information items.In a step 220, it is possible to determine to which of the motor vehicles 105, 110 a wireless communication connection is already established. A motor vehicle 105, 110 to which no connection is established cannot be determined as a destination of the voice command. If a plurality of motor vehicles 105, 110 are in wireless communication connection with mobile device 115, both can be recognized as candidates for selection. If no motor vehicle 105, 110 is communicatively linked wirelessly, the selection of the motor vehicle 105, 110 can be based on other information.In a step 225, a distance between the mobile device 115 and a motor vehicle 105, 110 may be determined. The distance is preferably determined using means of the wireless interface 135. In this case, a known method for distance measurement by means of radio waves can be used.In a step 230, a request can be sent to a motor vehicle 105, 110. The motor vehicle 105, 110 can determine a response in a step 235 and transmit it back to the mobile device 115. Optionally, the motor vehicle 105, 110 checks on which section of the motor vehicle 105, 110 the vehicle function would act or be available to a user. An indication of the particular portion may be appended to the response.In a first example, the request relates to an indication of controllable vehicle functions or an indication as to whether a predetermined vehicle function can or can be controlled on the motor vehicle 105, 110.In a second example, the request relates to a positioning of the mobile device 115 with respect to the motor vehicle 105, 110. The motor vehicle 105, 110 may determine a position of the mobile device 115 using either wireless interface 155 means or another sensing system or sensor onboard the motor vehicle 105, 110.A response of the motor vehicle 105, 110 or of a control device 140 can be received by the mobile device 115 in a step 240. The received information can be evaluated in order to select one of the motor vehicles 105, 110 as the destination of the voice command. For example, the motor vehicle 105, 110 whose distance from the mobile device 115 is the smallest can most probably be affected by the voice command.In a continuation, in a step 245 on a motor vehicle 105, 110, a section which is affected by the vehicle function can be determined. With regard to different motor vehicles 105, 110, distances to the respective sections can be formed. The motor vehicle 105, 110 having the smallest such distance can be determined as the most likely destination of the voice command.In a step 250, one of the motor vehicles 105, 110 may be selected on the basis of the collected information. In this step, a type of pattern recognition can also be carried out in order to correlate circumstances under which the voice command was detected in step 205 with other circumstances under which functions were carried out on one of the motor vehicles 105, 110 in the past. Such circumstances may include, for example, a day of the week, a time, a geographical position, an identification of the person 120, a prevailing weather, or a planned destination of travel.In a step 255, a request for execution of the specific vehicle function may be transmitted to the selected motor vehicle 105, 110. If the mobile device 115 cannot determine with sufficient certainty exactly one motor vehicle 105, 110, which is the probable recipient of the voice command, the request can be sent to a plurality of motor vehicles 105, 110. The request cannot be transmitted to a motor vehicle 105, 110 that is not considered as a recipient on the basis of one of the stated regulations. An indication may be appended to the request that the request has been sent to a plurality of motor vehicles 105, 110. Optionally, an indication may be appended to one of the other motor vehicles 105, 110 to which the request has been sent. In addition, locally available data can be attached to the request. These data can include, in particular, a geographical position of the mobile device 115, which can be determined, for example, by means of a GNSS receiver. Further data can be added, which include an indication of a distance of the mobile device 115 from the motor vehicle 105, 110.In a step 260, a receiving motor vehicle 105, 110 may determine whether it is the only recipient of the request. If not, it may be determined whether the received motor vehicle 105, 110 is a recipient of the voice command intended with a sufficient probability. For this purpose, a distance between the motor vehicle 105, 110 can be determined. If the distance is below a predetermined threshold value, for example approximately 10 m or approximately 5 m, responsibility can be assumed.The distance may be determined on the basis of a signal strength of a message received from the mobile device 115, an SNR, a scanning of a surrounding area of the motor vehicle 105, 110 using an on-board scanning system and / or on the basis of a distance between a received geographical position and a separate geographical position.If the motor vehicle 105, 110 is the only recipient of the request or if it was found to be responsible in step 260, the vehicle function in the motor vehicle 105, 110 can be controlled in step 265. For the actual control, it may be necessary to carry out a cryptographic method on the basis of a secret key which is stored on the mobile device 115.Reference numerals denote reference numerals100 System 105 First motor vehicle 110 Second motor vehicle 115 Mobile device 120 Person 125 Processing device 130 Microphone 135 Wireless interface 140 Control device 145 Processing device 150 Interface 155 Wireless interface 200 Method 205 Voice command capture 210 Vehicle function determine 215 Several motor vehicles in question determine 220 Coupled motor vehicle determine 225 Distance determine 230 Request send 235 Response determine 240 Response receive 245 Distance to the affected section determine 250 Motor vehicle select 255 Request send 260 Responsibility determine 265 Function control

Claims

A mobile device (115) comprising: - a device (130) for detecting a voice command; - a wireless interface (135) for communication with a motor vehicle (105, 110); and - a processing device (125) which is configured to: o determine a vehicle function associated with the voice command; o determine a plurality of motor vehicles (105, 110) on each of which at least one vehicle function can be controlled; o automatically select one of the motor vehicles (105, 110); and o control the determined vehicle function on the selected motor vehicle (105, 110).The mobile device (115) of claim 1, wherein the processing device (125) is configured to determine that a communication link exists only to a motor vehicle (105, 110); and to select that motor vehicle (105, 110).The mobile device (115) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing device (125) is configured to determine a circumstance under which the voice command was detected; and select the motor vehicle (105, 110) with respect to a past control on the motor vehicle (105, 110) under comparable circumstances.The mobile device (115) of claim 3, wherein the past controller was related to a vehicle function comparable to the determined vehicle function.The mobile device (115) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing device (125) is configured to determine distances between the mobile device (115) and the plurality of motor vehicles (105, 110); and to select the motor vehicle (105, 110) having the smallest distance to the mobile device (115).The mobile device (115) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing device (125) is configured to determine distances between the mobile device (115) and portions of a plurality of motor vehicles (105, 110) at which the vehicle function acts in each case; and to select the motor vehicle (105, 110) having the smallest distance.The mobile device (115) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the processing device (125) is configured to receive an indication of a distance between the mobile device (115) and a motor vehicle (105, 110) from the motor vehicle (105, 110).Mobile device (115) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing device (125) is configured to select a motor vehicle (105, 110) configured to perform the determined vehicle function.Mobile device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing device (125) is configured to select a motor vehicle (105, 110) in which the specific vehicle function can be executed directly.Mobile device (115) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing device (125) is configured to select a plurality of motor vehicles (105, 110); and to transmit a request for the vehicle function to the plurality of motor vehicles (105, 110); wherein additionally an indication is transmitted that the request has been transmitted to more than one single motor vehicle (105, 110).The mobile device (115) of claim 10, wherein the indication comprises an indication of another motor vehicle (105, 110) to which the request was sent.A control device (140) for a motor vehicle (105, 110), wherein the control device is configured to receive a request for execution of a vehicle function; to receive an indication that the request has been transmitted to more than one single motor vehicle (105, 110); to determine a distance of the surrounding motor vehicle (105, 110) from the mobile device (115); and to execute the vehicle function if the distance falls below a predetermined threshold value.The control device (140) of claim 12, wherein the request comprises a geographic position of the mobile device (115); and the distance is determined based on a geographic position of the motor vehicle.The control device (140) according to any one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the control device (140) is configured to receive an indication of a vehicle function to be executed; and provide a response regarding feasibility of the vehicle function.Motor vehicle (105, 110) comprising a control device according to one of Claims 12 to 14.A system (100) comprising a mobile device (115) according to any of claims 1 to 11; and a motor vehicle (105, 110) according to claim 15.Method (200) for controlling a motor vehicle (105, 110), wherein the method (200) comprises the following steps: - detecting (205) a voice command; - determining (210) a vehicle function assigned to the voice command; - determining (215) a plurality of motor vehicles (105, 110) on which the vehicle function can be controlled; - automatically selecting (250) one of the motor vehicles (105, 110); and - controlling (265) the vehicle function on the selected motor vehicle (105, 110).

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