Method and device for controlling the automatic unlocking and / or locking of a vehicle

Abstract

A device for controlling the automatic unlocking and / or locking of a vehicle (100) is described, which is automatically effected by a key device (110) located in the vicinity of the vehicle (100). The device is configured to check, for a movement of the key device (110) in the vicinity of the vehicle (100), whether one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) of a deactivation data set (300) are met for the movement, wherein the check is performed on the key device (110) and / or wherein the deactivation data set (300) has been set on the key device (110).The device is further configured to prevent automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100) during the movement process if it is determined that one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) of the deactivation data set (300) are met for the movement process.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to methods and corresponding devices for automatically unlocking and / or locking a (motor) vehicle using a key device having a digital key.

[0002] A vehicle may have one or more functions that can be remotely controlled by a vehicle user using an electronic device, such as a smartphone. An example vehicle function is opening or unlocking and / or closing or locking a door or hatch of the vehicle. The remote control of the one or more vehicle functions typically occurs via a wireless communication connection, in particular via a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication connection, between the vehicle and the electronic (key) device.

[0003] The unlocking and / or locking (of one or more doors and / or tailgates) of the vehicle can be triggered automatically if the communication connection detects that the key device is within a certain distance from the vehicle. The automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle may be perceived as inconvenient by the vehicle user in certain situations. Furthermore, the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle results in energy consumption.

[0004] This document addresses the technical task of reliably increasing the convenience and / or energy efficiency of automatic unlocking and / or locking of a vehicle using a key device.

[0005] The problem is solved by each of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described, among other things, in the dependent claims. It should be noted that additional features of a patent claim dependent on an independent patent claim can form a separate invention, independent of the combination of all features of the independent patent claim, without the features of the independent patent claim or only in combination with a subset of the features of the independent patent claim, which invention can be made the subject of an independent claim, a divisional application, or a subsequent application. This applies equally to technical teachings described in the description, which can form an invention independent of the features of the independent patent claims.

[0006] According to one aspect, a device for controlling the automatic locking and / or unlocking (in particular the automatic unlocking) of a (motor) vehicle (in particular of one or more doors and / or lids of the vehicle) is described, wherein the automatic locking and / or unlocking is automatically effected by a key device arranged in the vicinity of the vehicle. The key device can have a digital key for authenticating the key device on the vehicle. The digital key can be designed according to the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) key standard, in particular according to CCC Release 3. The key device can be a mobile and / or portable user device (such as a smart device and / or a smartphone). The device can be part of the key device.

[0007] The device can be configured to provide a communication connection (in particular a Bluetooth connection, such as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)) between the vehicle and the key device. The automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle can be effected via the (BLE) communication connection.

[0008] The device can be configured to unlock one or more doors and / or tailgates of the vehicle as part of the automatic unlocking of the vehicle, without contact with a component, in particular a (door) handle, of the vehicle having to be detected. Alternatively or additionally, the device can be configured to unlock one or more doors and / or tailgates of the vehicle as part of the automatic unlocking of the vehicle when the key device is arranged at a distance from the vehicle that is greater than a distance threshold value, wherein the distance threshold value is, for example, 1 meter or more. Remote control of the unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle can thus be effected (via the communication connection).

[0009] The device can be configured to initiate automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle by sending a request message (in particular a range intent message) from the key device to the vehicle (via the communication connection), wherein the request message is directed to requesting the vehicle to determine position information relating to the (current) position of the key device. The position information can then be determined via an ultrawideband (UWB) communication connection between the vehicle and the key device. The position information can be determined repeatedly, in particular periodically, (in response to the request message) in order to determine the current position of the key device relative to the vehicle.

[0010] The vehicle can use the determined position information to unlock or lock the vehicle. For example, the vehicle can be caused to automatically unlock if the determined position information indicates that the distance of the key device from the vehicle is equal to or less than the unlocking threshold. On the other hand, the vehicle can be caused to automatically lock if the determined position information indicates that the distance of the key device from the vehicle is equal to or greater than the locking threshold. The locking threshold can be equal to or greater than the unlocking threshold.

[0011] The device is configured to check, for a movement process of the key device in which the key device is moved in the vicinity of the vehicle (e.g., when the key device approaches the vehicle and / or when the key device moves away from the vehicle, and / or when a (BLE) communication connection exists between the key device and the vehicle), whether one or more deactivation conditions of a deactivation data record are met for the movement process. The checking of the one or more deactivation conditions can be carried out on the key device. Alternatively or additionally, the deactivation data record can have been defined on the key device.

[0012] The deactivation data record may contain multiple deactivation conditions. All deactivation conditions of the deactivation data record can be checked. Furthermore, multiple deactivation data records, each with one or more deactivation conditions, may exist (e.g., stored on the key device). For each deactivation data record, a check can be performed to determine whether one or more (in particular, whether all) deactivation conditions of the respective deactivation data record are met.

[0013] The one or more deactivation conditions (of a deactivation data set) can include a temporal deactivation condition that specifies the period of time from a reference point in time for which the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle is to be deactivated. The reference point in time can correspond to the point in time at which the deactivation data set was defined (by the user). This allows a user to set a timer for deactivating the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle. By specifying a deactivation period, particularly convenient operation of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function can be achieved.

[0014] The device can be configured to determine that the temporal deactivation condition is met if the time period specified in the temporal deactivation condition has not yet elapsed during the movement process. Alternatively or additionally, the device can be configured to determine that the temporal deactivation condition is not met if the time period specified in the temporal deactivation condition has already elapsed during the movement process.

[0015] The one or more deactivation conditions (of a deactivation data record) may include a local deactivation condition that specifies a local area (e.g., a place of residence or a place of work) in which the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle is to be deactivated. The device may be configured to determine that the local deactivation condition is met if the key device and / or the vehicle are located in the local area specified by the local deactivation condition during the movement process. Alternatively or additionally, the device may be configured to determine that the local deactivation condition is not met if the key device and / or the vehicle are not located in the local area specified by the local deactivation condition during the movement process.By defining a deactivation area, particularly convenient operation of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function can be achieved.

[0016] The one or more deactivation conditions (of a deactivation data record) may include a calendar deactivation condition that specifies a day of the week and / or a date on which the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle is to be deactivated. The device may be configured to determine that the calendar deactivation condition is met if the movement process occurs on a day of the week and / or on a date specified in the calendar deactivation condition. Alternatively or additionally, the device may be configured to determine that the calendar deactivation condition is not met if the movement process occurs on a day of the week and / or on a date not specified in the calendar deactivation condition.By defining a calendar-based deactivation condition, a particularly convenient operation of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function can be achieved.

[0017] The one or more deactivation conditions (of a deactivation data record) can include a temporal deactivation condition that specifies a time of day in which the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle is to be deactivated. The device can be configured to determine that the temporal deactivation condition is met if the movement occurs at a time of day that falls within the time of day specified in the temporal deactivation condition. Alternatively or additionally, the device can be configured to determine that the temporal deactivation condition is not met if the movement occurs at a time of day that does not fall within the time of day specified in the temporal deactivation condition. By specifying a time-of-day-based deactivation condition, particularly convenient operation of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function can be achieved.

[0018] The device is further configured to prevent automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle during the movement process if it is determined that (in particular all) one or more deactivation conditions of the deactivation data set are met for the movement process. If multiple deactivation data sets are present, it can be checked whether all one or more deactivation conditions are met for at least one deactivation data set. If all one or more deactivation conditions are met for at least one deactivation data set, it can be caused to prevent automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle during the movement process.

[0019] On the other hand, the device can be configured to effect automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle during the movement process if it is determined that at least one of several deactivation conditions of the deactivation data set is not met for the movement process. If multiple deactivation data sets are present, automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle can be effected during the movement process if no deactivation data set is present for which all one or more deactivation conditions of the respective deactivation data set are met.

[0020] This allows a vehicle user to conveniently define one or more deactivation data sets (on the key device), each with one or more deactivation conditions, to selectively deactivate the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle. The digital key of the key device can thus be selectively and / or temporarily put into a "silent mode" or deactivated mode. This reliably increases the convenience and energy efficiency of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function.

[0021] If automatic unlocking of the vehicle is prevented during the movement process, the device can be configured to unlock one or more doors and / or tailgates of the vehicle only after a contact with a component, in particular a (door) handle, of the vehicle has been detected. Unlocking can be effected automatically as soon as a contact with a component, in particular a (door) handle, of the vehicle is detected. Thus, even with selective deactivation of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function, (relatively) comfortable access to the vehicle can still be enabled. This can further increase comfort.

[0022] The device can be configured to prevent the transmission of the request message (in particular the transmission of the range intent message) to the vehicle (via the (BLE) communication connection) in order to prevent the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle during the movement process. This allows for a particularly efficient and reliable selective deactivation of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function.

[0023] According to a further aspect, a device for controlling the automatic unlocking and / or locking of a (motor) vehicle is described, wherein the automatic unlocking and / or locking is automatically effected by a key device arranged in the vicinity of the vehicle (wherein a (BLE) communication connection exists between the key device and the vehicle). The features described in this document are also applicable to this device individually and / or in combination.

[0024] The device is configured to detect at least one unnecessary unlocking and locking cycle, in which the vehicle is automatically unlocked due to the approach of the key device and automatically locked again due to the subsequent removal of the key device, without any door and / or lid of the vehicle being opened in between (i.e., between the automatic unlocking and the subsequent automatic locking). If necessary, a specific number (e.g., 2 or more, or 5 or more) of unnecessary unlocking and locking cycles can be detected.

[0025] The device is further configured, in response to the detection, to initiate at least one measure directed at at least temporarily and / or selectively deactivating the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle. The at least one measure may comprise issuing a notification (via the user interface of the key device and / or the vehicle) to the user of the key device and / or the vehicle. The notification may be directed at prompting the user to specify a deactivation data record with one or more deactivation conditions for the (selective) deactivation of the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle.

[0026] Thus, one or more (in particular, a specific number of) superfluous unlocking and locking cycles can be detected, and at least one deactivation data set can then be defined for the (selective) deactivation of the vehicle's automatic unlocking and / or locking. This significantly increases the convenience and energy efficiency of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function.

[0027] The device can be configured to determine at least one boundary condition under which the one or more (in particular the specific number of) superfluous unlocking and locking cycles have occurred. The boundary condition can include, for example, • a temporal framework in relation to a time of day at which the respective unnecessary unlocking and locking cycle took place; • a calendar condition relating to a day of the week and / or a date on which the respective superfluous unlocking and locking cycle took place; and / or • a local framework in relation to a local area in which the respective unnecessary unlocking and locking cycle took place.

[0028] As a measure, a deactivation data set with one or more deactivation conditions for deactivating the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle can then be defined, taking into account the determined framework. For example, a proposal for a deactivation data set with one or more deactivation conditions can be determined based on the determined framework. This proposal can be issued to the user of the vehicle or the key device, and the user can accept the proposal, which is then saved as a deactivation data set. This can further increase the convenience and energy efficiency of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function.

[0029] According to a further aspect, a (road) motor vehicle (in particular a passenger car or a truck or a bus or a motorcycle) is described which comprises one or more of the devices described in this document.

[0030] According to a further aspect, a (mobile and / or portable) user device (e.g., a smart device and / or a smartphone) is described that comprises one or more of the devices described in this document.

[0031] According to one aspect, a method for controlling the automatic unlocking and / or locking of a (motor) vehicle is described, wherein the automatic unlocking and / or locking is automatically effected by a key device arranged in the vicinity of the vehicle. The method comprises checking, for a movement process of the key device in which the key device is moved in the vicinity of the vehicle, whether one or more deactivation conditions of a deactivation data set are met for the movement process. The checking can be performed on the key device and / or the deactivation data set can have been defined and / or stored on the key device.The method further comprises preventing automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle during the movement process if it is determined that the one or more deactivation conditions of the deactivation data set are met for the movement process.

[0032] According to a further aspect, a method is described for controlling the automatic unlocking and / or locking of a (motor) vehicle, which is automatically effected by a key device arranged in the vicinity of the vehicle. The method comprises detecting at least one superfluous unlocking and locking cycle, in which the vehicle is automatically unlocked due to the approach of the key device and is automatically locked again due to the subsequent removal of the key device, without a door and / or lid of the vehicle having been opened in between. The method further comprises, in response to the detection, effecting at least one measure aimed at at least temporarily deactivating the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle.

[0033] According to another aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The SW program can be configured to execute on a processor and thereby perform one or more of the methods described in this document.

[0034] According to a further aspect, a storage medium is described. The storage medium may comprise a software program configured to be executed on a processor and thereby to perform one or more of the methods described in this document.

[0035] It should be noted that the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be used both alone and in combination with other methods, devices, and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the methods, devices, and systems described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways. Furthermore, features listed in parentheses are to be understood as optional features.

[0036] The invention will be described in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1a an exemplary digital access system of a vehicle; Fig. 1b an exemplary usage situation for a digital access system; Fig. 2 exemplary messages for determining position information relating to the position of a key device; Fig. 3 an exemplary deactivation data set with exemplary deactivation conditions; Fig. 4a is a flowchart of an exemplary method for controlling the automatic unlocking and / or locking of a vehicle; and Fig. 4b is a flowchart of another exemplary method for controlling the automatic unlocking and / or locking of a vehicle.

[0037] As stated at the beginning, this document deals with increasing the convenience and / or energy efficiency of the automatic unlocking and / or locking of a vehicle using a digital key device. In this context, Fig. 1a shows an exemplary (access) system 150 comprising at least one vehicle 100 and a digital key device 110. The digital key device 110 is typically a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or a tablet PC, with a digital key 111 stored on the portable electronic device. The digital key 111 can be stored in a protected storage area, in particular in a so-called "secure element," of the portable electronic device (e.g., the user device).

[0038] The digital key device 110 is configured to communicate with a communication unit 102 of the vehicle 102 via one or more different wireless communication connections 112. The different communication connections 112 can be used for different purposes. In particular, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication connection 112 can be used to • to determine the distance and / or relative position between the digital key device 110 and the vehicle 100 (in particular based on the signal strength, in particular the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), of the radio signals exchanged between the vehicle 100 and the device 110; and / or using BLE Channel Sounding (mode 2 / phase-based measurements)); and / or • To exchange data between the digital key device 110 and the vehicle 100 (e.g., a control command for controlling a vehicle function 103, such as unlocking a door and / or opening or closing a window and / or activating or deactivating a heating function and / or activating or deactivating the drive motor of the vehicle 100).

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication link 112 may be used to determine the position of the device 110 relative to the vehicle 100 with a relatively high degree of accuracy. Determining the position of the device 110 using the UWB communication link 112 may be referred to as UWB ranging.

[0040] A (control) device 101 of the vehicle 100 can be designed to control at least one vehicle function 103 of the vehicle 100 depending on the communication between the device 110 and the vehicle 100, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1b. In this context, the digital key 111 of the device 110 can be verified, in particular authenticated. Furthermore, after successful authentication, one or more vehicle functions 103 can be controlled, in particular depending on • the distance between the device 110 and the vehicle 100; • the position of the device 110 relative to the vehicle 100; and / or • a control command sent from the device 110 to the vehicle 100 via a communication link 112.

[0041] In an exemplary system 150, a BLE communication connection 112 may be established between the device 110 and the vehicle 100 as soon as the distance between the device 110 and the vehicle 100 is equal to or less than a first distance threshold 121. This enables the user to remotely control one or more vehicle functions 103 using the device 110. Typically, the vehicle 100 repeatedly indicates, e.g., at a certain frequency, the availability of a BLE communication connection 112. Starting at the first distance threshold 121, the device 110 (which may also be referred to as "user equipment" (UE)) receives the indication message from the vehicle 100, and the BLE communication connection 112 may then be established between the device 110 and the vehicle 100.The first distance threshold 121 may depend on the communication capabilities of the device 110, the environment of the vehicle 100 and / or the device 110, and / or the position of the device 110 relative to the vehicle 100.

[0042] Furthermore, a UWB communication link 112 can be established between the device 110 and the vehicle 100 as soon as the distance between the device 110 and the vehicle 100 is equal to or less than a second distance threshold 122 (which may be less than the first distance threshold 121 and / or may depend on the communication capabilities of the device 110). Based on the UWB communication link 112, the location of the device 110 can be determined with relatively high accuracy.

[0043] An exemplary vehicle function 103 that may be provided via the one or more communication links 112 is the automatic unlocking (of one or more doors and / or hatches) of the vehicle 100 once the key device 110 has reached or fallen below a certain unlocking threshold, and / or the automatic locking (of one or more doors and / or hatches) of the vehicle 100 once the key device 110 has reached or exceeded a certain locking threshold.

[0044] For example, the user can approach the vehicle 100 with the key device 110, and as soon as it is detected that the key device 110 has reached or fallen below the unlocking threshold, one or more vehicle doors and / or tailgates can be automatically unlocked (without requiring contact with a touch sensor of the vehicle 100). The user can then directly (without any delay) open a vehicle door or tailgate. Automatic unlocking occurs immediately upon reaching or falling below the unlocking threshold, and not only when the user touches the handle of a vehicle door or tailgate.

[0045] Fig. 2 shows exemplary messages 201, 202 that are sent from the key device 110 to the vehicle 100 for automatic unlocking (via an existing BLE and / or UWB communication connection 112). In particular, a request message 201 (in particular a so-called range intent message) can be sent from the key device 110 to the vehicle 100 (typically via the BLE communication connection 112), with which the vehicle 100 is requested to determine position information regarding the position of the key device 110 relative to the vehicle 100. The position information can, in particular, include the distance of the key device 110 from the vehicle 100.

[0046] A positioning message 202 can then be sent (possibly repeatedly) from the key device 110 to the vehicle 100. The positioning message 202 can be sent via the UWB communication link 112. The positioning message 202 (e.g., the signal strength and / or the propagation time of the positioning message 202) can be used by the vehicle 100 to determine the position information regarding the position of the key device 110 relative to the vehicle 100.

[0047] If the vehicle 100 detects (based on the (possibly repeatedly) determined position information) that the key device 110 reaches or falls below the unlocking threshold, the automatic unlocking (of the one or more doors and / or hatches) of the vehicle 100 can be effected.

[0048] Similarly, automatic locking (of the one or more doors and / or hatches) of the vehicle 100 may be effected (when the key device 110 reaches or exceeds the locking threshold).

[0049] It may happen that the user of the vehicle 100 is in the vicinity of the vehicle 100 with his key device 110 (possibly several times) without the user intending to unlock the vehicle 100. For example, the user may walk past the vehicle 100 with the key device 110 (possibly several times), which each time leads to the unlocking and subsequent locking of the vehicle 100, which may be perceived as uncomfortable by the user of the vehicle 100 (e.g., due to the resulting and / or caused noises and / or visual signals) and which leads to increased energy consumption (of the vehicle 100 and the key device 110).

[0050] As already explained above, the key device 110 is typically a mobile user device (such as a smartphone) that has, for example, a touch-sensitive screen. A software application (a so-called app) can be provided on the key device 110, via which remote control of one or more vehicle functions 103 can be effected. For example, a user can be enabled to define and issue a control command for controlling a vehicle function 103 via a (graphical) user interface.

[0051] The user of the vehicle 100 can be enabled to define at least one deactivation data record 300 via the user interface on the key device 110, which has one or more deactivation conditions 301, 302, 303 for the selective deactivation of the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle 100 (see Fig. 3). The one or more deactivation conditions 301, 302, 303 may include, for example, • a temporal deactivation condition 301, which specifies, for example, - a period of time (e.g. starting from a reference time) for which the automatic unlocking and / or locking is deactivated; the reference time can be, for example, the time at which the temporal deactivation condition 301 is determined; and - a time of day interval (starting with a start time and ending with an end time) during which the automatic unlocking and / or locking is deactivated; • a calendar deactivation condition 302, which, for example, specifies a date or a day of the week that must be present in order for the automatic unlocking and / or locking to be deactivated; and / or • a local deactivation condition 303, which, for example, specifies a local area in which the vehicle 100 and / or the key device 110 must be located in order for the automatic unlocking and / or locking to be deactivated.

[0052] The user may be enabled to define multiple deactivation data sets 300, e.g. for different days of the week (e.g. working days or weekends) and / or for different geographical areas (e.g. place of residence or place of work).

[0053] The key device 300 can be configured to analyze the one or more deactivation data sets 300 specified by the user during an approach process to the vehicle 100 (generally during a movement process in the vicinity of the vehicle 100) in order to check whether the automatic unlocking and / or locking should be deactivated during the approach process or should remain activated. In particular, it can be checked whether all deactivation conditions 301, 302, 303 of at least one deactivation data set 300 are met during the approach process. If this is the case, the automatic unlocking and / or locking can be deactivated during the approach process. On the other hand, if no deactivation data set 300 is present for which all deactivation conditions 301, 302, 303 are met, the automatic unlocking and / or locking can be kept active.

[0054] The deactivation of the automatic unlocking and / or locking during an approach process can be achieved efficiently and reliably by not sending a request message 201 (in particular, no "ranging intent" message) from the key device 110 to the vehicle 100. As a result, the vehicle 100 does not determine any position information regarding the position of the key device 110, so that no position-dependent unlocking or locking can be effected.

[0055] It can be detected (e.g., by the device 101 of the vehicle 100 and / or by the key device 110) that an automatic unlocking and subsequent automatic locking of the vehicle 100 was effected (due to the proximity of the key device 110 to the vehicle 100) without any door or hatch of the vehicle 100 being opened between the automatic unlocking and the subsequent automatic locking. Such an unlocking and locking cycle can be referred to as a redundant unlocking and locking cycle, since the unlocking was redundant due to the non-opening of a door or hatch of the vehicle 100.

[0056] After a certain number (e.g., 1 or more, or 2 or more, or 5 or more) of detected unnecessary unlocking and locking cycles, a measure can be initiated that is aimed at temporarily and / or selectively deactivating the automatic unlocking and / or locking. In particular, as a measure, a notice can be issued to the user of the key device 110 (via the user interface of the key device 110), informing the user that a deactivation record 300 can be defined to selectively deactivate the automatic unlocking and / or locking.

[0057] If necessary, one or more boundary conditions can be identified that were present during the individual detected unnecessary locking and unlocking cycles. Examples of boundary conditions are • the time; • the day of the week; • the date; and / or • the local area.

[0058] Based on the one or more boundary conditions that existed during the individual detected unnecessary locking and unlocking cycles, a suggestion for a deactivation data record 300 with one or more deactivation conditions 301, 302, 303 can be automatically determined, if necessary, and presented to the user (via the user interface). This can further increase user convenience.

[0059] This provides a user with the option (e.g., on the key device 110) to deactivate the automatic unlocking and / or locking for a specific period of time (e.g., 5 minutes or more, 10 minutes or more, 30 minutes or more, or one hour or more). Alternatively or additionally, it may be possible to deactivate the automatic unlocking and / or locking at a specific location (possibly permanently).

[0060] Furthermore, after one or more unintentional "opening and closing" operations (i.e., after several unnecessary unlocking and locking cycles) of the vehicle 100 (during which the vehicle door is not opened), a notification can be issued, in particular displayed, on the key device 110, offering the user the option of temporarily deactivating the automatic unlocking and / or locking. This can further increase convenience.

[0061] The user can be enabled to specify a plurality of different locations (e.g., 5 or more) (each with a specific surrounding radius) in which the automatic unlocking and / or locking should be deactivated (at least temporarily). For this purpose, a deactivation condition 303 and / or a deactivation data set 300 can be defined for each individual location.

[0062] Fig. 4a shows a flowchart of an exemplary (possibly computer-implemented) method 400 for controlling an automatic unlocking and / or locking of a (motor) vehicle 100, which is automatically effected by a key device 110 arranged in the vicinity of the vehicle 100. The features described in this document are applicable individually and / or in combination to this method 400.

[0063] The vehicle 100 can be automatically unlocked when the key device 110 approaches the vehicle 100 (in particular, when the distance of the key device 110 from the vehicle 100 falls below a certain unlocking threshold). The automatic unlocking can occur even before the key device 110 reaches the vehicle 100 and / or even before a user of the vehicle 100 touches a component, in particular a door handle, of the vehicle 100. On the other hand, the vehicle 100 can be automatically locked when the key device 110 moves away from the vehicle 100 (in particular, when the distance of the key device 110 from the vehicle 100 exceeds a certain locking threshold). The method 400 can be executed on the key device 110.

[0064] The method 400 comprises checking 401, for a movement process (in particular for an approach process) of the key device 110, in which the key device 110 is moved in the environment of the vehicle 100 (in particular, in which the key device 110 approaches the vehicle 100), whether one or more deactivation conditions 301, 302, 303 of a deactivation data record 300 are met for the movement process. The deactivation data record 300 can have been defined on the key device 110. Furthermore, a check can be carried out on the key device 110 to determine whether the one or more deactivation conditions 301, 302, 303 of the deactivation data record 300 are met for the movement process.

[0065] The method 400 further includes preventing 402 an automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle 100 during the movement process (in particular during the approach process) if it is determined that the one or more deactivation conditions 301, 302, 303 of the deactivation data record 300 are met for the movement process. The automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle 100 can be prevented by the key device 110 not sending a request message 201 to the vehicle 100 for determining position information regarding the position of the key device 110 relative to the vehicle 100.

[0066] By conditionally preventing the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle 100, the comfort of a vehicle user and the energy efficiency of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function of the vehicle 100 can be increased in a reliable manner.

[0067] Fig. 4b shows a flowchart of another exemplary (possibly computer-implemented) method 400 for controlling the automatic unlocking and / or locking of a (motor) vehicle 100, which is automatically effected by a key device 110 arranged in the vicinity of the vehicle 100. The features described in this document are also applicable individually and / or in combination to this method 410. In particular, the individual method steps of the methods 400, 410 can be combined with one another in any desired manner. The method 410 can be executed by the key device 110 and / or by the vehicle 100.

[0068] The method 410 includes detecting 411 at least one unnecessary unlocking and locking cycle, in which the vehicle 100 is automatically unlocked due to the approach of the key device 110 (at a distance from the vehicle 100 that is equal to or less than the unlocking threshold), and is automatically locked again due to the subsequent removal of the key device 110 (to a distance that is equal to or greater than the locking threshold), without any door and / or lid of the vehicle 100 being opened in between. If necessary, a certain number of such unnecessary unlocking and locking cycles (in which no door and / or lid of the vehicle 100 was opened) can be detected (e.g., 2 or more, or 5 or more, or 10 or more).

[0069] The method 410 further comprises, in response to the detection 411 (of at least one or a specific number of unnecessary unlocking and locking cycles), initiating 412 at least one measure aimed at at least temporarily and / or selectively deactivating the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle 100. As a measure, in particular, the issuance of a notification to the user of the vehicle 100 and / or the key device 110 can be effected, informing the user of the possibility of defining a deactivation data record 300 in order to avoid unnecessary unlocking and locking cycles. If necessary, based on the analysis of one or more framework conditions under which the one or more superfluous unlocking and locking cycles took place, a proposal for one or more deactivation conditions 301, 302, 303 for the deactivation data record 300 can be made.

[0070] By detecting unnecessary unlocking and locking cycles, the comfort of a vehicle user and the energy efficiency of the automatic unlocking and / or locking function of the vehicle 100 can be increased in a particularly reliable manner.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and figures are intended only to illustrate the principle of the proposed methods, devices, and systems by way of example.

Claims

[1] Device for controlling an automatic unlocking and / or locking of a vehicle (100), which is automatically effected by a key device (110) arranged in an environment of the vehicle (100); wherein the device is designed - for a movement process of the key device (110), in which the key device (110) is moved in the environment of the vehicle (100), to check whether one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) of a deactivation data record (300) are met for the movement process; wherein the checking is carried out on the key device (110) and / or wherein the deactivation data record (300) was defined on the key device (110); and - to prevent automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100) during the movement process if it is determined that the one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) of the deactivation data record (300) are met for the movement process. [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein - the one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) comprise a temporal deactivation condition (301) which specifies a period of time from a reference time for which the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100) is to be deactivated; - the reference time corresponds in particular to a time at which the deactivation data record (300) was defined; and - the device is set up, - to determine that the temporal deactivation condition (301) is met if the time period specified in the temporal deactivation condition (301) has not yet elapsed during the movement process; and - to determine that the temporal deactivation condition (301) is not met if the time period specified in the temporal deactivation condition (301) has already elapsed during the movement process. [3] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) comprise a local deactivation condition (303) that specifies a local area in which the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100) is to be deactivated; and - the device is set up, - to determine that the local deactivation condition (303) is met if the key device (110) and / or the vehicle (100) are located in the local area specified by the local deactivation condition (303) during the movement process; and - to determine that the local deactivation condition (303) is not met if the key device (110) and / or the vehicle (100) are not located in the local area specified by the local deactivation condition (303) during the movement process. [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) comprise a calendar deactivation condition (302) which specifies a day of the week and / or a date on which the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100) is to be deactivated; and - the device is set up, - to determine that the calendar deactivation condition (302) is met if the movement operation occurs on a day of the week and / or on a date specified in the calendar deactivation condition (302); and - to determine that the calendar deactivation condition (302) is not met if the movement operation takes place on a day of the week and / or on a date that is not specified in the calendar deactivation condition (302). [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) comprise a temporal deactivation condition (301) which specifies a time interval of day in which the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100) is to be deactivated; and - the device is set up, - to determine that the temporal deactivation condition (301) is met if the movement process occurs at a time of day that falls within the time interval specified in the temporal deactivation condition (301); and - to determine that the temporal deactivation condition (301) is not met if the movement process takes place at a time of day that does not fall within the time interval of day specified in the temporal deactivation condition (301). [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is configured to effect automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100) during the movement process if it is determined that at least one of a plurality of deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) of the deactivation data record (300) is not fulfilled for the movement process. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is designed to automatically unlock one or more doors and / or flaps of the vehicle (100) - to unlock without having to detect contact with a component, in particular a handle, of the vehicle (100); and / or - to unlock even when the key device (110) is arranged at a distance from the vehicle (100) that is greater than a distance threshold value; wherein the distance threshold value is in particular 1 meter or more. [8] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is configured, when an automatic unlocking of the vehicle (100) is prevented during the movement process, to unlock one or more doors and / or flaps of the vehicle (100) only when a contact with a component, in particular a handle, of the vehicle (100) has been detected beforehand. [9] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is arranged to prevent the transmission of a request message (201) to the vehicle (100), wherein the request message (201) is directed to request the vehicle (100) to determine position information relating to a position of the key device (110) in order to prevent the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100) during the movement process. [10] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is part of the key device (110). [11] Device for controlling an automatic unlocking and / or locking of a vehicle (100), which is automatically effected by a key device (110) arranged in an environment of the vehicle (100); wherein the device is arranged - to detect at least one superfluous unlocking and locking cycle, in which the vehicle (100) is automatically unlocked due to an approach of the key device (110) and is automatically locked again due to a subsequent removal of the key device (110), without a door and / or flap of the vehicle (100) being opened in between; and - in response to the detection, to effect at least one measure aimed at at least temporarily deactivating the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100). [12] Device according to claim 11, wherein - the at least one measure comprises issuing a notification to a user of the key device (110) and / or the vehicle (100); and - the indication is particularly intended to prompt the user to define a deactivation data record (300) with one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) for deactivating the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100). [13] Device according to one of claims 11 to 12, wherein the device is arranged - to determine at least one framework condition under which the unnecessary unlocking and locking cycle took place; the framework condition includes, - a temporal framework relating to a time of day at which the unnecessary unlocking and locking cycle took place; - a calendar condition relating to a day of the week and / or a date on which the redundant unlocking and locking cycle took place; and / or - a local framework relating to a local area in which the unnecessary unlocking and locking cycle took place; and - as a measure, to arrange that, taking into account the determined framework conditions, a deactivation data record (300) with one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) for the deactivation of the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100) is defined. [14] Method (400) for controlling an automatic unlocking and / or locking of a vehicle (100), which is automatically effected by a key device (110) arranged in an environment of the vehicle (100); wherein the method (400) comprises - Checking (401), for a movement process of the key device (110), in which the key device (110) is moved in the environment of the vehicle (100), whether one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) of a deactivation data record (300) are met for the movement process; wherein the checking (401) is carried out on the key device (110) and / or wherein the deactivation data record (300) was defined on the key device (110); and - preventing (402) an automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100) during the movement process if it is determined that the one or more deactivation conditions (301, 302, 303) of the deactivation data record (300) are met for the movement process. [15] Method (410) for controlling an automatic unlocking and / or locking of a vehicle (100), which is automatically effected by a key device (110) arranged in an environment of the vehicle (100); wherein the method (410) comprises - detecting (411) at least one superfluous unlocking and locking cycle, in which the vehicle (100) is automatically unlocked due to an approach of the key device (110) and is automatically locked again due to a subsequent removal of the key device (110), without a door and / or flap of the vehicle (100) being opened in between; and - in response to the detection (411), effecting (412) at least one measure aimed at at least temporarily deactivating the automatic unlocking and / or locking of the vehicle (100).

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