Control of a vehicle barrier

Abstract

A method (200) for controlling a vehicle barrier (110) for a motor vehicle (105) comprises steps of establishing (210) a Bluetooth connection between the vehicle barrier (110) and the motor vehicle (105); determining (225) a relative position of the motor vehicle (105) with respect to the vehicle barrier (110) by means of channel sounding (215) on the connection; and controlling (235, 240) the vehicle barrier (110) depending on the determined position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the control of a drive-through barrier for a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to the automatic control of the opening and / or closing of such a drive-through barrier.

[0002] An access road, such as a garage or parking lot, can be secured against unauthorized use by means of a barrier. The barrier can include, for example, a barrier or a garage door. A handheld transmitter is then usually carried on board an authorized motor vehicle, which the driver can use to send a wireless signal to the barrier, thus opening it. Such a handheld transmitter typically operates on an unregulated frequency, for example, in the 433 MHz band. Transmitted data usually follows a proprietary standard.

[0003] Although it is easy to retrofit such a handheld transmitter on board a motor vehicle, the handheld transmitter must still be operated manually to release the drive-through barrier in time. Care must be taken to ensure that the handheld transmitter has a sufficient power supply and that it is always on board the vehicle. If the drive-through barrier is located in a challenging location, such as on an incline, in a curve, or in a blind area, handling the handset can distract the driver from their task. It is therefore not uncommon for minor collisions to occur in the vicinity of a drive-through barrier.

[0004] One object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technology for controlling a drive-through barrier for a motor vehicle. The invention achieves this object by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Subclaims specify preferred embodiments.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a drive-through barrier for a motor vehicle comprises steps of establishing a Bluetooth connection between the drive-through barrier and the motor vehicle; determining a relative position of the motor vehicle with respect to the drive-through barrier by means of channel sounding on the connection; and controlling the drive-through barrier depending on the determined position.

[0006] Using the proposed method, the barrier can be opened or closed automatically to allow the motor vehicle to pass. The driver of the motor vehicle no longer needs to manually control the barrier. The motor vehicle may already include a Bluetooth interface, which can be used to implement the technology proposed here.

[0007] To use channel sounding, the Bluetooth interface preferably operates according to the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard and supports at least the Bluetooth 5.3, preferably 5.4, and more preferably 6.0 specifications. The different versions of the Bluetooth standard describe technologies that build on each other and allow distance and position determination with ever-increasing accuracy. It is expected that, using BLE 6.0, the distance between the barrier and the motor vehicle can be determined with an accuracy of a few tens of centimeters. This accuracy may be sufficient to control the barrier in such a way that a collision with the motor vehicle is virtually impossible.

[0008] It is particularly preferred that a movement of the motor vehicle is determined, and the drive-through barrier is controlled with respect to the determined movement. Thus, the drive-through barrier can be opened when the motor vehicle approaches or closed when the motor vehicle moves away. By taking into account the movement in addition to the position, the drive-through barrier can be controlled more effectively depending on the actual need for the motor vehicle to pass through. The movement can include a direction and a speed. Additionally, a change in direction and / or a change in speed can be taken into account.

[0009] In a further preferred embodiment, the intention of the motor vehicle to pass the barrier is detected before the barrier is opened. The intention can be determined, in particular, based on the position or movement of the motor vehicle. The intention can be detected based on a movement pattern. For example, a motor vehicle that is being turned in the area of ​​the barrier can be distinguished from a motor vehicle that is intended to pass the barrier. In the former case, the barrier can remain closed, while in the latter case it can be opened.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the motor vehicle is authenticated before the drive-through barrier is opened. Authentication preferably takes place via the established Bluetooth connection. Any known protocol can be used. In one embodiment, a self-renewing one-time code (rolling code) can be used; in another embodiment, one-way or two-way authentication based on an asymmetric cryptographic method can be performed. This allows a motor vehicle authorized to pass the drive-through barrier to be distinguished from one that is not.

[0011] It is further preferred that it is detected that the motor vehicle has passed the barrier before the barrier is closed. The passing can be detected, in particular, based on the position and / or movement of the motor vehicle. In particular, a movement pattern can be detected. Only when the motor vehicle has moved sufficiently far away from the barrier can the barrier be closed. This can prevent a collision between the barrier and the motor vehicle from occurring during the closure of the barrier, for example, because the motor vehicle brakes unexpectedly.

[0012] According to a further preferred embodiment, it is determined that the distance between the motor vehicle and the drive-through barrier falls below a predetermined value; and the position is additionally determined via UWB. UWB stands for ultra-wideband. Using UWB, short-range radio communication with low transmission power can be achieved over a very wide bandwidth. In particular, UWB can achieve a significantly more precise determination of the position of the motor vehicle with respect to the drive-through barrier. However, UWB is only useful for short distances, and position determination using UWB can easily be compromised by obstacles, such as a closed metal garage door. By combining Bluetooth and UWB, multi-phase position determination can be carried out, the accuracy of which can increase with decreasing distance.In other words, the position of the vehicle can be determined from a relatively large distance of 10 meters or more and, with the assistance of UWB, can be continued with increased accuracy at a close range of just a few meters. The barrier can thus be controlled with improved precision. This can better prevent the accidental passage of another vehicle with the intended vehicle.

[0013] A further aspect of the present invention encompasses the use of a motor vehicle with a Bluetooth interface for implementing a method described herein. The Bluetooth interface preferably operates according to the Bluetooth Low Energy standard and is further preferably configured to support channel sounding.

[0014] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a motor vehicle with a Bluetooth interface and a UWB interface for carrying out a method described herein. Both the Bluetooth interface and the UWB interface can already be configured for a different function on a conventional motor vehicle. Both interfaces can be configured to establish a connection with a corresponding interface outside the motor vehicle.

[0015] A device according to the invention for controlling a drive-through barrier for a motor vehicle comprises a Bluetooth interface configured to establish a connection to the motor vehicle; and a processing device. The processing device is configured to determine a position of the motor vehicle relative to the device using channel sounding on the connection; and to control the drive-through barrier depending on the determined position.

[0016] The processing device is preferably configured to partially or completely execute a method described herein. For this purpose, the processing device can be implemented electronically and, for example, comprise an integrated circuit, a programmable logic module, or a programmable microcomputer. The method can be implemented in the form of a configuration or as a computer program product with program code means for the processing device. The configuration or the computer program product can be stored on a computer-readable data carrier. Features or advantages of the method can be transferred to the device, or vice versa.

[0017] Optionally, the device also includes a drive-through barrier. The drive-through barrier can be designed, for example, in the form of a swing gate, a sliding gate, a swing gate, a chain, a cable, a retractable or collapsible bollard, or a duplex device. The duplex device can be used in a duplex garage to allow two vehicles to be parked one above the other in one garage space. Since a vehicle can only be brought into or removed from the parking space when the duplex device is in a predetermined position, the duplex device can also be considered a drive-through barrier.

[0018] The device may further comprise a UWB interface configured to determine a distance to the motor vehicle.

[0019] Distance determination using UWB is preferably carried out by providing several transceivers that are spaced apart from one another on one side, for example at the UWB interface of the device. Signals are transmitted between the motor vehicle and the UWB interface of the device in a predetermined time grid. The different positions of the transceivers can result in different signal propagation times, whereby a distance and / or a direction in which the motor vehicle is located relative to the device can be determined based on deviations in the individual propagation times. In this case, it may be sufficient for only one transceiver to be provided on the motor vehicle side. Conversely, several spaced-apart transceivers can also be provided on the motor vehicle side, whereby only a single transceiver is required on the UWB interface of the device.Of course, the distance determination can also be carried out if both the UWB interface of the device and that of the motor vehicle each have several transceivers.

[0020] A similar technology can also be implemented using BLE, with several spaced-apart transceivers preferably being provided on at least one side of the communication link. Distance or direction determination using channel sounding is available starting with BLE version 5.4; subsequent versions have further developed the technology to enable improved determination.

[0021] A system according to the invention comprises a device described herein and a motor vehicle configured to establish a Bluetooth connection with the drive-through barrier and to support channel sounding via the connection. In a further preferred embodiment, the motor vehicle comprises a usage control system using a digital car key. A motor vehicle comprising such a usage control system may already comprise compatible Bluetooth and UWB interfaces.

[0022] It should be noted that the Digital Car Key technology described by the Car Connectivity Consortium, which, at the time of writing, is available in Release 3, Version 1.1.0 dated July 20, 2022, is not relevant for the implementation of any technology described herein. On the other hand, it is possible to use a technology documented in the aforementioned standard for determining the relative position or distance between a mobile device and a motor vehicle for determining the relative position between the motor vehicle and the device or barrier. In a further embodiment, authentication described in the aforementioned standard can also be used to determine whether a motor vehicle is authorized to use a passage secured with the barrier.

[0023] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a system; and Fig. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a process.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a system 100 comprising a motor vehicle 105 and a drive-through barrier 110. The motor vehicle 105 preferably comprises a motorcycle, a passenger car, a truck, or a bus. The motor vehicle 105 preferably comprises a usage controller 115, which can be designed in particular according to the specifications of the Car Connectivity Consortium with regard to the Digital Car Key. For this purpose, the usage controller 115 can comprise a Bluetooth interface 120, a UWB interface 125, and a processing device 130. In another embodiment, the elements 120 to 130 can also be provided outside the usage controller 115 on board the motor vehicle 105. While the Bluetooth interface 120 can be essential for a technology described herein, the UWB interface 125 can also be omitted in certain embodiments.

[0025] The drive-through barrier 110 preferably includes a device 135 and a blocking device 140. The blocking device 140 is configured to allow or prevent the passage of the motor vehicle 105 at a predetermined location, in particular through a driveway, a path, or a road. For this purpose, the blocking device 140 can, in particular, comprise a gate or a barrier. Other embodiments are also possible. The device 135 is configured to automatically open the blocking device 140 when a motor vehicle 105 authorized to pass approaches, and to close it when the motor vehicle 105 has passed the blocking device 140.

[0026] The device 135 preferably comprises a Bluetooth interface 150, an optional UWB interface 155, and a processing device 160. The Bluetooth interfaces 120 and 150 of the motor vehicle 105 and the device 135 are preferably configured to establish a Bluetooth connection with one another and to perform a technique known as channel sounding on this connection. In this case, a distance and, if applicable, a direction of the respective other communication partner can be determined at one of the communication partners. One or both Bluetooth interfaces 120, 150 can have multiple transceivers that can be controlled according to the MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) principle. In particular, when multiple propagation (multipath) exists between the Bluetooth interfaces 120, 150, a distance or direction determination can be performed in this way.A Bluetooth interface 120, 150 can be operated in different modes. For example, the Bluetooth interface 150 of the device 135 can be operated in a long-range mode, which allows a longer transmission distance with a reduced bandwidth. In this way, a position of the motor vehicle 105 relative to the device 135 can be determined even at a distance of several tens of meters. If the motor vehicle 105 approaches the device 135, a switch from the long-range mode to a normal operating mode can be made starting at a predetermined threshold.

[0027] The UWB interfaces 125 and 155 are also configured to communicate with each other and to perform a relative position determination in at least one direction. A motor vehicle 105 with a usage controller 115 described herein can comprise a UWB interface 125 with one or more transceivers. It is therefore preferred that the device 135 uses a UWB interface 155 that has multiple transceivers. Even if the motor vehicle 105 has only one transceiver at the UWB interface 125, a distance or direction determination can thus be performed. In a simplified embodiment, the UWB interface 155 of the device 135 can also comprise only one transceiver. A distance determination to the motor vehicle 105 using UWB can still be performed if the motor vehicle 105 has a UWB interface 125 with multiple transceivers.Alternatively, distance determination using UWB can be omitted.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for controlling a drive-through barrier 110. The method 200 can be carried out, in particular, by means of a system 100. Crucial parts of the method 200 can be carried out, in particular, by the device 135 for controlling the barrier device 140. It should be noted that a technique described herein requires cooperative distance determination between the device 135 and the motor vehicle 105. The described technique can be carried out, in particular, by means of interfaces 120 and, if appropriate, 125 on the part of the motor vehicle 105, if the interfaces 120, 125 are included in a known usage control 115 in the manner of a digital car key.

[0029] In a step 205, the Bluetooth interface 150 of the device 135 can be in advertising mode. In this case, signals can be periodically transmitted that can be received by a Bluetooth interface within a range of the device 135. Such a Bluetooth interface 120 can be located on board the motor vehicle 105.

[0030] In a step 210, a Bluetooth connection can be established between the motor vehicle 105 and the device 135. A Bluetooth connection can have different phases, whereby it is only necessary to establish a connection sufficiently to perform a process known as channel sounding.

[0031] In a step 215, channel sounding can take place. Predetermined signals can be exchanged between Bluetooth interfaces 120 and 150. Based on transmitted and received signals, connection parameters can be determined, as well as a distance and, if applicable, a direction of motor vehicle 105 relative to device 135.

[0032] In an optional step 220, it can be determined that a distance between the motor vehicle 105 and the device 135 is small enough that the distance can also be determined with improved accuracy using the UWB interfaces 125, 155. Such a distance determination using UWB can be performed in step 220. An achievable accuracy of the relative position of the motor vehicle 105 with respect to the device 135 can be in the range of a few centimeters.

[0033] In a step 225, a relative position of the motor vehicle 105 with respect to the device 135 can be determined based on the measurements performed. The relative position can include, in particular, a distance and optionally also a direction.

[0034] In a step 230, an intention of the motor vehicle 105 can be determined. The intention can be determined, in particular, based on a position, a movement, or a movement pattern. In particular, an intention of the motor vehicle 105 to pass the drive-through barrier 110 or the barrier device 140 can be determined. Furthermore, an intention of the motor vehicle 105 to move away from the drive-through barrier 110 after passing the barrier device 140 can be determined.

[0035] If it has been determined that the motor vehicle 105 is about to pass through the barrier device 140, the barrier device 110 or the barrier device 140 can be opened in a step 235. In one embodiment, the opening only occurs if at least the motor vehicle 105 has previously been successfully authenticated to the device 135. For this purpose, the motor vehicle 105 can, for example, transmit a predetermined secret to the device 135. The secret can be part of a cyclically changing code. Alternatively, a cryptographic method can be used for authentication. Optionally, the authentication can be two-way, with the device 135 also authenticating itself to the motor vehicle 105.

[0036] If it was determined in step 230 that the motor vehicle 105 has already passed the section secured by the barrier device 140, the drive-through barrier 110 or the barrier device 140 can be closed in a step 240. The barrier device 140 can be closed in such a way that a collision with the motor vehicle 105 is ruled out even if the motor vehicle 105 unexpectedly changes its movement, in particular, decelerates or stops. A safety distance to be maintained from the motor vehicle 105 can depend on the design of the barrier device 140.

[0037] Using the technology described herein, a barrier device 140 can be automatically opened when a motor vehicle 105 wishes to pass; moreover, the barrier device 140 can be automatically closed again after the motor vehicle 105 has passed. The technology described herein can utilize interfaces that may already be present on board a motor vehicle 105 if the motor vehicle 105 has a usage controller 115. Techniques for determining the distance or position between the motor vehicle 105 and the device 135 can be based on techniques that are performed by the usage controller 115 in another context. A change in the procedure of the usage controller 115 may not be necessary in this case. Reference symbol 100 systems 105 Motor vehicle 110 Drive-through barrier 115 Usage control 120 Bluetooth interface 125 UWB interface 130 processing facility 135 Device 140 locking device 150 Bluetooth interface 155 UWB interface 160 processing facility 200 procedures 205 BLE Discovery 210 Establish BLE connection 215 BLE Channel Sounding 220 Distance determination via UWB 225 Determine the relative position of the motor vehicle 230 Determine Intention 235 Open drive-through barrier 240 Close the barrier QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited non-patent literature

[0000] Digital Car Key technology described by the Car Connectivity Consortium and at the time of writing in Release 3, Version 1.1.0 dated July 20, 2022

[0022]

Claims

[1] Method (200) for controlling a drive-through barrier (110) for a motor vehicle (105), the method (200) comprising the following steps: - establishing (210) a Bluetooth connection between the drive-through barrier (110) and the motor vehicle (105); - determining (225) a relative position of the motor vehicle (105) with respect to the drive-through barrier (110) by means of channel sounding (215) on the connection; and - Controlling (235, 240) the passage barrier (110) depending on the determined position. [2] Method (200) according to claim 1, wherein a movement of the motor vehicle (105) is determined (230); and the drive-through barrier (110) is controlled with respect to the determined movement. [3] Method (200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an intention of the motor vehicle (105) to pass the drive-through barrier (110) is detected (230); and the drive-through barrier (110) is opened (235). [4] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor vehicle (105) is authenticated (235) before the drive-through barrier (110) is opened. [5] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is detected that the motor vehicle (105) has passed the drive-through barrier (110); and the drive-through barrier (110) is closed (240). [6] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is determined that a distance of the motor vehicle (105) from the drive-through barrier (110) falls below a predetermined value; and the position is additionally determined by UWB (220). [7] Use of a motor vehicle (105) with a Bluetooth interface (120) for carrying out a method (200) according to one of claims 1 to 5. [8] Use of a motor vehicle (105) with a Bluetooth interface and a UWB interface for carrying out a method (200) according to claim 6. [9] Device (110) for controlling a barrier (110) for a motor vehicle (105), the device (110) comprising the following elements: - a Bluetooth interface (150) configured to establish a connection to the motor vehicle (105); - a processing device (160) configured to determine a position of the motor vehicle (105) relative to the device (110) by means of channel sounding on the connection; and - to control the barrier (110) depending on the determined position. [10] The device (110) of claim 9, further comprising a UWB interface (155) configured to determine a distance to the motor vehicle (105). [11] The device (110) of claim 9 or 10, wherein the interface (150, 155) comprises a plurality of transceivers spaced apart from one another. [12] A system (100) comprising a device (110) according to any one of claims 9 to 11 and a motor vehicle (105) configured to establish a Bluetooth connection with the barrier (110); and to support channel sounding via the connection. [13] The system (100) of claim 12, wherein the motor vehicle (105) comprises a UWB interface (125) configured to support a distance determination to the drive-through barrier (110). [14] System (100) according to claim 13, wherein the motor vehicle (105) comprises a usage control (115) by means of a digital car key.

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