Method, device and system for locating a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, a device and a system for locating a motor vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: detecting a proximity of a mobile access device (20) of a motor vehicle (10) to a first vehicle (11) different from the motor vehicle (10), detecting a proximity of the first vehicle (11) to the motor vehicle (10), determining a position of the motor vehicle (10) in relation to the mobile access device (20) based on the proximity of the mobile access device (20) to the first vehicle (11) and the proximity of the first vehicle (11) to the motor vehicle (10), and providing the position to the mobile access device (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method, a device and a system for locating a motor vehicle.

[0002] Determining the position between a mobile access device for a motor vehicle and the vehicle itself is often done using a satellite-based method. However, this method has limited functionality and accuracy in enclosed spaces.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method, an improved device and an improved system for locating a motor vehicle.

[0004] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a method for locating a motor vehicle is provided.

[0006] The method according to the invention comprises the steps of detecting a proximity of a mobile access device of a motor vehicle to a first vehicle different from the motor vehicle, detecting a proximity of the first vehicle to the motor vehicle, determining a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device based on the proximity of the mobile access device to the first vehicle and the proximity of the first vehicle to the motor vehicle and providing the position to the mobile access device.

[0007] The method is used in particular to quickly and easily locate a motor vehicle, which can also be referred to as an ego motor vehicle, ego vehicle and / or sought motor vehicle, and thus to find it for a driver and / or user.

[0008] In particular, the method serves to locate a motor vehicle without the use of satellite-based positioning methods, such as GPS and / or GNSS or GLONASS.

[0009] The method is particularly helpful in locating a motor vehicle in an underground and / or multi-story garage and / or a building where such a satellite-based positioning method works poorly or not at all.

[0010] According to a first step, a proximity of a mobile access device of a motor vehicle to a first vehicle different from the motor vehicle is detected.

[0011] The mobile access device is designed to provide access to the motor vehicle for a user or driver. The mobile access device is a separate object, distinct from the motor vehicle and spatially separable. It is designed to allow a user of the motor vehicle to trigger, execute, or effect functions without the functional device itself having to be present in the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the functional device can be positioned at a distance from the motor vehicle for operation, for example, 1 m, 2 m, 5 m, or 10 m.

[0012] The mobile access device can in particular be designed as a proprietary device, such as a key, transponder and / or fob, and can, for example, provide one or more functions, in particular an opening and / or locking function of the motor vehicle via dedicated keys or buttons.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the mobile access device can also be designed as a mobile device, in particular as a smartphone, phablet, tablet and / or wearable, which provides the same functions of the motor vehicle with the help of one or more applications.

[0014] The method or this first step can be triggered or started in particular by operating the mobile access device, in particular by a dedicated discovery function provided by a key or button or in an application.

[0015] However, in particular in this and the subsequent steps of the method, the mobile access device does not communicate with the motor vehicle itself, for the opening and / or locking of which it is designed and configured, but with at least one, in particular several other vehicles that are different from the ego motor vehicle in order to locate it, as will be described below.

[0016] This is particularly due to the fact that the mobile access device is not, or not yet, within range of the ego vehicle, but rather outside it. In particular, the mobile access device is located away from the ego vehicle during this and subsequent steps, for example, more than 10m, 50m, 100m, or 1000m.

[0017] During this step, a proximity or a distance of the mobile access device of the motor vehicle to at least one first vehicle different from the motor vehicle is detected.

[0018] For better differentiation, where possible, references to vehicles other than the motor vehicle being searched for will be made to "vehicles." However, these other vehicles are identical or similar to the motor vehicle being searched for, in particular from the same manufacturer, the same fleet operator, the same make, and / or the same model.

[0019] The proximity or distance between the mobile access device and the first vehicle is detected, for example, via corresponding transceivers in the mobile access device and the first vehicle, which can also be referred to as anchors, armatures or antennas, as well as suitable detection technologies, in particular by using near-field communication and / or, for example, by signal propagation time measurements and / or triangulation, as will be described in more detail below.

[0020] The proximity or distance between the mobile access device and the first vehicle can be detected by both the mobile access device and the first vehicle, or by both simultaneously or sequentially. In particular, the mobile access device and the first vehicle are in regular or continuous communication and regularly determine the distance between them.

[0021] In a further step, the proximity of the first vehicle to the motor vehicle is detected.

[0022] Thus, not only a proximity between the mobile access device and the first vehicle is detected, but also a proximity between the first vehicle and the ego vehicle to be located.

[0023] The detection of the proximity or distance between the first vehicle and the searched motor vehicle is also carried out via corresponding transceivers in the first vehicle and the searched motor vehicle or via suitable detection technologies, in particular via similar or identical technologies as the detection of the proximity or distance between the mobile access device and the first vehicle.

[0024] The proximity or distance between the first vehicle and the motor vehicle can be detected by both the motor vehicle and the first vehicle, or by both simultaneously or sequentially. In particular, the motor vehicle and the first vehicle are in regular or continuous communication and regularly determine the distance between them.

[0025] In a next step, a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device is determined based on the proximity of the mobile access device to the first vehicle and the proximity of the first vehicle to the motor vehicle.

[0026] The proximity or distance between the first vehicle and the mobile access device as well as the proximity or distance between the first vehicle and the motor vehicle being sought are used to determine the position.

[0027] In particular, the proximity or distance between the first vehicle and the mobile access device, as well as between the first vehicle and the sought-after motor vehicle, is detected in at least two, in particular in at least three dimensions or coordinates, for example, in length and width, and in particular also in height. Alternatively, the proximity or distance is detected in the form of a vector, for example, in magnitude and direction.

[0028] For this purpose, the proximity and distance values ​​are compared and evaluated with each other in order to determine a position, in particular a relative position of the mobile access device to the motor vehicle being sought.

[0029] The determination of the position of the motor vehicle relative to the mobile access device can in particular also be carried out by the first vehicle, alternatively or additionally also by the mobile access device and / or the motor vehicle being sought.

[0030] This determined position is then provided to the mobile access device, either by the mobile access device itself or by the determining device such as the first vehicle and / or the searched motor vehicle.

[0031] The determined position, in particular a distance, a proximity, a length, width and / or height, a direction, a vector and / or an amount can be output to or on the mobile access device, for example by one or more optical and / or acoustic signals, such as a display on one or more screens and / or a voice output on the mobile access device.

[0032] The method according to the invention makes it possible to locate a motor vehicle quickly and easily and thus to find it for a driver and / or user, in particular without the use of satellite-based positioning methods.

[0033] According to a further development, the method further comprises the step of detecting a proximity of the mobile access device to a second vehicle different from the motor vehicle, wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device is additionally carried out based on the proximity of the mobile access device to the second vehicle.

[0034] Thus, according to this development, a further, second vehicle different from the sought-after motor vehicle is used, wherein in this case a proximity of the mobile access device to the second vehicle is used as a basis in addition to determining a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device.

[0035] The detection of the proximity or distance between the second vehicle and the mobile access device is also carried out via corresponding transceivers in the second vehicle and the mobile access device or via suitable detection technologies, in particular via similar or identical technologies as the detection of the proximity or distance between the mobile access device, the first vehicle and / or the searched motor vehicle.

[0036] The proximity or distance between the second vehicle and the mobile access device can be detected by both the second vehicle and the mobile access device, or by both simultaneously or sequentially. In particular, the second vehicle and the mobile access device are in regular or continuous communication and regularly determine the distance between them.

[0037] This training makes it possible to determine and provide a position of the mobile access device with particular precision.

[0038] According to a further development, the method further comprises the step of detecting a proximity of a second vehicle different from the motor vehicle to the motor vehicle, wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device is additionally carried out based on the proximity of the second vehicle to the motor vehicle.

[0039] In this embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the previously described embodiment, a proximity of the second vehicle to the sought motor vehicle is used as a basis in addition to determining a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device.

[0040] The detection of the proximity or distance between the second vehicle and the searched motor vehicle is also carried out via corresponding transceivers in the second vehicle and the searched motor vehicle or via suitable detection technologies, in particular via similar or identical technologies as the detection of the proximity or distance between the mobile access device, the first vehicle and / or the second vehicle.

[0041] The proximity or distance between the second vehicle and the searched motor vehicle can be determined by both the second vehicle and the searched motor vehicle, or by both simultaneously or sequentially. In particular, the second vehicle and the searched motor vehicle are in regular or continuous communication and regularly determine the distance between them.

[0042] This training also makes it possible to determine and provide a position of the mobile access device with particular precision.

[0043] According to a further development, the method further comprises the step of detecting a proximity of a second vehicle, different from the motor vehicle, to the first vehicle, wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device is additionally carried out based on the proximity of the second vehicle to the first vehicle.

[0044] In this embodiment, alternatively or in addition to the two previously described embodiments, a proximity of the first vehicle to the second vehicle is used as a basis in addition to determining a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device.

[0045] The detection of the proximity or distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle is also carried out via corresponding transceivers in the first and second vehicles or via suitable detection technologies, in particular via similar or identical technologies as the detection of the proximity or distance between the mobile access device, the first vehicle and / or the searched motor vehicle.

[0046] The proximity or distance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle can be detected by both the second vehicle and the first vehicle, or by both simultaneously or sequentially. In particular, the first vehicle and the second vehicle are in regular or continuous communication and regularly determine the distance between them.

[0047] This training also makes it possible to determine and provide a position of the mobile access device with particular precision.

[0048] More than two, in particular at least three or more, vehicles of the searched motor vehicle can be used, in particular to determine the proximity to the mobile access device and / or the proximity to the searched motor vehicle, as well as the proximity to each other, and to use these determined proximity values ​​as a basis for determining the position. Using at least three additional vehicles enables triangulation and thus particularly precise position determination.

[0049] In particular, the mobile access device, the motor vehicle being sought and at least three other vehicles, where available, form a network with each other and permanently exchange data and in particular proximity or distance to each other and make these available to the mobile access device, either directly or through one or more of the other vehicles.

[0050] Furthermore, the network is continuously updated along the path of the mobile access device or the user's movement toward the desired vehicle and, in particular, dynamically adapted, whereby vehicles that the user has already passed are removed from the network and / or new vehicles are added along the path. This results in a particularly flexible and dynamic solution.

[0051] According to a further development, the method further comprises the steps of determining an identification of the mobile access device and determining an identification of the motor vehicle, wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device is additionally carried out based on the identification of the mobile access device and the identification of the motor vehicle.

[0052] An identification is an alphanumeric code, such as a combination of letters and / or numbers, which makes the sought-after motor vehicle and / or mobile access device clearly identifiable and thus, in particular, assignable.

[0053] The identifications can also be based on cryptographic procedures and / or be matching keys that verify and / or identify each other.

[0054] The two identifications can be provided by the respective devices involved in determining the position of the sought motor vehicle and the mobile access device, such as the first, second and / or third vehicle, and the position determination can thus be clearly assigned.

[0055] In particular, apart from the two identifications and the proximity values, no further data, in particular no personal data, is exchanged between the mobile access device and / or the searched motor vehicle with the other vehicles.

[0056] This advanced development enables the process to be carried out with exceptional reliability. In particular, it also enables position determination for multiple pairs of mobile access devices and their associated vehicles.

[0057] According to a further development, the method further comprises the steps of providing the identification of the mobile access device and the proximity of the mobile access device to the first vehicle to a remote computing unit and providing the identification of the motor vehicle and the proximity of the motor vehicle to the first vehicle to the remote computing unit, wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device is carried out based on an evaluation of the identification of the mobile access device, the proximity of the mobile access device to the first vehicle, the identification of the motor vehicle and the proximity of the motor vehicle to the first vehicle by the remote computing unit.

[0058] In particular, the proximity of the mobile access device to the second, third and further vehicles as well as the proximity of the motor vehicle to the second, third and further vehicles are also provided to the remote computing unit and are also used as a basis for the evaluation.

[0059] The assignments and, in particular, the position determinations are therefore not carried out on one of the vehicles itself, but by a remote computing unit.

[0060] This then manages the data provided to it, such as the respective identifications and proximity to each other, and evaluates this in order to determine the position particularly accurately and unambiguously.

[0061] The remote computing unit, which can also be referred to as the backend, is different from and spaced apart from the vehicle being searched for, the mobile access device and the other vehicles.

[0062] In particular, the remote computing unit is one or more servers and / or a data center, in particular a central one, to which the motor vehicle is regularly connected. In particular, the remote computing unit can also be an at least partially or entirely cloud-based service.

[0063] The provision of the data to the remote processing unit and the retrieval of the evaluation thereof can be carried out via suitable communication technologies, such as mobile radio communication, as will be explained later.

[0064] The provision of data to the remote processing unit and the retrieval of the evaluation thereof can be carried out in particular using tamper-proof algorithms, a decentralised ledger technology and / or cryptographic procedures, for example by using blockchain technology.

[0065] This evaluation, or simply the result, can then be provided to one or more of the other vehicles. In particular, the evaluation is provided to a single selected vehicle from the multiple vehicles, which then forwards this evaluation to the other vehicles, in particular the vehicle that is currently communicating with the mobile access device and / or is closest to it. The individual vehicle that receives the evaluation from the remote computing unit can, in particular, be a single vehicle or the only vehicle from the multiple vehicles that has a communication connection with the remote computing unit, in particular due to its position.

[0066] This advanced training enables particularly fast and powerful positioning. In particular, it also enables particularly data protection-compliant detection.

[0067] According to a further development, the detection of a proximity of the mobile access device to the first and / or the second and / or the third vehicle and / or the detection of a proximity of the first and / or the second and / or the third vehicle to the sought motor vehicle and / or the detection of a proximity between the first and / or the second and / or the third vehicle and / or the determination of an identification of the mobile access device and / or the determination of an identification of the motor vehicle takes place by means of a first wireless communication technology.

[0068] Likewise, the provision of the identification of the mobile access device and the proximity of the mobile access device to the first and / or the second and / or the third vehicle and / or the provision of the identification of the motor vehicle and the proximity of the motor vehicle to the first and / or the second and / or the third vehicle to the remote computing unit and / or the retrieval of the evaluation from the remote computing unit is carried out by a second wireless communication technology different from the first.

[0069] In particular, the type, range, performance, bandwidth and / or the use of cryptographic methods of the first and second communication technologies may differ.

[0070] This advanced training enables particularly tamper-proof and at the same time efficient position determination.

[0071] According to further research, the first wireless communication technology is a short-range communication technology.

[0072] A short-range communication technology is a communication technology that works exclusively at short distances, for example less than 10m, 5m, 2m or 1m.

[0073] In particular, the short-range communication technology used is UWB technology, which can also be referred to as ultra-wideband technology.

[0074] Alternatively or additionally, according to a further development, the second wireless communication technology is a long-range communication technology.

[0075] A long-range communication technology is a communication technology that works over long distances, for example more than 10m, 100m, 1,000m or 10,000m.

[0076] In particular, the long-range communication technology used is mobile communications, in particular 3G, 4G, 5G, WiFi, wireless Ethernet, Bluetooth and / or Car2X, in particular Car2Infrastructure.

[0077] This further training makes it possible to carry out and provide the respective investigations in a particularly targeted manner.

[0078] According to a further development, the method further comprises the step of detecting an acceleration of the mobile access device, wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle in relation to the mobile access device is additionally carried out based on the acceleration.

[0079] Acceleration of the mobile access device can be achieved via one or more acceleration sensors, which are arranged, for example, in the access device and, in particular, continuously or permanently detect its acceleration. Such an acceleration sensor can also be referred to as a gyroscope, gyro sensor, or gyro. This can, for example, be a microelectromechanical gyro system, also known as MEMS.

[0080] In particular, acceleration can occur in at least two, especially in at least three dimensions or coordinates, for example, in length and width, and especially also in height. Alternatively, the acceleration can be recorded in the form of an acceleration vector, for example, in magnitude and direction.

[0081] This acceleration determination can be initiated, in particular, by a triggering event that is distinct from the previously described detection function or its start. In particular, the acceleration determination can be started or triggered by locking, exiting, and / or stopping the motor vehicle, and in particular, the accelerations experienced by the mobile access device during or after the triggering event can be continuously recorded and stored, for example, in the mobile access device.

[0082] This determination of the acceleration, for example along the user's movement through an elevated or underground car park, can then be called up when the detection function is activated and conclusions can be drawn about the position of the sought-after motor vehicle from these acceleration values ​​and in particular the current location or the proximity to at least the first other vehicle.

[0083] Alternatively or additionally, the recorded acceleration values ​​can also be transmitted to the remote processing unit, either by the mobile access device itself, especially if it is connected to the remote processing unit, or by one or more other vehicles that have received the acceleration values ​​from the mobile access device. These acceleration values ​​can then be evaluated at the remote processing unit in addition to the determined proximity values ​​and taking the identification into account, and this evaluation can then be provided to the one or more vehicles.

[0084] This further training makes it possible to record a particularly precise position.

[0085] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and / or a request to enter user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0086] According to a further aspect, a device for locating a motor vehicle is specified. The device is designed to carry out or at least effect a previously described embodiment of the method, in particular by communicating with one or more of the motor vehicle to be located, a mobile access device for the motor vehicle, a remote computing unit, and / or one or more further similar or identical devices that are also designed to carry out a previously described embodiment of the method, in particular at least three such devices.

[0087] The device may comprise a data processing device or a processor device configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0088] For this purpose, the processor device can have at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor device can have program code which, when executed by the processor device, is configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The processor device can, for example, be based on at least one circuit board and / or on at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0089] According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle is provided which comprises such a device.

[0090] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0091] The motor vehicle comprising the device may in particular be a vehicle or the first vehicle that is different from the motor vehicle located by the device or the ego motor vehicle, as described above.

[0092] According to a further aspect, a system is provided which is formed from a motor vehicle to be located, a mobile access device for the motor vehicle, and a previously described device and / or a first vehicle, different from the motor vehicle, having such a device. In particular, the system comprises a plurality of such devices and / or a plurality of such vehicles, different from the motor vehicle to be located, in particular at least three.

[0093] The system is designed to jointly carry out and / or effect a method according to one of the previously described embodiments. The system can also comprise or consist of a previously described remote computing unit, in particular exclusively, and effect the execution of the method.

[0094] As a further solution, the invention also encompasses a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or computer network, causes the computer to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data memory (e.g. as a flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data memory (e.g. as a RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be arranged in the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated on the Internet, for example, as a so-called app store server and / or cloud server. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code may be provided as binary code and / or as assembly code and / or as source code of a programming language (e.g. C) and / or as a program script (e.g. Python).

[0095] With regard to the embodiments of the device, the vehicle, the system and the storage medium as well as the associated advantages, reference is made to the previously described embodiments of the method and the associated advantages.

[0096] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each have a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0097] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Shown are: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a method, a device and a system for locating a motor vehicle.

[0098] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another, each of which also develops the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0099] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote elements with the same function.

[0100] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a method, a device and a system 1 for locating a motor vehicle 10, in particular in a closed space, as shown in this Fig. 1 is shown as an example of a multi-story car park into which a GPS signal 100 cannot penetrate and therefore cannot be used for localization.

[0101] The device, which is not shown in detail, is designed to carry out or at least effect the method steps described below.

[0102] In this case, the proximity of a mobile access device 20 of a sought-after motor vehicle 10 to several vehicles in the multi-story car park that are different from the motor vehicle 10 is determined.

[0103] In this Fig.1 shows, by way of example, a first vehicle 11, a second vehicle 12, a third vehicle 13 and a fourth vehicle 14, to which the proximity of the mobile access device 20 is determined, namely by triangulation using UWB technology.

[0104] One of these vehicles, in particular the first vehicle 11, can comprise the device according to the invention and / or carry out or effect at least parts of the method.

[0105] The proximity of the sought motor vehicle 10 to the first vehicle 11, the second vehicle 12, the third vehicle 13 and the fourth vehicle 14 is then determined, also via triangulation using UWB technology.

[0106] The proximity of the first vehicle 11, the second vehicle 12, the third vehicle 13 and the fourth vehicle 14 to each other is also determined, also via triangulation using UWB technology.

[0107] In particular, a network is created from at least three vehicles, and in particular the four vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14 shown here, as well as the sought-after motor vehicle 10 and the mobile access device 20, which network continuously checks and updates the respective proximity to one another along the movement of the mobile access device.

[0108] It can also be seen how the proximity of the four vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14, the sought-after motor vehicle 10 and the mobile access device 20 is determined over several floors and the network is thus also spanned over several meters in height.

[0109] Further vehicles are also depicted in the multi-story garage, in this case a fifth vehicle 15 and a sixth vehicle 16, of which, in the currently shown state, no proximity to the motor vehicle 10 and / or the mobile access device 20 is detected. However, this may have happened previously or may still happen, depending on the movement of the mobile access device 20.

[0110] An acceleration of the mobile access device 20 is also detected using an acceleration sensor.

[0111] An identification of the mobile access device 20 and the motor vehicle 10 is also determined, and these identifications, along with the respective determined proximity and the detected acceleration, are provided to a remote computing unit 30, which is depicted here as a cloud by way of example. This is done via mobile communications technology and via the first vehicle 11 and the third vehicle 13, which, due to their location within the parking garage, have access to the mobile communications network and can thus provide this data.

[0112] Based on the provided proximity, identification, and acceleration, the remote computing unit 30 evaluates this provided data and thus determines a position of the motor vehicle 10 relative to the mobile access device 20 and provides this detected position to the mobile access device 20, for example via the first vehicle 11 or the third vehicle 13.

[0113] This determined position is then output to the mobile access device 20, for example by acoustic and / or optical output.

[0114] Due to this precise determination, the determined position correctly displays one or more coordinates, in particular three, i.e. also a relative position along the height and thus over several floors.

[0115] The system 1 comprises the sought-after motor vehicle 10, an associated mobile access device 20 and the four vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14, which together form the network in this case.

[0116] The system 1 may also include the remote computing unit 30. Likewise, additional vehicles 15 and 16 may be included in the system at a later time and / or other of the four vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14 may be excluded or may have been previously excluded.

[0117] Overall, the examples show how a personalized navigation function can be provided using a vehicle key without GPS.

[0118] In particular, the described embodiments show an improved and extended implementation of a so-called Key2Car function in vehicles and the systematic communication with the vehicle key without the use of GPS.

[0119] The described embodiments are independent of location-dependent influences due to the use of a hybrid system of short- and long-range communication instead of the use of GPS technology.

[0120] In particular, a dynamic structure in the localization network results, which enables a moving coordinate system or an intelligent distribution of reference points.

[0121] The embodiments shown enable high speed and increased accuracy in the localization of the key and provide the possibility of navigation in three-dimensional space and in complex environments.

[0122] The user can navigate very precisely using precise instructions via the vehicle key.

[0123] In particular, there is also potential for integration with other systems, as well as with regard to the vehicle and data processing on the remote computing unit.

Claims

[1] Method for locating a motor vehicle (10), comprising: - detecting a proximity of a mobile access device (20) of a motor vehicle (10) to a first vehicle (11) different from the motor vehicle (10); - detecting a proximity of the first vehicle (11) to the motor vehicle (10); - determining a position of the motor vehicle (10) in relation to the mobile access device (20) based on the proximity of the mobile access device (20) to the first vehicle (11) and the proximity of the first vehicle (11) to the motor vehicle (10); and - Providing the position to the mobile access device (20). [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: - detecting a proximity of the mobile access device (20) to a second vehicle (12) different from the motor vehicle (10); and / or - Detecting a proximity of a second vehicle (12) different from the motor vehicle (10) to the motor vehicle (10); wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle (10) in relation to the mobile access device (20) is additionally carried out based on the proximity of the mobile access device (20) to the second vehicle (12) and / or based on the proximity of the second vehicle (12) to the motor vehicle (10). [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step: - Detecting a proximity of a second vehicle (12) different from the motor vehicle (10) to the first motor vehicle (11); wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle (10) in relation to the mobile access device (20) is additionally carried out based on the proximity of the second vehicle (12) to the first vehicle (11). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the steps: - determining an identification of the mobile access device (20); and - Determining an identification of the motor vehicle (10); wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle (10) in relation to the mobile access device (20) is additionally carried out based on the identification of the mobile access device (20) and the identification of the motor vehicle (10). [5] The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: - providing the identification of the mobile access device (20) and the proximity of the mobile access device (20) to the first vehicle (11) to a remote computing unit (30); and - Providing the identification of the motor vehicle (10) and the proximity of the motor vehicle (10) to the first vehicle (11) to the remote computing unit (30); wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle (10) in relation to the mobile access device (20) is additionally carried out based on an evaluation of the identification of the mobile access device (20), the proximity of the mobile access device (20) to the first vehicle (11), the identification of the motor vehicle (10) and the proximity of the motor vehicle (10) to the first vehicle (11) by the remote computing unit. [6] The method according to claim 5, wherein the detection of a proximity of the mobile access device (20) to the first vehicle (11) and / or the proximity of the motor vehicle (10) to the first vehicle (11) is carried out by means of a first wireless communication technology; and wherein the provision of the identification of the mobile access device (20) and the proximity of the mobile access device (20) to the first vehicle and / or the identification of the motor vehicle (10) and the proximity of the motor vehicle (10) to the first motor vehicle (11) to a remote computing unit is carried out by means of a second wireless communication technology different from the first. [7] The method of claim 6, wherein the first wireless communication technology is a short-range communication technology; and / or wherein the second wireless communication technology is a long-range communication technology. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step: - Detecting an acceleration of the mobile access device (20); wherein the determination of a position of the motor vehicle (10) in relation to the mobile access device (20) is additionally carried out based on the acceleration. [9] Device for locating a motor vehicle (20), wherein the device is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. [10] System (1) comprising a motor vehicle (10), a mobile access device (20) of the motor vehicle (10) and a first vehicle (11) different from the motor vehicle (10), which are jointly designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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