Method for establishing a wireless connection between a mobile device and a motor vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle (100, 200) comprises an interior (105) with a plurality of spatial areas (110), wherein each spatial area (110) is assigned an interaction device (120) for a person, wherein an interaction device (120) is configured for wireless communication with a mobile device (125). A method (300) on board such a motor vehicle (100, 200) comprises steps of determining (305) a position of the mobile device (125) on board the motor vehicle (100, 200) by means of wireless communication between the mobile device (125) and at least one of the interaction devices (120), determining (310) a spatial area (110) in which the mobile device (125) is located, and establishing (330) a wireless communication connection to an interaction device (120) assigned to the spatial area (110).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for establishing a wireless communication connection between a mobile device and a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a control device configured to establish a wireless communication connection between a mobile device and a motor vehicle.

[0002] In motor vehicles, it is possible to establish communication connections between mobile devices such as cell phones or smartphones and the vehicle in order to, for example, use the vehicle's hands-free system for telephone calls or to play music through the vehicle's loudspeaker system. In newer vehicles, what is known as "screen mirroring" is also possible; this involves displaying the content of the cell phone's screen on a vehicle screen. In this case, it may also be possible to control the mobile phone application displaying the content directly via a vehicle's touch-sensitive screen. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless technology, for example, is used at a frequency of approximately 2.4 GHz to establish the communication connection between the cell phone and the vehicle.

[0003] Modern motor vehicles typically have multiple screens. For example, in addition to a large screen in the center console for the driver, a motor vehicle may have additional screens in the headrests of the driver and front passenger seats for passengers in the rear seat. Currently, a user must manually select which screen their mobile phone should connect to.

[0004] One object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technology for establishing a communication connection between a mobile device and a motor vehicle. The invention achieves this object by means of the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0005] More specifically, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a method on board a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle comprises an interior with several spatial areas, wherein one spatial area is provided for the stay of a person on board during a journey, wherein each spatial area is assigned an interaction device for a person, and wherein an interaction device is configured for wireless communication with a mobile device. The method comprises steps - determining a position of the mobile device on board the motor vehicle by means of wireless communication between the mobile device and at least one of the interaction devices, - determining a spatial area in which the mobile device is located, and - establishing a wireless communication connection to an interaction device assigned to the spatial area.

[0006] A method designed in this way has the advantage that a wireless communication connection between a mobile device and an interaction device can be established automatically and without the need for manual selection of an interaction device. This makes it possible, for example, that when a person sits down in any seat on board the motor vehicle, a suitable interaction device for a wireless connection to the person's mobile device is automatically selected, and the connection is established without any further action on the part of the person. This can increase comfort during a journey in the motor vehicle.

[0007] A spatial area can comprise a sub-area of ​​the interior of the motor vehicle. For example, a spatial area can comprise a usual seating area of ​​a driver and / or a front passenger while driving the motor vehicle. A spatial area usually relates to a seat or a group of seats. A spatial area can comprise a three-dimensional space in which a mobile device of a person sitting on a seat is usually located. For example, a spatial area can comprise a three-dimensional space that, in addition to a seating area of ​​the driver's seat, also includes a center console of the motor vehicle. In a further embodiment, the spatial area extends across the interior, for example from a seating area to an associated entry area. For this purpose, the entry area can be associated solely with this seating area.The connection can then be established while a person is moving towards the seating area or sitting down in the seating area.

[0008] An interaction device can be a component of an infotainment system of the motor vehicle. An interaction device can have an input and / or output interface for interacting with a person sitting in the motor vehicle. The interface can be optical, acoustic, and / or haptic. For example, an interaction device can have a screen or be designed as a screen. The screen can, for example, be operated haptically, such as a touchscreen. The screen can also be operated using a separate haptic control element, such as a button. Furthermore, an interaction device can be included in a hands-free system of the motor vehicle or can be designed as a hands-free system.

[0009] A mobile device can be, in particular, a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop. The mobile device can be configured as a personal device of the person, which is primarily or exclusively designed for use by that person. For example, the mobile device can be protected by a personal access key, which includes, for example, a PIN or a biometric feature of the person. The mobile device can be carried by the person and used primarily in a mobile manner. The mobile device can have an input and / or output interface for interaction with the person. The interface can be optical, acoustic, and / or haptic.

[0010] By means of a wireless communication link between the mobile device and an interaction device, it is possible to establish an operative connection between the mobile device and the interaction device. Via such an operative connection, for example, a user of the mobile device in the motor vehicle can speak during a telephone call through an acoustic interface of the mobile device, for example a microphone, and hear a call partner through an acoustic interface of the interaction device of the motor vehicle, for example a loudspeaker. Furthermore, such a user can, for example, conduct a video telephone call via such an operative connection. An optical signal, for example a video showing the user of the mobile device, can be received by an optical interface of the mobile device, for example a camera, and sent to a call partner.The video signal from the conversation partner received on the user's mobile device can be output, for example, by mirroring the mobile device's screen onto a screen of an interaction device in the motor vehicle. Furthermore, other functions of the mobile device can be accessed via the interaction device through the existing operative connection between the mobile device and the interaction device. For example, a screen of the mobile device can be mirrored onto a screen of an interaction device, so that a person in the motor vehicle can control some or all of the functions of their mobile device, such as playing videos, via the screen of the interaction device.

[0011] The wireless communication connection between the mobile device and the interaction device can be a radio connection, for example using Bluetooth technology (BT), in particular Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). A radio connection using BLE has the advantage that multiple wireless communication connections can be established and maintained between multiple devices in a small space without interference or influences. For example, using BLE, two, three, four or more mobile devices can be connected to interaction devices in a motor vehicle simultaneously without the communication connections interfering with or influencing each other. Furthermore, BLE is a widely used wireless communication technology for various applications where a wireless communication connection is necessary, and particularly in the automotive industry. This means that BLE is highly available and low in cost.

[0012] A wireless communication connection between a mobile device and an interaction device is preferably only established when the position of the mobile device is in the spatial area to which the interaction device is assigned.

[0013] The position of the mobile device on board the motor vehicle can be determined using Bluetooth. This allows the position of the mobile device on board the motor vehicle to be determined with increased accuracy. The Bluetooth technology can be conventional Bluetooth (BT) or, more preferably, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Bluetooth is preferred in a version that already supports distance determination as part of the standard.

[0014] The position of the mobile device on board the vehicle can be determined using channel sounding. This allows the position of the mobile device on board the vehicle to be determined with even greater accuracy. In particular, increased positioning accuracy can be achieved compared to conventional Bluetooth protocol methods such as Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD).

[0015] Channel sounding is part of the Bluetooth specification and is known to those skilled in the art. It can be used to determine the relative position of two devices to one another. A series of wireless pulses can be exchanged between the interaction device and the mobile device. The wireless pulses can each have predetermined time durations, and each wireless pulse can be spaced apart from a preceding or following wireless pulse by a predetermined time interval. The propagation speed of a transmitted wireless pulse essentially corresponds to the speed of light. The position of the mobile device relative to the interaction device can be determined from the different reception times of the wireless pulses at the interaction device and / or the mobile device and the time durations as well as the predetermined time interval of the wireless pulses.

[0016] At least one transceiver can be assigned to an interaction device, wherein a transceiver is configured for wireless communication with a mobile device, and wherein the position of the mobile device on board the motor vehicle is determined relative to the transceiver assigned to the interaction device.

[0017] A transceiver may have a transmitter and a receiver for wireless communication with a mobile device. A transceiver may have one or more antennas for transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals, for example radio signals. The antenna is typically a component arranged on a circuit board. The antenna typically has a width of less than or equal to 3 cm, a length of less than or equal to approximately 3 cm, and a height of less than or equal to approximately 3 cm. The antenna can be arranged at any position in the motor vehicle. For example, the antenna can be arranged in a roof lining of the interior of the motor vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, an antenna can be arranged in a vehicle door or in the area of ​​the center console of the motor vehicle. The position of the mobile device on board the motor vehicle can be determined relative to the antenna of the transceiver.

[0018] The transceiver can be arranged at a distance from the interaction device. This can increase the accuracy of determining the position of the mobile device in the motor vehicle, because the transceiver can be arranged independently of the position of the interaction device, thereby improving wireless communication between the mobile device and the transceiver. For example, a screen of an interaction device can be arranged in the driver's headrest at eye level of a person sitting in the back seat behind the driver. The transceiver assigned to this interaction device can, for example, be arranged in a door at hip height of the person sitting in the back seat. This reduces the distance between the mobile device and the transceiver, allowing improved wireless communication between the mobile device and the transceiver.The transceiver may be located outside a housing or functional module of the interaction device and a distance between the units may be several 10 cm.

[0019] Alternatively, the transceiver can be a component of the interaction device and, in particular, form a structural unit with the interaction device. This allows the interaction device to be installed in the motor vehicle with reduced effort, as a separate communication connection between the transceiver and the interaction device can be provided directly within the structural unit.

[0020] Channel sounding can be used to determine the position of the mobile device relative to the transceiver and / or the transceiver's antenna. Two or more transceivers can be assigned to an interaction device, whereby the transceivers assigned to the same interaction device can be spaced apart from each other.

[0021] This allows the position of the mobile device in the motor vehicle to be determined with increased accuracy. For example, when using channel sounding, the wireless pulses can be transmitted sequentially by different transceivers in the motor vehicle. Because the transceivers are spaced apart from one another, they are located at different positions. As a result, the distances that the individual wireless pulses must bridge between the mobile device and the transceivers vary in length. Accordingly, the times at which successive wireless pulses are received at the mobile device and / or the transceivers are usually spaced apart from the predetermined time interval between the wireless pulses during transmission.From a deviation of a relative time difference between reception times and the time interval, relative distances between the mobile device and the transceivers can be determined with increased accuracy.

[0022] The transceivers assigned to the same interaction device can be arranged at a distance from each other in three spatial directions. In other words, the transceivers assigned to the same interaction device can be arranged in two different planes. The transceivers and the mobile device can thus span an enlarged geometric space, allowing for improved position determination in three dimensions.

[0023] The antenna and / or antennas of a transceiver can be arranged at a distance from the transceiver. The antennas can also be arranged at a distance from each other.

[0024] Two or more interaction devices can be assigned to a spatial area, whereby the method can comprise the following step: - Determining distances between the mobile device and the interaction devices, and wherein the wireless communication connection can be established to an interaction device assigned to the spatial area with the shortest distance to the mobile device.

[0025] This allows the wireless communication connection between a mobile device and an interaction device to be automatically established to the interaction device closest to the mobile device, without the user having to select an interaction device. This can increase comfort while driving in a motor vehicle. At the same time, a communication connection between the motor vehicle and the mobile device can be established more quickly.

[0026] Two spatial areas may overlap in an overlap area, wherein the overlap area is preferably smaller than each of the spatial areas, wherein the method may comprise the following steps: - Determine that the mobile device is in the overlap area, - capturing a user input regarding a selection of an interaction device assigned to one of the two spatial areas, and - Establish the wireless communication connection with the selected interaction device.

[0027] Mobile devices that are located, for example, in the middle of the rear seat of the vehicle can also be connected to an interaction device in the vehicle.

[0028] In an overlap area, more than two spatial areas can overlap, for example, three or four spatial areas. A mobile device located in an overlap area can simultaneously be located in the spatial areas that form the overlap area. In other words, the mobile device can be located in two or more spatial areas simultaneously. The spatial areas can also be disjoint from each other, meaning they do not form an overlap area.

[0029] Because there are no overlapping areas between disjoint spatial regions, the wireless communication connection between the mobile device and the interaction device can always be established immediately, and in particular, without any user input or selection. Establishing the wireless communication connection between a mobile device and an interaction device can therefore be faster.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a control device for use on board a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle comprises an interior with a plurality of spatial areas, wherein a spatial area is provided for the stay of a person on board during a journey, wherein each spatial area is assigned an interaction device for a person, and wherein an interaction device is set up for wireless communication with a mobile device.The control device comprises a processing device for controlling the interaction device, wherein the processing device is configured to determine a position of the mobile device on board the motor vehicle by means of wireless communication between the mobile device and at least one of the interaction devices, to determine a spatial area in which the mobile device is located, and to establish a wireless communication connection between an interaction device assigned to the spatial area and the mobile device.

[0031] The wireless communication connection between a mobile device and an interaction device can thus be established automatically and without the need to manually select an interaction device.

[0032] The control device, and in particular a processing device comprised therein, 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.

[0033] The control device can be data-connected to the interaction devices and / or one or more transceivers. The processing device can be data-connected to the interaction devices and / or one or more transceivers and / or one or more antennas.

[0034] The processing device can be configured to determine the position of the mobile device on board the motor vehicle relative to one or more transceivers. A transceiver can comprise one or more antennas for transmitting or receiving wireless signals, and the processing device can be configured to determine the position of the mobile device on board the motor vehicle relative to an antenna.

[0035] Additionally or alternatively, the interaction device may be configured to determine the position of the mobile device on board the motor vehicle by means of wireless communication.

[0036] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a motor vehicle comprising a control device according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0037] The motor vehicle may comprise a passenger car with two, three, four, or more seats. The seats may be arranged in one, two, three, or more rows. For example, a spatial area may comprise only one seat. Alternatively, a spatial area may comprise two or more seats, preferably two or more seats in the same row. For example, a spatial area may again comprise an entire row of seats.

[0038] The motor vehicle may further comprise a minibus, a small van, a bus, and / or a truck. The motor vehicle may comprise an electric vehicle. The motor vehicle may also comprise a hybrid vehicle. A hybrid vehicle may include two or more different energy conversion systems for providing the energy for propulsion of the motor vehicle.

[0039] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 an interior of a motor vehicle in a side view, Fig. 2 an interior of another motor vehicle in a plan view; and Fig. 3 a flow chart of a procedure schematically illustrated.

[0040] In the following description, identical reference numerals designate identical components or identical features, so that a description given with reference to one figure regarding a component also applies to the other figures, thus avoiding repetitive description. Furthermore, individual features described in connection with one embodiment can also be used separately in other embodiments.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary motor vehicle 100 in a schematic side view. The motor vehicle 100 comprises an interior 105 with two spatial areas 110, each spatial area 110 being provided for the stay of a person on board during a journey. One spatial area 110 is provided, for example, for the stay of a driver or a passenger during a journey. Another spatial area 110 is provided for the stay of one or more people in the rear seat of the motor vehicle 100. The two spatial areas 110 are disjoint from one another, i.e., they have no overlapping area.

[0042] An interaction device 120 for a person is assigned to a spatial area 110, wherein the interaction device 120 is configured for wireless communication with a mobile device 125. In the present exemplary embodiment, the interaction device 120 is designed as a screen, preferably a touchscreen. A transceiver 130 is assigned to the interaction device 120 and is data-connected thereto, wherein the transceiver 130 is configured for wireless communication with the mobile device 125. The transceiver 130 comprises one or more antennas for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The transceiver 130 is a component of the interaction device 120 and, together with the interaction device 120, forms a structural unit.

[0043] The motor vehicle 100 further comprises a control device 140, wherein the control device 140 comprises a processing device 145 for controlling the interaction device 120. The processing device 145 is data-connected to the interaction device 120 and the transceiver 130 and is configured to determine a position of the mobile device 125 on board the motor vehicle 100 by means of wireless communication between the mobile device 125 and the interaction device 120, to determine the spatial area 110 in which the mobile device 125 is located, and to establish a wireless communication connection between the interaction device 120 assigned to the spatial area 110 and the mobile device 125.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows another exemplary motor vehicle 200 in a schematic plan view. The motor vehicle 200 comprises an interior 105 with three compartments 110, each compartment 110 being provided for the accommodation of a person on board during a journey. A first compartment 110 is provided for the accommodation of a driver, a second compartment 110 is provided for the accommodation of a passenger, and a third compartment 110 is provided for the accommodation of two passengers on a rear seat of the motor vehicle 200 during a journey.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the first spatial area 110 is assigned an interaction device 120 in the center console of the motor vehicle 200 and the second spatial area 110 is assigned an interaction device 120 directly in front of the Fig. 2. Here, each of these two interaction devices 120 is assigned a separate transceiver 130. These transceivers 130 are each part of the respective interaction device 120 to which they are assigned and thus form structural units.

[0046] In the present embodiment, two interaction devices 120 are assigned to the third spatial area 110, one interaction device 120 being located in the headrest of the driver's seat and the other interaction device 120 being located in the headrest of the passenger seat. Two separate transceivers 130 are each assigned to these two interaction devices 120, with the transceivers 130 assigned to the same interaction device 120 being arranged at a distance from each other and from the respective interaction device 120.

[0047] In the interior 105 of the exemplary motor vehicle 200, an overlap region 205 is formed in which the first and second spatial regions 110 overlap. The processing device 145 is further configured to determine that a mobile device 125 is located in the overlap region 205, to capture user input regarding a selection of one of the two interaction devices 120, and to establish the wireless communication connection with the selected interaction device 120. A user may be provided with an indication that the mobile device 125 is located in the overlap region 205, and a request for user input may be issued. The request may be provided to only one or more interaction devices 120 associated with one of the spatial regions 110. The user input may be captured via one of the interaction devices 120.

[0048] The processing device 145 is further configured to determine distances between the mobile device 125 located in the third spatial area 110 and the interaction devices 120 assigned to this spatial area 110 and to establish the wireless communication connection between the mobile device 125 and the interaction device 120 with the smallest distance from each other.

[0049] Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 300. The method 300 can be executed by a motor vehicle 100, 200.

[0050] The method 300 includes a step 305 for determining a position of the mobile device 125 on board the motor vehicle 100, 200 by means of wireless communication between the mobile device 125 and at least one of the interaction devices 120. The position of the mobile device 125 can be determined using Bluetooth and, in particular, using channel sounding.

[0051] The method 300 includes a step 310 for determining a spatial area 110 in which the mobile device 125 is located.

[0052] The method 300 may further include a step 315 for determining distances between the mobile device 125 and the interaction devices 120. This may be the case if more than one interaction device 120 is assigned to a spatial area 110.

[0053] The method 300 may further include a step 320 for determining that the mobile device 125 is located in the overlap area 205. This may be the case if two spatial areas 110 form an overlap area 205.

[0054] Furthermore, the method 300 may include a step 325 for detecting a user input regarding a selection of an interaction device 120 associated with one of the two spatial areas 110 forming the overlap area 205.

[0055] Finally, the method 300 in the present case comprises a step 330 for establishing a wireless communication connection to an interaction device 120 assigned to the spatial area 110.

[0056] The wireless communication connection can be established to an interaction device 120 assigned to the spatial area 110 with the shortest distance to the mobile device 125. This can be the case if more than one interaction device 120 is assigned to a spatial area 110.

[0057] Furthermore, the wireless communication connection can be established with the interaction device 120 selected by a user input. This can be the case if a mobile device 125 is located in the overlap area 205. Reference symbol 100 motor vehicles 105 Interior 110 (first / second / third) room area 120 Interaction facility 125 mobile device 130 transceivers 140 Control device 145 Processing facility 200 motor vehicles 205 Overlap area 300 procedures 305 Determining a mobile device position 310 Determining a spatial area in which the mobile device is located 315 Determining distances between the mobile device and interaction devices in the room areas 320 Determine that the mobile device is in an overlap area 325 Capturing user input regarding a selection of an interaction device 330 Establishing the wireless communication connection with the interaction device

Claims

[1] Procedure (300) on board a motor vehicle (100, 200), wherein the motor vehicle (100, 200) comprises an interior (105) with several room areas (110), wherein a space area (110) is provided for a person to stay on board during a voyage, where each room area (110) is assigned an interaction facility (120) for one person, wherein an interaction device (120) is set up for wireless communication with a mobile device (125), the procedure (300) comprises the following steps: - Determining (305) a position of the mobile device (125) on board the motor vehicle (100, 200) by means of wireless communication between the mobile device (125) and at least one of the interaction devices (120), - Determine (310) a spatial area (110) in which the mobile device (125) is located, and - Establishing (330) a wireless communication link to an interaction device (120) assigned to the room area (110). [2] Method (300) according to claim 1, wherein the position of the mobile device (125) on board the motor vehicle (100, 200) is determined by means of Bluetooth. [3] Method (300) according to claim 2, wherein the position of the mobile device (125) on board the motor vehicle (100, 200) is determined by means of channel sounding. [4] Method (300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an interaction device (120) is assigned a transceiver (130), wherein a transceiver (130) is set up for wireless communication with a mobile device (125), and wherein the position of the mobile device (125) on board the motor vehicle (100, 200) is determined relative to the transceiver (130) associated with the interaction device (120). [5] Method (300) according to claim 4, wherein one interaction device (120) is assigned two or more transceivers (130), and wherein the transceivers (130) assigned to the same interaction device (120) are arranged at a distance from each other. [6] Method (300) according to any of the preceding claims, where one room area (110) is assigned two or more interaction facilities (120), the procedure includes the following step: - Determining (315) distances between the mobile device (125) and the interaction devices (120), and wherein the wireless communication link to an interaction device (120) assigned to the room area (110) is established at the shortest distance to the mobile device (125). [7] Method (300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the spatial regions (110) are also disjoint from each other. [8] Control device (140) for use on board a motor vehicle (100, 200), wherein the motor vehicle (100, 200) comprises an interior (105) with several room areas (110), wherein a space area (110) is provided for a person to stay on board during a voyage, where each room area (110) is assigned an interaction facility (120) for one person, wherein an interaction device (120) is set up for wireless communication with a mobile device (125), wherein the control device (140) comprises the following elements: - a processing unit (145) for controlling the interaction unit (120), - wherein the processing unit (145) is configured to determine the position of the mobile device (125) on board the motor vehicle (100, 200) by means of wireless communication between the mobile device (125) and at least one of the interaction units (120), - to determine a spatial area (110) in which the mobile device (125) is located, and - to establish a wireless communication link between an interaction device (120) assigned to the room area (110) and the mobile device (125). [9] Motor vehicle (100, 200) comprising a control device (140) according to claim 8.

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