Method for activating at least one display for controlling functions of a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for activating at least one display for controlling functions of a vehicle, wherein the display can be operated from outside the vehicle by means of touch gestures and the method comprises at least the following steps: a. by means of a recognition system, detecting whether at least one authentication object is located within a predetermined maximum distance to the vehicle; The following steps are then performed if a legitimation object has been recognized according to step a.: b. by means of a control unit of the vehicle, activating the display; and c. by means of the control unit, displaying at least one selectable function of the vehicle on the display, wherein the at least one selectable function can be executed by means of one or more vehicle systems. The method is characterized in particular by the fact that, as a result of the activation in step b., by means of the control unit, only those vehicle systems are awakened which are required to execute the function of the vehicle selectable via the display in step c. The proposed method and activation system enables convenient access to vehicle functions from outside the vehicle, while being person-specific and energy-efficient.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for activating at least one display for controlling functions of a vehicle, and to an activation system with such a method.

[0002] It is common practice in automotive engineering to operate vehicle functions, such as those of a motor vehicle, via a display from inside the vehicle or even from outside. For safety reasons, when operating the vehicle from the outside, it is generally necessary to first detect a user near the vehicle and then enable the selection of functions that can be controlled via the display from the outside.

[0003] Due to limited electrical storage capacity and the simultaneously increasing power demand of vehicles with (an increasing number of) smart functions, energy consumption should be kept as low as possible. However, this must not compromise safety and comfort.

[0004] Based on this, the present invention aims to overcome, at least partially, the disadvantages known from the prior art. The features of the invention are defined in the independent claims, for which advantageous embodiments are shown in the dependent claims. The features of the claims can be combined in any technically meaningful way, whereby the explanations in the following description and features from the figures, which comprise supplementary embodiments of the invention, can also be used.

[0005] The invention relates to a method for activating at least one display for controlling functions of a vehicle, wherein the display can be operated from outside the vehicle by means of touch gestures and the method comprises at least the following steps: a. by means of a recognition system, detecting whether at least one authentication object is located within a predetermined maximum distance to the vehicle; The following steps are then performed if a legitimation object has been recognized according to step a.: b. by means of a control unit of the vehicle, activating the display; and c. by means of the control unit, displaying at least one selectable function of the vehicle on the display, wherein at least one selectable function can be executed by means of one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle.

[0006] The procedure is characterized primarily by the fact that, as a result of the activation in step b., by means of the control unit, only those vehicle systems are awakened which are necessary to execute the function of the vehicle selectable via the display in step c.

[0007] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, ordinal numbers used in the preceding and following descriptions serve solely for unambiguous differentiation and do not indicate any order or ranking of the components referred to. An ordinal number greater than one does not necessarily imply the presence of another such component.

[0008] Because the vehicle systems are in an inactive (i.e., energy-saving or even completely switched off) state before the display is activated, the method proposed here achieves significant energy savings. At the same time, the method ensures rapid availability of the necessary vehicle systems. Because the control unit is already aware of the functions selectable via the display, and thus the corresponding vehicle systems, before the display is activated, it is possible to wake the systems immediately with or after the display is activated, and therefore very quickly. Furthermore, the control unit only needs to wake up those vehicle systems that can be selected externally via the display. This further increases the energy efficiency of the method.

[0009] In this context, "wake-up" refers to the process of moving a technical system from an inactive (i.e., switched-off or energy-saving) state to an active or operational state. Preferably, the system is not supplied with any energy at all in the inactive state. A wake-up resulting from activation involves a temporal and / or causal dependency of the wake-up on the activation.

[0010] In one embodiment, the wake-up process is executed after activation (time dependency). Here, the control unit activates the display with a first command and then triggers the wake-up with a second command.

[0011] In another embodiment, waking up is contingent upon activation (causal dependency). Here, the control unit activates the display with a first command, and the display reports back to the control unit that it is activated. The control unit then uses a second command to wake up the (relevant) vehicle systems or directly passes the display's feedback to the (relevant) vehicle systems as a wake-up command. Thus, the (relevant) vehicle systems are only woken up when the display is actually active.

[0012] In another embodiment with causal dependency, the control unit activates the display with a first command and simultaneously, with a second command or the same first command, wakes up the (relevant) vehicle systems. The causal dependency in this case consists of the fact that the wake-up occurs only partially and only if the activation also takes place. However, the precise timing is not essential.

[0013] In another embodiment, the control unit activates the display with a first command and then, with a second command, causes the device to wake up as soon as at least one function has been selected on the display.

[0014] In one embodiment, after at least one function has been selected on the display, the control unit wakes up the vehicle systems required to execute several or all of the selectable functions. Preferably, the control unit wakes up only the vehicle system or systems required for the selected function.

[0015] It should be noted that the authentication object must ensure secure access, meaning it must allow access without any restrictions regarding comfort while also reliably preventing unauthorized access. In one embodiment, the authentication object is a vehicle key or a (personalized) mobile device. In another embodiment, it is the person themselves (uniquely identifiable by a computer). Further examples are given later in the text.

[0016] The at least one display is integrated into the vehicle in such a way that a (possibly separate) touch-sensitive user interface can be operated from outside the vehicle. Preferably, the display itself is accessible from outside the vehicle and, particularly preferably, is itself touch-sensitive for receiving touch gestures. Preferably, the display is integrated into a pillar of the vehicle, for example, an A-pillar, B-pillar, or C-pillar. In one embodiment, activating the display includes switching it on. In another (combinable) embodiment, activation includes unlocking the display and / or enabling the functions displayed on it with regard to their operability when the display is switched on.

[0017] In one embodiment, the control system comprises a central control unit that performs a multitude, preferably all, of the functions of the control system described herein. In another embodiment, the control system comprises several control units that perform different functions individually or cooperatively.

[0018] In one embodiment, the recognition system is implemented entirely within the vehicle and is designed to directly recognize an authentication object. In another embodiment, the recognition system is implemented partly within the vehicle and partly externally, and is designed to indirectly recognize an authentication object, that is, using both the vehicle-side and the vehicle-external parts of the recognition system.

[0019] To determine whether the authentication object and the vehicle are within the predetermined maximum distance of each other, the recognition system, in one embodiment, performs a distance measurement between the authentication object and the vehicle (for example, by means of triangulation, preferably using a mobile device). This is preferably done in embodiments where the authentication object is recognized via entities external to the vehicle.

[0020] In other embodiments, the fact that the authentication object and the vehicle are within the predetermined maximum distance from each other results implicitly from the selected recognition technology (for example, by means of image recognition).

[0021] The following are some non-exhaustive examples of vehicle functions which, in part or in any combination, can be controlled externally via the display in corresponding embodiments of the method: - Indoor air conditioning; - Rear lowering; - Opening doors and / or hatches; - Dog mode (a user leaves the vehicle, an animal remains in the vehicle, for which the air conditioning of the abandoned vehicle continues to operate and / or a window is kept in a slightly open state); - Sentry mode (environmental monitoring using camera and / or external microphone); - Getting started; and - Sun protection for a glass roof.

[0022] If, in step a., the recognition system does not detect that at least one authentication object is within the predetermined maximum distance to the vehicle, then preferably step b' is executed by the vehicle's control unit, in which all displays on the vehicle that can be operated externally by touch gestures are completely deactivated. In an alternative embodiment, in step a., it is wirelessly detected that an object is within the predetermined maximum distance to the vehicle, for example by means of image recognition or a proximity sensor, but not that it is an authentication object. In this case, the presence of the (unknown) object triggers step b'.This involves only a limited activation of at least one display, so that the authentication object has the option of identifying itself as an authentication object via a touch gesture on the display as an input interface, for example, by capturing biometric data of a person (the user) using (now activated) image recognition. Following one embodiment of step b', step a is preferably carried out again in one of the described embodiments, so that the method is repeated or iterated.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that the waking process includes activating at least one control unit controlling the respective vehicle system.

[0024] In one embodiment, the control unit for controlling the vehicle system is systematically part of the control device by which the waking process is controlled. In another embodiment, the control unit for controlling the vehicle system is systematically assigned to the vehicle system.

[0025] In one embodiment, waking is achieved by activating a power supply to the control unit; in another embodiment, by ending a sleep state with the power supply already activated.

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the control unit for controlling the vehicle system is in an energy-saving or completely deactivated state before waking up.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that the waking process includes activation via a power supply to the respective vehicle system. Preferably, the power supply is only activated when the corresponding function has been selected via the display.

[0028] In exemplary embodiments, activating the power supply to the vehicle system comprises one or more of the following steps: - Apply electrical voltage to a motor and / or actuator; - Apply electrical voltage to a control device of a motor and / or actuator; - apply electrical voltage to a sensor; - Apply electrical voltage to a filter device for processing a signal from a sensor.

[0029] In one embodiment, applying an electrical voltage means imprinting an electric current.

[0030] Advantageously, this allows energy savings to be achieved on the vehicle system side even when a control unit managing the vehicle system is already activated. At the same time, activating the vehicle system's power supply can be carried out very quickly.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that the functions be displayed on the screen by means of a scroll menu.

[0032] This allows a wide variety of selectable functions to be conveniently displayed and chosen on the screen. In one embodiment, the vehicle system is only woken up when the desired function is displayed on the screen (searched for and selected by scrolling, and then stopped scrolling), preferably requiring specific input (via voice, touch, or gesture) for selection. This ensures that the system is only woken up when the function of current interest to the user is displayed, or even exclusively when only those vehicle systems necessary for the selected function are shown, and only after these systems have been selected.

[0033] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that a user can perform such a configuration operation from inside the vehicle, which configures which functions are displayed on the display that can be operated from outside the vehicle.

[0034] In one embodiment, the configuration process is carried out via a vehicle menu, preferably a central one, which can only be operated from inside the vehicle. In another embodiment, the configuration process is carried out via the display, which is operated from outside the vehicle. Preferably, for security reasons, an additional identification or authorization check is performed before this configuration process can be carried out. This allows the vehicle's functions controllable via the display to be customized very easily and conveniently.

[0035] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that the recognition system comprises at least one vehicle-side communication system which is designed, directly or indirectly, for wireless data transfer.

[0036] In an embodiment in which the recognition system comprises exclusively the at least one vehicle-side communication system, the authentication object communicates directly with the vehicle-side communication system and is directly recognized by the vehicle-side recognition system.

[0037] In one embodiment, the recognition system comprises at least one vehicle-side communication system and at least one vehicle-side communication system. In one possible configuration, the authentication object first communicates with the vehicle-side communication system and indirectly via this system with the vehicle-side communication system, whereupon the authentication object is recognized by the vehicle-side recognition system.

[0038] In another embodiment, in which the recognition system comprises the vehicle-side communication system and the vehicle-external communication system, the authentication object first communicates directly with the vehicle-side communication system and via this with the vehicle-external communication system, whereupon the authentication object is recognized externally by the recognition system.

[0039] Preferably, the recognition system for identifying the authentication object comprises a verification instance, which is provided on the vehicle side and / or externally. The authentication object is identified directly on the vehicle side and / or indirectly externally by the verification instance of the recognition system. The verification instance is implemented, for example, in the vehicle's communication system, in the vehicle's control unit, in the external communication system, or as a separate external component of the recognition system.

[0040] Wireless data transfer preferably occurs using radio technology, such as analog radio, digital radio, or mobile communications. Examples include PAN (Personal Area Network), NFC (Near Field Communication), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), or mobile communication protocols like 5G (Fifth Generation).

[0041] In one embodiment, the wireless transfer of data between the authentication object and the vehicle-side communication system takes place, for example, capacitively, optically, haptically and / or by means of (e.g., ultra-)sound waves.

[0042] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that a legitimation object comprises a mobile data carrier which is designed for wireless data transfer, and wherein the mobile data carrier is recognizable by the recognition system indirectly or directly via the vehicle-side communication system by means of wireless communication at least as part of a legitimation object.

[0043] The mobile data carrier is a portable item or is integrated into a portable item, such as a smartphone. The mobile data carrier can therefore be easily carried by the vehicle user. In a preferred embodiment, identification data is stored on the mobile data carrier and can be transmitted from it. In another embodiment, the user enters the identification data into the mobile data carrier, whereupon it is transmitted.

[0044] In one embodiment, the mobile data carrier actively transmits the identification data; that is, the transmission is triggered on the mobile data carrier's side. This is also referred to herein as the use of an active mobile data carrier. In one embodiment, the active mobile data carrier itself or automatically triggers the transmission of the identification data. This allows the user to operate the mobile data carrier hands-free in the process. Furthermore, an active mobile data carrier allows the recognition system to only need to be in a readiness state, meaning it can be in a passive operating state, thus saving energy. Preferably, the active mobile data carrier has electronic control logic for triggering the transmission. In one embodiment, the mobile data carrier is configured to transmit the identification data continuously.In another embodiment, transmission occurs at intervals. In yet another embodiment, the active mobile data carrier has an input interface through which the user enters the identification data or simply enters a trigger command for transmitting the identification data already stored on the mobile data carrier.

[0045] In one embodiment, the mobile data carrier passively transmits the identification data. That is, the transmission is triggered externally, or the mobile data carrier is stimulated to transmit externally. This is also referred to herein as the use of a passive mobile data carrier. Preferably, the passive mobile data carrier is stimulated to transmit the identification data by the recognition system, which is then in an active operating state either continuously or at time intervals.

[0046] In one embodiment, the active or passive mobile data carrier has its own power source, for example, a battery or accumulator. The energy of the power source limits the maximum transmission range of the mobile data carrier. In another embodiment, a radio signal from the recognition system is used to provide the mobile data carrier with the energy required to transmit the identification data. In such cases, the energy of the radio signal limits the maximum transmission range of the mobile data carrier. The aforementioned embodiments can also be combined, resulting in further embodiments in which the energy required to transmit the identification data is provided by the power source of the mobile data carrier and / or by the energy of the radio signal.The maximum transmission range of the mobile data carrier is then limited accordingly by the energy of the radio signal and / or the power source of the mobile data carrier. This implicitly results in a permissible maximum distance.

[0047] The identification data includes, for example, an identification code. It is preferably stored on the mobile data carrier in non-volatile form. In one embodiment, the non-volatile identification data can be modified by writing to the mobile data carrier. Preferably, the stored and / or transmitted identification data is cryptographically protected against unauthorized modification and / or reading. Preferably, the identification data identifies the mobile data carrier, for example, by means of a unique identification code.

[0048] For the detection of the mobile data carrier, the detection system preferably has a check instance in which reference data is stored. The reference data is stored on the vehicle side and / or externally. In a preferred embodiment, the reference data is stored in the vehicle's control unit. In another preferred embodiment, the reference data is stored in the additional external communication system. The actual detection step a. is performed on the vehicle side and / or externally, for example, by means of the vehicle's control unit in which the check instance is stored, or by means of the external communication system in which the check instance is stored.The mobile data carrier is preferably detected by checking whether the identification data it transmits and the data received by the detection system exhibits a predetermined correlation with the reference data. Examples of predetermined correlation include: identity or output of a predetermined result when a mathematical function is applied to the identification data and the reference data. Another example is storing multiple sets of identification data on the mobile data carrier, which are transmitted in a specific sequence, where the same sequence is also stored in the reference data and is expected accordingly by the detection system in step a.Advantageously, the same set of identification data cannot simply be used to create a copy of the mobile data carrier even if a third party succeeds in intercepting and potentially decrypting the identification data without authorization. In one embodiment, a conventional (preferably cryptographic) identification method is used.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined maximum distance is determined technically in step a. by the maximum transmission range of the mobile data carrier. This means that if the vehicle's communication system receives the identification data directly, the maximum distance is automatically maintained, or rather, compliance is inherent. In another preferred embodiment, a separate check is performed with the vehicle's external communication system to verify that the predetermined maximum distance is maintained, for example, by determining the distance using radio.

[0050] As already made clear above, this method preferably uses at least one vehicle-side communication system. In one possible embodiment, where the identification data is received directly from the vehicle, the process sequence is, for example, as follows: a1. by means of the mobile data carrier, wireless transmission of identification data stored on the data carrier; a2. by means of the vehicle-side communication system of the recognition system designed for wireless data transfer, immediate reception of the transmitted identification data, from which it can be seen that the mobile data carrier and the vehicle are within the predetermined maximum distance from each other; a3. By means of a vehicle-side test instance of the recognition system, in which the reference data are stored, check whether the received identification data are in the predetermined correlation with the stored reference data, furthermore carrying out the following steps if an authentication object has been recognized according to step a2. and step a3.: b. by means of the vehicle's control unit, activating the display which can be operated by touch gestures; c. by means of the control unit, displaying at least one selectable function of the vehicle on the display; and as a result of activation in step b., by means of the control unit, waking up exclusively those vehicle systems which are necessary to execute that function of the vehicle selectable via the display in step c.

[0051] In an embodiment in which an additional vehicle-external communication system is used and the reference data is stored in a vehicle-external test instance of the recognition system instead of in the vehicle, the previously described step a2 is modified such that the vehicle-side recognition system forwards the identification data received directly from the vehicle-side communication system to the vehicle-external communication system via the vehicle-side communication system and the vehicle-side recognition system queries the vehicle-external test instance to determine whether the received identification data is in the predetermined correlation with the reference data.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, in which an additional external communication system is used and in which the identification data is received indirectly from the vehicle, the procedure is, for example, as follows: a1. by means of the mobile data carrier, wireless transmission of identification data stored on the data carrier; a2. by means of the vehicle-external communication system of the recognition system, which is designed for wireless data transfer, receiving the transmitted identification data and checking whether the mobile data carrier and the vehicle are within the predetermined maximum distance from each other, further performing the following steps if compliance with the maximum distance according to step a2. has been detected: a3. by means of the vehicle-external communication system of the recognition system, wireless transmission of the received identification data to the vehicle-side communication system of the recognition system, whereby this is indirectly received by the vehicle-side communication system with respect to the mobile data carrier; a4. By means of a vehicle-side test instance of the recognition system, in which the reference data are stored, check whether the indirectly received identification data are in the predetermined correlation with the stored reference data, whereby the following steps are further carried out if the mobile data carrier has been recognized as an authentication object according to step a2. and step a4.: b. by means of the vehicle's control unit, activating the display which can be operated by touch gestures; c. by means of the control unit, displaying at least one selectable function of the vehicle on the display; and as a result of activation in step b., by means of the control unit, waking up exclusively those vehicle systems which are necessary to execute that function of the vehicle selectable via the display in step c.

[0053] In an alternative embodiment, in which an additional external communication system is used and in which the identification data is received indirectly from the vehicle, the procedure is, for example, as follows: a1. by means of the mobile data carrier, wireless transmission of identification data stored on the data carrier; a2. by means of the vehicle-external communication system of the recognition system, which is designed for wireless data transfer, receiving the transmitted identification data and checking whether the mobile data carrier and the vehicle are within the predetermined maximum distance from each other; a3. By means of an external test instance of the recognition system, in which the reference data are stored, check whether the received identification data are in the predetermined correlation with the stored reference data, whereby the following steps are further carried out if the mobile data carrier has been recognized as an authentication object according to step a2. and step a3.: a4. by means of the vehicle-external communication system, wireless transmission of a confirmation to the vehicle-side communication system of the recognition system that at least one authentication object is located within the predetermined maximum distance to the vehicle; b. by means of the vehicle's control unit, activating the display which can be operated by touch gestures; c. by means of the control unit, displaying at least one selectable function of the vehicle on the display; and as a result of activation in step b., by means of the control unit, waking up exclusively those vehicle systems which are necessary to execute that function of the vehicle selectable via the display in step c.

[0054] In this context, it becomes clear that indirect reception of the identification data by the vehicle in such an embodiment means that confirmation originating from the external communication system is received by the vehicle's communication system and that the received identification data is in the predetermined correlation with the reference data held, whereby the mobile data carrier and the vehicle are within the predetermined maximum distance from each other.

[0055] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that the recognition system includes at least one such input interface operable from outside the vehicle. by which a user of the vehicle is identifiable by the recognition system at least as part of an authentication object.

[0056] In one embodiment, the input interface comprises a camera which the user operates in step a. by capturing their image. This enables an optical and therefore wireless transfer of data between the authentication object, in the form of the user, and the vehicle's communication system. The recognition system then identifies the user as the authentication object via image recognition, for example, using biometrics.

[0057] In another embodiment, the recognition system initially identifies the user (step a) via the camera only as a present (unknown) object. The display is then partially activated, allowing the user to enter only a PIN (Personal Identification Number), thereby recognizing them as the authentication object. In step b, the display is then fully activated. This involves first an optical and then a haptic, and therefore wireless, transfer of data between the authentication object (the user) and the vehicle's communication system.

[0058] In another embodiment, the input interface includes an external microphone, which the user operates via voice input. This enables a wireless transfer of data between the authentication object (the user) and the vehicle's communication system using sound waves. The recognition system then identifies the user, for example, by recognizing their voice signature or by means of a spoken PIN.

[0059] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is proposed that at least one of the following elements be used as the at least one object of legitimation: - a portable data storage device; - a mobile device; - a car key; - Vehicle accessories; - Clothing of a user of the vehicle; - an accessory belonging to a user of the vehicle; and - a user of the vehicle.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the mobile data carrier is integrated into a mobile device, for example, a smartphone. In another preferred embodiment, the mobile data carrier is integrated into a vehicle key. In yet another preferred embodiment, the mobile data carrier is integrated into the user's clothing, vehicle accessories, or a user accessory. In a further preferred embodiment, the authentication object is formed by at least one biometric feature of the user.

[0061] According to another aspect, an activation system for activating at least one display for controlling functions of a vehicle is designed to carry out the method according to an embodiment as described above, wherein the activation system has at least the following components: - a vehicle with at least one display that can be operated from outside the vehicle by means of touch gestures, and with a control device; - a recognition system; and - at least one authentication object, whereby the authentication object can only be recognized by the recognition system if it is within a predetermined maximum distance to the vehicle.

[0062] As already described, the recognition system preferably comprises at least one vehicle-side communication system and optionally one or more additional vehicle-external communication systems.

[0063] In addition to the activation system, a vehicle, preferably a motor vehicle, a control unit, and an authentication object, preferably comprising a mobile data carrier, are disclosed as independent aspects of the invention. These are suitable for carrying out the method disclosed herein, and in this respect, reference is made, at least optionally, to the preceding description of the method.

[0064] Preferably, the number of (permitted or assigned) mobile data carriers with identification data matching the reference data in the activation system is limited to one, two or three mobile data carriers.

[0065] The invention described above is explained in detail below against the relevant technical background with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments. The invention is in no way limited by the purely schematic drawings, although it should be noted that the drawings are not dimensionally accurate and are not suitable for defining size relationships. It is illustrated in Fig. 1: Activation system for activating a vehicle display operable by means of touch gestures in two basic embodiments; Fig. 2: Method for activating a vehicle display operable by means of touch gestures in a basic embodiment; Fig. 3: Activation system for activating a display of a vehicle that can be operated by means of touch gestures in a further embodiment; Fig. 4: Method for activating a vehicle display operable by means of touch gestures in a further embodiment; Fig. 5: Activation system for activating a vehicle display operable by means of touch gestures in a further embodiment; Fig. 6: Method for activating a vehicle display operable by means of touch gestures in a further embodiment; and Fig. 7: Activation system and method for activating a vehicle display operable by means of touch gestures in a further embodiment.

[0066] In Fig. 1 is an activation system 15 for activating a display operable by means of touch gestures 1 for controlling functions of a vehicle 2 is shown in principle, wherein Fig. 1 Two basic embodiments are illustrated, each of which can be implemented alone or in combination.

[0067] The activation system 15 is configured to execute a method for activating a touch-operated display 1 for controlling functions of a vehicle 2, whereupon in connection with Fig. 2 will be discussed in more detail.

[0068] In both basic embodiments, the activation system 15 comprises a vehicle 2 with a control unit 6 and at least one display 1, preferably touch-sensitive, which can be operated by means of touch gestures and is operable from the outside of the vehicle 2. Furthermore, in both basic embodiments, the activation system 15 comprises a recognition system 3.

[0069] In a first basic embodiment, the recognition system 3 is implemented purely on the vehicle side.

[0070] In a second basic embodiment, the detection system 3 comprises at least one vehicle-side component as well as at least one vehicle-external component.

[0071] Furthermore, in both basic embodiments, the activation system 15 comprises at least one authentication object 4, which is configured in such a way that it is (automatically) recognizable by the recognition system 3 when it is within a predetermined maximum distance 5 to the vehicle 2.

[0072] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a method for activating at least one touch-gesture-operated display 1 for controlling functions of a vehicle 2 in a basic embodiment, which is described below with further reference to Fig. 1 is described. The method, in its basic embodiment, is purely exemplary in relation to both the first and the second basic embodiment of the activation system 15 from Fig. 1 executable.

[0073] In step a. of the method, a recognition system 3 detects whether at least one authentication object 4 is located within a predetermined maximum distance 5 from the vehicle 2. If this is the case, in step b., a control unit 6 of the vehicle 2 activates the display 1, and in step c., the control unit 6 displays at least one selectable function of the vehicle 2 on the display 1. Preferably, a plurality of selectable functions are displayed.

[0074] As a result of the activation in step b., the control unit 6 wakes up only those vehicle systems 7 which are required to execute the function of the vehicle 2 selectable via the display 1 in step c.

[0075] The recognition system 3 preferably comprises at least one vehicle-side communication system 10, which is at least also designed for wireless data transfer (based on the first basic embodiment of the activation system 15).

[0076] Alternatively, the recognition system 3 preferably comprises at least one vehicle-side communication system 10 in combination with at least one vehicle-external communication system 18, which is at least also designed for wireless data transfer (based on the second basic embodiment of the activation system 15).

[0077] In an exemplary further embodiment of the method, in which the recognition system 3 used only has the vehicle-side communication system 10, the authentication object 4 communicates directly with the vehicle-side communication system 10 and is directly recognized on the vehicle side by the recognition system 3.

[0078] In Fig. 1 (and similarly in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 7) Some communication processes are indicated by means of dashes, dots, and arrows.

[0079] In another exemplary embodiment of the method, in which the recognition system 3 used comprises the vehicle-side communication system 10 and the vehicle-external communication system 18, the authentication object 4 first communicates with the vehicle-external communication system 18 and indirectly via this with the vehicle-side communication system 10, whereupon the authentication object 4 is recognized on the vehicle side by the recognition system 3.

[0080] In another exemplary embodiment of the method, in which the recognition system 3 used comprises the vehicle-side communication system 10 and the vehicle-external communication system 18, the authentication object 4 first communicates directly with the vehicle-side communication system 10 and via this with the vehicle-external communication system 18, whereupon the authentication object 4 is recognized externally by the recognition system 3.

[0081] Preferably, the recognition system 3 used for recognizing the authentication object 4 comprises a test instance 16, 17, which is provided on the vehicle side and / or externally. The authentication object 4 is recognized accordingly directly on the vehicle side and / or indirectly externally by the test instance 16, 17 of the recognition system 3.

[0082] If, however, in step a. it is not recognized that an authentication object 4 is located within the predetermined maximum distance 5 to the vehicle 2, then preferably step b'. is carried out by means of the control unit 6 of the vehicle 2, in which all displays 1 that can be operated externally on the vehicle 2 are completely deactivated.

[0083] Preferably, the waking process includes activating at least one control unit 8 that controls the respective vehicle system 7. Preferably, the waking process also includes, alternatively or additionally, activation via a power supply to the respective vehicle system 7. The power supply can be activated, for example, by means of a switchable connection 19 to a power source of the vehicle 2.

[0084] Preferably, the functions are displayed on display 1 via a scroll menu. Also preferred is access from inside the vehicle 2 by a user 9 (not shown separately here, but compare). Fig. 7) A configuration action can be performed to configure which functions are displayed on the display 1, which can be operated from outside the vehicle 2. This is done, for example, via a vehicle menu (not shown here).

[0085] In Fig. 3 is an activation system 15 for activating a display 1 operable by means of touch gestures for controlling functions of a vehicle 2, illustrated in principle in a further embodiment.

[0086] The activation system 15 is configured to execute a method for activating a touch-operated display 1 for controlling functions of a vehicle 2 in a further embodiment, in connection with Fig. 4 will be discussed in more detail.

[0087] The in Fig. The activation system 15 shown is based on the one in Fig. The activation system 15 shown in the first basic embodiment, wherein the recognition system 3 is implemented purely on the vehicle side and comprises only one vehicle-side communication system 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recognition system 3 includes a vehicle-side implemented test instance 16.

[0088] In this embodiment, the activation system 15 comprises an authentication object 4 with a mobile data carrier 11, which is at least also designed for wireless data transfer and is configured to communicate with the vehicle's communication system 10. Purely optionally, but preferably, the authentication object 4 in this embodiment is a vehicle key 14.

[0089] Wireless data transfer preferably occurs using radio technology, such as analog radio, digital radio, or mobile communications. Examples include PAN (Personal Area Network), NFC (Near Field Communication), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), or mobile communication protocols like 5G (Fifth Generation).

[0090] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method for activating at least one touch-operable display 1 for controlling functions of a vehicle 2 in a further embodiment, which is described below with further reference to Fig. 3 is described.

[0091] In the present embodiment of the method, identification data is stored on the mobile data carrier 11 and is transmitted from it in step a1. The transmission is carried out autonomously by the mobile data carrier 11, which also optionally transmits the identification data at time intervals. Optionally, the mobile data carrier 11 has its own power source for this purpose, which limits its maximum transmission range. It should be noted that this is merely an example of such a limitation. The identification data optionally includes an identification code, which is stored on the mobile data carrier 11, preferably in non-volatile form.

[0092] The transmitted identification data is received directly by the vehicle-side communication system 10 of the recognition system 3 (step a2). In this embodiment, compliance with the predetermined maximum distance 5 is technically ensured by the maximum transmission range of the mobile data carrier 11. That is, if the vehicle-side communication system 10 receives the identification data directly, compliance with the maximum distance 5 is also intrinsically guaranteed.

[0093] To detect the mobile data carrier 11, the vehicle-side test instance 16 of the detection system 3 is used in a further step (a3), in which reference data is stored. Optionally, the vehicle-side test instance 16 is integrated into the control unit 6 of the vehicle 2. Detection is performed by checking whether the identification data transmitted by the mobile data carrier 11 is in a predetermined correlation with the reference data. In this example, it is optionally checked whether there is identity between the identification data and the reference data in terms of the predetermined correlation. If the predetermined correlation exists, it is recognized that at least one authentication object 4 is located within the predetermined maximum distance 5 from the vehicle 2.

[0094] Steps b and c continue as already described. Fig. 2 has been described. The same applies to all further references to Fig. 2 steps already described, insofar as they are compatible with the activation system 15 in the first basic embodiment.

[0095] In Fig. 5 is an activation system 15 for activating a display 1 operable by means of touch gestures for controlling functions of a vehicle 2, illustrated in principle in a further embodiment.

[0096] The activation system 15 is configured to execute a method for activating a touch-operated display 1 for controlling functions of a vehicle 2 in a further embodiment, in connection with Fig. Section 6 will be discussed in more detail.

[0097] The in Fig. The activation system 15 shown is based on the one in Fig. The second basic embodiment of the activation system 15 shown in Figure 1, wherein the recognition system 3 is implemented both on the vehicle side and externally and comprises a vehicle-side communication system 10 and a vehicle-external communication system 18. In this embodiment, the recognition system 3 comprises a vehicle-side test instance 16, which is, by way of example, part of the control unit 6. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recognition system 3 comprises a vehicle-external test instance 17, which is, by way of example, part of the vehicle-external communication system 18.

[0098] In this embodiment, the activation system 15 further comprises an authentication object 4 with a mobile data carrier 11, which is at least also designed for wireless data transfer and is configured to communicate with the vehicle's external communication system 18. Purely optionally, but preferably, the authentication object 4 in this embodiment is a mobile terminal 13, for example, a smartphone.

[0099] Communication is also possible between the vehicle-side communication system 10 and the vehicle-external communication system 18.

[0100] Wireless data transfer and communication preferably take place using radio technology, such as analog radio, digital radio, or mobile communications. Examples include PAN (Personal Area Network), NFC (Near Field Communication), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), or mobile communication protocols like 5G (Fifth Generation).

[0101] In Fig. Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method for activating at least one touch-operable display 1 for controlling functions of a vehicle 2 in a further embodiment, which is described below with further reference to Fig. 5 is described.

[0102] In step a1. of the procedure, the identification data stored on the data carrier 11 is transmitted wirelessly by means of the mobile data carrier 11 or the mobile terminal 13.

[0103] These are received in step a2 by means of the vehicle-external communication system 18 of the recognition system 3. The vehicle-external testing instance 17 of the vehicle-external communication system 18 then additionally checks whether the mobile data carrier 11 and the vehicle 2 are within the predetermined maximum distance 5 of each other.

[0104] In the present embodiment, it is assumed, purely by way of example, that the vehicle-external communication system 18 comprises a mobile network. Thus, the distance between the mobile device 13 and the vehicle-side communication system 10 or the vehicle 2 can be easily determined, for example, by triangulation, which can be performed intrinsically at any time and continuously by a mobile network operator (MNO). For this purpose, the distance of the mobile device 13 and the vehicle-side communication system 10 or the vehicle 2 is determined relative to at least three transmission towers (or other communication nodes) of the mobile network. Because the absolute position of the transmission towers is known, this yields an absolute position (or a sufficiently small positional range) of the mobile device 13 and the vehicle-side communication system 10 or the vehicle 2.The distance between the mobile device 13 and the vehicle 2 is then simply determined from the two absolute positions.

[0105] If the check in step a2. using the vehicle-external testing instance 17 shows that the mobile data carrier 11 and the vehicle 2 are within the predetermined maximum distance 5 of each other, in a further step a3., the received identification data is wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle-side communication system 10 of the recognition system 3 using the vehicle-external communication system 18. This means that the data is indirectly received by the vehicle-side communication system 10 with respect to the mobile data carrier 11.

[0106] In a further step a4, the vehicle-side test instance 16 of the recognition system 3, which stores reference data, checks whether the indirectly received identification data is in a predetermined correlation with the stored reference data. This step is performed here as an example, as already described in step a3. Fig. 4 has been explained.

[0107] Steps b and c are then carried out as already described. Fig. 2 has been described. The same applies to all further references to Fig. 2 steps already described, insofar as they are compatible with the activation system 15 in the second basic embodiment.

[0108] In Fig. 7 is an activation system 15 for activating a display 1 operable by means of touch gestures for controlling functions of a vehicle 2, illustrated in principle in a further embodiment.

[0109] The activation system 15 is configured to execute a method for activating a touch-operated display 1 for controlling functions of a vehicle 2 in a further embodiment, in connection with Fig. 2 will be discussed in more detail.

[0110] The in Fig. 7 Activation system 15 shown is based on the one in Fig. 1 activation system 15 shown in the first basic embodiment, wherein the detection system 3 is implemented purely on the vehicle side and has only one vehicle-side communication system 10.

[0111] The vehicle-side communication system 10 of the in Fig. The activation system 15 shown in Figure 7 comprises an input interface 12, which can be operated wirelessly from outside the vehicle 2 by a user 9. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recognition system 3 includes a vehicle-integrated verification instance 16. In this embodiment, the activation system 15 also includes an authentication object 4, which is at least partially represented by the user 9, for example, by a biometric feature of the user 9.

[0112] Furthermore in the context of Fig. Section 7 now describes the method for activating at least one touch-operated display 1 for controlling functions of a vehicle 2 in a further embodiment. Because the flowchart of the method corresponds to the one in Fig. The embodiment of the method presented here corresponds to the flowchart shown in section 2, with reference to Fig. 2 described.

[0113] In the present embodiment, the method comprises step a. whereby the input interface 12 is operated externally by the user 9 of the vehicle 2, whereby the user 9 is recognized by the recognition system 3 or the vehicle-side verification instance 16 at least as part of the authentication object 4. Because the user 9 is necessarily within a maximum operating distance to the input interface 12, their presence within the predetermined maximum distance 5 to the vehicle 2 is intrinsically given. The maximum operating distance thus defines the predetermined maximum distance 5 and depends on the technical functionality of the input interface 12.

[0114] In an exemplary embodiment, the input interface 12 comprises a camera which the user 9 operates by capturing their image. This enables an optical (wireless) transfer of data between the user 9 and the vehicle's communication system 10. The recognition system 3 then recognizes the user 9, for example, by means of biometrics. The maximum operating distance thus corresponds to the camera's detection range within which sufficient image resolution is still maintained.

[0115] In another exemplary embodiment, the input interface 12 additionally includes a keypad displayed on the display 1, which the user 9 operates by manually entering a PIN. For this purpose, the display 1 is preferably already partially activated in step a., after the user 9 has first been detected by the camera as an (unknown) present object. In step b., the display 1 is then fully activated by entering the correct PIN via the display 1.

[0116] In another exemplary embodiment, the input interface 12 includes an external microphone which the user 9 operates by means of voice input. The maximum operating distance thus corresponds to a detection range of the external microphone within which a sufficient signal strength of the voice input is still detected.

[0117] If in step a. it is recognized that the user 9, as the authentication object 4, is located within the predetermined maximum distance 5 to the vehicle 2, the procedure continues as described in the basic embodiment of the procedure. Fig. 2 has been described. The same applies to all further references to Fig. 2 steps already described, insofar as they are compatible with the activation system 15 in the first basic embodiment.

[0118] The proposed method and activation system enables convenient access to vehicle functions from outside the vehicle, while being person-specific and energy-efficient. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] English: Personal Area Network], NFC [English: Near Field Communication], WLAN [English: Wireless Local Area Network

[0040]

Claims

[1] Method for activating at least one display (1) for controlling functions of a vehicle (2), wherein the display (1) can be operated from outside the vehicle (2) by means of touch gestures and the method comprises at least the following steps: a. by means of a recognition system (3), detecting whether at least one authentication object (4) is within a predetermined maximum distance (5) to the vehicle (2); furthermore, if an authentication object (4) has been detected according to step a., the following steps are carried out: b. by means of a control unit (6) of the vehicle (2), activating the display (1); and c. by means of the control unit (6), displaying at least one selectable function of the vehicle (2) on the display (1), wherein at least one selectable function can be performed by means of one or more vehicle systems (7) of the vehicle (2), characterized by , that As a result of activation in step b., by means of the control unit (6), only those vehicle systems (7) are woken up which are necessary to execute the function of the vehicle (2) selectable via the display (1) in step c. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the waking up comprises activating at least one control unit (8) controlling the respective vehicle system (7). [3] Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein waking up includes activation via an energy supply of the respective vehicle system (7), Preferably, the power supply is only activated when the corresponding function has been selected via the display (1). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a configuration operation can be performed from inside the vehicle (2) by a user (9) which configures which functions are displayed on the display (1) which can be operated from outside the vehicle (2). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recognition system (3) comprises at least one vehicle-side communication system (10) which is designed, directly or indirectly, for wireless data transfer. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein a authentication object (4) comprises a mobile data carrier (11) which is designed for wireless data transfer, and wherein the mobile data carrier (11) is recognizable by the recognition system (3) indirectly or directly via the vehicle-side communication system (10) by means of wireless communication at least as part of a legitimation object (4). [7] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recognition system (3) includes at least one such input interface (12) operable from outside the vehicle (2), by means of which a user (9) of the vehicle (2) is identifiable by the recognition system (3) at least as part of an authentication object (4). [8] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following elements is used as the at least one legitimizing object (4): - a portable data storage device (11); - a mobile device (13); - a vehicle key (14); - Vehicle accessories (2); - Clothing of a user (9) of the vehicle (2); - an accessory belonging to a user (9) of the vehicle (2); and - a user (9) of the vehicle (2). [9] Activation system (15) for activating at least one display (1) for controlling functions of a vehicle (2) configured to perform the method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the activation system (15) comprises at least the following components: - a vehicle (2) with at least one display (1) which can be operated from outside the vehicle (2) by means of touch gestures, and with a control device (6); - a detection system (3); and - at least one authentication object (4), wherein the authentication object (4) can only be recognized by the recognition system (3) if it is within a predetermined maximum distance (5) to the vehicle (2).

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