Method and device for controlling a function of a motor vehicle using a user terminal device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a function of a motor vehicle (10) using a user terminal device (20), wherein the method comprises detecting an approach of a user terminal device (20) to a motor vehicle (10), detecting an operating input on the user terminal device (20) to trigger a function on the motor vehicle (10), retrieving a function restriction in response to the operating input, and restricting the function with respect to the function restriction.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a function of a motor vehicle using a user terminal device.

[0002] For example, a system for data exchange between at least one vehicle and at least one mobile device is known from the publication DE 10 2014 203 060 A1.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide an improved method and an improved device for controlling a function of a motor vehicle using a user terminal device.

[0004] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0005] An inventive method for controlling a function of a motor vehicle using a user terminal device comprises the steps of detecting an approach of a user terminal device to a motor vehicle, detecting an operating input on the user terminal device to trigger a function on the motor vehicle, retrieving a function restriction in response to the operating input and restricting the function based on the function restriction.

[0006] The method according to the invention serves in particular to implement restrictions of one or more functions in connection with the operation of the motor vehicle by a user terminal device, which are issued or imposed, for example, by a dealer, operator and / or manufacturer of a motor vehicle, for example because a malfunction or incorrect operation of the motor vehicle and / or misuse may occur or is imminent, in a short-term and rapid manner.

[0007] A user terminal device is a device or apparatus designed to receive operating inputs, user input and / or user commands and to communicate with a motor vehicle, in particular to provide these operating inputs to the motor vehicle and thereby trigger functions on the motor vehicle.

[0008] In particular, the user terminal device is a portable or mobile device different from a motor vehicle, which may be designed as a so-called smart device, i.e., a device with at least one processor, such as a smartphone, a phablet or a tablet, a smart watch, smart glasses and / or a wearable, which also provides other functions, such as making phone calls, surfing the internet or providing messaging services, for example through apps or programs.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally, the user terminal device can also be designed as a proprietary device, such as a physical key, a fob and / or a radio remote control, which is designed to perform, or at least effect or support, only the steps described here in connection with the method according to the invention.

[0010] In particular, the user terminal device is designed to trigger or perform one or more functions with respect to one or more motor vehicles, such as locking and / or unlocking one or more flaps and, in particular, also actively opening and / or closing one or more flaps, as well as releasing an immobilizer, starting an engine and / or moving the motor vehicle.

[0011] Such functions or interactions with the motor vehicle, particularly those enabling access to, control of, and / or movement of the vehicle, can also be referred to as safe and / or secured functions and are supported or implemented in the user device by a secure module. Such a secure module can contain both hardware components, for example, a secure processor and / or a secure memory area, and software components, for example, one or more apps or programs, that interact together.

[0012] For this purpose, at least one user device is typically paired with the motor vehicle, such that one or more user devices are known to the motor vehicle, registered with it, and / or, in particular, authorized to perform or initiate the functions described above and also other functions on the motor vehicle. Specifically, the user device(s) have a digital access key for this purpose, which is stored and / or processed, for example, and in particular exclusively, in the secure module.

[0013] According to the invention, the approach of a user terminal device to the motor vehicle is first detected.

[0014] Approaching means moving closer to, and in particular entering, a predefined distance from the motor vehicle, such as approaching to within 50 m, 25 m, 15 m, 10 m, or 5 m of the vehicle. Specifically, approaching includes entering the range of one or more wireless transmitters / receivers, such as one or more Bluetooth transmitters, that are mounted on and / or enclosed by the motor vehicle.

[0015] The approach of the user terminal device to the motor vehicle can also be achieved in particular via triangulation and / or time-of-flight measurements between one or more transmitters / receivers of the motor vehicle and one or more transmitters / receivers of the user terminal device.

[0016] In particular, one or more transmitters / receivers of the vehicle and one or more transmitters / receivers of the user's terminal device communicate regularly or periodically and exchange data and / or information, especially via one or more wireless communication protocols. The wireless communication protocol may be, in particular, one or more of the following: Bluetooth, especially Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), UWB, NFC, RFID, and / or WLAN.

[0017] Furthermore, in particular, the motor vehicle and / or the user device regularly or periodically records whether and to what extent the user device and the motor vehicle have approached each other.

[0018] In particular, the process is triggered or begins when the user device approaches the motor vehicle.

[0019] In a further step, user input is recorded on the user's terminal device.

[0020] The user input, which can also be referred to as user input, is made by a user of the user device and serves, in particular in response to approach, to trigger or initiate such a previously described function on the motor vehicle or at least to register the desire to perform such a function.

[0021] The user who makes one or more inputs on the user terminal, which then triggers one or more such functions, is, for example, the owner, possessor, keeper, authorized person and / or a driver or passenger of the motor vehicle and also of the user terminal, and is in particular regularly and / or permanently authenticated to perform or effect these functions through the user terminal.

[0022] In particular, user input includes a type and / or scope of desired or intended control of one or more functions of the motor vehicle, such as locking and / or unlocking, and especially opening and / or closing one or more flaps, such as one or more doors, one or more windows, and / or one or more luggage compartments. For example, user input includes a wish to open the driver's door, open the rear left side window, open all side windows, and / or close the tailgate.

[0023] The fact that a user input has been recorded, and possibly also its type and / or scope, can then be provided to the motor vehicle, in particular via a wireless communication protocol, as described above.

[0024] User input can be captured in a variety of ways. For example, user input is an interaction with the user's device and can include voice input, gesture input, and / or touch input.

[0025] Gesture input is user input based on the movement of one or more body parts, particularly limbs, such as an arm and / or hand. This gesture input can be detected and evaluated by one or more sensors in the user's device, such as an accelerometer and / or an image sensor.

[0026] For example, the user device is a smartwatch and / or a wearable, and the gesture input is a raising or moving of a hand or arm, in particular one on which the smartwatch or wearable is worn, furthermore in particular to a predefined point, in a predefined path and / or over a predefined height, which is detected by an accelerometer.

[0027] For example, the user device is again smart glasses, and the gesture input is a movement of a hand or arm, especially within the field of vision of the smart glasses, furthermore especially to a predefined point, in a predefined path and / or over a predefined height, which is detected by an image sensor.

[0028] For example, the user device is a smartphone, a phablet or a tablet, and gesture input involves lifting or moving the user device, especially to a predefined point, along a predefined path and / or above a predefined height, which is detected by an accelerometer.

[0029] This gesture input can, in particular, be a predefined or user-defined gesture that includes an indication of the user's wish to trigger one or more functions, but it does not have to be.

[0030] In particular, the gesture input itself, taking into account the proximity, can be used to conclude that a user wishes to trigger one or more functions.

[0031] Voice input is user input based on spoken language. This voice input can be captured and, in particular, evaluated by one or more recording devices, such as a microphone, on the user's device.

[0032] In particular, voice input includes a predefined activation word, such as "Hey Siri" or "OK ​​Google," and optionally a voice command. This voice command may also include, but does not have to include, an indication of the user's wish to trigger one or more functions or a corresponding request.

[0033] In particular, it can be inferred solely from the voice input itself and / or the activation word, taking into account the approximation, that a user wishes to perform a function of the motor vehicle.

[0034] Touch input is user input that requires physical interaction, such as manually operating the user device. This touch input can be made by a hand, an arm, or other body parts that touch a part of the user device.

[0035] In particular, user input includes touching a touchscreen of the user's terminal device, for example, content displayed visually on it, such as a button and / or a key.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the user input also includes the operation of one or more physical buttons or keys. In particular, a dedicated button may be provided that receives or records user input, especially exclusively.

[0037] In particular, voice input, gesture input, and / or touch input can be combined. For example, one of the two input types, especially gesture input, can capture or express the basic triggering of a function, while another of the two input types, especially voice input, can capture or express the manner or extent of the function's triggering.

[0038] For example, a gesture input is recorded, especially first, indicating that a flap should be opened, such as raising an arm, and a voice input is recorded, especially afterwards, indicating that the tailgate and all side windows should be opened.

[0039] In response to the user input, a functional restriction relating to the requested function is then retrieved.

[0040] The retrieval of the functional restriction can occur, in particular, from a local memory of the vehicle and / or the user's terminal device. Alternatively or additionally, the functional restriction can be retrieved from a remote computing device, as will be explained later. Specifically, the functional restriction is retrieved immediately after a user input is registered and before the requested function can be executed.

[0041] The functional limitation includes information or data indicating whether a user device can or may perform the function requested by the user through their input, or whether this function is performed or not.

[0042] In particular, the functional restriction includes a table, such as a so-called look-up table or LUT, with action or implementation information for one or more functions of the motor vehicle, in particular for all functions of the motor vehicle, and furthermore in particular all functions of the motor vehicle that can be triggered or effected by one or more user terminal devices.

[0043] Based on the retrieved function restriction, the function requested by the user input is then restricted. Specifically, the function is executed, performed with restrictions, or not executed at all, based on the information contained in the function restriction.

[0044] For example, the operating request includes the desire to open a tailgate, and the functional restriction includes the information that the tailgate cannot, should not, or may not be opened. In this case, the tailgate will not be opened; the function is prevented or not performed at all.

[0045] Similarly, for example, the operating request includes the desire to open a window, while the functional restriction includes the information that the window can, should, or may only be opened to a certain degree. In this case, the window will indeed open, but only to that certain degree; the function is not prevented, but its execution is limited.

[0046] For example, an operating request includes the wish to unlock a door, while a functional restriction includes the information that the door can or may be unlocked, meaning no restriction exists. In this case, the door is unlocked; the function is neither prevented nor restricted and is therefore carried out completely.

[0047] The result and / or the extent of the functional limitation can also be provided to the user, for example on the user's terminal device, for example on a touchscreen thereof, and / or a display unit of the motor vehicle, for example on an infotainment unit in the interior.

[0048] The method according to the invention makes it possible to implement restrictions on one or more functions related to the operation of a motor vehicle by a user terminal device, which are imposed, for example, by a dealer, operator and / or manufacturer of a motor vehicle, for example because a malfunction or incorrect operation of the motor vehicle and / or misuse may occur or is imminent, quickly and at short notice.

[0049] According to a training course, the functional restriction is retrieved from a remote computing device.

[0050] A remote computing facility is distinct from, separate from, and located at a distance from the vehicle and the user's device. The remote computing facility can comprise one or more servers, which may be partially or entirely cloud-based. The remote computing facility can be operated by a manufacturer and / or service provider of the vehicle and, in particular, used exclusively for managing one or more functional limitations for one or more vehicles.

[0051] The retrieval of the functional restriction can be carried out via a wired and / or a wireless communication method, for example via one or more of LAN, WAN, WLAN or WIFI, a mobile communication standard such as 3G, 4G, 5G, Bluetooth, NFC and / or Car2X, in particular Car2Infrastructure.

[0052] In particular, the functional restriction is continuously, periodically, and / or regularly retrieved from the remote computing device, for example, once a month, once a week, once a day, every twelve hours, every six hours, or hourly. In this case, the functional restriction can then be stored in a memory of the vehicle and / or the user's terminal device and retrieved from the memory upon receiving an operator input.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, the functional restriction can be retrieved from the remote computer on an event-driven basis, for example, each time the vehicle is started and / or each time an operator input is made. In particular, the functional restriction can be retrieved immediately after receiving the operator input and before the desired function is executed.

[0054] This further training makes it possible to take functional limitations into account in a particularly up-to-date and precise manner.

[0055] According to further training, the procedure also includes the step of capturing a property of the user device, whereby the retrieval of the functional limitation is based on the property of the user device.

[0056] The user device attribute can, for example, include a model of the user device. For example, the model could be an iPhone 12 or a Samsung Galaxy S22.

[0057] The characteristics of the user terminal can also include a configuration, in particular a hardware configuration, of the user terminal. For example, the user terminal may contain a main processor chip from ARM or a mobile communication chip from Qualcomm.

[0058] The characteristics of the user device can also include, for example, the year of manufacture or model year. For example, the user device was produced in 2021 or launched in 2023.

[0059] The characteristic of the user device can also include, for example, a type or category of user device. For example, the user device is a smartphone, a smartwatch, or smart glasses.

[0060] These properties can also be summarized as the hardware version. Further types of user device properties will be explained later.

[0061] This property of the user's device is stored in the functional restriction, or rather, the restriction relating to this property of the user's device is also stored for each defined function. This property can then be taken into account or made available when retrieving the functional restriction, and the functional restriction relating to the desired function can be retrieved for the recorded property of the user's device.

[0062] This further training makes it possible to take functional limitations into account particularly precisely and to avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions on a function.

[0063] According to further training, the procedure also includes the step of recording a property of the motor vehicle, whereby the retrieval of the functional limitation is based on the property of the motor vehicle.

[0064] The characteristics of a motor vehicle can, for example, include its model. For instance, the model of the motor vehicle could be a BMW 3 Series or a Mini.

[0065] The characteristics of a motor vehicle can also include its configuration, particularly its hardware configuration. For example, the motor vehicle may be equipped with an Intel main processor chip or an Infineon mobile communication chip.

[0066] The vehicle's characteristics can also include, for example, its year of manufacture or model year. For instance, the vehicle was produced in 2022 or launched in 2024.

[0067] The characteristics of a motor vehicle can also include, for example, its type or category. For instance, the motor vehicle is a compact car or an SUV.

[0068] These properties can also be summarized as a hardware version. Further types of vehicle properties will be explained later.

[0069] This vehicle property is stored in the functional restriction, or rather, the restriction relating to this vehicle property is also stored for each defined function. This property can then be taken into account or made available when retrieving the functional restriction, and the functional restriction relating to the desired function can be retrieved for the recorded vehicle property.

[0070] This further training makes it possible to take functional limitations into account particularly precisely and to avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions on a function.

[0071] According to further training, the property of the user terminal device and / or the motor vehicle includes a software version.

[0072] In particular, this characteristic includes a software version of at least one installed software on the user's terminal device and / or on the motor vehicle. For example, it is a software version of installed firmware, an installed operating system, and / or an installed application or app or program, especially one that is necessary for and / or used in performing the function.

[0073] This further training makes it possible to take functional limitations into account particularly precisely and to avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions on a function.

[0074] According to further training, the characteristic of the user terminal device and / or the motor vehicle includes a manufacturer.

[0075] In particular, the characteristic includes a brand, such as BMW and / or Apple and / or a production site, such as Dingolfing and / or China.

[0076] This further training makes it possible to take functional limitations into account particularly precisely and to avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions on a function.

[0077] According to further training, the property of the user terminal device and / or the motor vehicle includes a user account.

[0078] In particular, the user account is an account of a single user of the user terminal device and / or motor vehicle, specifically an account of a user who is authorized to perform or initiate the function on the motor vehicle using the user terminal device.

[0079] In particular, it may also be a group of users or user accounts, such as a fleet operator and / or a car rental provider.

[0080] This further training makes it possible to take functional limitations into account particularly precisely and to avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions on a function.

[0081] According to further training, the characteristics of the user terminal device include a type of user input.

[0082] In particular, the type and / or scope of user input is differentiated in order to determine and, if necessary, restrict functionality based on that specific type of input. A type of user input can include, for example, voice input, gesture input, and / or touch input, as previously described.

[0083] For example, a distinction is made here as to whether a specific function can, may, or should be executed by a particular type of user input, or not. For instance, controlling a flap, such as closing a tailgate, may be enabled or permitted by touch input, but not by voice input and / or gesture input. Similarly, unlocking a door may be enabled by voice input and / or touch input, but not by gesture input.

[0084] In particular, a restriction of a function may include the exclusion of gesture input and / or voice input, and in particular, only touch input may be accepted as a gesture type.

[0085] This further training makes it possible to take functional limitations into account particularly precisely and, in particular, to enable safety-relevant functions, such as flap control, exclusively through particularly fail-safe operating inputs.

[0086] According to another aspect, a device is specified which includes means to carry out or at least effect an embodiment of the previously described method.

[0087] In particular, the device comprises one or more processor units for carrying out the method described above. The device also specifically comprises a memory on which code, particularly non-volatile code, is stored, which, when executed by a processor unit, causes the processor unit to carry out the method described above.

[0088] In particular, the device may include the user terminal device, the motor vehicle and / or the remote computing device, form a system with it and / or interact with it to carry out the procedure described above.

[0089] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0090] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 A schematic side view of an embodiment of a method and a device for controlling a function of a motor vehicle using a user terminal device.

[0091] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a method and a device 100 for controlling a function of a motor vehicle 10 using a user terminal device 20.

[0092] The device 100 is designed to cooperate with the motor vehicle 10, a user terminal device 20 of a user 2 and a remote computing device 30 and to carry out or effect the following steps of the procedure.

[0093] The user device 20 is shown here as an example smartphone and is assigned to user 2, who is also the user or driver of the motor vehicle 10. The user device is authorized to perform or initiate a function relating to the motor vehicle 10, and in particular to control a flap, such as a door, which is not indicated here with a reference symbol.

[0094] The computing unit 30 is shown here as an example of a server unit and is designed to communicate wirelessly with the user terminal 20 and the motor vehicle 10.

[0095] The device 100 is designed to detect the approach of the first user terminal device 20 to the motor vehicle 10.

[0096] The device 100 is also designed to detect an operating input on the user terminal device 20 in order to trigger a function on the motor vehicle 10.

[0097] The device 100 is also designed to detect a property of the user terminal device 20.

[0098] The device 100 is also designed to detect a property of the motor vehicle 10.

[0099] The device 100 is also configured to retrieve a functional limitation in response to the operator input based on the detected property of the user terminal device 20 and the detected property of the motor vehicle 10 from the remote computing unit 30.

[0100] The device 100 is also designed to restrict the function of the motor vehicle 10 in relation to the retrieved functional restriction.

[0101] The attribute of the user terminal device 20 and / or the motor vehicle 10 may include a software version, a hardware version, a manufacturer, a user account and / or a type of user input for the user terminal device 20 and / or the motor vehicle 30. Reference symbol list 2 users 10 motor vehicle 20 User terminal 30 computer equipment 100 Device 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 patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2014 203 060 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a function of a motor vehicle (10) using a user terminal device (20), comprising: - Detecting the approach of the user terminal device (20) to the motor vehicle (10); - Capturing an operator input on the user terminal device (20) to trigger a function on the motor vehicle (10); - Retrieving a functional limitation in response to operator input; and - Restricting the function based on the functional limitation. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the retrieval of the functional limitation is performed from a remote computing device (30). [3] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - Capturing a property of the user terminal device (20); wherein the retrieval of the functional limitation is based on the property of the user terminal device (20). [4] Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - Capturing a property of the motor vehicle (10); wherein the retrieval of the functional restriction is based on the property of the motor vehicle (10). [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the feature of the user terminal device (20) and / or the motor vehicle (10) comprises a software version. [6] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the feature of the user terminal device (20) and / or the motor vehicle (10) comprises a manufacturer. [7] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the feature of the user terminal device (20) and / or the motor vehicle (10) includes a user account. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the feature of the user terminal device (20) comprises a type of user input. [9] Device (100) for controlling a motor vehicle function using a user terminal device, wherein the device (100) comprises means configured to carry out a method according to any of the preceding claims.

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