DEVICE AND METHOD FOR AUTHORIZING A PERSON'S AUTHORIZATION TO USE A VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for authenticating a person's authorization to use a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for authenticating a person's authorization to use a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 4.

[0003] EP 1 467 322 A2 discloses a motor vehicle door locking system with a motor vehicle lock, wherein the motor vehicle lock is designed to be motor-locked and unlocked, and also motor-opened. A motor vehicle-side control unit and an operator-side handset are provided, wherein the control unit and the handset are each equipped with communication electronics, thus establishing a bidirectional radio link between the control unit and the handset. A system function of the motor vehicle door locking system can be triggered by the handset via the radio link. The radio link between the control unit and the handset is a radio link according to the Bluetooth industry standard. The system functions that can be triggered by the handset are the unlocking of the motor vehicle lock and the motor-lock opening of the motor vehicle lock.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2015 208 621 A1 discloses a localization device for localizing an object. The localization device is configured to select one of several localization technologies depending on the distance of the object to be localized from a motor vehicle. The localization technologies include UWB broadband transmission.

[0005] US 2018 / 099643 A1 describes a system comprising a communication gateway in a vehicle configured to establish a Bluetooth Low Energy communication link with a portable device. The system further comprises a sensor configured to communicate with the communication gateway and to communicate with the portable device using pulsed ultra-wideband communication. The communication gateway is configured to instruct the sensor to perform a two-way ranging measurement using pulsed ultra-wideband communication with the portable device within a specified time window after pairing between the communication gateway and the portable device is completed.The system further includes a location module that communicates with the communication gateway and is configured to determine a location of the portable device based on the two-way ranging performed by the sensor. The system further includes a passive entry and start system configured to receive the location of the portable device from the location module and, based on the location of the portable device, unlock a door of the vehicle and allow the vehicle to start.

[0006] DE 10 2019 211 453 A1 describes a method for controlling a remotely controllable function, a system for controlling the remotely controllable function by means of a motor vehicle, and such a motor vehicle. Authentication of a data exchange takes place between a first communication interface of the motor vehicle and a second communication interface of a control device of the remotely controllable function. First, the proximity of the motor vehicle to the control device is checked by establishing, in addition to a communication connection between the communication interfaces, a signal exchange between a first transceiver unit of the motor vehicle and a second transceiver unit of the control device. By evaluating the duration of the signal exchange, a distance between the motor vehicle and the control device is determined.If this is smaller than a specified limit distance, authentication and permission for data exchange via the established communication connection are carried out, and the first signal exchange is deactivated.

[0007] US 2017 / 236351 A1 describes a device for controlling locking, unlocking, and starting a vehicle, comprising a first communication device mounted in the vehicle, the first communication device being connected to a control unit of the vehicle. The device further comprises a second communication device arranged in a mobile device. The first communication device and the second communication device can communicate with each other in a first communication mode to perform authentication of the mobile device by the vehicle. The authentication authorizes the locking, unlocking, and starting of the vehicle. Furthermore, the first communication device and the second communication device can communicate with each other in a second communication mode to determine data representative of a position of the mobile device relative to the vehicle.The execution of the command to lock, unlock and start the vehicle by the control unit depends on the data representing the position of the mobile device in relation to the vehicle.

[0008] US 2020 / 198580 A1 describes a passive entry system for a vehicle with a portable key fob and a communication and control unit arranged on the vehicle. The communication and control unit is configured to control a function of the vehicle. The portable key fob and the communication and control unit are configured to communicate ultra-wideband signals between them. When the vehicle function is triggered, the communication and control unit initiates a two-way ultra-wideband ranging with the portable key fob, wherein the portable key fob determines a first distance between the portable key fob and the communication and control unit, and the communication and control unit determines a second distance between the portable key fob and the communication and control unit.The communication and control unit is designed to prevent the control of the function of the vehicle if a final distance determined from the first and second distances is greater than a predetermined distance.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of providing a method and an improved device for authenticating a person's authorization to use a vehicle that are improved compared to the prior art.

[0010] The object is achieved according to the invention by a device which has the features specified in claim 1 and by a method which has the features specified in claim 4.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] The device according to the invention for authenticating a person's authorization to use a vehicle comprises a vehicle-mounted control unit coupled to a plurality of nodes, each configured as a Bluetooth interface and arranged or arranged at a distance from one another on and / or in the vehicle. The device further comprises a portable handset with a Bluetooth interface, which is configured to establish a Bluetooth radio link, in particular bidirectional and configured according to the Bluetooth industry standard, with exactly one of the nodes at any time. The handset and the control unit additionally each comprise an ultra-wideband interface for establishing a particularly bidirectional ultra-wideband short-range radio link.The control unit is configured to authenticate the handset as authorized upon detection of an authorization transmitted by the handset over the Bluetooth radio link and to determine a position of the handset based on communication conducted with the handset over the ultra-wideband short-range radio link. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to determine the connection qualities of possible Bluetooth radio links between the handset and the nodes depending on the position of the handset. If a Bluetooth radio link to one of the nodes has a higher connection quality than a currently established Bluetooth radio link to an activated node, the control unit is configured to deactivate the node currently activated for this Bluetooth radio link and to activate the node intended to establish the Bluetooth radio link with the higher connection quality.

[0013] The handset serves, in particular, as a digital vehicle key. The control unit's nodes, positioned in and / or on the vehicle, for example, on bumpers, enable seamless Bluetooth radio coverage in and around the vehicle. When a vehicle user approaches the handset, the handset connects to any node. Movement of the handset relative to the vehicle and / or within the vehicle, and thus relative to the nodes, can cause shadowing effects from the vehicle, which can impair the Bluetooth radio link between the handset and the control unit.By monitoring the connection quality, the present device makes it particularly advantageous to deactivate the current node and activate another node, to which a Bluetooth radio link with a higher connection quality can be established, before or immediately upon the occurrence of such impairments. This active deactivation and activation prevents a connection interruption between the handset and the control unit resulting from shadowing and the resulting so-called supervision timeouts, which can result in a period of up to 20 seconds being required until a new radio connection is established between the handset and a node.Through active deactivation and activation, the device minimizes the interruption time of the Bluetooth radio link between the handset and the control unit, so that vehicle use, in particular access to the vehicle interior and starting the engine, can be ensured at least almost continuously. Longer waiting times can thus be avoided.

[0014] In one possible embodiment of the device, the Bluetooth interface of the handset and the nodes for establishing a Bluetooth radio link are designed according to the Bluetooth Low Energy industry standard. Bluetooth Low Energy, also known as Bluetooth LE or BLE for short, is a radio technology that allows devices to be networked within a range of approximately ten meters. Compared to a radio link or radio connection according to the "classic" Bluetooth industry standard, BLE is characterized by significantly lower energy consumption and significantly lower costs with a similar communication range.

[0015] In another possible embodiment of the device, the handset is a mobile device, such as a smartphone, a so-called smartwatch, or a so-called wearable computer, also referred to as a wearable. This design of the handset eliminates the need for a separate vehicle key; instead, its functions are performed on a device that the vehicle user usually or always carries with them.

[0016] In the method according to the invention for authenticating a person's authorization to use a vehicle, a Bluetooth radio link, in particular bidirectional and designed according to the Bluetooth industry standard, is established between a portable handset and exactly one of a plurality of nodes, each designed as a Bluetooth interface, arranged at a distance from one another on and / or in the vehicle and coupled to a control unit. In addition, an ultra-wideband short-range radio link, in particular bidirectional, is established between the handset and the control unit. By means of the control unit, upon recognition of an authorization transmitted by the handset via the Bluetooth radio link, the handset is authenticated as authorized, and a position of the handset is determined based on communication carried out with the handset via the ultra-wideband short-range radio link.Depending on the position of the handset, the control unit determines the connection quality of possible Bluetooth radio links between the handset and the nodes. If a Bluetooth radio link to one of the nodes has a higher connection quality than a currently established Bluetooth radio link to an activated node, the control unit deactivates the node currently activated for this Bluetooth radio link and activates the node intended to establish the Bluetooth radio link with the higher connection quality.

[0017] By monitoring the connection quality, the present method makes it particularly advantageous to deactivate the current node and activate another node before or immediately upon the occurrence of a Bluetooth radio link impairment. This active deactivation and activation prevents a connection interruption between the handset and the control unit resulting from shadowing and the resulting so-called supervision timeouts, which can result in a time period of up to 20 seconds being required until a new radio connection is established between the handset and a node.Through active deactivation and activation, the method minimizes the interruption time of the Bluetooth radio link between the handset and the control unit, so that vehicle use, in particular access to the vehicle interior and engine start, can be ensured at least almost continuously. Longer waiting times can thus be avoided.

[0018] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

[0019] It shows: Fig. 1 schematically shows a plan view of a vehicle and a device for authenticating a person's authorization to use the vehicle.

[0020] In the only Figure 1A top view of a vehicle 1 and a device 2 for authenticating a person's authorization to use the vehicle 1 are shown. The vehicle 1 can be a component of the device 2.

[0021] The device 2 is designed to implement a keyless access and authorization system and comprises a vehicle-mounted control unit 3 coupled to a plurality of nodes 4.1 to 4.n. The nodes are each configured as a Bluetooth interface, in particular according to the Bluetooth Low Energy industry standard, and are arranged at a distance from one another on the vehicle 1, for example, on bumpers, and within the vehicle 1.

[0022] The device 2 further comprises a portable handset 5 with a Bluetooth interface 6. The handset 5 is configured to establish a Bluetooth radio link BF with exactly one of the nodes 4.1 to 4.n at any given time. For example, the handset 5 is a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone, a so-called smartwatch, or a so-called wearable computer. The handset 5 can also be configured as a conventional electronic vehicle key as a separate component.

[0023] Furthermore, the handset 5 and the control unit 3 each additionally comprise an ultra-wideband interface 7, 8 for establishing an ultra-wideband short-range radio link UF.

[0024] If a vehicle user approaches vehicle 1 with handset 5, handset 5 connects to one of nodes 4.1 to 4.n via the Bluetooth radio link BF, for example, node 4.1 in the illustrated embodiment. An authorization is transmitted to control unit 3 via the Bluetooth radio link BF, which, upon proper receipt of this authorization, authenticates handset 5 as authorized. As long as Bluetooth radio link BF and the resulting authentication are active, the vehicle user can unlock vehicle 1, for example by touching a touch-sensitive surface, and thus gain access to the vehicle interior. After gaining access to the vehicle interior with Bluetooth radio link BF active and the resulting authentication active, the vehicle user can also start vehicle 1.

[0025] In order to avoid that the Bluetooth radio link BF is interrupted due to shadowing when the vehicle user moves with the handset 5 relative to the vehicle 1 and that a long period of time is subsequently required to connect the handset 5 to one of the nodes 4.1 to 4.n, for example due to a so-called supervision timeout, a position of the handset 5 is determined by means of the control unit 3 on the basis of communication carried out with the handset 5 via the ultra-wideband short-range radio link UF.

[0026] Depending on the position of the handset 5, the control unit 3 determines the connection quality of possible Bluetooth radio links BF between the handset 5 and the nodes 4.1 to 4.n. If the control unit 3 determines that a Bluetooth radio link BF to one of the nodes 4.1 to 4.n has a higher connection quality than a currently established Bluetooth radio link BF to an activated node 4.1 to 4.n, it deactivates the node 4.1 to 4.n currently activated for this Bluetooth radio link BF and activates the node 4.1 to 4.n intended to establish the Bluetooth radio link BF with the higher connection quality. If, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 3 determines that the connection quality with the active node 4.1 is lower than a possible connection quality with the node 4.2, it deactivates the node 4.1 and activates the node 4.2, so that between the mobile part 5 and the node 4.2 a new Bluetooth radio link BF is set up.

[0027] This means that, with a positioning result determined using the ultra-wideband short-range radio link UF, the control unit 3 can specifically and actively terminate a current Bluetooth radio link BF if another node 4.1 to 4.n enables a better connection quality. Thus, by specifically controlling the nodes 4.1 to 4.n, the control unit 3 can control, depending on the positioning result, which new node 4.1 to 4.n should establish the new Bluetooth radio link BF to the handset 5. With such an active termination of the Bluetooth radio link BF, a new Bluetooth radio link BF to another node 4.1 to 4.n can be established very quickly.

Claims

1. A device (2) for authenticating a person's authorization to use a vehicle (1) - with a control unit (3) on the vehicle, which is coupled to a plurality of nodes (4.1 to 4.n), each designed as a Bluetooth interface and which can be arranged or are arranged at a distance from one another on and / or in the vehicle (1), - with a portable mobile part (5) with a Bluetooth interface (6), which is designed to establish a Bluetooth radio link with exactly one of the nodes (4.1 to 4.n) at any time, wherein - the mobile part (5) and the control unit (3) each additionally comprise an ultra-wideband interface (7, 8) for setting up an ultra-wideband short-range radio link, and - the control unit (3) is designed - to authenticate the mobile part (5) as authorized when an authorization transmitted by the mobile part (5) via the Bluetooth radio link is detected, - to determine a position of the mobile part (5) on the basis of a communication carried out with the mobile part (5) via the ultra-wideband short-range radio link, characterized in that the control unit (3) is also designed, - to determine connection qualities of possible Bluetooth radio links between the mobile part (5) and the nodes (4.1 to 4.n) depending on the position of the mobile part (5) and - to deactivate the node (4.1 to 4.n) currently activated for this Bluetooth radio link and to activate the node (4.1 to 4.n) intended for establishing the Bluetooth radio link with the higher connection quality if a Bluetooth radio link to one of the nodes (4.1 to 4.n) has a higher connection quality than a Bluetooth radio link currently established to an activated node (4.1 to 4.n).

2. The device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the Bluetooth interface (6) of the mobile part (5) and the nodes (4.1 to 4.n) are designed to establish a Bluetooth radio link according to the Bluetooth low-energy industry standard.

3. The device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mobile part (5) is a mobile terminal.

4. A method for authenticating a person's authorization to use a vehicle (1), wherein - a Bluetooth radio link is established between a portable mobile part (5) and exactly one of a plurality of nodes (4.1 to 4.n), each designed as a Bluetooth interface, arranged at a distance from one another on and / or in the vehicle and coupled to a control unit (3) - an ultra-wideband short-range radio link is additionally established between the mobile part (5) and the control unit (3), and - by means of the control unit (3) - when an authorization transmitted by the mobile part (5) via the Bluetooth radio link is detected, the mobile part (5) is authenticated as authorized, and - based on a communication carried out with the mobile part (5) via the ultra-wideband short-range radio link, a position of the mobile part (5) is determined, characterized in that by means of the control unit (3) furthermore - connection qualities of possible Bluetooth radio links between the mobile part (5) and the nodes (4.1 to 4.n) are determined as a function of the position of the mobile part (5), and - if a Bluetooth radio link to one of the nodes (4.1 to 4.n) has a higher connection quality than a currently established Bluetooth radio link to an activated node (4.1 to 4.n), the node (4.1 to 4.n) currently activated for this Bluetooth radio link is deactivated and the node (4.1 to 4.n) intended for establishing the Bluetooth radio link with the higher connection quality is activated.