Method for executing by an apparatus, apparatus, vehicle and computer program

Abstract

Examples provide a method for executing by an apparatus of a vehicle. The method comprises obtaining user data indicating an intention of a user to adjust an automatic opening function of a flap of a vehicle. Further, the method comprises configuring, based on the user data, the automatic opening function of the flap of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of digital vehicle access. Embodiments relate to a method for executing by an Apparatus, an apparatus, a vehicle and a computer program.

[0002] Existing systems for unlocking / opening a flap of a vehicle, for example a tailgate of a trunk or a front edge of a trunk, use so-called smart openers which, for example, enable opening by means of a gesture executed with a foot. In particular, this allows the flap to be opened without the use of hands. Other methods use detection of the time user equipment is in the immediate vicinity of a door that is to be opened. In this case, the door can be opened after a predefined period of time has elapsed. Both the gesture to be performed with a foot and waiting for a door to open can be perceived as unpleasant by a user. Thus, there may be a need to improve a flap opening of a vehicle.

[0003] It is therefore a finding that an opening of a flap of a vehicle can be improved by configuring an automatic opening function of the flap. Configuring the automatic opening function may allow to adjust a detection of a trigger event resulting in an opening of the flap. For example, a user can activate the automatic opening function for a desired location, such that only at this location an automatic opening of the flap may be triggered.

[0004] Examples provide a method for executing by an apparatus of a vehicle. The method comprises obtaining user data indicating an intention of a user to adjust an automatic opening function of a flap of a vehicle. Further, the method comprises configuring, based on the user data, the automatic opening function of the flap of the vehicle. The user data may allow to adjust the automatic opening function, such that an automatic opening of the flap can be only performed when the user is interested in. That is, the user data can be used to control the automatic opening function which may reduce false-positive events and / or a waiting time for a flap to be opened. For example, the user data may indicate an activation of the automatic opening function at a specific position. For example, the user data may indicate a deactivation of the automatic opening function for a time threshold. In this way, the opening of the flap of the vehicle can be improved.

[0005] In an example, the adjustment of the automatic opening function may be an activation of the automatic opening function. The method may further comprise obtaining sensor data indicating an environment of the vehicle and determining a user allowed to interact with the vehicle in the environment of the vehicle. Determining the user allowed to interact is performed based on the sensor data. Further, the method may comprise determining a movement profile of the user allowed to interact with the vehicle and opening the flap of the vehicle based on the movement profile of the user. Determining the user allowed to interact with the vehicle may prevent an undesired opening of the flap. For example, the flap can be only opened for a user who intends to actually use the vehicle and / or is allowed to do so. In this way, false-positive events and / or a misuse can be reduced.

[0006] In an example, the method may further comprise obtaining time data indicating a time of the adjustment of the automatic opening function and restore a configuration of the automatic opening function when the time of the adjustment is exceeded. In this way, the default setting of the automatic opening function can be restored in a facilitated way.

[0007] In an example, the user intention may correspond to a location. The method may further comprise obtaining position data indicating a position of the vehicle and configuring the automatic opening function of the flap of the vehicle. The automatic opening function is configured based on the user data and the position data. Using the position data may allow to configure the automatic opening function of the flap with respect to a position of the vehicle. For example, the automatic opening function of the flap can be configured for a parking place at home with a different setting than for a parking place at work.

[0008] In an example, the method may further comprise determining a desired flap to be automatic opened and configuring the automatic opening function based on the determined desired flap, such that the automatic opening function can only automatically open the desired flap. Determining the desired flap may allow to improve the automatic opening of the flap. For example the desired flap may be determined based on a position of the vehicle. The vehicle may stop in front of a kindergarten. A child may sit in the front passenger seat. Thus, the door of the front passenger seat may be a desired door to be automatic opened. In this way, false-positive events can be reduced.

[0009] In an example, the method may further comprise obtaining image data indicating an inside of the vehicle and configuring the automatic opening function based on the image data. For example, a notebook bag may be placed in the trunk of the vehicle. This means that the user may be interested in taking the notebook bag out of the trunk, e.g., at work. Thus, the automatic opening function can be configured, such that the flap of the trunk is opened when the vehicle parks at work.

[0010] Examples relate to an apparatus, comprising interface circuitry and processing circuitry configured to perform a method as described above. Examples relate to a vehicle, comprising an apparatus as described above.

[0011] Examples further relate to a computer program having a program code for performing the method described above, when the computer program is executed on a computer, a processor, or a programmable hardware component.

[0012] Some examples of apparatuses, methods and / or computer programs will be described in the following by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which Fig. 1 shows an example of a method for executing by an apparatus of a vehicle; and Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an example of an apparatus, e.g., for a vehicle.

[0013] As used herein, the term "or" refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated (e.g., "or else" or "or in the alternative"). Furthermore, as used herein, words used to describe a relationship between elements should be broadly construed to include a direct relationship or the presence of intervening elements unless otherwise indicated. For example, when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Similarly, words such as "between", "adjacent", and the like should be interpreted in a like fashion.

[0014] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", or "including", when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or groups thereof.

[0015] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0016] Fig. 1 shows an example of a method 100 for executing by an apparatus of a vehicle. The method 100 comprises obtaining 110 user data indicating an intention of a user to adjust an automatic opening function of a flap of a vehicle. Obtaining 110 the user data may be performed by receiving the user data from an input device. For example, the user may use a touch display of the vehicle to provide information about a desired intention to adjust the automatic opening function. Thus, the apparatus may receive the user data from the touch display of the vehicle. Optionally or alternatively obtaining 110 the user data may be performed by determining the user data. For example, the apparatus may receive audio data indicating an utterance of the user. The apparatus can determine the user data based on the utterance of the user, e.g., by natural language processing. Thus, the apparatus can determine the user data based on the audio data.

[0017] The intention of the user to adjust the automatic opening function may be an intent to deactivate or activate the automatic opening function. Optionally, the intention may correspond to a time threshold. Optionally, the intention may correspond to a specific flap of the vehicle. Optionally, the intention may correspond to a specific position of the vehicle. That is, an intended adjustment of the automatic opening function can be restricted to a desired time, a desired flap and / or a desired position. For example, when the desired time, e.g., the time threshold, is exceeded, the adjustment of the automatic opening function can be canceled. For example, an intended adjustment of the automatic opening function can be restricted to a specific position and / or a specific flap of the vehicle.

[0018] A flap can be either one of the doors of the vehicle, a trunk flap, a trunk flap and / or the charging flap.

[0019] The automatic opening function can be designed to automatically initiate the opening of a flap mechanism installed on a vehicle under a predefined condition and / or a trigger. The automatic opening function can typically incorporate sensor input, such as proximity sensors, motion sensors, or vehicle system data, to detect when the flap should open. Once the conditions are met, the automatic opening function activates the flap mechanism to open the flap, allowing for automated operation without manual intervention.

[0020] However, the automatic opening function can have certain limitation (even if using additional sensors data like camera or saved individual habits of the user). Thus, the customer intent remains a prediction, hence with some failure rates. Further, the trunk may open while the user is still in the car, e.g., the motor might still be on, and thus there may be a risk for theft and / or a risk for collision between the trunk lid and the car or a pedestrian behind. By adjusting the automatic opening function a false-positive rate can be further reduced. For example, the false-positive rate, e.g., missing openings in cases where the customer highly relies on the automatic opening, can be reduced to nearly 0% by adjusting the automatic opening function based on the user data.

[0021] Further, the method 100 comprises configuring 120, based on the user data, the automatic opening function of the flap of the vehicle. Configuring the automatic opening function may allow to adjust the automatic opening function according to a customer intention. For example, the customer may want to pre-activate an automatic opening function, e.g., a trajectory-based automatic opening function. Optionally, the automatic opening function may be pre-activated for a specific flap of the vehicle. The flap can then be opened only when the user approaches the (specific) flap. This can improve a user comfort and / or a user safety. For example, the method 100 may provide a user the possibility to actively decide to pre-activate the automatic opening function, e.g., for a desired flap. Optionally or alternatively, the method 100 may provide a user a possibility to actively decide to deactivate the automatic opening function. In this way, the automatic opening function can be configured to address the user need. By configuring the automatic opening function according to the user intention false-positive events can be reduced.

[0022] In an example, the adjustment of the automatic opening function may be an activation of the automatic opening function. The method 100 may further comprise obtaining sensor data indicating an environment of the vehicle. The sensor data may be obtained by receiving from an imaging sensor such like a camera of the vehicle. Optionally or alternatively, the sensor data may be determined by receiving at a receiver, e.g., by receiving a communication signal from user equipment of the user. In this case, the apparatus may determine a position of the user equipment in the environment of the vehicle based on the communication signal received at the receiver.

[0023] The method 100 may further comprise determining a user allowed to interact with the vehicle in the environment of the vehicle. Determining the user allowed to interact is performed based on the sensor data. For example, the user allowed to interact with the vehicle may be determined based on face recognition. The apparatus may receive a camera image of the environment of the vehicle and may determine the user allowed to interact based on the camera image. Optionally or alternatively, the apparatus may determine the user allowed to interact based on a digital key installed on the user equipment. For example, the apparatus may determine the position of the user equipment configured to unlock the vehicle by using a digital key. That is, an identification of the user can be performed by multiple ways.

[0024] Further, the method 100 may comprise determining a movement profile of the user allowed to interact with the vehicle and opening the flap of the vehicle based on the movement profile of the user.

[0025] The movement profile may be indicative of a trajectory and / or a movement speed of the user on the trajectory. The movement profile may be determined based on sensor data received from a sensor, e.g., a sensor of the vehicle, a sensor of an infrastructure. For example, the method 100 may further comprise receiving sensor data from a sensor. The sensor of the vehicle and / or the infrastructure may be an ultra-wide band sensor, a camera, RADAR sensor, for example. For example the movement profile of the user may be determined based on a digital key. A digital key (for a vehicle) is a digital authentication method that allows a user to access and operate their vehicle without using a physical key. It is a form of electronic key that may be stored and transmitted through user equipment. For example, the position or the trajectory of the digital key can be determined based on ultra-wide band sensor data.

[0026] Further, the method 100 may comprise comparing the movement profile of the user with a predefined movement profile. The predefined profile may be obtained by the apparatus performing the method 100. The predefined movement profile may be obtained by loading from a database and / or by receiving from a communication device such as a network node and / or by determining based on previous movement profiles of the user.

[0027] The predefined movement profile may be a movement profile associated with a user, a vehicle, a vehicle type, a vehicle fleet, for example. The predefined movement profile can be associated with the user and / or the vehicle. Alternatively, the predefined movement profile can be independent from the user or the vehicle. For example, the predefined movement profile may be a general predefined movement profile.

[0028] The method 100 may further comprise opening the flap of the vehicle when the movement profile of the user matches the predefined movement profile. The predefined movement profile may be indicative of an intention of the user to access / open the flap. Thus, if the movement profile of the user matches the predefined movement profile it can be assumed that the user intends to access / open the flap. Therefore, the flap can be opened based on the match of the movement profile of the user and the predefined movement profile. In this way, an intention of the user can be determined in an improved way and thus an opening of the flap can be improved.

[0029] By comparing the movement profile of the user based on the predefined movement profile a forecast can be achieved. For example an automation of an action of the vehicle when the user is walking around the vehicle, such like opening the flap, can be provided. In this way, a user experience can be improved. For example, a user's life can be made easier, since no interaction with the flap may be required. The comparison can be used to trigger the opening of the flap at the "right" time when the user is on his way and close enough to the flap.

[0030] By combining a trajectory and a movement speed of the user a reliability of a determination of the intention of the user can be increased. For example, some false-positive opening events may remain when the user follows a typical trajectory towards the flap without intending to open the flap (e.g., because the user passes by the flap). In contrast, by combining the trajectory and the movement speed false-positive opening events can be reduced. Additionally to the trajectory of the user the movement speed of the user is considered. For example, the movement speed may be indicative of a velocity of the user, an acceleration and / or a deceleration. Thus, the movement speed can be used as further indicator for determining an intent of the user to access / open the flap.

[0031] In this way, a detecting of an intention of a user to open and / or access a flap of the vehicle can be determined as early as possible. Further, by considering the movement speed of the user a number of false-positive opening events in cases where the user does not intend to open the respective flap, despite approaching it, can be reduced.

[0032] For example, a deceleration of the user during an approach towards the flap, followed by a stop near the flap may be a typical movement profile of the user indicating an intent to access / open the flap. Thus, the movement speed can help to distinguish use cases with and without an intent of the user to access / open the flap, respectively.

[0033] In an example, the method 100 may further comprise obtaining time data indicating a time of the adjustment of the automatic opening function and restore a configuration of the automatic opening function when the time of the adjustment is exceeded. In this way, a default setting of the automatic opening function can be restored in a facilitated way. For example, the user may deactivate the automatic opening function for a predefined time. In this way, an undesired opening a flap can be avoided. The time data may be obtained by receiving from an input device, e.g. a touch display. Optionally or alternatively, the time data may be obtained by retrieving from a storage device. For example, the adjustment of the automatic opening function may correspond to a default time for adjusting the automatic opening function. The default time can be retrieved from the storage device, such that the apparatus may restore the configuration of the automatic opening function after the default time is exceeded.

[0034] In an example, the user intention may correspond to a location. That is, the user data may indicate the user intention to adjust the automatic opening function for specific position of the vehicle, e.g., a parking place at home, a pickup lane at the airport, a parking place in front of a kindergarten. The method 100 may further comprise obtaining position data indicating a position of the vehicle. The position data may be obtained by determining the position of the vehicle. For example, a receiver of the vehicle may receive a global positioning system signal indicating the position of the vehicle. In this case, the apparatus may determine the position of the vehicle based on the global positioning system signal. Optionally or alternatively, the position data may be obtained by receiving, e.g., from an infrastructure. For example, the apparatus may receive information indicating the position of the vehicle from a base station or an n infrastructure communicatively coupled to the apparatus of the vehicle.

[0035] The method 100 may further comprise configuring the automatic opening function of the flap of the vehicle based on the user data and the position data. The position data may allow to adjust the automatic opening function accordingly to a position of the vehicle. For example, in front of a kindergarten an opening of the door of the front passenger seat may be intended by the user. For example, at a parking place at work an opening of a trunk may be intended by the user. In this way, the user intention can be determined in a more precise way. Thus, false-positive events can be reduced.

[0036] For example, configuring the automatic opening function may depend on a trigger, such like the position of the vehicle, an operating mode of the vehicle, a loading of the vehicle. For example, the automatic opening function can be configured when the vehicle stops in front of the kindergarten. In this case the user can pick up his baby from the front passenger seat in a facilitated way. For example, the user data indicating that the door of the front passenger seat should be opened when the vehicle stops in front of the kindergarten could be provided by the user well before arriving at the kindergarten. For example, the user can provide these user data and the apparatus may trigger the configuration of the automatic the opening function when the vehicle stops in front of the kindergarten. For example, a charging flap can be opened when the vehicle arrives at a specific charging station. For example, a trunk flap can be opened at the end of the drive. Optionally, the user data can be used as permanent intent to adjust the automatic opening function when arriving at the kindergarten, at the charging station and / or when ending a drive. That is, the apparatus may configure the automatic opening function every time the vehicle arrives at specific position and / or at the end of a drive until the user provides new user data to revoke these configuration. In this way, the user can customize an adjustment of the automatic opening function.

[0037] The end of the drive can be determined based on an operation mode of the vehicle. For example, a ride may have ended, when the engine of the vehicle is turned off. Thus, only if the vehicle of the engine is turned off an opening of the flap may be enabled. In this way, an opening of the flap during usage of the vehicle can be avoided. Optionally, the opening of the flap may be only enabled, when there is no risk for collision. In this way, risk prevention can be improved.

[0038] In an example, the method 100 may further comprise determining a desired flap to be automatic opened and configuring the automatic opening function based on the determined desired flap, such that the automatic opening function can only automatically open the desired flap. For example, as described above, in front of the kindergarten only the door of the front passenger seat may be automatically opened. For example, in front of a shopping mall the trunk flap may be automatically opened.

[0039] In an example, the method may further comprise obtaining image data indicating an inside of the vehicle and configuring the automatic opening function based on the image data. The image data may be obtained by receiving from an image sensor of the vehicle. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise an imaging sensor of the vehicle and may measure the image data using the image sensor. For example, a notebook bag may be placed in the trunk of the vehicle. This means that the user may be interested in taking the notebook bag out of the trunk, e.g., at work. Thus, the automatic opening function can be configured, such that the flap of the trunk is opened when the vehicle parks at work and a notebook bag is placed in the trunk. For example, a child may be seated in the front passenger seat. Thus, when the vehicle stops in front of the kindergarten the user may want to pick up the child. Therefore, the door of the front passenger seat may be opened when the vehicle stops in front of the kindergarten and the child is seated in the front passenger seat.

[0040] The user can provide the user data by multiple ways. The user data can be used to explicitly indicate an intent of the user to adjust, e.g., pre-activate, the automatic opening function of flap of the vehicle. For example, inside of the vehicle could be one "physical button" per flap of the vehicle, inside of the vehicle could be one "digital button" per flap of the vehicle and / or the user equipment of the user can display one button per flap of the vehicle. Optionally or alternatively, the user data can be determined based on a user utterance, e.g., based on a speech of the user using a microphone of the vehicle. This could enable a more complex and individualized request like "please always pre-activate the automatic opening of the rear driver door when I park at home". Further, the configuration of the automatic opening function can be based on pre-learnt customer's habit / specific situation (e.g. global positioning system location at a charging terminal or at the airport) and optionally a suggestion in a human machine interface, like "Do you want to open your charging flap?" which the user has to answer with yes or no.

[0041] More details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the embodiments described below. The example shown in Fig. 1 may comprise one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects mentioned in connection with the proposed concept or one or more examples described below (e.g., Fig. 2).

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an example of an apparatus 30, e.g., for a vehicle 40. The apparatus 30 comprises interface circuitry 32 and processing circuitry 34 configured to perform a method as described above, e.g., the method for an apparatus as described with reference to Fig. 1. For example, the apparatus 30 may be part of the vehicle 40, e.g., part of a control unit of the vehicle 40.

[0043] For example, the vehicle 40 may be a land vehicle, such as a road vehicle, a car, an automobile, an off-road vehicle, a motor vehicle, a bus, a robo-taxi, a van, a truck or a lorry. Alternatively, the vehicle 40 may be any other type of vehicle, such as a train, a subway train, a boat or a ship. For example, the proposed concept may be applied to public transportation (trains, bus) and future means of mobility (e.g., robo-taxis).

[0044] As shown in Fig. 2 the respective interface circuitry 32 is coupled to the respective processing circuitry 34 at the apparatus 30. In examples the processing circuitry 34 may be implemented using one or more processing units, one or more processing devices, any means for processing, such as a processor, a computer or a programmable hardware component being operable with accordingly adapted software. Similar, the described functions of the processing circuitry 34 may as well be implemented in software, which is then executed on one or more programmable hardware components. Such hardware components may comprise a general-purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a micro-controller, etc. The processing circuitry 34 is capable of controlling the interface circuitry 32, so that any data transfer that occurs over the interface circuitry 32 and / or any interaction in which the interface circuitry 32 may be involved may be controlled by the processing circuitry 34.

[0045] In an embodiment the apparatus 30 may comprise a memory and at least one processing circuitry 34 operably coupled to the memory and configured to perform the method described above.

[0046] In examples the interface circuitry 32 may correspond to any means for obtaining, receiving, transmitting or providing analog or digital signals or information, e.g. any connector, contact, pin, register, input port, output port, conductor, lane, etc. which allows providing or obtaining a signal or information. The interface circuitry 32 may be wireless or wireline and it may be configured to communicate, e.g., transmit or receive signals, information with further internal or external components.

[0047] The apparatus 30 may be a computer, processor, control unit, (field) programmable logic array ((F)PLA), (field) programmable gate array ((F)PGA), graphics processor unit (GPU), application-specific integrated circuit (ASICs), integrated circuits (IC) or system-on-a-chip (SoCs) system.

[0048] More details and aspects are mentioned in connection with the embodiments described. The example shown in Fig. 2 may comprise one or more optional additional features corresponding to one or more aspects mentioned in connection with the proposed concept or one or more examples described above (e.g., Fig. 1).

[0049] The aspects and features described in relation to a particular one of the previous examples may also be combined with one or more of the further examples to replace an identical or similar feature of that further example or to additionally introduce the features into the further example.

[0050] Examples may further be or relate to a (computer) program including a program code to execute one or more of the above methods when the program is executed on a computer, processor or other programmable hardware component. Thus, steps, operations or processes of different ones of the methods described above may also be executed by programmed computers, processors or other programmable hardware components. Examples may also cover program storage devices, such as digital data storage media, which are machine-, processor- or computer-readable and encode and / or contain machine-executable, processor-executable or computer-executable programs and instructions. Program storage devices may include or be digital storage devices, magnetic storage media such as magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard disk drives, or optically readable digital data storage media, for example. Other examples may also include computers, processors, control units, (field) programmable logic arrays ((F)PLAs), (field) programmable gate arrays ((F)PGAs), graphics processor units (GPU), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), integrated circuits (ICs) or system-on-a-chip (SoCs) systems programmed to execute the steps of the methods described above.

[0051] It is further understood that the disclosure of several steps, processes, operations or functions disclosed in the description or claims shall not be construed to imply that these operations are necessarily dependent on the order described, unless explicitly stated in the individual case or necessary for technical reasons. Therefore, the previous description does not limit the execution of several steps or functions to a certain order. Furthermore, in further examples, a single step, function, process or operation may include and / or be broken up into several sub-steps, -functions, - processes or -operations.

[0052] If some aspects have been described in relation to a device or system, these aspects should also be understood as a description of the corresponding method. For example, a block, device or functional aspect of the device or system may correspond to a feature, such as a method step, of the corresponding method. Accordingly, aspects described in relation to a method shall also be understood as a description of a corresponding block, a corresponding element, a property or a functional feature of a corresponding device or a corresponding system.

[0053] If some aspects have been described in relation to a device or system, these aspects should also be understood as a description of the corresponding method and vice versa. For example, a block, device or functional aspect of the device or system may correspond to a feature, such as a method step, of the corresponding method. Accordingly, aspects described in relation to a method shall also be understood as a description of a corresponding block, a corresponding element, a property or a functional feature of a corresponding device or a corresponding system.

[0054] The following claims are hereby incorporated in the detailed description, wherein each claim may stand on its own as a separate example. It should also be noted that although in the claims a dependent claim refers to a particular combination with one or more other claims, other examples may also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of any other dependent or independent claim. Such combinations are hereby explicitly proposed, unless it is stated in the individual case that a particular combination is not intended. Furthermore, features of a claim should also be included for any other independent claim, even if that claim is not directly defined as dependent on that other independent claim.

[0055] The aspects and features described in relation to a particular one of the previous examples may also be combined with one or more of the further examples to replace an identical or similar feature of that further example or to additionally introduce the features into the further example.References

[0056] 30 apparatus 32 processing circuitry 34 interface circuitry 40 vehicle 100 method 110 obtaining user data 120 configuring the automatic opening function

Claims

1. A method (100) for executing by an apparatus of a vehicle, comprising: obtaining user data indicating an intention of a user to adjust an automatic opening function of a flap of a vehicle; and configuring, based on the user data, the automatic opening function of the flap of vehicle.

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment of the automatic opening function is an activation of the automatic opening function, and the method further comprises obtaining sensor data indicating an environment of the vehicle; determining, based on the sensor data, a user allowed to interact with the vehicle in the environment of the vehicle; determining a movement profile of the user allowed to interact with the vehicle; and opening the flap of the vehicle based on the movement profile of the user.

3. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising obtaining time data indicating a time of the adjustment of the automatic opening function; and restore a configuration of the automatic opening function when the time of the adjustment is exceeded.

4. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user intention corresponds to a location; and the method further comprises obtaining position data indicating a position of the vehicle; and configuring, based on the user data and the position data, the automatic opening function of the flap of vehicle.

5. The method (100) according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the user intention corresponds to a location; and the method further comprises obtaining position data indicating a position of the vehicle; and suppressing closing the flap for a predefined time threshold based on the location.

6. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising determining a desired flap to be automatic opened; and configuring the automatic opening function based on the determined desired flap, such that the automatic opening function can only automatically open the desired flap.

7. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising obtaining image data indicating an inside of the vehicle; and configuring the automatic opening function based on the image data.

8. An apparatus (30), comprising: interface circuitry (32); and processing circuitry (34) configured to perform a method according to any of the preceding claims.

9. A vehicle comprising the apparatus according to claim 8.

10. A computer program having a program code for performing the method (100) according to claim 1 - 7, when the computer program is executed on a computer, a processor, or a programmable hardware component.

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