Method for improving a control of a flap of a vehicle, apparatus, vehicle and computer program

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a method for improving a control of a flap of the vehicle. The method comprises obtaining vehicle data indicating a status of the vehicle. The vehicle data is independent of a locking status of the vehicle. Further, the method comprises generating control data for controlling a movement of the flap of the vehicle. The control data is generated based on the vehicle data.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of digital vehicle access. Embodiments relate to a method for improving a control of a flap of a vehicle, 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 control of a flap of a vehicle.

[0003] It is therefore a finding that a control of a flap a vehicle can be improved by obtaining vehicle data indicating a status of the vehicle. The flap can be controlled based on the status of the vehicle, e.g., a flap signal or a charging status. Thus, a reliability of the control of the flap can be improved and therefore an experience of the user can be increased.

[0004] Examples provide a method for executing by a processing circuitry of a vehicle for improving a control of a flap of the vehicle. The method comprises obtaining vehicle data indicating a status of the vehicle. The vehicle data is independent of a locking status of the vehicle. Further, the method comprises generating control data for controlling a movement of the flap of the vehicle. The control data is generated based on the vehicle data. The control data may be transmitted, e.g., to an actor to actuate the flap. The vehicle status may allow to improve a determination of an intended usage of the flap by the user. In this way, a reliability of the control of the flap can be improved.

[0005] In an example, the vehicle data may indicate a flap signal and / or a charging status. The flap signal may correspond to an actuation and / or status of a flap. For example, the flap signal may indicate an opening of a door, a closing of a door. For example, when a rear passenger door has been opened, a probability of the vehicle being charged is lower than when the driver's door has been opened. Further, when the battery of the vehicle is full, a probability of the vehicle being charged may be lower than when the battery is nearly empty, for example.

[0006] In an example, the method may further comprise obtaining user data indicating a user of the vehicle and generating the control data based on the user data. The user data may allow to use user specific behavior, e.g., charging of the vehicle at a specific charging status, to determine an intended flap usage. The specific user behavior may allow to control the flap of the vehicle in an improved way.

[0007] In an example, the profile data may indicate a statistic of flap usage of the user. The method may further comprise generating the control data based on the statistic of flap usage. The statistic of the flap usage may allow to consider previous flap movements for controlling the flap. For example, when a charging flap is normally used, for example, at a specific time, place, that information may allow to improve a reliability of the control of the flap movement.

[0008] In an example, the vehicle data may indicate a time sequence of flap movements. The method may further comprise generating the control data based on the time sequence of flap movements. For example, when a charging flap is normally opened after opening the driver door and the trunk in a predefined time, a likelihood to charge the vehicle may be increased for such a sequence of flap movements. Thus, the sequence of flap movements may allow to determine an intended usage of the flap in an improved way.

[0009] In an example, the method may further comprise comparing the sequence of flap movements with a time threshold and discarding all flap movements of the time sequence of flap movements that exceed the time threshold. In this way, flap movements which are non-relevant for controlling the movement of the flap can be discarded. For example, a driver may leave the vehicle to leave the vehicle. Thus, the flap signal may comprise information about the movement of the driver's door. When the flap of the trunk, in which the charging cable is stored, is not moved within a predefined time, the part of the flap signal indicating the movement of the driver's door can be discarded. In this way, only relevant flap movements part of the flap signal can be taken into account for controlling the flap.

[0010] In an example, the method may comprise determining a movement profile indicative of a movement of a user relative to the vehicle. The method may further comprise determining a movement parameter indicative of a movement of the flap of the vehicle. The determination of the movement parameter is based on the movement profile. Further, the method comprises controlling a movement of the flap of the vehicle. The control is based on the movement parameter. The movement profile of the user can be utilized to determine, e.g., an intention of the user, a time of usage. In this way, the movement of the flap can be controlled in an improved way. For example, the flap can be controlled such that it is already opened when a user is within a certain distance to the flap, e.g., by adjusting a movement speed of the flap.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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 improving a control of a flap of a vehicle; Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of an example of an apparatus, e.g., part of a vehicle.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] Fig. 1 shows an example of a method 100 for executing by a processing circuitry of a vehicle for improving a control of a flap of the vehicle. The method 100 comprises obtaining 110 vehicle data indicating a status of the vehicle. The vehicle data is independent of a locking status of the vehicle. That is, the vehicle data does not comprise information whether the vehicle is locked or unlocked. For example, the vehicle data is independent of an unlocking of the vehicle which could trigger an automatic opening of the driver door of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle data cannot be used to control the flap of the vehicle based on a locking status of the vehicle. For example, unlocking the vehicle may automatically open the driver's door in some vehicles. However, this action is unrelated to the vehicle data discussed. This implies that actions triggered by locking or unlocking (like opening a door) are independent of the vehicle data. For example, the vehicle data is completely separate from whether the vehicle is locked or unlocked. The vehicle data does not include any information regarding the locking status of the vehicle. Since the vehicle data doesn't include the locking status, it cannot be used to control certain components, such as a flap (e.g., a fuel cap, a charging port, a trunk flap, a driver's door), based on whether the vehicle is locked or unlocked.

[0018] The vehicle data may comprise information corresponding to flaps of the vehicle, a battery (e.g., a charging status) of the vehicle, for example. That is, the vehicle data can be used to determine an intention of a user to use a flap of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle data may indicate an opening of a compartment of the vehicle, in which the charging cable is stored. In this case, opening of the charging flap can be triggered or controlled based on the vehicle data. Thus, the vehicle data may improve a determination of an intention of a user with respect to a usage of a flap of the vehicle.

[0019] Therefore, the method 100 comprises generating 120 control data for controlling a movement of the flap of the vehicle. The control data is generated based on the vehicle data. That is, the control data may be used to control the movement of the flap. For example, the control data may be transmitted for controlling the movement of the flap, e.g., to a control circuitry or an actor configured to actuate the flap. Thus, the control data may be used to trigger or control a movement of the flap. Generating the control data based on the vehicle status may allow to improve a reliability of the movement of the flap. For example, the vehicle status may be used as additional information for generating the control data, e.g., in addition to a movement profile of the user (as described below). The movement of the flap may be an opening or closing, for example.

[0020] Prediction of a user's intent to open or use a flap, e.g., a charging flap, based on the user behavior, e.g., their trajectory, may be error prone. For example, when a user gets near the charging flap intending to open it, this charging intent should be captured, where to when the user gets near the charging flap without intending to open it (for any reason), the absence of a charging intent should be captured. However, determining or capturing the intention of the user to use the flap, e.g., the charging flap, based on a trajectory may provide an unsatisfactory user experience, due to false-positive events, as it can be difficult to distinguish between an actual intention to use and no intention to use the flap for the same trajectory covered by the user. It is a finding of the inventors, that a control of the flap, e.g., an opening, can be improved using the vehicle data. The vehicle data may allow to improve the determination of the intent of the user to use the flap, e.g., charging the vehicle, taking a notebook out of a trunk. For example, the vehicle data may provide context information as input of a prediction model (e.g., based on a trajectory of a user, a position of the user relative to the vehicle, a location of the vehicle) to improve or help the prediction of the flap usage, e.g., a charging intent.

[0021] In an example, the vehicle data may indicate a flap signal and / or a charging status. The flap signal can correspond to an actuation and / or a status of a flap. For example, the flap signal can indicate that a flap is open or that a flap has been moved. The flap signal may comprise information about an actuation (also referred to as movement) and / or a status of multiple, e.g., all, flaps of the vehicle. That is, the flap signal may comprise multiple sub-flap signal for specific flaps of the vehicle.

[0022] The flap signal may provide information about a usage of a flap, which could indicate an intention of a user. For example, the vehicle may have a specific cable compartment for storing a charging cable. When the flap of the cable compartment is unlocked or open, the likelihood that the user intents to charge the vehicle may be increased. When the flap signal indicates that the flap of the cable compartment is unlocked or open, the charging flap can also be unlocked or opened. For example, when a driver of a vehicle stops at home but only the rear door is opened, e.g., because someone leaves the vehicle, the driver may not intend to charge the vehicle. Thus, the flap signal can be used to improve a determination of a usage intention of the user. In this way, a control of the flap can be improved. The flap signal may be received from at least one actor or sensor of the vehicle.

[0023] Optionally or alternatively, the charging status may be used to determine whether a user intends to charge the vehicle or not. For example, the charging status may be above a certain threshold value at which the vehicle is not normally charged. In this case, an opening of the charging flap could be prevented. For example, the charging status may be below a certain threshold value at which the vehicle is normally charged. In this case, an opening of the flap could be triggered or controlled by the control data. That is, the vehicle data may provide another input parameter for determining an intention of the user to use the flap.

[0024] In an example, the method 100 may further comprise obtaining user data indicating a user of the vehicle and generating the control data based on the user data. The user data may be obtained by receiving from user equipment. For example, the user equipment of a current driver may transmit the user data to a control unit of the vehicle. Optionally or alternatively, the user data may be retrieved. For example, user equipment may be used to unlock the vehicle (e.g., using a digital key). The digital key may be assigned to a specific user. That is, the user data can be determined based on the used digital key. For example, the control unit may retrieve the user data from a storage device based on the information about the digital key.

[0025] For example, the user data may indicate or may be used to obtain a user specific user profile. A user profile (of a vehicle) may refer to data and / or a pattern obtained based on how an individual user interacts with a vehicle. This may include habits like driving routes, preferred charging terminals, how often certain features are used, transported passenger (e.g., a child on a specific back seat equipped with a baby car seat). That is, the user specific profile can be used to adapt the control of the flap to the user, e.g., creating a customized experience tailored to that specific user. For example, the user data may indicate an expected charging terminal location, an expected charging type (AC, DC), an expected charging cable location, an expected charging cable length, an expected authentication type (Manual, plug&Charge), a country or region. That is, the user data may allow to improve the determination of an intent of the user to actually use a flap, e.g., a charging flap or a back door to take out a child.

[0026] In an example, the profile data may indicate a statistic of flap usage of the user. The method 100 may further comprise generating the control data based on the statistic of flap usage. A statistic of flap usage may refer to data about how often and / or when a specific flap on a vehicle, such as a fuel cap or charging flap, is opened or closed. This information may provide a track pattern, like how frequently the flap is used, the times of day it's most often accessed, or the duration it stays open, for example. This may help to determine typical usage behavior related to that specific flap of the vehicle. For example, the statistic of flap usage may provide information about how often a user charges at home and / or at a specific location. In this way, the determination of an intent of the user to use a flap can be improved.

[0027] In an example, the vehicle data may indicate a time sequence of flap movements. The method 100 may further comprise generating the control data based on the time sequence of flap movements. A time sequence or time series of flap movement may be a sequence of data points collected over time, showing when and how a flap has been moved, e.g., was opened or closed. A data point can record a time signal related to the triggering of the flap and thus create a timeline of events. This may allow analysis of patterns in flap usage over a specific period, such as frequency, duration, and / or trends in opening or closing the flap. For example, a charging flap may be opened after a time threshold value after opening the driver's door and the trunk (to take out a charging cable). Thus, the time sequence of flap movements may allow to improve a determination of an intent of the user to use the flap.

[0028] In an example, the method 100 may further comprise comparing the sequence of flap movements with a time threshold and discarding all flap movements of the time sequence of flap movements that exceed the time threshold. Discarding certain flap movements may help to filter out irrelevant or abnormal data. For example, comparing the sequence of flap movements to a time threshold (value) and discarding flap movements exceeding the threshold (value) can be utilized to filter out irrelevant or abnormal data. That is, by focusing only on flap movements within a certain time frame, unintended or unusual flap movements, such as accidental openings or prolonged periods of inactivity, can be excluded. In this way, a cleaner and / or more relevant data for analysis, allowing for more accurate detection of an intent can be provided.

[0029] The vehicle data may allow to forecast an intention of the user to access / use a flap. For example, an automation of an action of the vehicle when the user is walking around the vehicle, such like opening the charging 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 vehicle data 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. For example, the vehicle data can be used to trigger the closing of the flap after usage of compartment corresponding to the flap.

[0030] The method 100 may be performed by a processing circuitry, e.g., part of the vehicle. The processing circuitry may be part of a control unit, e.g., a central control unit (such as an engine control unit) of the vehicle. The processing circuitry may be communicatively coupled via an interface circuitry to a sensor, e.g., to receive the flap signal.

[0031] The method 100 may comprise determining a movement profile indicative of a movement of a user relative to the vehicle. For example, the movement profile of the user may be indicative of an approach of the user to and / or a depart of the user from the vehicle. The movement profile may comprise a trajectory of the user. 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 as described below.

[0032] For example, a classification of movement profile, e.g., a trajectory, should handle a plurality of flap use cases, e.g., charging use cases. For example, the classification of the movement profile should be independently of a charging type (DC Charging, AC Charging, Charging with a wall box), a parking configuration and a location of the charging terminal relatively to the car (back, front, left side, right side, an authentication method (no authentication required, authentication at the terminal, plug and charge), a location of the charging cable (provided at the terminal, stored by the user in the car (e.g., trunk, frunk, back compartment) or the house, an order of the charging steps (e.g., getting the charging cable, authentication, plugging in the terminal outlet, plugging in the car outlet), country - intermediates actions taken by the user before charging (e.g., opening the rear passenger door to get a jacket in the back compartment) and / or a trajectory length. The plurality of flap use cases may be difficult to build as a function that is robust to all use cases when using a movement profile only. Thus, the vehicle data may allow to improve a control of the flap based on a movement profile. The vehicle data may be used as further input information for determining an intent of the user to use the flap, e.g., charge the vehicle, open the driver's door.

[0033] The method 100 may further comprise determining a movement parameter indicative of a movement of the flap of the vehicle. The determination of the movement parameter is based on the movement profile. The movement parameter may be indicative of a movement speed of, an opening / closing angle, a time to initiate an opening / closing of the flap, for example. The flap may be a door, a trunk lid, a frunk lid, a lid of a compartment for a charging cable, for example.

[0034] Further, the method 100 may comprise controlling a movement of the flap of the vehicle. The control is based on the movement parameter. Using the movement parameter may allow to adjust the movement of the flap to a user behavior. For example, a scenario where the flap is opened too late can be avoided. Thus, a more intelligent flap behavior can be achieved. Thus, the movement of the flap can be more user centric. For example, a movement speed, a time an opening of the flap is initiated can be adjusted based on the movement parameter.

[0035] By combining a trajectory and the vehicle data 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 this case, the vehicle data may indicate no intent to open the flap (e.g., a charging status is full). Thus, combining the trajectory and vehicle data may allow to reduce false-positive opening events. In this way, an intention of a user to open and / or access a flap of the vehicle can be determined in an improved way.

[0036] In an example, the movement profile may comprise information about a movement speed of the user. The movement speed of the user can be used to determine a time for initiating an opening or closing of the flap. Thus, it can be ensured that the flap is open when the user reaches the flap, the flap is closed when the user is out of view of the flap, for example. For example, the movement speed may be combined with a position of the user relative to and / or a distance of the user to the flap. Thus, an initiating of an opening / closing may be triggered for different distances between user and flap dependent on the movement speed of the user, for example. For example, a function start of the flap (imitating of opening or closing) may depend on the movement speed of the user. If the user approaches quicker, the flap may start to open earlier / at a greater distance between user and flap, e.g., 3 m instead of 2 m. If the user departs quicker, the flap may start to close earlier / at a smaller distance between user and flap, e.g., 1 m instead of 2 m.

[0037] In an example, the method 100 may further comprise determining the movement parameter based on the movement speed of the user. For example, the movement parameter may be indicative of a movement speed of the flap. Thus, a movement speed of the flap can be adapted to a movement speed of the user. For example, the movement speed of the flap may be proportional to the movement speed of the user. In this way, a time needed for an opening or closing of the flap can be adapted to the user behavior. Thus, it can be ensured that the flap is open if the user reaches flap and / or closed if the user is out of view. For example, if the user approaches quicker, the movement speed of the flap can be increased. This may allow to open the flap until the user reaches the flap.

[0038] In an example, the movement profile may comprise information about a direction of the movement of the user relative to the vehicle. Determining the movement parameter may be further based on the direction of the movement of the user relative to the vehicle. A movement of the flap may depend on a direction of a movement of the user. For example, the user may approach the flap from a direction overlapping with an area crossed by the flap during the movement of the flap. In this case, the flap may obstruct the movement of the user. Thus, the movement of the flap can be adjusted to consider a direction of approach of the user. For example, the direction of approach of the user may be determined based on a trajectory of the user.

[0039] For example, if the user approaches from the front of the vehicle, a door may open only after the user passed the door. For example, if the user approaches from the side of the vehicle, a door may open slower. For example, if the user approaches from the rear of the vehicle, a door may open directly. For example, a door closing starts earlier if the user departs from the flap towards a certain direction. In this way, the movement of the flap can be adapted to an actual use case.

[0040] In an example, the method 100 may further comprise determining stop information indicative of a stop of the user during the movement of the user. Controlling may further comprise stopping the movement of the flap. Stopping the movement of the flap is based on the stop information. This may allow an interruption of the movement of the flap based on a changed movement of the user. For example, the user may approach the flap and may decide on this approach to cancel the approach. Thus, the user may stop relative to the flap. In this case the movement of the flap could also be stopped. For example, the movement speed of the flap may reflect the movement speed of the user. In this way, an opening or closing process of the flap can be interrupted which may increase a user experience.

[0041] In an example, the method 100 may further comprise determining a time parameter indicative of an estimated time of arrival of the user at the flap. Determining the opening parameter may be further based on the time parameter. For example, a user may approach with the quick movement speed from a certain direction to the flap. By determining the time parameter the movement speed and the direction of the approach of the user can be considered. Thus, an initiating of an opening of the flap can be based on both the movement speed and the direction of approach of the user. Further, a movement speed of the flap can also be adapted to both the movement speed and the direction of approach of the user. In this way, a reliability of the control of the movement of the flap can be increased. Thus, a user experience can be improved.

[0042] In an example, the movement profile may be determined based on sensor data of at least one of an ultra-wide band sensor, a camera or a Bluetooth sensor. In this way, the information about the movement profile can be determined in a facilitated way. For example, the user may carry a digital key to access the vehicle. 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. The position of the digital key can be determined, e.g., by use of at least one ultra-wide band sensor of the vehicle. Based on the position of the digital a movement profile of the user can be determined. Optionally or alternatively, the movement profile can be determined based on a camera image, e.g., acquired by a camera of the vehicle.

[0043] 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).

[0044] 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 a vehicle 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.

[0045] For example, the vehicle 40 may be a land vehicle, such 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).

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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).

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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

[0058] 30 apparatus 32 processing circuitry 34 interface circuitry 40 vehicle 100 method for improving a control of a flap 110 obtaining vehicle data 120 generating control data

Claims

1. A method (100) for executing by a processing circuitry of a vehicle for improving a control of a flap of the vehicle, comprising: obtaining (110) vehicle data indicating a status of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle data is independent of a locking status of the vehicle; and generating (120), based on the vehicle data, control data for controlling a movement of the flap of the vehicle.

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle data indicates at least one of a flap signal and a charging status.

3. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising obtaining user data indicating a user of the vehicle; and generating the control data based on the user data.

4. The method (100) according to claim 3, wherein the profile data indicates a statistic of flap usage of the user, and generating the control data based on the statistic of flap usage.

5. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle data indicates a time sequence of flap movements, and wherein the method (100) further comprises generating the control data based on the time sequence of flap movements.

6. The method (100) according to claim 5, further comprising comparing the sequence of flap movements with a time threshold; and discarding all flap movements of the time sequence of flap movements that exceed the time threshold.

7. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: determining a movement profile indicative of a movement of a user relative to the vehicle; determining, based on the movement profile, a movement parameter indicative of a movement of the flap of the vehicle; and controlling, based on the movement parameter, a movement of the flap of the vehicle.

8. An apparatus (30), comprising: interface circuitry (32); and processing circuitry (34) configured to perform a method (100) 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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