VEHICLE LOCKING CONTROL METHODS AND SYSTEMS

Abstract

The invention relates to vehicle locking methods and systems (100) for use in a vehicle (210). Initially, a processing unit (120) of the vehicle (210) is used to detect (S310) a specific electronic device (230) via a wireless network (220). When a specific electronic device (230) is detected and connected, it is determined (S330) whether the signal strength of the specific electronic device (230) is greater than a first predetermined value. When the signal strength is greater than the first predetermined value, the processing unit (120) causes (S340) the vehicle (210) to enter an unlocked state. Then, it is determined (S350) whether the signal strength is less than a second predetermined value. When the signal intensity is less than the second predetermined value, the processing unit (120) causes the vehicle (210) to enter a locked state. Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE LOCK CONTROL METHODS AND SYSTEMS Field of invention

[0001] The disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for controlling vehicle locking, and more particularly to methods and systems that can control the locking state of a vehicle based on the signal strength corresponding to a specific electronic device. Description of the Prior Art

[0002] With the advancement of computer technology, the trend of vehicle development is to become more and more intelligent. In addition to basic transportation functions, improving safety and more peripheral functions have also become a development goal in the industry.

[0003] Furthermore, with the increasing awareness of environmental protection and the technological advancements of electric vehicles, the development of electric vehicles powered by electric energy to replace traditional vehicles using fossil fuels has gradually become an important objective in the automobile sector, thus making electric vehicles increasingly popular. Generally, electric vehicles are equipped with a greater number of electronic components / devices and can be combined with users' mobile devices to provide more personalized applications and experiences.

[0004] For example, for vehicle users, vehicle theft is always one of the biggest concerns of users. Generally speaking, users need to disable and lock their vehicles, whether they are idle or parked for a long time, to reduce the chances of vehicle theft. The above procedures are all tedious procedures for users, especially for some users who only need to pause the vehicle for a few minutes. On the other hand, vehicle keys can also use electronic technology to enable more intelligent vehicle management. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide methods and systems for controlling vehicle locking.

[0006] In one embodiment of a vehicle lock control method for use in a vehicle, a vehicle processing unit is used to detect a specific electronic device via a wireless network. When a specific electronic device is detected and connected via the wireless network, it is determined whether the signal strength of the specific electronic device is greater than a first predetermined value. When the signal strength is greater than the first predetermined value, the processing unit causes the vehicle to enter an unlocked state. Then, it is determined whether the signal strength is less than a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value. When the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value, the processing unit causes the vehicle to enter a locked state.

[0007] One embodiment of a vehicle lock control system for use in a vehicle includes a network connection unit and a processing unit. The processing unit detects a specific electronic device via a wireless network through the network connection unit, and determines whether a signal strength of the specific electronic device is greater than a first predetermined value when the specific electronic device is detected and connected via the wireless network. The processing unit causes the vehicle to enter an unlocked state when the signal strength is greater than the first predetermined value, and determines whether the signal strength is less than a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value.The processing unit causes the vehicle to enter a locked state when the signal strength is lower than the second predetermined value.

[0008] In some embodiments, it is determined whether the vehicle has transitioned from a driving state to a stationary state within a predetermined period before a current time. The processing unit causes the vehicle to transition to the locked state when the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value and the vehicle transitions from the driving state to the stationary state within the predetermined period before the current time.

[0009] In some embodiments, a displacement amount is detected by a detection unit of the specific electronic device, and the displacement amount is transmitted to the processing unit of the vehicle via the wireless network by the specific electronic device. It is determined whether the displacement amount exceeds a predetermined amount, and the processing unit causes the vehicle to enter the locked state when the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value, the vehicle enters the driving state into the stationary state during the predetermined period before the current time, and the displacement amount exceeds the predetermined amount.

[0010] In some embodiments, a displacement amount is detected by a detection unit of the specific electronic device, and the displacement amount is transmitted to the processing unit of the vehicle via the wireless network by the specific electronic device. It is determined whether the displacement amount exceeds a predetermined amount, and the processing unit causes the vehicle to enter the locked state when the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value and the displacement amount exceeds the predetermined amount.

[0011] In some embodiments, a plurality of movement steps are calculated based on the amount of movement performed by the specific electronic device. The determination of whether the amount of movement exceeds the predetermined amount is made by determining whether the number of movement steps exceeds a predetermined number of steps.

[0012] In some embodiments, the vehicle cannot start when the vehicle enters the locked state.

[0013] The vehicle driving control methods may take the form of program code embedded in a tangible medium. When the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed method. Brief description of the drawings

[0014] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description given below with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0015] [Fig.l] is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a vehicle control system of the invention;

[0016] [Fig.2] is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a vehicle control system of the invention;

[0017] [Fig.3] is a flowchart of an embodiment of a vehicle locking control method of the invention;

[0018] [Fig.4] is a flowchart of another embodiment of a vehicle locking control method of the invention;

[0019] [Fig.5] is a flowchart of another embodiment of a vehicle locking control method of the invention; and

[0020] [Fig.6] is a flowchart of another embodiment of a vehicle locking control method of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The following description is of the most preferred embodiment of the invention. This description is given for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be construed in a limiting sense. It will be apparent that Embodiments may be embodied in software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof.

[0022] [Fig. 1] is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a vehicle control system of the invention. The vehicle lock control system 100 according to the invention can be applied to an electric vehicle, such as an electric motorcycle. As described in [Fig. 1], the vehicle lock control system 100 comprises a network connection unit 110 and a processing unit 120. The network connection unit 110 can be connected to a network, thereby enabling the vehicle to have network connection capability. In some embodiments, the network can be a wired network, a telecommunications network, and a wireless network, such as a Bluetooth network, Wi-Fi, etc. The processing unit 120 can control the operation of the hardware and software of the vehicle and execute the vehicle driving control methods of the invention, the details of which are described later.It should be noted that in some embodiments, the locking control of a vehicle may be performed by controlling whether the vehicle can be started / activated via hardware or software. In some embodiments, the locking control of a vehicle may be performed via a locking component to control whether the vehicle will be locked by the locking component. For example, the locking component may be any locking mechanism that can lock a specific part of the vehicle. The locking component may have a locked state and an unlocked state. It should be noted that in some embodiments, when the vehicle is a motorcycle, the locking component may be used to lock a handle of the vehicle.

[0023] [Fig. 2] is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a vehicle control system of the invention. The vehicle lock control system 200 of the invention comprises a vehicle 210 and a specific electronic device 230 connected to the vehicle 210 via a network 220. It should be noted that the specific electronic device 230 can be any electronic device with network connection capabilities, such as a mobile device of a vehicle user, a beacon or a wireless key. The network 220 can be a wired network, a telecommunications network and a wireless network, such as a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi network, etc.

[0024] [Fig.3] is a flowchart of an embodiment of a vehicle locking control method of the invention. The vehicle locking control method according to the invention can be applied to a vehicle.

[0025] In step S310, a specific electronic device is detected via a wireless network. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the wireless network may be a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth network, etc. In addition, in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be associated with the processing unit or the network connection unit of the vehicle beforehand, so that the vehicle can know the identification information of the specific electronic device. In some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be a mobile device of the user of the vehicle, such as a connected device, a beacon or a wireless key. When the specific electronic device is not detected (No in step S320), the process returns to step S310. When the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle via the wireless network (Yes in step S320), in step S330, it is determined whether a signal strength corresponding to the specific electronic device is greater than a first predetermined value.When the signal strength is less than or equal to the first predetermined value (No in step S330), the process returns to step S350. When the signal strength is greater than the first predetermined value (Yes in step S330), in step S340, the vehicle processing unit causes the vehicle to enter an unlocked state. It should be noted that, as mentioned above, the vehicle locking control may be implemented via hardware or software. In some embodiments, locking a vehicle may mean that the vehicle cannot be started / activated. In some embodiments, a specific component of the vehicle, such as a handle or a tire, is locked and cannot be moved. It should be noted that the above-mentioned locking control are only examples of the invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.When the vehicle enters the unlocked state, it means that the vehicle can be started / activated or moved.

[0026] Next, in step S350, it is determined whether the signal strength corresponding to the specific electronic device is less than a second predetermined value. It should be understood that the second predetermined value is less than the first predetermined value. In some embodiments, the first predetermined value may be -70 dBm and the second predetermined value may be -58 dBm. It should be noted that the predetermined values ​​mentioned above are only examples in this case, and the present invention is not limited thereto. When the signal strength is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value (No in step S350), the process returns to step S310. When the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value (Yes in step S350), in step S360, the processing unit causes the vehicle to enter a locked state.As mentioned earlier, vehicle lock control can be implemented via hardware or software. When the vehicle . goes into the locked state, this means that the vehicle cannot be started / activated or moved.

[0027] [Fig.4] is a flowchart of another embodiment of a vehicle locking control method of the invention. The vehicle locking control method according to the invention can be applied to a vehicle.

[0028] In step S410, a specific electronic device is detected via a wireless network. Similarly, in some embodiments, the wireless network may be a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth network, etc. In addition, in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be associated with the processing unit or the network connection unit of the vehicle beforehand, so that the vehicle can know the identification information of the specific electronic device. In some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be a mobile device of the user of the vehicle, such as a connected device, a beacon, or a wireless key. When the specific electronic device is not detected (No in step S420), the process returns to step S410.When the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle via the wireless network (Yes in step S420), in step S430, it is determined whether the signal strength corresponding to the specific electronic device is greater than a first predetermined value. When the signal strength is less than or equal to the first predetermined value (No in step S430), the process returns to step S450. When the signal strength is greater than the first predetermined value (Yes in step S430), in step S440, the vehicle processing unit causes the vehicle to enter an unlocked state. Similarly, the vehicle locking control may be implemented via hardware or software. In some embodiments, locking a vehicle may mean that the vehicle cannot be started / activated.In some embodiments, a specific component of the vehicle, such as a handle or a tire, is locked and cannot be moved. It should be noted that the above-mentioned locking control is only one example of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to them. When the vehicle enters the unlocked state, it means that the vehicle can be started / activated or moved.

[0029] Next, in step S450, it is determined whether the signal strength corresponding to the specific electronic device is less than a second predetermined value, and whether the vehicle transitions from a driving state to a stationary state within a predetermined period before the current time. It should be noted that the second predetermined value is less than the first predetermined value. In addition, in some embodiments, the vehicle processing unit may record the state of the vehicle over time, such as driving or stopping, and retain the vehicle state data for the most recent time period. When the signal strength signal is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value or the vehicle does not change from the driving state to the stationary state (No in step S450), the process returns to step S410. When the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value and the vehicle changes from the driving state to the stationary state within the predetermined period before the current time (Yes in step S450), in step S460, the processing unit causes the vehicle to enter a locked state. Similarly, the vehicle lock control can be implemented via hardware or software. When the vehicle enters the locked state, it means that the vehicle cannot be started / activated or moved.

[0030] [Fig.5] is a flowchart of another embodiment of a vehicle locking control method of the invention. The vehicle locking control method according to the invention can be applied to a vehicle.

[0031] In step S510, a specific electronic device is detected via a wireless network. Similarly, in some embodiments, the wireless network may be a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth network, etc. In addition, in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be associated with the processing unit or the network connection unit of the vehicle beforehand, so that the vehicle can know the identification information of the specific electronic device. In some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be a mobile device of the user of the vehicle, such as a connected device, a beacon, or a wireless key. When the specific electronic device is not detected (No in step S520), the process returns to step S510.When the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle via the wireless network (Yes in step S520), in step S530, it is determined whether the signal strength corresponding to the specific electronic device is greater than a first predetermined value. When the signal strength is less than or equal to the first predetermined value (No in step S530), the process returns to step S550. When the signal strength is greater than the first predetermined value (Yes in step S530), in step S540, the vehicle processing unit causes the vehicle to enter an unlocked state. Similarly, the vehicle locking control may be implemented via hardware or software. In some embodiments, locking a vehicle may mean that the vehicle cannot be started / activated.In some embodiments, a specific component of the vehicle, such as a handle or a tire, is locked and cannot be moved. It should be noted that the above-mentioned locking control are only examples of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to them. When the vehicle enters the unlocked state, it means that the vehicle can be started / activated or moved.

[0032] Next, in step S550, the vehicle receives a travel amount corresponding to the specific electronic device from the specific electronic device via the wireless network. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may have a sensor for detecting the travel amount corresponding to the specific electronic device. The specific electronic device may transmit the detected travel amount to the vehicle via the wireless network. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may convert the travel amount into a plurality of travel steps by calculating the number of travel steps based on the travel amount, and then transmit the number of travel steps to the vehicle.In step S560, it is determined whether the signal strength corresponding to the specific electronic device is less than a second predetermined value, and whether the displacement amount corresponding to the specific electronic device exceeds a predetermined amount. It should be noted that the second predetermined value is less than the first predetermined value. As a reminder, in some embodiments, the displacement amount may be converted into the number of displacement steps. The determination of whether the displacement amount exceeds the predetermined amount may be the determination of whether the number of displacement steps exceeds a predetermined number of steps. When the signal strength is not less than the second predetermined value or the displacement amount corresponding to the specific electronic device does not exceed the predetermined amount (No in step S560), the process returns to step S510.When the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value and the amount of movement corresponding to the specific electronic device exceeds the predetermined amount (Yes in step S560), in step S570, the processing unit causes the vehicle to enter a locked state. Similarly, the vehicle locking control may be implemented via hardware or software. When the vehicle enters the locked state, it means that the vehicle cannot be started / activated or moved.

[0033] [Fig.6] is a flowchart of another embodiment of a vehicle locking control method of the invention. The vehicle locking control method according to the invention can be applied to a vehicle.

[0034] In step S610, a specific electronic device is detected via a wireless network. Similarly, in some embodiments, the wireless network may be a Wi-Fi network or a Bluetooth network, etc. In addition, in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be associated with the processing unit or the network connection unit of the vehicle beforehand, so that the vehicle can know the identification information of the specific electronic device. In some embodiments, the specific electronic device may be a mobile device of the vehicle user, such as a connected device, a beacon, or a wireless key. When the specific electronic device is not detected (No in step S620), the process returns to step S610. When the specific electronic device is detected and connected to the vehicle via the wireless network (Yes in step S620), in step S630, it is determined whether the signal strength corresponding to the specific electronic device is greater than a first predetermined value. When the signal strength is less than or equal to the first predetermined value (No in step S630), the process returns to step S650.When the signal strength is greater than the first predetermined value (Yes in step S630), in step S640, the vehicle processing unit causes the vehicle to enter an unlocked state. Similarly, the vehicle locking control may be implemented via hardware or software. In some embodiments, locking a vehicle may mean that the vehicle cannot be started / activated. In some embodiments, a specific component of the vehicle, such as a handle or a tire, is locked and cannot be moved. It should be noted that the aforementioned locking control are only examples of the invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. When the vehicle enters the unlocked state, it means that the vehicle can be started / activated or moved.

[0035] Next, in step S650, the vehicle receives a displacement amount corresponding to the specific electronic device from the specific electronic device via the wireless network. Similarly, in some embodiments, a specific electronic device may include a sensor for detecting the displacement amount corresponding to the specific electronic device. The specific electronic device may transmit the detected travel amount to the vehicle via the wireless network. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the specific electronic device may convert the travel amount into a plurality of travel steps by calculating the number of travel steps based on the travel amount, and then transmit the number of travel steps to the vehicle. In step S660, it is determined whether the signal strength corresponding to the specific electronic device is less than a second predetermined value, whether the vehicle has transitioned from a driving state to a stationary state within a predetermined period before the current time, and whether the travel amount corresponding to the specific electronic device exceeds a predetermined amount. It should be noted that the second predetermined value is less than the first predetermined value.It should be noted that in some embodiments, the vehicle processing unit may record the state of the . vehicle over time, such as driving or stopping, and retaining the vehicle state data for the most recent period. Similarly, in some embodiments, the travel amount may be converted into a plurality of travel steps. The determination of whether the travel amount exceeds the predetermined amount may be the determination of whether the number of travel steps exceeds a predetermined number of steps. When the signal strength is not less than the second predetermined value, the vehicle does not transition from the driving state to the stationary state, or the travel amount corresponding to the specific electronic device does not exceed the predetermined amount (No in step S660), the process returns to step S610.When the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value, the vehicle transitions from the driving state to the stationary state, and the displacement amount corresponding to the specific electronic device exceeds the predetermined amount (Yes in step S660), as in step S670. the processing unit causes the vehicle to transition to a locked state. Similarly, the vehicle locking control may be implemented via hardware or software. When the vehicle transitions to the locked state, it means that the vehicle cannot be started / activated or moved. .

[0036] Therefore, the vehicle locking control methods and systems can perform vehicle locking control based on the signal strength corresponding to a specific electronic device, thereby increasing vehicle anti-theft security and unlocking convenience.

[0037] The vehicle driving control methods may take the form of program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy disks, CD-ROMs, hard disks, or other machine-readable storage media, such that when the program code is loaded onto and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for performing the methods. The methods may also be implemented as program code transmitted over some transmission medium, such as electrical wiring or cabling, via optical fibers, or via some other form of transmission, such that when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for performing the disclosed methods.When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a single device that operates analogously to application-specific logic circuits.

[0038] Although the invention has been described by way of example by means of a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. ci. Those skilled in the art of this technology may still make various alterations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention will be defined and protected by the following claims and their equivalent.

Claims

Claims

1. A vehicle control method for use in an electric vehicle (210), comprising: detecting (S310) a specific electronic device (230) via a wireless network (220) by a processing unit (120) of the vehicle (210); determining (S330) whether a signal strength of the specific electronic device (230) is greater than a first predetermined value when the specific electronic device (230) is detected and connected via the wireless network (220); controlling (S340) the vehicle (210) to enter an unlocked state by the processing unit (120) when the signal strength is greater than the first predetermined value; determining (S350) whether the signal strength is less than a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value;and controlling (S360) the vehicle (210) to enter a locked state by the processing unit (120) when the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value.;

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining (S450) whether the vehicle (210) has transitioned from a driving state to a stationary state within a predetermined period before a current time; and controlling (S460) the vehicle (210) to transition to the locked state by the processing unit (120) when the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value and the vehicle (210) transitions from the driving state to the stationary state within the predetermined period before the current time.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: detecting a displacement amount by a detection unit of the specific electronic device (230); transmitting the displacement amount to the processing unit (120) of the vehicle (210) via the wireless network (220) by the specific electronic device (230); determining (S660) whether the displacement amount exceeds a predetermined amount by the processing unit (120); and controlling (S670) the vehicle (210) to enter the locked state by the processing unit (120) when the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value, the vehicle (210) enters the driving state into the stationary state during the predetermined period before the current time, and the traveling amount exceeds the predetermined amount.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting a displacement amount by a detection unit of the specific electronic device (230); transmitting the displacement amount to the processing unit (120) of the vehicle (210) via the wireless network (220) by the specific electronic device (230); determining (S560) that the displacement amount exceeds a predetermined amount by the processing unit (120); and controlling (S570) the vehicle (210) to enter the locked state by the processing unit (120) when the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value and the thickness amount exceeds the predetermined amount.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: calculating a number of movement steps based on the movement amount by the specific electronic device (230); and determining whether the movement amount exceeds the predetermined amount is performed by determining whether the number of movement steps exceeds a predetermined number of steps.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle (210) cannot start when the vehicle (210) enters the locked state.

7. A vehicle lock control system (100) for use in a vehicle (210), comprising: a network connection unit (110); and a processing unit (120) detecting a specific electronic device (230) via a wireless network (220) via the network connection unit (110), determining whether a signal strength of the specific electronic device (230) is greater than a first predetermined value when the electronic device specific (230) is detected and connected via the wireless network (220), causing the vehicle (210) to enter an unlocked state when the signal strength is greater than the first predetermined value, determining whether the signal strength is less than a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value, and causing the vehicle (210) to enter a locked state when the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processing unit (120) further determines whether the vehicle (210) has transitioned from a driving state to a stationary state within a predetermined period of time preceding the current time, and causes the vehicle (210) to transition to the locked state when the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value and the vehicle (210) transitions from the driving state to the stationary state within the predetermined period of time preceding the current time.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein a detection unit of the specific electronic device (230) further detects a displacement amount, and the specific electronic device (230) transmits the displacement amount to the processing unit (120) of the vehicle (210) via the wireless network (220), the processing unit (120) determines whether the displacement amount exceeds a predetermined amount, and causes the vehicle (210) to enter the locked state when the signal strength is lower than the second predetermined value, the vehicle (210) transitions from the driving state to the stationary state during the predetermined period before the current time, and the displacement amount exceeds the predetermined amount.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein a detection unit of the specific electronic device (230) further detects a displacement amount, and the specific electronic device (230) transmits the displacement amount to the processing unit (120) of the vehicle (210) via the wireless network (220), the processing unit (120) determines whether the displacement amount exceeds a predetermined amount, and causes the vehicle (210) to enter the locked state when the signal strength is less than the second predetermined value and the displacement amount exceeds the predetermined amount.

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