METHOD FOR ACTIVATING A VEHICLE FUNCTION AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVATION DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for activating a vehicle function, of a vehicle among vehicles, by an activation device capable of communicating with portable access equipment, carried by a user, comprising the following steps: selection of a master vehicle, and slave vehicles transmission by each slave vehicle to the master vehicle of a specific identifier, transmission by the master vehicle to each slave vehicle of an instruction to put their scanning phase on standby, increase in scanning of the master vehicle and generation of a predetermined enlarged zone around said vehicle, if an authenticated user is detected in said zone; then: transmission of a wake-up instruction to the slave vehicle corresponding to the identifier, wake-up and triggering of the scanning phase by said slave vehicle, activation of the function of the slave vehicle if the user is in a predetermined zone around said slave vehicle.Figure for abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: METHOD FOR ACTIVATING A VEHICLE FUNCTION AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVATION DEVICE Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for activating a vehicle function such as unlocking / locking the vehicle's openings but also preheating the vehicle's seats, preselecting radio channels, etc. when the presence of the user is detected near his vehicle, as well as an associated activation device. The invention applies more particularly to a vehicle located in a parking lot surrounded by other motor vehicles. Prior art

[0002] In a motor vehicle, it is known to use vehicle function activation devices capable of detecting the presence of a hand or a foot of a user of the vehicle and thus allowing the locking or unlocking of all or part of the openings of the vehicle, for example the doors or the trunk. For example, the detection of the presence of a user's hand on or in front of a door handle coupled with the recognition of an identifier of a "hands-free" access device worn by this user, allows the locking and unlocking of these openings.

[0003] A so-called "hands-free" access system for a motor vehicle allows an authorized user to lock and / or unlock the openings of his vehicle without having to physically press buttons on a key. To do this, the vehicle identifies portable equipment such as a badge or a remote control carried or even a key, by the user and if the badge or the remote control or the key is located in a predetermined area around the vehicle or in the vehicle and is identified as belonging to the vehicle, then the vehicle automatically locks / unlocks its openings according to the user's intention, without the user having to physically handle a key.

[0004] To do this, when the user approaches the vehicle, communication is established on a wireless communication link between the “hands-free” access equipment, for example an electronic badge or a smart mobile phone, and the vehicle function activation device in order to authenticate said access equipment using its identifier.

[0005] To this end, the activation device comprises at least one radiofrequency antenna allowing reception of the identifier sent by the “hands-free” access equipment. free”. The activation device is connected to an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle to which it transmits the identifier.

[0006] According to the state of the art, the access equipment is generally an electronic badge. The signal received by the antenna of the activation device, comprising the identifier of the access equipment, is transmitted via RF (Radiofrequency) or LF (Low Frequency) waves. The precise location of the portable equipment around the vehicle is achieved by measuring the intensity of the LF signal received by the portable equipment (via the antennas and the electronic control unit) from the vehicle, more commonly called RSSI measurements (Received Signal Strength Indication, or measurement of the power received by a signal received by an antenna).The measurement of the power of each signal received by the portable equipment from each antenna of the plurality of LF antennas located on the vehicle V, is received and analyzed by an activation device, on board the vehicle, which thus determines by triangularization, the position of the portable equipment relative to said LF antennas, that is to say relative to the vehicle.

[0007] Depending on the location of the portable equipment identified by the vehicle, in said location zones certain actions specific to said location zones are automatically carried out, unlocking / locking or prior switching on of the passenger compartment lighting (also called “welcome lighting” in English).

[0008] Nowadays, however, it is increasingly common to use a mobile phone to perform authentication functions, which makes it possible to avoid using a dedicated electronic badge and thus limit the number of devices. Most mobile phones do not have RF or LF communication means. It therefore becomes necessary to adapt the "hands-free" access and / or starting system to a vehicle so that it can also operate with a mobile phone equipped with other communication standards, such as, for example, "Ultra Wide Band" in English or Ultra Large Band, ULB in French, or by BLE ("Bluetooth Low Energy" ®), or by WIFI communication ("wireless fidelity" in English or wireless fidelity) and no longer only via radio waves and low frequencies (RF, LF).Ultra wideband (UWB) is a radio modulation technique based on the transmission of very short pulses, often less than a nanosecond. Thus, the bandwidth can reach very high values.

[0009] The approach of the access equipment close to the activation device (less than 2m) and the recognition of the identifier received by the computer, coupled with the detection of the presence of the user's hand, allows the locking or unlocking of the door.

[0010] The disadvantage of such a method, whatever the means of communication used, low frequency, high or ultra high frequency, lies in the need for the vehicle to emit recurrent radio frequency signals in order to detect the approach of the user. These successive emissions consume energy which comes from the vehicle's battery. The risk is that, if the vehicle is parked for weeks, the battery will drain and the vehicle will no longer start.

[0011] Standby strategies exist which allow the vehicle to reduce the frequency of these emissions when it is detected that the vehicle has not moved for a certain time. However, the disadvantage here lies in the inertia of waking up the vehicle to react in time and quickly to an unlocking request from a user.

[0012] The invention proposes a method for activating a vehicle function and an associated activation device overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular when the vehicle is parked in a parking lot surrounded by other motor vehicles. Presentation of the invention

[0013] The invention proposes a method for activating a vehicle function, of a vehicle among a plurality of vehicles, by an activation device intended to be on board the motor vehicle, the device comprising radio frequency communication means capable of communicating with portable access equipment, carried by a user, the vehicle function being triggered by a detection of the presence of said user portable equipment in a predetermined zone around the vehicle during a scanning phase and by authentication of said equipment, the method being remarkable in that the plurality of vehicles are equipped beforehand with radio frequency communication means between them, and in that the activation method comprises the following steps: a. among the plurality of vehicles, selection of a master vehicle according to predefined criteria, and slave vehicles, b. transmission by each slave vehicle to the master vehicle of a specific identifier, c. transmission by the master vehicle to each slave vehicle of an instruction to put the scanning phase on standby, d. putting the scanning phase of the slave vehicles on standby, e. increasing the frequency and / or power of the scanning emissions of the master vehicle and generating a predetermined enlarged zone around the master vehicle, f. if the presence of a user authenticated by an identifier is detected in said predetermined zone enlarged around the master vehicle; then g. transmission of a wake-up instruction from the master vehicle to the slave vehicle corresponding to the identifier, h. waking up said slave vehicle and triggering the scanning phase by said slave vehicle, i. activation of the vehicle function of the slave vehicle if the authenticated user is within a predetermined area around said slave vehicle.

[0014] Judiciously, the process is repeated for each new vehicle entering the enlarged emission zone of the master vehicle or leaving said emission zone.

[0015] The selection of a master vehicle is carried out by: a. communication between vehicles, b. exchange of predefined criteria values ​​between vehicles, c. comparison of predefined criteria values ​​with each other.

[0016] More specifically, the predefined criteria include at least: a. a threshold value or a maximum value of state of charge of a vehicle battery, b. a maximum transmission range.

[0017] The invention also relates to a Device for activating a vehicle function, intended to be mounted on a vehicle, the device comprising radio frequency communication means capable of communicating with portable access equipment carried by a user, the vehicle function being triggered by detection of the presence of said user's portable equipment in a predetermined area around the vehicle during a scanning phase and by authentication of said equipment, the device being remarkable in that it is capable of: a. communicate with other vehicles from among a plurality of vehicles, b. select from among the plurality a master vehicle, and slave vehicles according to predefined criteria, c. receive a specific identifier from each slave vehicle, d. send an instruction to each slave vehicle to put the scanning phase on standby, e. increase a frequency or a transmission power of the scanning phase, f. detect the presence of an authenticated user with an identifier (ID) in a predetermined, enlarged area, g. issue a wake-up instruction from the scanning phase to a slave vehicle corresponding to the identifier of the authenticated user.

[0018] The device is further capable of exchanging predefined criteria values ​​with other vehicles, and of comparing the values ​​with each other.

[0019] More specifically, the predefined criteria include: a. a threshold value or a maximum value of state of charge of a vehicle battery, b. Maximum vehicle transmission range.

[0020] The invention also relates to any computer program product comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the method according to any one of the characteristics listed above when said program is executed on a computer.

[0021] Finally, the invention applies to any motor vehicle comprising an activation device according to any one of the characteristics listed above. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This description is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig.l]: [Fig.l] schematically represents a plurality of vehicles comprising a master vehicle and slave vehicles,

[0024] [Fig.2]: [Fig.2] schematically represents an activation device according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig.3]: [Fig.2] is a flowchart illustrating the different stages of the activation method according to the invention. Description of the embodiments

[0026] In [Fig.l] a plurality of vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4, VM ​​are shown, each comprising an activation device D1, D2, D3, D4, DM of a vehicle function.

[0027] According to the invention, each vehicle of the plurality shown in [Fig.l], is equipped with an activation device D1, D2, D3, D4, DM of a vehicle function, for example a device for activating “hands-free” locking / unlocking of the vehicle.

[0028] For this purpose, each vehicle comprises radio frequency transmission antennas, low, high or ultra high frequency, of the RF, BLE (“Bluetooth”) or UWB (“Ultra Wide Band” in English) type or ULB, Ultra Large Band in French. For example, each vehicle is equipped with four radio frequency antennas Al 1...A14, A21... A24, A31...A34, A41...A44, AM1...AM4, each antenna being connected to an electronic control unit El, E2, E3, E4, EM of the corresponding vehicle.

[0029] Each of these vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4, VM ​​is thus capable of detecting the presence of a user U equipped with portable equipment SD in a predetermined zone ZI around said vehicle during a so-called scanning phase, i.e. transmission phase. radio frequency waves, then activate the vehicle function if the user is authenticated, i.e. if the ID identifier of the SD equipment exchanged with the vehicle corresponds to an identifier previously recorded and identified as being authorized to activate the vehicle function.

[0030] This method of activating a hands-free function and the corresponding activation device are known to those skilled in the art and will not be detailed further here.

[0031] According to the invention, the plurality of vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4, VM ​​comprises vehicles called “slave vehicles” VI, V2, V3, V4 and at least one vehicle called “master vehicle”, VM as will be described below.

[0032] In order to categorize the vehicles as either “master” or “slave”, said vehicles are able to communicate with each other.

[0033] According to the invention also, the vehicle called "master vehicle" VM is able to request the slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4 to enter a standby phase, during which the scanning phase of said vehicles is stopped momentarily, and also able to wake up said slave vehicles or at least one slave vehicle so that the scanning phase of said vehicles or of the vehicle in particular is operational again.

[0034] During the standby phase of the slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4, the master vehicle VM is in operation with an optimized scanning phase, i.e. a scanning phase with either an increased transmission frequency or an increased transmission power so that the predetermined radio frequency transmission zone Z2 around it is widened.

[0035] The master vehicle VM is chosen according to predetermined criteria, and each vehicle can either take the role of slave vehicle or the role of master vehicle.

[0036] The activation method will be described later.

[0037] According to the invention, each activation device D1, D2, D3, D4, DM is therefore capable either of ensuring the functions of the slave vehicle VI, V2, V3, V4, or those of the master vehicle VM.

[0038] For this purpose, each activation device D1, D2, D3, D4, DM comprises: a. Means of communication M1 with the other vehicles located in the transmission zone of said device, b. Means of selection M2 of a master vehicle and slave vehicles, according to predefined criteria, c. Means of receiving M3 of the slave vehicles' own ID identifiers, d. Means of transmitting M4 an instruction to put the scanning phase on standby to the slave vehicles, e. Means of increasing M5 the power or frequency of emissions of the phase of scanning the vehicle in which it is located, f. Means of detecting M6 the presence of a user U and authenticating said user by an identifier ID in a predetermined enlarged zone Z2, g. Means of transmitting M7 a wake-up instruction from the scanning phase to the slave vehicle corresponding to the identifier ID.

[0039] The means of communication Ml between vehicles comprise the antennas and transmission / reception means between each vehicle; vehicle-to-vehicle communication is known from the state of the art and will not be detailed further here.

[0040] The selection means M2 of a master vehicle VM and of the slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4 are capable of receiving from each vehicle predefined criteria values, of comparing them together and of selecting according to the results of the comparisons a master vehicle VM from among the plurality of vehicles. The selection criteria can be: the state of charge of the battery in relation to a threshold value, or a maximum value of the state of charge of the battery, and / or a maximum transmission range and / or the centered location of the master vehicle in relation to the slave vehicles, which allows the master vehicle VM to be able to communicate with a maximum number of slave vehicles.

[0041] The master vehicle VM being the one which has a battery charge state higher than the battery charge states of the slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4, and being the one which has a maximum transmission range thus making it possible to communicate with the maximum number of slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4. These criteria are in no way exhaustive or limiting, other criteria can of course be taken into account, such as the detection of the absence of wall(s) around the master vehicle VM for example.

[0042] Means for receiving M3 specific identifiers ID thus make it possible to list each slave vehicle VI, V2, V3, V4 by its identifier, each identifier is then recorded in the memory of the activation device DM of the master vehicle VM.

[0043] The means M4 for transmitting an instruction C for putting the scanning phase on standby to the slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4 are capable of transmitting a message to all the slave vehicles, said message comprising an instruction understandable by the slave vehicle asking it to switch off or temporarily suspend its scanning phase.

[0044] The means for increasing M5 the power P or the frequency F of the emissions of the scanning phase thus make it possible to widen the range of the emissions during the scanning phase of the master vehicle VM.

[0045] The means for detecting the presence M6 of a user U and for authenticating said user by an identifier ID, make it possible to detect any user. U in the extended transmission zone Z2 of the master vehicle VM which carries portable SD equipment previously paired using its ID identifier with one of the slave vehicles.

[0046] The presence detection means M6 are capable of receiving the identifier ID and comparing it with the specific identifiers of the slave vehicles previously stored in the activation device DM of the master vehicle VM.

[0047] The means M7 for transmitting a wake-up instruction R of the scanning phase are capable of transmitting a wake-up message to the slave vehicle whose identifier ID corresponds to the identifier ID previously received from the portable equipment SD of the user U by the master vehicle VM.

[0048] The communication means M1, the selection means M2, the reception means M3, the transmission means M4 of a standby instruction C, the means M5 for increasing the frequency F or the power P of the transmissions of the master vehicle VM during the scanning phase, the means M6 for detecting the presence of a user U and for authenticating said user by an identifier ID, and the transmission means M7 of a wake-up instruction R of the scanning phase to the slave vehicle corresponding to the identifier ID received by the master vehicle VM are preferably in the form of software included in the microcontroller (not shown) located in the electronic control unit E1, E2, E3, E4, EM of the activation device D1, D2, D3, D4, DM.

[0049] Each central control unit E1, E2, E3, E4, EM also comprises a processor 100 and a memory 101 (see [Fig.2]) in which instructions are recorded making it possible to configure the processor to execute certain particular processes, in particular to implement the steps of the activation method, according to the embodiment as described below.

[0050] The method of activating a vehicle function, illustrated in [Fig.3] will now be described.

[0051] During a prior step E0, communication is established between the different vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4, VM ​​of the plurality of vehicles during which the vehicles mutually send predefined criteria values, in this example the state of charge of their battery, as well as the range of their radiofrequency transmission.

[0052] In a first step, El, from among the plurality of vehicles, a master vehicle VM is selected according to the predefined criteria. More precisely, the master vehicle VM is the one whose battery charge state is greater than a predetermined threshold, or even is the one whose battery charge state is of maximum value compared to the battery charge states of the other vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4. The master vehicle VM is also the one that can communicate with the maximum number of slave vehicles around it and whose transmission range is either maximum, or the master vehicle VM is located centrally in relation to the slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4 as illustrated in [Fig.l], where the master vehicle VM is surrounded by slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4.

[0053] During a second step E2, each slave vehicle VI, V2, V3, V4 sends its own identifier to the master vehicle VM and said identifier ID is recorded in the memory of the activation device DM of the master vehicle VM. It should be noted that this step can be included in the first step E1.

[0054] Once the master vehicle VM has been selected, and the identifiers ID of each slave vehicle VI, V2, V3, V4 are recorded in the memory of the activation device DM of the master vehicle VM, the master vehicle VM sends to each of the slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4 an instruction to put their scanning phase on standby C in the third step E3.

[0055] Upon receipt of this instruction C, each slave vehicle in the following step 4 E4, puts the scanning phase on standby, more precisely it no longer emits radio frequency waves to compatible portable SD equipment, this in order to reduce the consumption of its battery, the vehicle being stationary, engine off.

[0056] During the 5th step E5, once the slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4 "asleep", the master vehicle VM, for its part, increases the power P and / or the frequency F of the emissions of its scanning phase in order to have a wider emission range, defining a predetermined enlarged zone Z2 around said master vehicle VM which encompasses not only the slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4 (see [Fig.l]) but also their respective predetermined zone. This is illustrated in [Fig.l], where the predetermined zone of the slave vehicle V4 is located in the predetermined enlarged zone Z2 of the master vehicle VM. The same applies to the predetermined zones (not shown in [Fig.l]) of the other slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, these are located in the predetermined enlarged zone Z2. Consequently, the predetermined enlarged zone Z2 includes the predetermined zone Z1.

[0057] During the sixth step E6, if a user U carrying portable equipment SD is in the predetermined enlarged zone Z2, the master vehicle VM then requests the identifier ID of said equipment SD and compares it to the previously recorded identifiers ID that it had received from the slave vehicles VI, V2, V3, V4 in the second step E2.

[0058] During the seventh step E7, if the identifier ID corresponds to one of the stored identifiers, then the master vehicle VM transmits to the slave vehicle corresponding to the identifier ID a wake-up instruction R of the scanning phase of said slave vehicle.

[0059] At the eighth step E8, the slave vehicle VI, V2, V3, V4 proceeds to the resetting operation of its scanning phase and therefore emits radiofrequency waves in order to detect in turn the portable SD equipment carried by the user U.

[0060] In the ninth step E9, if the portable equipment SD with the previously recognized identifier ID is also detected by the slave vehicle in a predetermined zone ZI around said slave vehicle authorizing the activation of a vehicle function, then the slave vehicle activates said function (step E10). In other words, the unlocking of the slave vehicle is activated.

[0061] It should be noted that the method is repeated each time a new vehicle V either leaves the extended transmission zone Z2 of the master vehicle VM or enters the extended transmission zone Z2. Indeed, the new vehicle V can in turn become the master vehicle VM.

[0062] The activation method and the associated activation device according to the invention therefore make it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. The method according to the invention is particularly ingenious because it makes it possible to save the battery of the slave vehicles while continuing the scanning of portable equipment compatible with at least one of the slave vehicles by selecting a master vehicle whose transmission range is extended and which will ensure said detection.

[0063] This master vehicle is chosen so as to be able to support a more energy-intensive scanning phase and also so as to be able to communicate with the maximum number of slave vehicles in order to reduce the battery consumption of a maximum number of vehicles.

[0064] The invention is inexpensive and easy to implement because it only requires software modifications.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for activating a vehicle function, of a vehicle among a plurality of vehicles (VI, V2, V3, V4, VM), by an activation device (Dl, D2, D3, D4, DM) intended to be on board the motor vehicle, the device comprising radio frequency communication means (Ail...A14, A21...A24, A31...A34, A41...A44, AMI...AM4) capable of communicating with portable access equipment (SD), carried by a user (U), the vehicle function being triggered by a detection of the presence of said portable user equipment (SD) in a predetermined zone around the vehicle (Zl) during a scanning phase and by authentication of said equipment, the method being characterized in that the plurality of vehicles are first equipped with radio frequency communication means (Ml) between them, and in that the activation method comprises the following steps: a. among the plurality of vehicles, selection of a master vehicle (VM) according to predefined criteria, and slave vehicles (VI, V2, V3, V4), b. transmission by each slave vehicle (VI, V2, V3, V4) to the master vehicle (VM) of a specific identifier (ID), c. transmission by the master vehicle (VM) to each slave vehicle of an instruction to put the scanning phase on standby (C), d. putting the scanning phase of the slave vehicles (VI, V2, V3, V4) into standby mode, e. increasing the frequency (F) and / or power (P) of the master vehicle (VM) scanning emissions and generating a predetermined enlarged zone (Z2) around the master vehicle (VM), f. if the presence of a user (U) authenticated by an identifier (ID) is detected in said predetermined enlarged zone (Z2) around the master vehicle (VM); then i. transmission of a wake-up instruction (R) from the master vehicle (VM) to the slave vehicle (VI, V2, V3, V4) corresponding to the identifier (ID), ii. waking up said slave vehicle (VI, V2, V3, V4) and triggering of the scanning phase by said slave vehicle, üi. activation of the vehicle function of the slave vehicle (VI, V2, V3, V4) if the authenticated user (U) is in a predetermined zone (Zl) around said slave vehicle (VI, V2, V3, V4).

2. Activation method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the method is repeated for each new vehicle (V) entering the enlarged transmission zone (Z2) of the master vehicle (VM) or leaving said transmission zone.

3. Method for activating a vehicle function according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the selection of a master vehicle is carried out by: a. communication between vehicles, b. exchange between the vehicles of predefined criteria values, c. comparison of the predefined criteria values ​​with each other.

4. Activation method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the predefined criteria comprise at least: a. a threshold value or a maximum value of state of charge of a battery of the vehicle, b. a maximum transmission range.

5. Activation device (Dl, D2, D3, D4, DM) of a vehicle function, intended to be embedded in a vehicle, the device comprising radio frequency communication means (A1 1...A14, A21...A24, A31...A34, A41.. ,A44, AMI.. ,AM4) capable of communicating with portable access equipment (SD), carried by a user (U), the vehicle function being triggered by a detection of the presence of said portable user equipment (SD) in a predetermined area around the vehicle (Zl) during a scanning phase and by authentication of said equipment, the device (Dl, D2, D3, D4, DM) being characterized in that it is capable of: a. Communicating with other vehicles (VI, V2, V3, V4) from among a plurality of vehicles, b. selecting from among the plurality a master vehicle (VM), and slave vehicles (VI, V2, V3, V4) based on predefined criteria, c. receive from each slave vehicle (VI, V2, V3, V4) a specific identifier (ID), d. transmit to each slave vehicle (VI, V2, V3, V4) an instruction to put the scanning phase on standby (C), e. increase a frequency (F) or a transmission power (P) of the scanning phase, f. detecting the presence of a user (U) authenticated with an identifier (ID) in a predetermined enlarged zone (Z2), g. transmitting a wake-up instruction (R) from the scanning phase to a slave vehicle (VI, V2, V3, V4) corresponding to the identifier (ID) of the authenticated user.

6. Activation device (D1, D2, D3, D4, DM) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the device is capable of exchanging predefined criteria values ​​with the other vehicles, and of comparing the values ​​with each other.

7. Activation device (D1, D2, D3, D4, DM), according to any one of claims 5 to, characterized in that the predefined criteria comprise: a. a threshold value or a maximum value of state of charge of a battery of the vehicle, b. a maximum transmission range of the vehicle.

8. A computer program product comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 when said program is executed on a computer.

9. Motor vehicle (V), characterized in that it comprises an activation device (D1, D2, D3, D4, DM) according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

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