Methods for operating vehicle functions, automobiles and electronic devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to two methods for operating vehicle functions of a vehicle 10, the vehicle 10, and an electronic device 18. A positioning technique based on UWB measurements and sensor data from an inertial measurement unit are used to determine the path and orientation of a user 20. Vehicle functions are performed based on the determined path and orientation of the user 20. This allows for intuitive operation of the vehicle 10 without requiring predetermined actions by the user 20 relative to the vehicle 10.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to two methods of operating vehicle functions in a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle and an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the prior art, various solutions are known for operating vehicle functions such as opening the tailgate, unlocking or locking the central locking part and the like.

[0003] Many of these solutions are then based on the use of capacitive sensors placed on the vehicle doors and gates in the form of contact surfaces or buttons, whereby touching such surfaces by a user activates a desired vehicle function, for example opening or closing the tailgate or sliding doors, as described in US Pat.

[0004] However, a drawback of the capacitive sensor solution is that the user always needs a free hand to touch the contact surface in order to operate the vehicle functions. When the user reaches their vehicle, they do not want to have their hands free to operate the vehicle functions. The user often has something in their hand that they intend to load into the vehicle.

[0005] For this reason, some vehicle manufacturers have begun to equip their vehicles with so-called kick sensor systems that detect the movement profiles performed by the feet or legs. Patent document 2 illustrates such a solution, whereby the user can operate vehicle functions, such as opening the tailgate, by means of a kicking movement, usually by walking along sensors located in the lower area of ​​the vehicle, instead of using their hands.

[0006] However, operating vehicle functions using kicking movements is not intuitive for users because it does not fit with the natural flow of human movement. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method for operating vehicle functions that can be performed without additional operating actions such as hand or leg movements.

[0007] Patent document 3 relates to a method and device for controlling the operation of a fully automatic driving assistance system for a vehicle, in particular a parking system, configured for guiding the vehicle in an independent manner.

[0008] Patent Document 4 discloses a system and method for controlling vehicle functions simply and flexibly.

[0009] US Patent No. 5,949,693 relates to a system and method for determining whether an ID transmitter is present within the interior space of a vehicle.

[0010] US Pat. No. 6,449,663 describes a vehicle system and method for determining the current location of a wireless device in a vehicle based on a previously detected location.

[0011] US Patent No. 6,299,649 describes a method for authenticating a vehicle user using motion data from a mobile electronic identifier transmitter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] International Patent Publication No. 2021 / 156188 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Publication No. 102020209357 [Patent Document 3] German Patent Publication No. 102012212260 [Patent Document 4] German Patent Publication No. 102020112198 [Patent Document 5] German Patent Publication No. 102019211192 [Patent Document 6] German Patent Publication No. 102013225600 [Patent Document 7] German Patent Publication No. 102018222761 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simplified method for operating vehicle functions in a motor vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The object of the present invention is achieved by two methods for operating vehicle functions of a motor vehicle, a motor vehicle and an electronic device according to the independent claims. Advantageous refinements are the subject of the respective dependent claims which refer to them.

[0015] A first aspect relates to a method for operating vehicle functions in a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a radio system including a transceiver, a first ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna, and a second UWB antenna. The transceiver of the radio system is configured to transmit and receive signals in a very wide frequency band, particularly in the 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz frequency band, preferably in the 3.5 GHz to 9 GHz frequency band, and particularly preferably in the 6 GHz to 8.5 GHz frequency band. In this case, the transmission power of the UWB pulses is low. The bandwidth of the UWB signal is at least 500 MHz, and the UWB transceiver is preferably configured to transmit signals with a transmission power of 0.5 mW / -41.3 dBm / MHz. More preferably, the transceiver is configured in accordance with the IEEE 802.15.4 standard (particularly the chapter on the UWB PHY layer), preferably in accordance with the IEEE 802.15.4z standard. By spreading the signal over such a wide frequency band, UWB signals interfere very little with other radio signals.

[0016] In one step of the method according to the invention, the radio system is driven to measure the location of the second radio system of the user's electronic device by implementing a location measurement technique based on transmission time measurements. The invention is based on the assumption that the detected location of the electronic device corresponds to the location of the user. Therefore, within the scope of the present disclosure, the location of the electronic device is synonymous with the location of the user. In this case, the driving of the radio system advantageously comprises at least the steps of driving the first UWB antenna to transmit a first UWB pulse to the second radio system at time t1 and to receive the second UWB pulse by the second radio system at time t2, and measuring the transmission times of the first and second UWB pulses and the processing time ΔT of the second radio system. VB and measuring the distance between the wireless system and the second wireless system based on the total execution time and the speed of light.

[0017] In a further step, the radio system receives user data from a second radio system. In other words, the radio system performs UWB radio transmissions with the second radio system. Advantageously, the UWB antenna is driven alternately between performing the time-of-transmission based positioning method and performing radio transmissions. In a particularly advantageous implementation, the UWB pulses received for the time-of-transmission based positioning method simultaneously contain user data.

[0018] These user data consist of sensor data of the inertial measurement unit of the electronic device or the user's orientation determined therefrom. This inertial measurement unit advantageously comprises an acceleration sensor, a number of rotation rate sensors and / or a gyroscope. These sensor data therefore consist of acceleration and / or angular velocity values, from which the user's orientation can be determined. In other words, the user's orientation can be determined based on the orientation of the electronic device. Advantageously, the user's rotational position along the z-axis (yaw axis) of the vehicle is considered as the orientation relative to the vehicle.

[0019] Furthermore, based on the results of the position measurement technique and the received user data, the user's path and orientation relative to the vehicle are determined. To determine the user's initial orientation, the system preferably waits for a change in the user's position that exceeds a radius of at least 1.5 m centered on the user's detected initial position. In other words, the initial orientation is assumed to be a vector extending from the user's initial position to the outside of a circle with a radius of 1.5 m centered on the user's initial position. By detecting the user's position through a time flow, a trajectory can be reconstructed and the user's orientation along that trajectory can be calculated using the received sensor data. By linking the determined position data with the received user data, many misuse cases can be identified and prevented. For example, if the user removes a mobile terminal device, preferably an electronic device such as a smartphone, from their trouser pocket, this will detect, based on the sensor data of the inertial measurement unit, that the mobile terminal device not only rotates along the vehicle's z-axis, but also performs a large rotation along the x-axis and / or y-axis (roll axis and / or pitch axis) that are oriented perpendicular to the z-axis. Additionally, it may be possible to distinguish whether the user is moving forward, sideways, or backwards, for example, based on the slight rotational movements of the user's natural gait.

[0020] In a further step of the method according to the present invention, a vehicle function is performed based on the user's determined path and determined orientation relative to the vehicle. This vehicle function may consist of one or more of activating a central locking unit to lock or unlock the vehicle, activating actuators to open the vehicle's doors, gates, and / or windows, activating the vehicle's lighting system, and the like. Using the method according to the present invention, the user's natural movement flow can be advantageously detected and used for intuitive operation of the vehicle's vehicle functions. Fixed, predetermined gestures, such as touching the area of ​​a capacitive sensor or (unnatural) movements of the legs or feet along the underside of the vehicle, can be avoided. For example, if the user approaches the vehicle and moves toward the tailgate, turning their body toward it, this is detected according to the present invention, and the tailgate is (automatically) opened by the vehicle. Therefore, the user can load their purchases or similar items into the trunk without having to perform a predetermined operation or gesture by the vehicle. Therefore, additional sensor equipment can be omitted. Furthermore, the present invention allows for small, targeted and precise selection of vehicle sub-areas for operating vehicle functions. Advantageously, these sub-areas are resolved to a size of 0.5 m x 0.5 m with an angular resolution of ±5 degrees. In this case, it is advantageous to detect when a user simply passes by a vehicle, in addition to consciously operating vehicle functions, and to prevent such unintentional operation of the vehicle.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle function is further defined to be performed under one or more of the following preconditions: the determined path indicates that the user has reached or remains within a predetermined area for the vehicle function; and the determined orientation of the user relative to the vehicle indicates that the user is facing the vehicle. These predetermined areas are preferably areas associated with vehicle functions around the vehicle. For example, to open the hood or tailgate, areas in front of the hood and behind the tailgate are predetermined. The areas in front of the vehicle doors serve to unlock or lock the central locking mechanism of the vehicle. Furthermore, the area in front of the fuel cap can be associated with unlocking or locking the fuel cap and its opening and closing. Thus, the rough detection based on zones around the vehicle, which is common in the prior art, can be replaced by the significantly more accurate detection of the user's position according to the present invention. A user is preferably facing the vehicle when the angle of rotation of the user's orientation about the z-axis (yaw axis) of the vehicle from a forward-facing, shoulder-parallel orientation relative to the vehicle does not exceed ±45°, preferably ±30°, and particularly preferably ±15°. In other words, deviations from a forward-facing, parallel position of the user relative to the vehicle for operating vehicle functions are tolerated to a certain extent in order to minimize misapplications and enable as intuitive an operating experience as possible.

[0022] Furthermore, it is advantageously further specified that the vehicle function is executed under one or more of the following preconditions: the user remains within a predetermined area for the vehicle function for a given waiting time; and the identified path exceeds a given length. The given waiting time is preferably 100 ms to 1,000 ms, more preferably 200 ms to 600 ms, and particularly preferably 400 ms. The given length is preferably 0.5 m to 5 m, more preferably 1 m to 3 m, and particularly preferably 1.5 m. By using these given waiting times or given lengths, conscious operating actions can be better distinguished from unconscious operating actions, thereby reducing the occurrence of incorrect application.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively, it is also advantageously provided that when a user arrives or remains within a predetermined area for vehicle functionality and / or faces the vehicle, the radio system is activated to transmit UWB pulses and receive their pulse responses using at least one of the two UWB antennas. Due to the highly temporally localized UWB pulses, it is possible to extract information about the propagation path of the UWB pulses from the received UWB pulses, including the pulse responses resulting from the influence of the surrounding environment on the transmitted UWB pulses. The influence of the surrounding environment is based on physical phenomena that cause the UWB pulses to deviate from their geometrically predetermined paths, such as refraction, diffraction, reflection, or attenuation. It is clear that the transmission times of signals or signal packets along different propagation paths are different and vary depending on the presence or absence of objects in or near the propagation paths. The pulse shape of the signals or signal packets is also affected depending on the presence or absence of objects in or near the propagation paths. Therefore, based on measurements of signals or signal packets transmitted along these propagation paths, it is advantageous to estimate the presence or absence of users and objects in or near the propagation paths.

[0024] Furthermore, based on the result of the received pulse response, the vehicle function is executed under the precondition that a user gesture for executing the vehicle function has been detected. In other words, the gesture detection is realized using a wireless system. Advantageously, the gesture detection is performed using the user's position detected by the UWB antenna closest to the wireless system. The gesture detection can be used to further reduce the occurrence of incorrect application. In particular, in a situation where the identified trajectory and the identified person's orientation provide a deviant result that cannot be interpreted correctly or reliably enough, it can be specified that the vehicle function can or must be operated using a gesture. Possible gestures for operation are basically known in the prior art. Therefore, a detailed description will be omitted.

[0025] In yet another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the user is authenticated by the second radio system based on authentication data received by the radio system. At least one of the steps of the method is then performed depending on this user authentication. Advantageously, the step of authenticating the user is performed temporally before the localization method. The localization method is then applied only if the user has been successfully authenticated, thereby saving computational power. Furthermore, the authentication step takes into account fundamental safety considerations, according to which operation of the vehicle should or is only permitted by authenticated users.

[0026] Advantageously, the wireless system and the second wireless system each comprise a Bluetooth (BT) antenna adapted to transmit and receive Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signals. Advantageously, the authentication data is received by means of the BT antenna of the wireless system. Compared to UWB wireless technology, BT wireless technology has a wider range, so that the user can be authenticated in advance before the location measurement method using UWB wireless technology according to the invention can be implemented.

[0027] In yet another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the determination of the user's path and / or orientation relative to the vehicle is performed using a digital filter, advantageously a Kalman filter. A digital filter, such as a Kalman filter, is advantageously applied to the received sensor data, thereby improving the accuracy of the determination of the user's path and orientation.

[0028] In yet another advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the execution of vehicle functions based on the user's determined path and determined orientation is performed within a circular area with a radius of at most 10 m, preferably at most 5 m, centered on the vehicle. Detection of a user within a circular area with a radius greater than 10 m is likely to lead to large measurement errors. Measurement errors of an object or user within a distance of 10 meters from the vehicle are small enough to detect the user's path and orientation. Within a circular area of ​​less than 5 m, the measurement errors are particularly small, and therefore detection of the user's path and orientation is particularly reliable. This restriction saves computing power and enables highly reliable detection of the user.

[0029] Yet another aspect comprises a vehicle, the vehicle having a radio system with a transceiver, a first UWB antenna and a second UWB antenna, and a control device configured to implement the method described herein. The features and advantages described with respect to the method can also be realized with the vehicle and therefore can be combined with each other in any way.

[0030] Yet another aspect comprises yet another method, the method being suitable for operating vehicle functions of a vehicle, the vehicle having a wireless system with a transceiver, a first UWB antenna, and a second UWB antenna. The vehicle is preferably a vehicle as described above. The vehicle functions comprise one or more of: actuating a central locking unit to lock or unlock the vehicle; actuating actuators to open doors, gates, and / or windows of the vehicle; and actuating a lighting system of the vehicle.

[0031] In a first step, a second wireless system of the user's electronic device is activated to respond to a position measurement technique implemented by the vehicle's wireless system based on transmission time measurements, for measuring the position of the second wireless system relative to the vehicle. This electronic device is preferably the electronic device described above. Furthermore, user data is transmitted to the wireless system using the second wireless system. These user data consist of sensor data of the electronic device's inertial measurement unit or a user orientation determined by the electronic device from the sensor data of the electronic device's inertial measurement unit. Furthermore, vehicle functions of the vehicle are operated based on the user's path and orientation relative to the vehicle. The features and advantages described with respect to the method and the vehicle can also be realized using this further method and therefore can be combined with each other in any way.

[0032] Yet another aspect comprises an electronic device configured to operate vehicle functions of a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has a radio system including a transceiver, a first UWB antenna, and a second UWB antenna. The motor vehicle is preferably a motor vehicle as described above. The electronic device includes a second radio system and a control unit configured to implement the further method described herein. The features and advantages described with respect to the further method may also be realized using the electronic device and may therefore be combined with each other in any manner. The electronic device and the motor vehicle described herein preferably form a system for operating vehicle functions of the motor vehicle.

[0033] The above-mentioned control devices and / or the above-mentioned control units of the electronic devices of the motor vehicle are preferably realized by electrical or electronic parts or components (hardware) or by firmware (ASIC). Additionally or alternatively, the functions of the control devices / control units are realized by the execution of suitable programs (software). Also preferably, the control devices / control units are realized by a combination of hardware, firmware and / or software. For example, the individual components for providing the individual functions of the control devices / control units are configured as separate integrated circuits or are arranged on a common integrated circuit.

[0034] Furthermore, the individual components of this control device / control unit are advantageously configured as one or more processes which are generated during the execution of one or more computer programs running on one or more processors in one or more electronic computers, which are advantageously configured to work in cooperation with other components, such as a central locking unit, an engine controller, etc., to implement the functions described herein. In this case, the instructions of the computer programs are advantageously stored in a memory, such as a RAM element, but these computer programs can also be stored on non-volatile storage media, such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or the like.

[0035] Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the functionality of this control device / control unit can be achieved by combining the functionality of multiple computing units (data processing devices) or incorporating them into a single device, or the functionality of a given data processing device can be distributed across multiple devices.

[0036] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, for example a control device or control unit of an electronic device in a motor vehicle having a radio system with a transceiver, a first UWB antenna and a second UWB antenna, cause the computer to perform one of the methods according to the present invention, in particular a method for operating vehicle functions in a motor vehicle.

[0037] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the remaining features set forth in the dependent claims.

[0038] The various embodiments of the invention described in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless otherwise specified in individual cases.

[0039] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of a vehicle and electronic devices according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of a method according to one embodiment [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of another method according to one embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a motor vehicle 10 and electronic equipment 18 according to one embodiment. The motor vehicle 10 has a wireless system with one transceiver and six UWB antennas 12, 14, and a control device 16 connected to the wireless system. The control device 16 is configured to implement, among other things, a method for operating vehicle functions of the motor vehicle 10, as described in connection with FIG. 2. Five of the six UWB antennas 12, 14 are distributed among the five doors of the motor vehicle 10, and the sixth UWB antenna 14 is located in the area of ​​the interior rearview mirror of the motor vehicle 10. More precisely, a first UWB antenna 12 is located on the door behind the driver's side, a second UWB antenna 14 is located on the driver's side door, a third UWB antenna 14 is located on the tailgate, a fourth UWB antenna 14 is located on the door behind the passenger's side door, and a fifth UWB antenna 14 is located on the passenger's side door. The number and arrangement of the UWB antennas 12 and 14 are merely exemplary and are for the purpose of better understanding. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangement and number of the UWB antennas 12 and 14 shown. Furthermore, UWB antennas already installed in the vehicle 10 can be utilized. Some modern vehicles have UWB antennas installed in the vehicle 10 for keyless access purposes. Therefore, the UWB antennas 12 and 14 can be used for multiple functions, reducing costs.

[0042] The electronic device 18 is configured to operate vehicle functions of the motor vehicle 10. The electronic device 18 is a mobile terminal device of the user 20, in particular a smartphone. The electronic device 18 has a second radio system, which comprises a second transceiver with at least one UWB antenna configured to transmit and receive UWB pulses. The electronic device 18 further comprises a control unit configured to implement a method for operating vehicle functions of the motor vehicle 10, in particular the method described in connection with FIG. 3 . The electronic device 18 further comprises an inertial measurement unit (IMU) with a gyroscope and an accelerometer, which generate sensor data including angular velocity and acceleration of the electronic device 18. Advantageously, the control unit of the electronic device 18 is configured to determine the orientation of the user 20 from the sensor data of the IMU of the electronic device 18.

[0043] The control device 16 of the vehicle 10 is configured to drive the wireless system to perform a positioning technique to determine the position of the second wireless system of the electronic device 18 of the user 20 based on transmission time measurements, and to receive user data from the second wireless system. Here, the positions of the user 20 and the electronic device 18 are considered synonymous. The user data consists of sensor data of the inertial measurement unit of the electronic device 18. The control device 16 is further configured to determine a path 22 and orientation of the user 20 relative to the vehicle 10 based on the results of the positioning technique and the received user data, and to perform vehicle functions based on the determined path 22 and orientation of the user 20 relative to the vehicle 10.

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 1 , given areas 24 associated with operable vehicle functions are defined around the vehicle periphery of the vehicle 10. These given areas 24 are indicated by dashed lines. Thus, given areas 24 for operating the hood and tailgate are indicated in front of the hood and behind the tailgate. Each of the four vehicle doors of the vehicle 10 also has a given area 24 associated therewith. For ease of viewing, only the given area 24 on the left side of the vehicle is shown in FIG. 1 . Obviously, similar given areas are defined on the right side of the vehicle. Yet another given area 24 is defined at the height of the fuel cap of the vehicle 10. Accordingly, a user 20 can operate a vehicle function associated with one of the given areas 24 by stepping on that given area 24. For example, the hood and tailgate can be opened by stepping on the respective given area 24, and advantageously, can be closed again by stepping out of the given area 24. In relation to a given area 24 of the vehicle door, it may be provided that the central locking of the motor vehicle 10 is locked or unlocked, while in relation to an area of ​​the fuel cap, for example, the fuel cap may be opened or closed when stepping into or exiting a given area 24 of the fuel cap.

[0045] To reduce the occurrence of unwanted misapplications by the user 20, the position of the user 20 is measured multiple times, particularly as many times as necessary, using a method based on transmission time measurements. However, in this case, the position is measured only when the user 20 enters a circumferential area 26 having a radius of 10 meters around the vehicle 10. In FIG. 1, this circumferential area 26 is illustrated by a dashed ellipse surrounding the vehicle 10. Once the user 20 enters the circumferential area 26, the user's position is determined continuously (periodically repeated), and sensor data is continuously received from the electronic device 18. From these determined positions and the received sensor data, the path 22 (trajectory) of the user 20 is determined.

[0046] For a better understanding of the present invention, an example path 22 of a user 20 toward the tailgate of the vehicle 10 is illustrated. It is clear that the present invention is not limited to this specific path 22, but rather can identify numerous paths 22, particularly those leading toward or away from other given regions 24. According to the path 22 depicted in FIG. 1 , the user 20 is initially located outside the circumferential region 26 of the vehicle 10 and moves toward the vehicle 10, specifically toward the tailgate of the vehicle 10. As depicted at point 22a on the path 22, once the user 20 steps into the circumferential region 26, the location of the user 20 is determined using a method based on transmission time measurements using the UWB antennas 12 and 14. Furthermore, current sensor data of the electronic device 18 is received, as illustrated by the arrow between the first UWB antenna 12 and point 22a. To be able to determine the position of the user 20 relative to the vehicle 10, it is necessary that at least one second UWB antenna 14 is able to implement a method based on transmission time measurements to perform triangulation of the point 22a of the user 20. For the sake of clarity, no arrows for this are shown in Figure 1. Advantageously, all UWB antennas 12, 14 are driven to implement a method based on transmission time measurements in order to obtain the most accurate possible position measurement of the user 20.

[0047] If the electronic device 18 does not transmit the orientation of the user 20 but merely transmits inertial measurement unit sensor data, the vector from the user 20's first identified position (point 22a) to the user's subsequently identified second position (point 22b) is assumed to be the user's initial orientation. At point 22b on the user's path 22, the user is already partially within the predetermined area 24 for the tailgate. To prevent incorrect application of vehicle functions, the present invention not only observes the user's path 22 but also utilizes the user's orientation. Therefore, based on the initial orientation and the received sensor data, the user's orientation can be continuously estimated and updated accordingly. Only when the user 20 indicates an orientation toward the tailgate of the vehicle 10, as at point 22c on the path 22, and additionally remains within the predetermined area 14, will the tailgate of the vehicle 10 be (automatically) opened. More precisely, the control device 16 then sends a control signal to the tailgate's actuator to open it. At point 22b, the user 20 is oriented approximately perpendicular to the tailgate and is therefore not facing the tailgate. Therefore, the tailgate does not open, even though the user 20 is already partially within the given area 24. However, at this point 22b, it is still not clear or predictable whether the user 20 is actually walking toward the tailgate, is simply passing by the vehicle 10, or even wants to go to another given area 24, for example to open the fuel cap.

[0048] 2 shows a schematic diagram of the method according to one implementation. The control device 16 of the motor vehicle 10 is particularly adapted to implement the method.

[0049] In a first step 50 of the method, the wireless system is driven to determine the location of the second wireless system of the electronic device 18 of the user 20 using a location determination technique based on time-of-flight measurements.

[0050] In a second step 52 of the method, the wireless system of the vehicle 10 is used to receive user data from a second wireless system, the user data comprising sensor data of the inertial measurement unit of the electronic device 18.

[0051] In a third step 54 of the method, the path 22 and heading of the user 20 relative to the vehicle 10 is determined based on the results of the positioning technique and the received user data.

[0052] In a fourth step 56 of the method, a vehicle function is performed or executed as a result of the determined path 22 and determined orientation of the user 20 relative to the vehicle 10 .

[0053] 3 shows a schematic diagram of yet another method according to one implementation, the control unit of which electronics 18 is particularly adapted to implement this method.

[0054] In a first step 58 of this further method, the second wireless system of the electronic device 18 of the user 20 is activated to respond to a position measurement technique implemented by the wireless system of the vehicle 10 based on transmission time measurements to measure the position of the second wireless system relative to the vehicle 10.

[0055] In a second step 60 of this further method, user data is transmitted to the wireless system of the vehicle 10 using a second wireless system, the user data consisting of sensor data of the inertial measurement unit of the electronic device 18.

[0056] In a third step 62 of this further method, vehicle functions of the vehicle 10 are operated based on the path and orientation of the user 20 relative to the vehicle 10. In other words, the user 20 operates vehicle functions according to the user's selected path and selected orientation relative to the vehicle 10, particularly the orientation at the end of the path. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10. Automobiles 12 First UWB antenna 14 Second UWB antenna 16 Control equipment 18 Electronic equipment 20 users 22 Career Path 22a, 22b, 22c Points on the course 24 Given Area 26 Circumferential Area 50 First step of the method 52 Second step of the method 54 The third step of the method 56 The fourth step of the method 58 First step of yet another method 60 Second step of yet another method 62 Third step of yet another method

Claims

1. A method of operating a vehicle function of a motor vehicle (10), comprising: The vehicle (10) has a wireless system including a transceiver, a first UWB antenna (12) and a second UWB antenna (14), the vehicle functions comprise one or more of: activating a central locking system to lock or unlock the vehicle (10); activating actuators to open doors, flaps and / or windows of the vehicle (10); and activating a lighting system of the vehicle (10); This method is activating (50) the wireless system to perform a location determination technique for determining the location of a second wireless system of an electronic device (18) of a user (20) based on transmission time measurements; receiving (52) user data from a second wireless system using the wireless system, the user data consisting of inertial measurement unit sensor data of the electronic device (18) or an orientation of the user (20) determined therefrom; determining (54) a path (22) and orientation of the user (20) relative to the vehicle (10) based on the results of the positioning technique and the received user data; performing (56) a vehicle function based on the determined path (22) and determined orientation of the user (20) relative to the vehicle (10); A method having the following.

2. 10. The method of claim 1, The above vehicle functions are The identified path indicates that the user (20) has reached or remains within a predetermined area (24) for the vehicle function; The determined orientation of the user (20) relative to the vehicle (10) indicates that the user (20) is facing the vehicle (10); and carried out under one or more of the following conditions: method.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, The vehicle function is further performed under one or more of the preconditions that the user (20) remains within a predetermined area (24) for the vehicle function for a given waiting time and that the specified route exceeds a given length. method.

4. 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, The wireless system is activated to transmit UWB pulses and receive pulse responses using at least one of the two UWB antennas (12, 14) when a user (20) arrives within or remains within a predetermined area (24) for vehicle functions and / or moves toward the vehicle (10); Further, the vehicle function is executed under a precondition that a gesture action of the user (20) for executing the vehicle function has been detected based on the result of the received pulse response. method.

5. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein This method further using the wireless system to authenticate the user (20) based on authentication data received from the second wireless system, wherein at least one of the method steps is performed dependent on the authentication of the user (20); method.

6. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Determining the path (22) and / or orientation of the user (20) relative to the vehicle (10) is performed using a digital filter. method.

7. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The execution of the vehicle functions is based on the determined path and the determined orientation of the user (20) within a circumferential area having a radius of at most 10 m, preferably at most 5 m, centered on the vehicle (10). method.

8. A motor vehicle (10), a wireless system including a transceiver, a first UWB antenna (12) and a second UWB antenna (14); a control device (16) configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7; A vehicle having:

9. 1. A method of operating vehicle functions of a motor vehicle (10), the motor vehicle (10) having a wireless system with a transceiver, a first UWB antenna (12) and a second UWB antenna (14); the vehicle functions comprise one or more of: activating a central locking system to lock or unlock the vehicle (10); activating actuators to open doors, flaps and / or windows of the vehicle (10); and activating a lighting system of the vehicle (10); This method is activating (58) a second wireless system of the user's electronic device (18) to respond to a location measurement technique implemented by the wireless system of the vehicle (10) based on transmission time measurements to determine the location of the second wireless system relative to the vehicle (10); transmitting (60) user data to the wireless system using the second wireless system, the user data consisting of sensor data of an inertial measurement unit of the electronic device (18) or an orientation of the user (20) determined by the electronic device from the sensor data of the inertial measurement unit of the electronic device (18); operating (62) a vehicle function of the vehicle (10) based on the path and orientation of the user (20) relative to the vehicle (10); A method having the following.

10. 10. An electronic device (18) for operating vehicle functions of a motor vehicle (10), the motor vehicle (10) having a radio system with a transceiver, a first UWB antenna (12) and a second UWB antenna (14), the electronic device (18) having a second radio system and a control unit configured to implement the method of claim 9. electronic equipment.

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