METHOD FOR UNLOCKING VEHICLE AND ALLOWING ENGINE START, AND VEHICLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (8) for unlocking (B) and enabling (F) the engine start of a motor vehicle (1) by means of a vehicle key (5). The motor vehicle (1) has at least one external node (6) for wirelessly connecting with the vehicle key (5) outside the interior space of the motor vehicle (1), at least one internal node (7) for wirelessly connecting with the vehicle key (5) inside the interior space of the motor vehicle (1), and a control system (2). The method (8) includes, in this order, the steps of establishing (A) a wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the external node (6), unlocking (B) the motor vehicle (1), forcing (D) the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the external node (6), and forcing (E) the establishment of a new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the internal node (7). The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle (1) having a control system (2) for implementing the method (8).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for unlocking a motor vehicle and for enabling the engine to be started using a vehicle key for the motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having a control system for implementing said method. [Background technology]

[0002] From US 2017 / 0164192 and US 2017 / 0149946 it is known to use a digital vehicle key to unlock a vehicle and allow the engine of said vehicle to be started. It is also known to connect a control system of a vehicle to the digital vehicle key through a BLE connection (BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy). For this, depending on the vehicle architecture, the vehicle can include several BLE nodes in its interior space and outside of its interior space, for example in the bumper. Thereby, uninterrupted BLE coverage is ensured in and around the vehicle. When a customer approaches, the digital vehicle key connects with any BLE node outside the interior space of the vehicle and the control system can unlock the vehicle. A drawback is that the BLE connection with the BLE nodes can deteriorate rapidly and even be cut off when the customer enters the interior space of the vehicle after successful unlocking of the vehicle. Also, depending on the vehicle key, especially depending on the BLE monitoring interval or BLE supervision timeout, it may take up to 20 seconds to establish a new BLE connection with other BLE nodes in the vehicle. After the connection is successful and before the vehicle engine is allowed to start, data for driving authorization is also exchanged between the vehicle key and the control system through the BLE connection. During this time, the vehicle cannot be started. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0164192 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0149946 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved or at least alternative method for unlocking a motor vehicle and enabling engine start using a vehicle key such that the above-mentioned drawbacks are obviated, and to provide a motor vehicle having a control system for implementing this method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] These problems are solved by the invention with the subject matter of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] A method according to the present invention is provided for unlocking a vehicle and allowing engine start by a vehicle key of the vehicle. The vehicle has a control system for carrying out the method. The vehicle further has at least one external node for wirelessly connecting with the vehicle key outside an interior space of the vehicle. The vehicle further has at least one internal node for wirelessly connecting with the vehicle key inside an interior space of the vehicle. In the method, first, a wireless connection is established between the vehicle key and the at least one external node of the vehicle. Then, in the method, the vehicle is unlocked by the control system. Then, in the method, an existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and the at least one external node is forcibly terminated by the control system. Then, in the method, a new wireless connection is forcibly established between the vehicle key and the at least one internal node of the vehicle by the control system. In the method, the establishment of the wireless connection, the unlocking of the vehicle, the forcible termination of the existing wireless connection, and the forcible establishment of the new wireless connection are performed sequentially according to the above order.

[0007] The term "vehicle key" is interpreted broadly in the context of the present invention. The vehicle key is preferably digital. The vehicle key is preferably a so-called smart device. The wireless connection is preferably a BLE-based connection (BLE: Bluetooth Low Energy). The interior space of the motor vehicle means first of all the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. At least one external node is provided for a wireless connection with a vehicle key currently located outside the interior space of the motor vehicle. The at least one external node may be arranged outside the motor vehicle, for example in the bumper of the motor vehicle, as required. At least one internal node is provided for a wireless connection with a vehicle key currently located inside the interior space of the motor vehicle. The at least one internal node may be arranged inside the interior space of the motor vehicle, for example in the center console, as required.

[0008] In the method of the present invention, the existing wireless connection is terminated by the control system so that a new wireless connection can be established relatively quickly. The time it takes the customer to open the driver's door and enter the vehicle is utilized to establish a new wireless connection between the vehicle key and the internal node. Once the customer is inside the vehicle, the new wireless connection is already established and the vehicle can be started quickly.

[0009] The forcing of the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and the external node by the control system is preferably performed by the control system deactivating all external nodes. When a new wireless connection is forcibly established between the vehicle key and the at least one internal node of the motor vehicle, the vehicle key is preferably wirelessly connected only to the at least one internal node. The forcing of the establishment of a new wireless connection between the vehicle key and the at least one internal node of the motor vehicle by the control system is preferably performed by wirelessly connecting the vehicle key only to the at least one internal node after the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and the external node is forcibly terminated.

[0010] The termination of the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and the at least one external node by the control system is preferably performed only after the driver's door of the vehicle is opened. In other words, the opening of the driver's door can be used by the control system as a trigger signal to terminate the existing wireless connection. In this case, the existing wireless connection is not interrupted unless the customer enters the vehicle. Thus, the customer can, for example, lock the vehicle after loading the purchased goods, without entering the vehicle, without interrupting the existing wireless connection.

[0011] Preferably, at least one external node is configured to be managed or controlled by an access system of the control system and at least one internal node is configured to be managed or controlled by a driving authorization system of the control system. The access system preferably manages or controls the unlocking of the motor vehicle, for example by checking the access authorization. The driving authorization system preferably manages or controls the engine start permission of the motor vehicle, for example by checking the driving authorization. Of course, the access system and the driving authorization system can also manage or control other functions of the motor vehicle.

[0012] The jurisdiction switch from the control system access system to the control system driving authorization system is preferably performed by forcing the termination of an existing wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one external node and forcing the establishment of a new wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one internal node of the motor vehicle. In other words, the jurisdiction of the access system ends with the forcing termination of the existing connection, and the jurisdiction of the driving authorization system starts with the forcing establishment of the new wireless connection.

[0013] The control system, in particular the driving authorization system, is preferably configured to initiate engine start authorization of the motor vehicle after the forced establishment of a new wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one internal node of the motor vehicle.

[0014] The control system, in particular the driving authorization system, is preferably configured to enable the terminals for generating a constant or switched ignition pulse and / or deactivate the immobilizer, preferably including the transmission control device and / or the steering wheel lock, after the forced establishment of a new wireless connection between the vehicle key and at least one internal node of the motor vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the control system, in particular the driving authorization system, can also activate the climate control unit. The enabling of the terminals and / or the deactivation of the immobilizer and / or the activation of the climate control unit can be performed simultaneously or sequentially.

[0015] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle key and a control system, the motor vehicle comprising at least one external node for wirelessly connecting with the vehicle key outside the interior space of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the motor vehicle comprises at least one internal node for wirelessly connecting with the vehicle key inside the interior space of the motor vehicle. According to the invention, the control system of the motor vehicle is adapted to implement the above mentioned method. To avoid repetition, reference is made here to the above description.

[0016] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the drawings and the corresponding description based on the drawings.

[0017] Naturally, the features mentioned above and those further described below can be applied not only in the respective described combinations but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0018] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and described in more detail in the specification, in which like reference numbers denote identical or similar or functionally identical elements.

[0019] The drawings show, in schematic form, [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a purely schematic view of a vehicle according to the invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic sequence diagram illustrating the method according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Figure 1 shows a purely schematic view of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. The motor vehicle 1 comprises a control system 2 with an access system 3, a driving authorisation system 4 and a digital vehicle key 5. The motor vehicle 1 further comprises several (here two) external nodes 6 and an internal node 7. The external node 6 is assigned to the access system 3, as indicated by the solid arrow. The internal node 7 is assigned to the driving authorisation system 4, as indicated by another solid arrow.

[0022] Each external node 6 is arranged outside the motor vehicle 1, not shown here, and may be connected to the vehicle key 5, in particular when the vehicle key 5 is currently arranged outside the interior space of the motor vehicle 1 or outside the motor vehicle 1. Each external node 6 is provided for a wireless connection to the vehicle key 5. The wireless connection may for example be a BLE-based connection and is shown here by a dashed arrow. One external node 6 may for example be arranged on the front bumper of the motor vehicle 1, another external node 6 on the rear bumper of the motor vehicle 1.

[0023] The internal node 7 is arranged inside the interior space of the motor vehicle 1, not shown here, and can be connected to the vehicle key 5, in particular when the vehicle key 5 is currently inside the interior space of the motor vehicle 1 or inside the motor vehicle 1. The internal node 7 is provided for a wireless connection to the vehicle key 5, as described above. The internal node 7 can be arranged, for example, in the center console of the motor vehicle 1.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a schematic sequence diagram of the method 8 according to the invention, in which a step A is first performed, in which a wireless connection is established between the vehicle key 5 and one of the external nodes 6 of the motor vehicle 1. Step A is also shown in figure 1. The motor vehicle 1 is then unlocked in step B by the control system 2 or by the access system 3 of the control system 2.

[0025] In step C, the driver's door of the motor vehicle 1 is opened. The opening of the driver's door in step C is performed by the customer and is used in method 8 as a trigger signal for the next step D. Preferably, method 8 can also be performed without step C. In that case, step D is performed after step B.

[0026] In step D, existing wireless connections between the vehicle key 5 and the external nodes 6 are forcibly terminated by the control system 2. In this case, all external nodes 6 are deactivated. In a next step E, a new wireless connection is forcibly established between the vehicle key 5 and the internal nodes 7.

[0027] Then, in step F, engine start of the vehicle 1 may be permitted by the control system 2 or the driving authorization system 4. Then, starting of the vehicle 1 may be triggered or initiated by the customer. The control system 2 or the driving authorization system 4 may also deactivate the immobilizer when engine start of the vehicle 1 is permitted. Furthermore, a climate control unit or further systems of the vehicle 1 may also be activated before or after step F.

Claims

1. A method (8) for unlocking (B) and enabling (F) the engine start of a motor vehicle (1) by means of a vehicle key (5) of said motor vehicle (1), comprising: - said motor vehicle (1) comprises at least one external node (6) for wirelessly connecting with said vehicle key (5) outside the interior space of said motor vehicle (1); - said motor vehicle (1) comprises at least one internal node (7) for wirelessly connecting with said vehicle key (5) inside said interior space of said motor vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising a control system (2) for implementing said method (8), - establishing (A) a wireless connection between said vehicle key (5) and said at least one external node (6) of said motor vehicle (1), - unlocking (B) said vehicle (1) by means of said control system (2), - termination (D) by said control system (2) of said existing wireless connection between said vehicle key (5) and said at least one external node (6); - forcibly establishing (E) by said control system (2) a new wireless connection between said vehicle key (5) and said at least one internal node (7) of said motor vehicle (1).

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the termination (D) of the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the external nodes (6) by the control system (2) is performed by the control system (2) deactivating all the external nodes (6).

3. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1) is forcibly established (E), the vehicle key (5) is wirelessly connected only to the at least one internal node (7).

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the forcible establishment (E) of a new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1) by the control system (2) is performed by wirelessly connecting the vehicle key (5) only to the at least one internal node (7) after forcible termination (D) of the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the external node (6).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the termination (D) of the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one external node (6) by the control system (2) is performed only after opening (C) of the driver's door of the motor vehicle (1).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one external node (6) is managed or controlled by an access system (3) of the control system (2) and the at least one internal node (7) is managed or controlled by an operating authorization system (4) of the control system (2).

7. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the jurisdiction switchover from the access system (3) of the control system (2) to the driving authorization system (4) of the control system (2) is performed by a forced termination (D) of the existing wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one external node (6) and a forced establishment (E) of the new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1).

8. 8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that after the new wireless connection has been forcibly established (E) between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1), the control system (2), in particular the driving authorization system (4) of the control system (2), initiates the engine start permission (F) of the motor vehicle (1).

9. - after the forced establishment (E) of the new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1), the control system (2), in particular the driving authorization system (4) of the control system (2), enables a terminal for generating a constant or switched ignition pulse and / or deactivates an immobilizer, preferably including a transmission control device and / or a steering wheel lock, and / or The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that after the forced establishment (E) of the new wireless connection between the vehicle key (5) and the at least one internal node (7) of the motor vehicle (1), the control system (2), in particular the driving authorization system (4) of the control system (2), activates a climate control unit.

10. A motor vehicle (1) having a vehicle key (5) and a control system (2), - said motor vehicle (1) comprises at least one external node (6) for wirelessly connecting with said vehicle key (5) outside the interior space of said motor vehicle (1); - said motor vehicle (1) comprises at least one internal node (7) for wirelessly connecting with said vehicle key (5) inside the interior space of said motor vehicle (1); In the vehicle (1), Motor vehicle (1), characterized in that the control system (2) is adapted to implement a method (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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