Method and Vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for releasing to a user (4) at least one of a number of locations (2) for accessing a passenger compartment (3) of a vehicle (1), according to which a (first) monitoring device (5) of the vehicle (1) is used to monitor a (first) outer zone (A1) so as to determine the current location of the user (4) relative to the vehicle (1) if the user (4) is found to be located within the (first) outer zone (A1) adjacent to an inner zone (B) immediately surrounding the vehicle (1), and by the monitoring the user (4) is able to determine the current location of the user (4) relative to the vehicle (1). When it is determined that the user (4) has moved from a (first) outer zone (A1) to the inner zone (B), a near-field monitoring device (6) of the vehicle (1) sensing the inner zone (B) is enabled to determine a current location of the user (4) relative to the vehicle (1) only when the user (4) is located within the inner zone (B), and after monitoring determines that the user (4) is located within the inner zone (B), at least one location of the multiple locations (2) for accessing the passenger compartment (3) of the vehicle (1) is released to the user (4).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for releasing to a user at least one location of a plurality of locations for accessing the passenger compartment of a vehicle, and further to a vehicle equipped with said method. [Background technology]

[0002] Previously, methods have been used that allow a user to release at least one of a number of locations (access points, entrances) for accessing the interior of a vehicle, even without a key physically interacting with the vehicle's locking mechanism.

[0003] For example, US2020 / 0314651A1 discloses a method in which different ranges are utilized: a range of a first communication signal based on the "Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy" standard and a range of a second communication signal based on the Ultra Wide Band standard. In this method, the range of the first communication signal and the range of the second communication signal define a zone in which a distance is determined between an identification information transmitter that transmits the first communication signal and the second communication signal and one of the access points of the vehicle that receives the first communication signal and the second communication signal. Based on this distance determination, a probability that the identification information transmitter moves to each access point of the vehicle is determined. Both communication signals are continuously transmitted between the identification information transmitter and the vehicle.

[0004] From DE 10 2016 008 388 A1 it is further known to evaluate the so-called RSSI level of the radio communication signal emitted by the electronic vehicle key in order to determine the distance between the electronic vehicle key and the vehicle receiving the communication signal.

[0005] Furthermore, from DE 10 2018 005 763 A1 it is known to utilize the low-frequency components of a communication signal emitted by means of a number of Ultra-Wide-Band antennas of a vehicle in order to determine the distance of an identification information transmitter to the individual antennas via so-called "low-frequency polling" and from this determine the movement trajectory of the identification information transmitter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0314651(A1) [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102016008388(A1) [Patent Document 3] German Patent Application Publication No. 102018005763(A1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, these conventional methods have drawbacks. They often cannot guarantee a fault-free operation. Instead, they may frequently cause disconnections between the electronic identification transmitter and the vehicle, which may result in annoying error notifications being provided to the user of the vehicle carrying the identification transmitter. Furthermore, when the communication connection between the identification transmitter and the vehicle is lost and must be re-established, this may result in undesirable waiting times for the user.

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for releasing to a user at least one of a number of locations for accessing the passenger compartment of a vehicle, as well as a new approach for a vehicle equipped to carry out such a method, in particular to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The basic idea of ​​the present invention is therefore to monitor a number of zones surrounding the vehicle in a shell-like manner with different monitoring devices of the vehicle, each based on a different operating principle or standard, with the aid of the monitoring devices, the position of the vehicle user is monitored in the number of zones, with the location determination in an outer zone, located on the outside of the vehicle, being used to activate a monitoring device for an inner zone, located adjacent to the outer zone and on the side of the vehicle.

[0010] Therefore, advantageously, fusion of sensor data or communication signals of various monitoring devices of the vehicle can be realized, which improves the accuracy and speed of locating the user. Furthermore, the location can be determined without interruption when the user moves from the outer zone to the inner zone, so that unwanted waiting times for the user when moving from the outer zone to the inner zone can be avoided. In other words, the user's location can be monitored without interruption.

[0011] The method according to the invention is used for releasing at least one of a plurality of locations for accessing the interior of the vehicle to the user. "Releasing" here may in particular mean unlocking or automatically opening a vehicle door closing the location. According to the method, the (first) monitoring device of the vehicle is used to monitor the (first) outer zone in order to determine the current location of the user relative to the vehicle if it is found that the user is located in the (first) outer zone adjacent to the inner zone directly surrounding the vehicle. According to the method, furthermore, if the monitoring finds that the user has moved from the (first) outer zone to the inner zone, a close-range monitoring device of the vehicle is activated for sensing the inner zone in order to determine the current location of the user relative to the vehicle only when the user is located in the inner zone. In this case, after the monitoring finds that the user is located in the inner zone, at least one of a plurality of locations for accessing the interior of the vehicle is released to the user. As already explained above, the method allows for very accurate and fast determination of the current location of the user. Additionally, the method can be used to uninterruptedly monitor the user's current location relative to the vehicle.

[0012] According to an advantageous development of the method, the short-range monitoring device generates sensor data reflecting the current position of the user, on the basis of which a trajectory of the user is calculated in order to predict the continued movement of the user, which makes it possible to take various measures in the vehicle before the user actually arrives at the vehicle.

[0013] Preferably, based on the calculated trajectory, it is estimated which access location of the vehicle is most likely to be used by the user, and the corresponding access location is accurately released, i.e., only the location that the user will almost certainly use is released, and other access locations of the vehicle are not released, which is advantageous in terms of security technology.

[0014] In a further preferred development of the method, the short-range monitoring device comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor, preferably several ultrasonic sensors, which are often already installed in the vehicle for parking assistance anyway, and additional functional content is assigned to the already installed ultrasonic sensors.

[0015] Alternatively, one or more vehicle cameras may be used for close range monitoring.

[0016] In another alternative, both the outer and inner zones may be monitored with one or more vehicle cameras.

[0017] In a further preferred development of the method, the first outer zone is surrounded by a second outer zone, which in turn functions as an inner zone in relation to the second outer zone. A second monitoring device of the vehicle is used to monitor the second outer zone in order to determine the current position of the user relative to the vehicle when the user is located within the second outer zone. Thus, the monitoring radius within which the method can be used to monitor the current position of the user can be expanded. It is understood that in the same way, further additional outer zones can be adjacent to the outside of the second outer zone as viewed from the vehicle, thereby allowing the monitoring radius to be further expanded.

[0018] Advantageously, the (first and / or second) monitoring device comprises a receiver for wirelessly receiving the (first and / or second) communication signal wirelessly transmitted from the user's identification transmitter. Advantageously, the identification transmitter is able to identify that the user has the authority to access the vehicle and ensure that in the method at least one location of the plurality of locations is released only if the user has the authority to access.

[0019] Preferably, the first communication signal is based on the Bluetooth-Low-Energy standard. Alternatively or additionally, the second communication signal is based on the Ultra-Wide-Band standard. Such well-known communication standards facilitate the implementation of the method.

[0020] In a further advantageous development of the method, the current location of the user in the (first and / or second) outer zone is determined using the received field strength of the (first and / or second) communication signal, which allows a very accurate and fast determination of the current location of the user.

[0021] According to a further preferred development of the method, the accuracy of determining the current position of the user in the inner zone is higher than in the (first and / or second) outer zone. Thus, the closer the user's position is to the vehicle, the more accurately the current position of the user can be determined. This allows a very efficient implementation of the method.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle equipped with a short-range monitoring device sensing an inner zone immediately surrounding the vehicle, the vehicle further comprising a (first) monitoring device monitoring an outer zone adjacent to the inner zone, in which case the vehicle is adapted to carry out the method according to the invention, so that the above-mentioned advantages of the method according to the invention also apply to the vehicle according to the invention.

[0023] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the drawings and the description of the drawings.

[0024] It is to be understood that the features listed above, and further described below, can not only be used in the respective combinations indicated, but can also be used in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in more detail below, where like reference numbers indicate identical or similar or functionally identical elements. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of a vehicle according to the invention, in plan view, adapted to the method according to the invention; [Diagram 2] 2 shows the vehicle of FIG. 1, also in plan view, during the implementation of an example of the method according to the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] In Fig. 1 an example of a vehicle 1 according to the invention is shown in plan view. The vehicle 1 comprises a short-range monitoring device 6 monitoring an inner zone B directly surrounding the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 further comprises a first monitoring device 5 monitoring an outer zone A1, which adjoins the inner zone B in the outer direction of the vehicle 1. In this case the vehicle 1 is equipped with a method according to the invention for opening up at least one of a plurality of locations 2 for accessing the passenger compartment 3 of the vehicle 1 to a user 4, not shown in Fig. 1.

[0028] In Fig. 2, the example of Fig. 1 is likewise shown in plan view, but during the implementation of the method according to the invention. The method according to the invention can therefore be understood with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. According to the method, a first outer zone A1 adjacent to an inner zone B directly surrounding the vehicle 1 is monitored by means of a first monitoring device 5 of the vehicle 1. The first monitoring device 5 is used to monitor the first outer zone A1 in order to determine the current position of the user 4 relative to the vehicle 1 if it is found that the user 4 is located within the first outer zone A1. According to the method, furthermore, if the monitoring finds that the user 4 has moved from the first outer zone A1 to the inner zone B, a short-range monitoring device 6 of the vehicle 1 is activated for sensing the inner zone B. Thus, only when the user 4 is located within the inner zone B, the short-range monitoring device 6 determines the current position of the user 4 relative to the vehicle 1. In this case, the method involves opening up at least one of the multiple locations 2 to the user 4 for accessing the passenger compartment 3 of the vehicle 1 after monitoring determines that the user 4 is located within the inner zone B.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the short-range surveillance device 6 It can be seen that generates sensor data reflecting the current location of the user 4. Using this sensor data, a trajectory T of the user 4 is calculated in order to predict the continuation of the movement of the user 4. For this purpose, the previous movements of the user 4 tracked as a result of the monitoring can be used. If necessary, machine-learned behavioral patterns of the user 4 can additionally be taken into account in order to predict the continuation of the movement of the user 4. Using such behavioral patterns, it can be taken into account, for example, which locations 2 of the vehicle 1 the user 4 uses particularly frequently, or in what order multiple locations 2 of the vehicle 1 are used particularly frequently.

[0030] According to the method, it is possible to estimate, based on the trajectory T, which access location 2 of the vehicle 1 is most likely to be used by the user 4. According to the method, exactly that access location 2 is released. In this case, the term "release" may also mean unlocking the vehicle door closing the corresponding location 2. If necessary, the vehicle door closing this location 2 may be automatically opened in order to release the location 2.

[0031] According to figures 1 and 2, the short-range monitoring device 6 of the vehicle 1 comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor 7. In the vehicle 1 of figures 1 and 2, six ultrasonic sensors 7 are provided, which can be associated one by one with the access locations 2 of the vehicle 2. It is understood that alternatively or additionally, the short-range monitoring device 6 may comprise other sensors based on a different operating principle. For example, it is conceivable that the short-range monitoring device 6 comprises at least one vehicle camera.

[0032] In the case of one or more vehicle cameras, so-called Surround Vision Cameras (SVC) can be used. If an SVC (360° park camera) is installed in the car, the gaze direction can be identified with the aid of a suitable identification program. The user not only needs to be in the unlocking area, but also needs to face the direction of the vehicle. Identification is achieved by gaze identification based on computer vision. The user does not need to move his / her hands to open or close the door. The user only needs to be in the appropriate area, look in the direction of the door or the vehicle and wait a short time (approximately 400 ms).

[0033] As can be seen from FIG. 2, the first outer zone A1 is, for example, surrounded by the second outer zone A2. In this case, the first outer zone A1 is, in relation to the second outer zone A2, an inner zone B *The second monitoring device 8 of the vehicle 1 is used to monitor the second outer zone A2 to determine the current location of the user 4 relative to the vehicle 1 when the user 4 is located within the second outer zone A2. In this case, if the monitoring with the second monitoring device 8 determines that the user 4 has moved from the second outer zone A2 to the first inner zone A1, the first monitoring device 5 can be activated, where the first inner zone A1 is a zone B1 in relation to the second outer zone A2. * Thus, the current position of the user 4 relative to the vehicle 1 is determined based on whether the user 4 is in the first outer zone A1 or the inner zone B. * Or, it will be identified by the first monitoring device 5 only if it is located within the inner zone B.

[0034] 1 and 2 further show that the first monitoring device 5, as well as the alternative or additional second monitoring device 8, comprises a receiver for wirelessly receiving the first or second communication signal, which is wirelessly sent from an identification sending unit 9 of the user 4 (see FIG. 2), i.e. the identification sending unit 9 can send both the first and second communication signals. The identification sending unit 9 can be an electronic radio key or a portable electronic device, in particular a smartphone.

[0035] The first monitoring device 5 can receive the first communication signal. The second monitoring device 8 can receive the second communication signal. For example, the first communication signal is based on the so-called "Bluetooth-Low-Energy" standard. The second communication signal is based on the so-called "Ultra-Wide-Band" standard. In this case, the current location of the user 4 in the first outer zone A1 and alternatively or additionally in the second outer zone A2 and, if necessary, in the inner zone B is determined using the received field strength of the first or second communication signal. For this purpose, the so-called RSSI level of the first or second communication signal can be used in a manner known per se. In the method shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the accuracy of the determination of the current location of the user 4 in the inner zone B is higher than in the first outer zone A1 or in the second outer zone A2.

Claims

1. A method for releasing at least one location of a plurality of locations for accessing a passenger compartment of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: - monitoring, using a (first) monitoring device (5) of said vehicle (1), a (first) outer zone (A1) adjacent to an inner zone (B) immediately surrounding said vehicle (1) so as to determine the current position of said user (4) relative to said vehicle (1) if said user (4) is found to be located within said (first) outer zone (A1), said (first) outer zone (A1) being adjacent to an inner zone (B) immediately surrounding said vehicle (1); - when the monitoring determines that the user (4) has moved from the (first) outer zone (A1) to the inner zone (B), enabling a short-range monitoring device (6) of the vehicle (1) for sensing the inner zone (B) so as to determine the current position of the user (4) relative to the vehicle (1) only when the user (4) is located within the inner zone (B), and releasing at least one of the plurality of locations (2) to the user (4) for accessing the passenger compartment (3) of the vehicle (1) after the monitoring determines that the user (4) is located within the inner zone (B); A method comprising:

2. The near-field monitoring device (6) generates sensor data reflecting the current location of the user (4) and calculates a trajectory (T) of the user (4) based on the sensor data to predict the continuation of the user's (4) movement.

2. The method according to claim 1 .

3. Based on the trajectory (T), estimate which access location (2) of the vehicle (1) is most likely to be used by the user (4), and release the access location (2).

3. The method according to claim 2 .

4. The short-range monitoring device (6) comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor (7), preferably two or more ultrasonic sensors (7), or one or more vehicle cameras.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the

5. - said first outer zone (A1) is surrounded by a second outer zone (A2), said first outer zone (A1) functioning as an inner zone (B*) in relation to said second outer zone (A2); - monitoring, with a second monitoring device (8) of the vehicle (1), the second outer zone (A2) so as to determine the current position of the user (4) relative to the vehicle (1) when the user (4) is located within the second outer zone (A2); 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the

6. The (first and / or second) monitoring device (5, 8) includes a receiving unit that wirelessly receives the (first and / or second) communication signal wirelessly transmitted from an identification information transmitting unit (9) of the user (4).

6. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that

7. said first communication signal is based on the "Bluetooth low energy" standard, or / and The second communication signal is based on the "Ultra-Wide-Band" standard.

7. The method according to claim 6 .

8. Determining the current location of the user (4) within the (first and / or second) outer zones (A1, A2) using the received field strength of the (first and / or second) communication signals.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The accuracy of the current location of the user (4) within the inner zone (B) is higher than the accuracy within the (first and / or second) outer zones (A1, A2).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that 10. The vehicle for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, - said short-range monitoring device (6) sensing said inner zone (B); - said (first) monitoring device (5) monitoring said outer zone (A1), A vehicle (1).

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