Control system for controlling a remote door opening system

Abstract

Control system for controlling a remote door opening system Aspects of the present invention relate to a control system for controlling a remote door opening system for a vehicle, a remote door opening system, a vehicle and a method for controlling a remote door opening system for a vehicle. The control system comprises one or more processors collectively configured to receive a vehicle location signal indicating a geographical location of the vehicle; receive a remote door location signal containing information indicative of a geographical location of a remote door and compare the geographical location of the vehicle and the geographical location of the remote door to determine a distance between the vehicle and the remote door. The one or more processors are further configured to output a signal to activate the user input device for receiving an input from a user to control the remote door to open or close when the distance between the vehicle and the remote door is below a predetermined threshold distance.

Description

[0001] CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A REMOTE DOOR OPENING SYSTEM

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a control system for controlling a remote door opening system. Aspects of the invention relate to a remote door opening system, a vehicle, and a method for controlling a remote door opening system for a vehicle.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] It is known to provide remote door opener system within a vehicle which provides a user input device, such as a button, to enable an operator of the vehicle to control a remote door, such as a garage door or gate remote from the vehicle. It is desirable to improve the ease with which a user, e.g. a vehicle operator, can interact with such remote door opener systems.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a control system for controlling a remote door opening system for a vehicle, a remote door opening system, a vehicle and a method for controlling a remote door opening system for a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a control system for controlling a remote door opening system for a vehicle, wherein the remote door opening system is for controlling a door, remote from the vehicle, to open and close using a user input device provided within the vehicle, wherein the control system comprises: one or more processors collectively configured to: compare a geographical location of the vehicle and a geographical location of the remote door to determine a distance between the vehicle and the remote door; and based on the distance between the vehicle and the remote door being below a predetermined threshold distance, output a signal to activate the user input device for receiving an input from a user to control the remote door to open or close.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a control system for controlling a remote door opening system for a vehicle, wherein the remote door opening system is for controlling a door, remote from the vehicle, to open and close using a user input device provided within the vehicle, wherein the control system comprises: one or more processors collectively configured to: receive a vehicle location signal indicating a geographical location of the vehicle; receive a remote door location signal containing information indicative of a geographical location of a remote door; compare the geographical location of the vehicle and the geographical location of the remote door to determine a distance between the vehicle and the remote door; and based on the distance between the vehicle and the remote door being below a predetermined threshold distance, output a signal to activate the user input device for receiving an input from a user to control the remote door to open or close.

[0010] The control system improves user convenience by reducing or removing the need for the driver to interact with user interface controls on the vehicle display screen to select a particular door that the driver wishes to open and / or navigate to an appropriate menu orsub / menu within a user interface in order to reach a desired remotedoor control. Instead, the control system is able to cause the appropriate control to be presented a user when approaching a corresponding remote door.

[0011] The door may be a garage door or a gate. Receiving by the one or more processors may refer to receiving a signal from a memory of the control system and / or from a controller, processor, memory, signal bus or any other source separate from the control system.

[0012] Activating the user input device of the vehicle to receive the input comprises providing an input option for the user to indicate that the remote door should be opened or closed.

[0013] In this way, the remote door opening system gives the user the ability to selectively control the remote door to open and close when within the predetermined distance.

[0014] The user input device may be a touchscreen device. Providing the input option may comprise presenting a touch screen button for a user to provide the input to open or close the remote door using the touchscreen device.

[0015] A touch screen device may provide a convenient input device within the vehicle, which is capable of receiving inputs for controlling multiple system on the vehicle. By presenting a touch screen button for a user to provide the input to open or close the remote door using the touchscreen device when the vehicle is within the predetermined threshold distance, the control system provides a convenient way for the user to control the door to open and close.

[0016] The user input device may comprise a menu system comprising a plurality of menus and submenus. Activating the user input device of the vehicle to receive the input comprises automatically navigating to a menu or submenu from which a selection can be made to open or close the remote door.

[0017] In this way, the control system may improve user convenience when using the user input device to control the remote door to open or close, by reducing the time taken and number of user interactions required to control a particular remote door that the vehicle is within the predetermined threshold distance of.

[0018] The user input device may comprise a microphone. Providing the input option may comprise the system automatically monitoring audio signals received from the microphone to identify a voice command from the user indicating that the remote door should be opened or closed.

[0019] Activating a user input device comprising a microphone may enable the user to control a particular remote door (within the predetermined threshold distance) without manually interacting with the user input device, e.g. without interacting with a physical or touchscreen button. Additionally or alternatively, activating the user input device in this way may enable voice commands for opening particular remote doors to be simplified, particularly when the remote door opening system is programmed to open and close multiple remote doors.The one or more processors may be further configured to: in dependence on receiving a signal indicative of the input from the user via the user input device, output a door control signal to cause one or more antennas to transmit a remote door control signal to open or close the remote door.

[0020] In this way, the remote door may be controlled by the user to open or close using the remote door opening system.

[0021] The predetermined threshold distance may be 10m or less. In this way, the user input device may be activated when the user has approached, and may be intending to pass through, the remote door.

[0022] The one or more processors may be further configured to: receive an activation zone signal indicating a user defined activation zone within which the user interface is to be activated for receiving the input from the user to control the remote door to open or close. The predetermined threshold distance may be based on the user defined activation zone.

[0023] In this way, the control system may be controlled to activate the user input device when the vehicle is at a different distance from the remote door based on a direction of the vehicle from the remote door, as selected by the user.

[0024] A remote door opening system may comprise the above-mentioned control system. The remote door opening system may further comprise the one or more antennas. The one or more antennas may be configured to be mounted within an interior trim portion of the vehicle arranged between a front windscreen of the vehicle and an upper surface of an instrument panel structure of the vehicle. For example, the interior trim portion of the vehicle may be arranged vertically between the front windscreen of the vehicle and the upper surface of an instrument panel structure of the vehicle.

[0025] The interior trim portion of the vehicle may be a convenient location for mounting the antenna which may improve the ease with which the user can access the antennas, e.g. for programming the remote door opening system.

[0026] The remote door opening system may further comprise the remote door and a door actuator device coupled to the remote door. The door actuator device may be configured to receive the remote door control signal and cause the remote door to move based on the signal.

[0027] A vehicle may comprise the above-mentioned remote door opening system or the above-mentioned control system of any of claims.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a remote door opening system for a vehicle, wherein the remote door opening system is for controlling a door, remote from the vehicle, to open and close using a user input device provided on the vehicle, wherein the methodcomprises: receiving a vehicle location signal indicating a geographical location of the vehicle; receiving a remote door location signal containing information indicative of a geographical location of a remote door; comparing the geographical location of the vehicle and the geographical location of the remote door to determine a distance between the vehicle and the remote door; and based on the distance between the vehicle and the remote door being below a predetermined threshold distance, outputting a signal to activate the user input device for receiving an input from a user to control the remote door to open or close.

[0029] Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and / or features of any embodiment can be combined in anyway and / or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and / or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic front perspective view of a vehicle;

[0033] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a portion of a vehicle cabin;

[0034] Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of a remote door opening system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0035] Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a control system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0036] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment the invention;

[0037] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of an example graphical user interface for a main display unit of the vehicle cabin;

[0038] Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of another example graphical user interface for a main display unit of the vehicle cabin;

[0039] Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating another method according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0040] Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of another example graphical user interface for a main display unit of the vehicle cabin; and

[0041] Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of another example graphical user interface for a main display unit of the vehicle cabin.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 shows a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the vehicle 1 is a passenger vehicle, also referred to as a passenger car or as an automobile. In other examples, embodiments of the invention can be implemented for other applications, such as commercial vehicles.The vehicle 1 may comprise a vehicle cabin 10 in which vehicle occupants may sit. One or more seats 14 may be provided to support a passenger and / or an operator, e.g. driver, of the vehicle 1. The vehicle cabin 10 may be positioned towards the front of the vehicle 1 , the front of the vehicle 1 being defined by the usual intended direction of travel of the vehicle 1 in normal, non-reversing, operation. The vehicle cabin 10 may extend across substantially the full width of the vehicle 1 .

[0044] The vehicle cabin 10 may be defined by one or more vehicle structures 12 which may collectively be referred to as a body in white or a portion of the body in white. The body in white may comprise a series of vehicle structures 12 coupled together, for example using welding and / or riveting. The vehicle cabin 10 may be at least partially defined by a roof portion 12c of the vehicle structure 12, which may define an upper region of the vehicle cabin 10. The vehicle structures 12 may comprise pillars 12a, 12b, which may be termed A-pillars. A windscreen 16 of the vehicle may be located between the A-pillars 12a, 12b. An example of a vehicle cabin 10 comprising a first A-pillar 12a and a second A-pillar 12b on opposite sides of the vehicle cabin 10 is shown more clearly in Figure 2.

[0045] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a portion of the vehicle cabin 10. The vehicle cabin 10 comprises an instrument panel structure 20 that extends across the width of the vehicle cabin 10. The instrument panel structure 20 is positioned at a forward location of the vehicle cabin 10, forward here defined as being towards the front of the vehicle 1. In particular, the instrument panel structure 20 may be forward of the front seats 14 of the vehicle. Further, the instrument panel structure 20 may be forward of a steering control, such as a steering wheel 24, of the vehicle. The instrument panel structure 20 defines a support structure for housing and / or supporting components within the vehicle cabin 10. In particular, the instrument panel structure 20 may support an instrument panel 50 of the vehicle comprising one or more instruments indicating one or more, e.g. respective, operating parameters of the vehicle, such as speed, engine RPM, temperature, etc. Further examples of components housed and / or supported by the instrument panel structure 20 may include operator controls, the steering wheel 24 and one or more storage compartments. The instrument panel structure 20 may be coupled directly to the A-pillars 12a, 12b.The A-pillars 12a, 12b may further at least partially support the windscreen 16 of the vehicle 1 (omitted from Figure 2 for clarity).

[0046] The vehicle cabin 10 may further comprise a trim panel 30 located on top of the instrument panel structure 20. The trim panel 30 may be upstanding from and extend, e.g. upwardly, from an upper surface 22 of the instrument panel structure 20. Accordingly, the trim panel 30 may be arranged beneath the windscreen 16. Further, the trim panel may extend at least partially across the width of the vehicle cabin 10. For example, the trim panel may extend between the A-pillars 12a, 12b.

[0047] The upper surface 22 of the instrument panel structure 20 may be substantially planar as shown in Figure 2, which may improve the ease of locating the trim panel 30 to the instrument panel structure 20, e.g. during assembly of the vehicle cabin 10. The trim panel 30 may be provided at a forward edge or location of the instrument panel structure 20, and as such may extend from the upper surface 22 of the instrument panel structure 20 towards the windscreen 16 of the vehicle 1 . The trim panel 30 may be substantially aligned with a lower edge 16a of the windscreen. In some arrangements, the trim panel 30 may comprise a sound bar foran entertainment system of the vehicle. For example, the trim panel 30 may house a plurality of speakers (not shown) having different diameters, or effective diameters, spaced along the length of the trim panel 30, e.g. across the width of the vehicle cabin.

[0048] The vehicle 1 may further comprise a remote door opener system 200 for enabling an operator of the vehicle, such as a driver, to control a door, remote from the vehicle, to open and close using an input device provided within the vehicle. The remote door opener system 200 may comprise a control system 400 and may further comprise one or more antennas 202. As described in greater detail herein, the control system 400 may be configured to control the operation of the remote door opener system 200 of the vehicle, e.g. by controlling the operation of the one or more antennas 202 to transmit a door control signal to control the remote door to open and close. In this way, the control system 400 may control the operation of the door remote from the vehicle.

[0049] As illustrated in Figure 2, the control system 400, e.g. a controller 410 of the control system (described in detail below with reference to Figure 4), and / or the one or more antennas 202 may be housed within the trim panel 30. As illustrated, the controller 410 and the one or more antennas 202 may be arranged substantially centrally in a lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0050] The vehicle 1 may further comprise a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) 100 comprising a GNSS controller 110 and one or more GNSS antennas 120 coupled to the GNSS controller 110. The GNSS 100 may be configured to receive positioning signals, such as Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) signals, e.g. via the one or more GNSS antennas 120, and determine a geographical location of the vehicle based on the positioning signals. The GNSS controller 110 may be communicatively coupled to the control system 400, e.g. to the controller 410, and may be configured to output a vehicle location signal, indicating a geographical location of the vehicle, to the control system. As illustrated in figure 2, the GNSS 100 may also be housed within the trim panel 30. Alternatively, the GNSS 100 may be house in any other desirable location within the vehicle.

[0051] The vehicle 1 , e.g. the remote door opener system 200, may further comprise one or more user input devices 210 for an operator of the vehicle to control the operation of the remote door opener system 200. In particular, as illustrated in Figure 2, the vehicle 1 may comprise a main display unit 50 comprising a main display screen 52. The main display screen 52 may be a touchscreen device configured to provide one or more input options, such as touchscreen buttons, for a user of the remote door opener system 200, e.g. the vehicle operator, to control the operation of the remote door opener system 200.

[0052] As illustrated, the main display unit 50 may extend upward from the upper surface 22 of the instrument panel structure 20. Additionally or alternatively, the main display unit 50 may extend below and / or by at least partially aligned with the instrument panel structure 20, e.g. in a vertical direction. In some arrangements, the instrument panel of the vehicle may comprise the main display unit 50. In other words, the main display unit 50 may be integrated into the instrument panel. For example, the instrument panel may comprise an instrument display unit which may be the main display unit 50. Hence, the display screen 52 may be configured to display one or more instruments indicating the values of one or more, e.g. a respective number of, vehicle parameters, suchas for example vehicle speed, vehicle temperature, vehicle mode, navigational information and / or infotainment. The main display unit 50 may be the primary non-steering or speed modulating interface between a vehicle operator and the vehicle 1 , and hence, the main display unit 50 may be positioned close to, for example in front of, the vehicle operator. As depicted, the main display unit 50 may be positioned towards a first lateral side of the instrument panel structure 20 and the vehicle cabin 10.

[0053] Additionally or alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 1 , the vehicle, e.g. the remote door opener system 200 may comprise a microphone 212 configured to receive audio inputs from the operator, such as voice commands. The microphone may be a user input device 210 of the vehicle. As described in greater detail herein, the remote door opener system 200, e.g. the control system 400, may be configured to receive an audio signal from the microphone 212 and identify a voice command indicating that the remote door should be opened or closed from the audio signal. In the arrangement depicted in Figure 1 , the microphone is mounted to a roof of the vehicle, e.g. within an overhead console 40 of the vehicle. However, in other arrangements, the microphone may be mounted in any other location within the vehicle, such as on the steering wheel 24 or instrument panel structure 20.

[0054] Additionally or alternatively again, the vehicle, e.g. the remote door opener system 200, may comprise one or more physical user input devices 214, such as buttons, for a user to provide inputs to the remote door opener system 200, e.g. to the control system 400, to control the operation of the remote door opener system, as described herein. The physical user input devices 214 may be user input devices 210 of the vehicle. As illustrated, the physical user input devices 214 are mounted to a roof of the vehicle in the overhead console 40. However, in other arrangements, the physical user input devices 204 may be mounted in any other location within the vehicle, such as on the steering wheel 24 and / or instrument panel structure 20.

[0055] With reference to Figure 3, the vehicle, remote door opener system 200 and / or the control system 400 may be provided as part of a remote door opening system 300, according to embodiments of the invention. The remote door opening system 300 may further comprise the remote door 310 including a door 312 and a remote door actuator device 320 coupled, e.g. operatively coupled, to the door 312. The remote door may comprise, for example, a garage door, a gate or any other door remote from the vehicle. In particular, the remote door may comprise a door through which the vehicle may be driven or through which an operator of the vehicle may pass after exiting the vehicle. The remote door actuator device 320 may be operable to drive the door to open and close. The remote door actuator device 320 may comprise a remote door controller 322, or other control electronics, one or more remote door antennas 324 coupled to the remote door controller 322, and one or more user input devices 326, such as buttons for a user to provide inputs to the remote door actuator device 320.

[0056] The remote door controller 322, or other control electronics of the remote door actuator device, may be configured to receive door control signals, e.g. transmitted by the one or more antennas 202 of the remote door opener system 200 of the vehicle, via the one or more remote door antennas 324 and open or close the door 312. In particular, the remote door controller 322 may be configured to determine control information incorporated within the door control signals and control the operation of the door actuator based on the controlinformation. The control information may comprise any appropriate information which can be processed by the remote door controller 322 of a particular remote door to cause that remote door controller 322 to operate the door actuator device to open or close the particular remote door. For example, the control information may comprise information identifying the remote door 310 or the remote door actuator device 320, information identifying the remote door opener system 200, and / or authorisation information providing authorisation for the remote doorto be opened or closed on receipt of the control information.

[0057] The remote door opening system 300 may further comprise a legacy remote door opener device 330. The legacy door opener device may be a stand-alone device, e.g. separate from the vehicle 1 and the remote door 310. The legacy door opener device 330 may comprise a legacy controller 332, a legacy antenna 334 coupled to the legacy controller, and a user input device 326, such as a button. The legacy door opener device 330 may be configured to transmit a legacy door control signal comprising legacy control information based on a user input being received via the user input device 326. The door actuator device 320 may be configured to operate to open or close the remote door on receipt of the legacy control signal comprising the legacy control information in the same way as the when the door control signal comprising the control information is received.

[0058] Referring now to Figure 4, the control system 400 according to an embodiment of the invention may comprise one controller 410, although it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative. The controller 410 comprises one or more processors 420 and may comprise one or more memories 430. The one or more processors may be configured operably execute computer-readable instructions. The one or more memories 430 may be electrically coupled to the processors 420. The one or more memories 430 may be configured to store instructions, and the one or more processors 420 may be configured to access the one or more memories and execute the instructions stored thereon.

[0059] The controller 410 may comprise an input means and an output means. To this end, the controller 410 may have an interface 412 comprising an electrical input 414 of the controller 410 and an electrical output means 416. The electrical input 414 may be for receiving one or more input signals relevant to the methods described herein. In particular, the controller 410 may be configured to receive one or more signals from the one or more antennas 202, the one user input devices 210, and / or one or more further systems of the vehicle, such as the GNSS 100 of the vehicle. The controller 410 may be further configured to receive one or more signals from one or more further controllers or processors of the control system 400. Additionally or alternatively, the electrical input 414 of the controller 410 may be coupled to a signal bus 452, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus and may be configured to retrieve one or more inputs, e.g. from the sensors and / or further controllers / processors, via the signal bus. References in this specification to receiving a signal may correspond to retrieving the signal from the signal bus 452.

[0060] The electrical output 416 is for outputting control signals (directly or indirectly) to external components such as the one or more antennas 202 and / or the user input devices 210. In particular, the controller 410 may be configured to transmit a signal to cause the one or more antennas 202 to transmit a door control signal, or door control test signal, to the remote door 310, or a signal to activate one or more of the user input devices 210 for receiving an input from a user, e.g. to control the remote door to open or close. Additionally oralternatively, the controller 410 may be configured to output a signal to one or more memories 440, which may be separate from the controller 410.

[0061] Figure 5 illustrates a method 500 according to an embodiment of the invention. The method 500 may be a method for a door remote from a vehicle, such as the remote door 310, e.g. for controlling the remote door to open and close using a user input device 210 provided on a vehicle, such as the vehicle 1. The method 500 may be performed by the control system 400 illustrated in Figure 4 to control the remote door opener system 200 of the vehicle in order to store control information to be used for controlling the operation of the remote door 310 in the memory 430 of the controller or the memory 440 separate from the controller. In particular, the memory 430 may comprise computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor 420, perform the method 500.

[0062] The method 500 comprises a first block 502, in which the controller 410, e.g. the one or more processors, are configured to determine control information to be used to control a particular remote door to open or close. As detailed above, the control information may comprise any information, for example, identifying the particular remote door, door actuator device of the remote door, or remote door opener system 200, and / or comprising authorisation information, which, when received by the door actuator device 320 of the remote door 310, causes the remote door to open or close.

[0063] In some arrangements, the controller 410 may be configured to receive a legacy control signal comprising legacy control information, e.g. from the legacy door opener device 330. The first block 502 of the method 500 may comprise receiving the legacy control signal comprising legacy control information, e.g. from the legacy door opener device via the one or more antennas 202, and determining the control information based on the legacy control information.

[0064] In some arrangements, the method 500 may comprise an optional mode selection block 501 , in which the controller, e.g. the one or more processors, may receive a user input signal indicating that legacy control information, e.g. to be received from the legacy door opener device 330, is to be used for opening and closing the remote door 310. The user input signal may be sent to the controller 410, e.g. the one or more processors, based on a user input being received via one of the user input devices 210 provided on the vehicle, such as the main display screen 52, the microphone 212, or one of the physical user input devices 214. Based on receiving the user input signal, the method 500 may comprise outputting a signal to activate the one or more antennas 202 for receiving the legacy control signal.

[0065] The method 500 further comprises a second block 504, in which a test signal is output, e.g. by the controller 410 via the electrical output 416, to cause the one or more antennas 202 to transmit a door control test signal comprising the control information. The door control test signal may be transmitted by the one or more antennas 202 to cause the remote door 310 to open or close.

[0066] The method 500 further comprises a third block 506, in which the controller, e.g. the one or more processors, determine whether the remote door was successfully controlled to open or close by the door control test signal.For example, in the third block 506, the controller 410 may receive a confirmation signal, e.g. from the remote door 310, indicating whether the remote door was successfully controlled to open or close by the door control test signal. The confirmation signal may be a signal determined, e.g. automatically determined, by the remote door opener system 200, e.g. the controller 410. For example, the confirmation signal may be automatically determined based on a further signal received from the remote door 310. For example, the further signal received from the remote door may be a door status signal indicating whether the remote door is open or closed, and the controller 410 may automatically determine the confirmation signal based on the door status signal.

[0067] In some arrangements, in the third block 506, the controller, e.g. the one or more processors, may output a test result input control signal to cause a user input device 210 of the vehicle, such as the main display screen 52, to prompt a user to input information indicating whether the remote door was successfully controlled to open or close by the door control test signal. On receipt of the test result input control signal, the user input device may be configured to prompt a user to input information indicating whether the remote door was successfully controlled to open or close. For example, as depicted in Figure 6, when the user input device comprises the main display screen 52, the main display screen 52 may, on receipt of the test result input control signal, provide input options, e.g. touch screen buttons 602, 604 provided as part of a graphical user interface 601 , for the user to provide the input indicating whether or not the remote door was successfully controlled to open or close. The user input device, e.g. the main display screen 52, may output a manual confirmation signal to the controller 410 based on the input received by the user. The manual confirmation signal received by the controller 410, e.g. the one or more processors 420, may override an automatically determined confirmation signal, e.g. confirming that the remote door was successful controlled or otherwise.

[0068] It will be appreciated that in other arrangements, the graphical user interface 601 may have any other format to provide the touch screen buttons 602, 604, other user input options forthe userto provide the input indicating whether or not the remote door was successfully controlled to open or close.

[0069] The second block 504 and, optionally, the third block 506 may be repeated a predetermined number of times, such as three or more times, when performing the method 500.

[0070] The method 500 further comprises a fourth block 508, in which the controller, e.g. the one or more processors, outputs a user input control signal to cause a user input device of the vehicle, such as the main display screen 52, to prompt a user to input information identifying the remote door. The user input control signal may be output in response to determining that the remote door was successfully controlled, e.g. in the third block.

[0071] As illustrated in Figure 7, causing the user input device of the vehicle to prompt the userto input the information identifying the remote door may comprise displaying a keyboard 702 on a touch screen interface, e.g. a graphical user interface 701 , of the user input device, e.g. the main display screen 52, for a userto enter one or more characters and / or digits identifying the remote door. The one or more characters may be entered to a user input field 704 displayed on the graphical user interface using the keyboard 702. It will be appreciatedthat in other arrangements, the graphical user interface 701 may have any other format to enable the user to input the information identifying the remote door.

[0072] In the fourth block 508, the controller further outputs a storage signal to cause the control information and the information identifying the remote door to be stored in a memory, such as the memory 430 of the controller 410 or the memory 440 separate from the controller.

[0073] The method 500 may further comprise a fifth block 510, in which the controller 410, e.g. the one or more processors, receives a vehicle location signal indicating a geographical location of the vehicle. In particular, the vehicle location signal may be received, either directly or indirectly, from the GNSS 100. The fifth block 510 may be performed at substantially the same time as the second block 504, in which the door test control signal is sent. Alternatively, the vehicle location signal received in the fifth block 510 may indicate the geographical location of the vehicle when the door test control signal was sent. Accordingly, the geographical location of the vehicle may be received at the location at which the transmission of the door control test signal occurred, e.g. in the second block 504. Hence, if it is determined, e.g. in the third block 506, that the remote door was successfully controlled to open or close by the door control test, then it may be inferred that the geographical location of the vehicle determined in the fifth block 510 corresponds to the location of the remote door 310, or a location from which the remote door 310 can be controlled by the remote door opener system 200.

[0074] When the method 500 comprises the fifth block 510, outputting the storage signal may further cause the geographical location of the vehicle to be stored in the memory, e.g. together with the control information and the information identifying the remote door.

[0075] If it was determined in the third block 506 that the remote door was not successfully controlled to open or close by the door control test signal, the method 500 may comprise outputting a further user input control signal to cause a user input device of the vehicle to prompt a user that the method 500, e.g. the first to third blocks of the method, should be repeated. In this case, the fourth block 508 of the method 500 may not be performed until the first to third blocks have been repeated, and it has been determined, e.g. in the repeated third block 506, that the remote door was successfully controlled to open or close.

[0076] Additionally, or as an alternative to being configured to perform the method 500, the control system 400 may be configured to perform a method 800 according to another embodiment of the invention. In particular, the memory 430 may comprise computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor 420, perform the method 800. The method 800 may be a method for controlling a remote door opening system, e.g. for a vehicle, such as the remote door opener system 200 or the remote door opening system 300. The method 800 may be performed subsequently to one or more blocks of the method 500 and / or at substantially the same time as one or more blocks of the method 500. Further, the method 800 may be repeated, e.g. periodically repeated, during operation of the vehicle, e.g. the remote door opener system 200.The method 800 comprises a first block 802, in which the controller 410, e.g. the one or more processors, receive a vehicle location signal indicating a geographical location of a vehicle, such as the vehicle 1. For example, the one or more processors may receive the vehicle location signal from the GNSS 100. The controller 410, e.g. the one or more processors, may receive the vehicle location signal directly from the GNSS, e.g. via the electrical input 414. Alternatively, the controller 410, e.g. the one or more processors, may receive the vehicle location signal from the GNSS via the signal bus 452.

[0077] The method 800 further comprises a second block 804, in which the controller 410, e.g. the one or more processors, receive a remote door location signal containing information indicative of a geographical location of a remote door, such as the remote door 310. The remote door location signal may be received from the memory 430 of the controller 410 or the memory 440 separate from the controller, e.g. via the electrical input 414. Alternatively, the remote door location signal may be received from any other controller or system, e.g. via the electrical input 414, optionally via the signal bus 452. The geographical location of the remote door may have been stored in the memory 430 of the controller or the memory 440 by performing the method 500, e.g. in the fourth block 508, as described above.

[0078] The method 800 further comprises a third block 806, in which the geographical location of the vehicle and the geographical location of the remote door are compared to determine a distance between the vehicle and the remote door.

[0079] The method 800 further comprise a fourth block 808, in which a signal is output by the controller, e.g. the one or more processors, to activate a user input device 210 for receiving an input from a user to control the remote door to open or close. The signal may be output in the fourth block 808 based on the distance between the vehicle and the remote door being below a predetermined threshold distance.

[0080] With reference to Figure 9, the user of the control system 400 and / orthe remote door opener system 200 may define a user defined activation zone 900 within which the user interface is to be activated for receiving the input from the user to control the remote door to open or close, e.g. in the fourth block 808. For example, the user may provide inputs to a touchscreen device provided with the vehicle 1 , such as the main display screen 52, to input a plurality of points 902a, 902b, 902c, 902d relative to an indication 904 of the geographic location of the remote door, in order to define the activation zone 900. The user defined activation zone 900 may thereby represent distances, e.g. real world distances, from the remote door 310 in each direction, e.g. compass direction, within which distances the user interface is to be activated for receiving the input from the user to control the remote door to open or close, e.g. by sending the signal in the fourth block 808. The user defined activation zone 900 may be stored within the memory 430 of the controller orthe memory 440 separate from the controller. For example, the user defined activation zone 900 may be input by the user and stored during the fourth block 508 of the method 500. The user defined activation zone 900 may be stored together with information identifying the remote door. Although in the example shown in Figure 9 the activation zone is defined by four points, it will be appreciated that the user may input any desirable number of points to define the activation zone 900. Further, it will be appreciated that a graphical user interface for enabling a user toinput the points defining the activation zone, or otherwise specify the activation zone 900 may have any other form.

[0081] The fourth block 808 of the method 800 may comprise receiving an activation zone signal indicating the user defined activation zone 900. The predetermined threshold distance may be determined based on the user defined activation zone. For example, the controller 410 may determine the predetermined threshold distance based on the direction of the vehicle from the remote door and the user defined activation zone 900. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 410 may determine, in the third block 806, whether the vehicle is within the user defined activation zone 900 based on the relative positions of the vehicle and the remote door and the signal may be output in the fourth block 808 based on the vehicle being within the user defined activation zone 900.

[0082] Activating the user input device of the vehicle to receive the input, in the fourth block 808, may comprise providing an input option for the user to indicate that the remote door should be opened or closed. The user input device may be a touchscreen device, such as the main display screen 52, and providing the input option may comprise presenting a touchscreen button fora user to provide the input to open or close the remote door using the touchscreen device. For example, as illustrated in Figure 10, the touchscreen device may be configured, on receipt of the signal, to display a graphical user interface 1001 comprising the touch screen buttons 1002 and, optionally 1004 for the user to provide the input to open or close the remote door.

[0083] As shown in Figure 10, the graphical user interface 1001 of the touchscreen device, e.g. of the main display screen 52, may comprise a menu system comprising one or more menus 1010 and submenus 1012a, 1012b. Activating the user input device of the vehicle to receive the input may comprise automatically navigating to a menu or submenu from which a selection can be made to open or close the remote door, e.g. in which the touch screen buttons 1002, 1004 forthe userto provide the input to open or close the remote door are included. For example, as depicted in Figure 10, submenu 1012b has been automatically navigated to so that the touch screen buttons 1002 and 1004 are provided on the display screen for the user to provide the input. It will be appreciated that in other arrangements, the graphical user interface according to embodiments of the invention may have any other format to provide the input option, e.g. touchscreen buttons 1002, 1004, and the menus and / or submenus may be differently configured and / or may comprise a different number of options in each menu or submenu.

[0084] As mentioned above with reference to Figure 1 , the vehicle or remote door opener system 200 may comprise the microphone 212. In such arrangements, providing the input option may comprise automatically monitoring, by the remote door opener system 200 or the controller 410, audio signals received from the microphone to identify a voice command from the user indicating that the remote door should be opened or closed. In some arrangements, a voice command indicating that the remote door should be opened or closed may be a simplified voice command, e.g. including fewer words or syllables, compared to a voice command indicating that the remote door should be opened or closed when the method 800 is not performed. For example, following the fourth block of the method, a voice command of “open” or “close” may be interpreted as a command to open or close the remote door that is within the predetermined threshold distance of the vehicle.Otherwise, it may be necessary to identify the particular remote door to be opened or closed within the voice command.

[0085] Returning to Figure 8, the method 800 may comprise a fifth block 810, in which a door control signal is output to cause the one or more antennas to transmit a remote door control signal to open or close the remote door. The door control signal may be output in dependence on receiving a signal indicative of the input from the user via the user input device, e.g. using the input option.

[0086] It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A control system for controlling a remote door opening system for a vehicle, wherein the remote door opening system is for controlling a door, remote from the vehicle, to open and close using a user input device provided within the vehicle, wherein the control system comprises:one or more processors collectively configured to:receive a vehicle location signal indicating a geographical location of the vehicle;receive a remote door location signal containing information indicative of a geographical location of a remote door;compare the geographical location of the vehicle and the geographical location of the remote door to determine a distance between the vehicle and the remote door; andbased on the distance between the vehicle and the remote door being below a predetermined threshold distance, output a signal to activate the user input device for receiving an input from a user to control the remote door to open or close.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein activating the user input device of the vehicle to receive the input comprises providing an input option for the user to indicate that the remote door should be opened or closed.

3. The control system of claim 2, wherein the user input device is a touchscreen device and providing the input option comprises presenting a touch screen button for a user to provide the input to open or close the remote door using the touchscreen device.

4. The control system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the user input device comprises a menu system comprising a plurality of menus and submenus, wherein activating the user input device of the vehicle to receive the input comprises automatically navigating to a menu or submenu from which a selection can be made to open or close the remote door.

5. The control system of claim 2, wherein the user input device comprises a microphone, and wherein providing the input option comprises the system automatically monitoring audio signals received from the microphone to identify a voice command from the user indicating that the remote door should be opened or closed.

6. The control system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:in dependence on receiving a signal indicative of the input from the user via the user input device, output a door control signal to cause one or more antennas to transmit a remote door control signal to open or close the remote door.

7. The control system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:receive an activation zone signal indicating a user defined activation zone within which the user interface is to be activated for receiving the input from the user to control the remote door to open or close, wherein the predetermined threshold distance is based on the user defined activation zone.

8. A remote door opening system comprising the control system of any of the preceding claims.

9. The remote door opening system of claim 8, when dependent on claim 6 or any claim dependent thereon, the remote door opening system further comprising the one or more antennas.

10. The remote door opening system of claim 9, wherein the one or more antennas are configured to be mounted within an interior trim portion of the vehicle arranged between a front windscreen of the vehicle and an upper surface of an instrument panel structure of the vehicle.

11. The remote door opening system of claim 9 or 10, further comprising the remote door and a door actuator device coupled to the remote door, the door actuator device configured to receive the remote door control signal and cause the remote door to move based on the signal.

12. A vehicle comprising the remote door opening system of any of claims 8 to 11 or the control system of any of claims 1 to 7.

13. A method for controlling a remote door opening system for a vehicle, wherein the remote door opening system is for controlling a door, remote from the vehicle, to open and close using a user input device provided on the vehicle, wherein the method comprises:receiving a vehicle location signal indicating a geographical location of the vehicle;receiving a remote door location signal containing information indicative of a geographical location of a remote door;comparing the geographical location of the vehicle and the geographical location of the remote door to determine a distance between the vehicle and the remote door; andbased on the distance between the vehicle and the remote door being below a predetermined threshold distance, outputting a signal to activate the user input device for receiving an input from a user to control the remote door to open or close.

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