DE102020126539A1 - UWB surveillance system for a vehicle interior - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a monitoring system (S) for an interior (202) of a vehicle (200), having at least one UWB sensor unit (100), the UWB sensor unit (100) for carrying out a detection (D) of objects and/or people in the vehicle (200), and wherein the UWB sensor unit (100) is designed to carry out communication (K) with a user-side mobile device (300) in order to at least one result (E1, E2, E3) of the detection (D ) and/or the communication (K) to a vehicle-side control device (201) and/or the user-side mobile device (300).

Description

The present invention relates to a monitoring system for an interior of a vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention is aimed at a corresponding vehicle with at least one such monitoring system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for monitoring the interior of a vehicle using such a monitoring system.

Monitoring systems for an interior of a vehicle, such as. B seat occupancy systems or fatigue control systems, etc., basically known. Such systems can be designed to support vehicle assistance systems when performing different vehicle functions such. B. Warn when occupants are unbuckled or when driver fatigue is detected. In the known monitoring systems, the results of the monitoring are often transmitted to an on-board control unit, so that the control unit uses available devices in the vehicle, such. B. speakers or display devices, can issue a warning. For different functions, the known monitoring systems usually require different sensors that have to be wired up in a complex manner, that have to be attached to the vehicle at great expense and that have to be connected to control devices and complicated electronic control systems in the vehicle in a complicated manner.

The object of the present invention is therefore to at least partially overcome the disadvantages described above. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring system that is simple and inexpensive in design, easy to assemble and easy to connect (electrically and in terms of control technology and data technology), which can provide different vehicle functions for monitoring the interior of a vehicle. In addition, the object of the invention is to provide a monitoring system that is reliable in operation and that increases the safety in the operation of the vehicle assistance systems. In addition, the object of the invention is to provide a corresponding vehicle with at least one such monitoring system. It is also the object of the invention to provide an improved method for monitoring the interior of a vehicle using such a monitoring system.

The above object is achieved by a monitoring system for an interior of a vehicle with the features of the independent device claim; by a corresponding vehicle with at least one such monitoring system with the features of the independent device claim and by a method for monitoring the interior of a vehicle using such a monitoring system with the features of the independent method claim. Further features and details of the invention result from the respective dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Features and details that are described in connection with the monitoring system according to the invention also apply, of course, in connection with the vehicle according to the invention and the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, mutual reference is or can always be made .

The object is achieved in particular by a monitoring system for an interior of a vehicle, having at least one UWB sensor unit (can also be referred to as a module unit), the UWB sensor unit for carrying out a detection of objects and/or persons (i.e. a detection of objects and/or people with only one device) in the vehicle, and wherein the UWB sensor unit is designed to carry out communication (i.e. data exchange between two devices) with a user-side mobile device in order to at least one result of the detection and/or the To transmit communication to an on-board control unit and / or the user-side mobile device.

The UWB sensor unit can have a UWB transceiver, for example in the form of a UWB front-end module. The UWB sensor unit can have a processing device, for example in the form of an electronic processing arrangement, which can use a microcontroller, for example, for processing. The processing device can control the UWB transceiver and process the electrical signals transmitted and/or received by the UWB transceiver in order to evaluate the communication and/or the detection and provide a result or information based on the communication and/or of detection. The processing device can also generate a function code for a corresponding vehicle function based on, in particular as a function of the evaluation, the communication and/or the detection, in order to trigger the corresponding vehicle function.

UWB stands for Ultra Wideband Technology. The UWB sensor unit can have an interface, e.g. B. to transmit the results of the communication and/or the detection to the control unit via the interface and/or to trigger an activation of different vehicle functions depending on the communication and/or the detection via the interface.

The electrical signals transmitted and/or received by the UWB transceiver of the UWB sensor unit may be communication and/or detection specific. This means in particular that a result of the detection and/or communication can be determined by the processing device based on the electrical signals.

A result of a detection can include at least information about whether a user or a person and/or an object is in the vicinity of the UWB sensor unit, is moving and/or is moving in a particular way.

A result of a communication between the UWB sensor unit and the user's mobile device can be at least one piece of information about the user, e.g. B. authentication information include.

Via the interface, the UWB sensor unit can receive information about the user, e.g. B. an authentication information, the results of the communication and / or the detection and, in particular calculated by the processing device, function code for a corresponding vehicle function to the vehicle-side control unit.

A result of a communication between the UWB sensor unit and the user's mobile device can also include navigation data, message data, music data and the like. For security reasons, the user must identify himself beforehand so that no external data is exchanged between the UWB sensor unit and the user's mobile device. This data can also be transmitted from the UWB sensor unit to the on-board control unit via the interface.

A signal for communication can e.g. B. be a defined sequence of short UWB pulses. The defined sequence of short UWB pulses, which can be provided with time stamps, for example, can be generated using pulse phase modulation as part of digital radio transmission. In this case, a UWB pulse is shifted relative to a constant reference clock in terms of time, namely the phase. The phase shift between the UWB pulses symbolizes the information such. B. authentication information. The period duration and the amplitude remain the same.

For example, a UWB pulse can be mapped as a portion of a sine wave of finite duration of a few nanoseconds or even picoseconds, corresponding to a broad spectral line from at least 5 GHz, particularly from 7.5 GHz, to over 8.8 GHz.

Due to the extremely short UWB pulses, a high transmission rate of 480 to 1320 Mbit/s can be achieved during communication, e.g. using digital radio transmission.

Also due to the extremely short UWB pulses, a high resolution of a few millimeters to even micrometers can be achieved during detection, e.g. with the help of a transit time measurement of the UWB impulses, which can be provided with time stamps, for example.

The dimension of the UWB antenna of the UWB sensor unit determines the center frequency and the bandwidth of the UWB pulse. The entire transmission power of the UWB antenna of a few milliwatts (e.g. about 0.5 mW) is distributed over such a large frequency range that almost no interference is caused for the radio operation of narrow-band transmission methods.

The inventive idea is that the UWB sensor unit uses the UWB technology to communicate, d. H. Data exchange between two devices, and/or a detection, i. h To carry out the detection of objects and/or people with just one device, namely the UWB sensor unit. The UWB antenna can have a common UWB antenna unit for the communication and for the detection or two separate UWB antenna units, so that the communication and the detection can be carried out simultaneously or sequentially.

The inventive idea also lies in the fact that the UWB sensor unit can be used to achieve high-resolution detection, e.g. for distance measurement, with a resolution of a few millimeters to even micrometers, e.g. using a runtime measurement of the UWB pulses. The UWB sensor unit can detect the smallest movements, e.g. B. chest movements, ie breathing, heartbeat, head nod, etc. record, not just one Presence and/or position of an object and/or person, e.g. B. a child in a child seat or a driver in the driver's seat, but also the vital functions of the person high resolution (with a resolution of a few millimeters to even micrometers) detect. A monitoring system can thus be provided which is reliable in operation and which significantly increases safety when providing different vehicle functions and when operating vehicle assistance systems for interior monitoring. A detection, e.g. for the purpose of position determination, can comprise one or more UWB sensor units in order to provide the 2D or 3D resolution. With the help of one or more UWB sensor units, complicated movements can also be detected and analyzed with high resolution.

A corresponding user-side mobile device can also represent part of the monitoring system within the meaning of the invention. The mobile device can be an electronic device that can be carried by the user. Ideally, this is an ID transmitter that can be configured actively (by pressing a button) or passively (without pressing a button), thus a so-called active keyless entry system or a passive keyless entry system with the security device of the vehicle. The mobile device can also be designed as a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone, or tablet or smartwatch, in order to be able to achieve the desired data exchange using communication with the UWB sensor unit. In addition to communication about the identification process with the corresponding identification code, other functions (to be triggered) can also be triggered or controlled by the mobile device on the vehicle. For example, the lighting inside or outside the vehicle or a warning signal or the like can be controlled by the mobile device (e.g. switching the alarm system on and off or closing the windows, switching on the heating, etc.). Data can also be transmitted using communication, for example of navigation, music, video and/or message data etc. between the vehicle and the mobile device.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a monitoring system that the UWB sensor unit is designed as an, in particular combined, individually manageable and/or coherent modular unit, preferably multifunctional unit, preferably in the form of a hardware unit, for providing different vehicle functions in a vehicle. Thus, the UWB sensor unit can be provided as a single node or in other words as a satellite, which is provided as a single coherent hardware unit with all necessary sensor functions (communication and detection), processing and control components as well as an interface to the vehicle-mounted control unit in order to using only one UWB sensor unit to provide different vehicle functions for a corresponding vehicle assistance system. Only one UWB antenna (which in turn can include multiple UWB antenna units) can provide all the necessary sensor functions for the different vehicle functions. Advantageously, a monitoring system that is simply and inexpensively constructed, easy to assemble and easy to connect (electrically and in terms of control technology and data technology) can be provided, which can advantageously provide different vehicle functions for monitoring the interior of a vehicle.

Furthermore, in a monitoring system, the invention can provide that one or more UWB sensor units is/are provided for a vehicle function. Several UWB sensor units can help to provide a 2D or 3D resolution in a detection, for example for the purpose of position determination. With the help of several UWB sensor units, complicated movements can also be recorded with high resolution.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a monitoring system that one or more UWB sensor units, in particular on the inside, on a vehicle roof, in a fin on a vehicle roof, on a reading lamp, on a center console, on an inner door panel, on a backrest, on a headrest, on a sunroof, on a sunroof control, on a mirror, in particular on a rearview mirror and/or side mirror, on an inside handle, on a grab handle, on an A, B and/or C pillar trim and/or on a center armrest is/are arranged. In this way, different vehicle functions can be provided for different vehicle assistance systems.

In a vehicle assistance system for fatigue control (can also be called fatigue warning or attention assistant), for example, at least one UWB sensor unit on a vehicle roof, a sunroof, a sunroof control, a mirror, rear-view mirror, a side mirror, a windscreen, a center console, a vehicle roof, a Reading lamp and / or arranged on a steering wheel. Here, the UWB sensor unit, the vital signs of the driver, such. B. chest movements, respiration, heartbeat, head nods, etc., preferably wisely by evaluating a transit time of UWB pulses, using the detection monitor.

In a vehicle assistance system for detecting occupants and/or seat occupancy, at least one UWB sensor unit can be provided in the front of the vehicle or two UWB sensor units in the front and rear of the vehicle or one UWB sensor unit for each seat. Several UWB sensor units per seat are also conceivable. The respective UWB sensor units can be arranged at the locations mentioned above. Advantageously, at least one corresponding UWB sensor unit can detect based on movements of a person's chest how fast and/or how deeply the person is breathing. In other words, the at least one corresponding UWB sensor unit can detect the speed and/or the depth of respiration. In this way, the at least one corresponding UWB sensor unit can distinguish whether the person is an adult, a man, a woman, a child, a dog or an object such as a dog. B. piece of luggage, a bag or a box is.

It can also be advantageous that a corresponding airbag can be activated or deactivated depending on which person was recognized by the at least one corresponding UWB sensor unit on a seat. If a child is detected in the child seat, the airbag can be deactivated on the corresponding seat.

Even with objects such as B. shopping bags, airbags can be deactivated on appropriate seats. Again, the corresponding airbags can be activated on the seats where adults have been recognized. Consequently, the monitoring system can advantageously be used to control the airbags in the car according to the recognized and/or checked seat occupancy, i. H. to activate and/or deactivate.

In a vehicle assistance system for driver change detection, at least one UWB sensor unit can detect a person at the driver's seat using the detection and use the communication to check whether the appropriate mobile device can identify itself in the vicinity of the UWB sensor unit. In this way, advantageous vehicle functions can be provided when monitoring the interior of the vehicle using the monitoring system.

In a vehicle assistance system for recognizing a child in a child seat, for example, a UWB sensor unit can be arranged above the vehicle seat with the child seat attached, for example on a vehicle roof above the child seat. The UWB sensor unit can monitor the child's vital functions, e.g. B. chest movements, breathing, heartbeat, etc., preferably by evaluating a transit time of UWB pulses, using the detection monitor. At the same time, the UWB sensor unit can use the communication to check whether the matching mobile device can identify itself in the vicinity of the UWB sensor unit. When the driver is no longer detected near the UWB sensor unit, the UWB sensor unit can use communication to warn the driver that a child is in the vehicle and may have been forgotten. At the same time, the UWB sensor unit can provide the results of detection by communicating whether the child is breathing calmly, rapidly, shallowly or not at all.

It is conceivable within the scope of the invention for the user to be informed about the results of the monitoring via the user's mobile device and/or the vehicle's control unit. The mobile device can advantageously inform the user about the results of the monitoring by haptic signals, for example vibrations, acoustic signals or visual displays. B. Forgotten child in the vehicle, just before falling asleep, etc., warn about the misconduct. The vehicle-side control unit can turn certain devices in or on the vehicle, such. As speakers, indicators, headlights or lights, drive to issue a warning to the user.

• - eine UWB-Antenne zum Durchführen der Kommunikation und/oder der Detektion, wobei in Abhängigkeit von der Kommunikation und/oder der Detektion unterschiedliche Fahrzeugfunktionen aktivierbar sind,
• - ein, insbesondere elektronischer, UWB-Sendeempfänger zum Aussenden und/oder Empfangen von elektrischen Signalen von der UWB-Antenne, die für die Kommunikation und/oder die Detektion spezifisch sind,
• - eine, insbesondere elektronische, Verarbeitungsvorrichtung zur Ansteuerung des UWB-Sendeempfängers, um Kommunikation und/oder die Detektion durch die UWB-Antenne durchzuführen, und/oder
• - eine, insbesondere elektronische, Schnittstelle zum Übermitteln eines Ergebnisses der Kommunikation und/oder der Detektion an das fahrzeugseitige Steuergerät, um unterschiedliche Fahrzeugfunktionen in Abhängigkeit von der Kommunikation und/oder der Detektion auszulösen.

In addition, the invention can provide in a monitoring system that the UWB sensor unit has at least one printed circuit board, with at least one of the following elements being arranged in particular on the printed circuit board:

• - a UWB antenna for carrying out the communication and/or the detection, wherein different vehicle functions can be activated depending on the communication and/or the detection,
• - a UWB transceiver, in particular an electronic one, for transmitting and/or receiving electrical signals from the UWB antenna that are specific to communication and/or detection,
• - a processing device, in particular electronic, for controlling the UWB transceiver in order to carry out communication and/or detection by the UWB antenna, and/or
• - an interface, in particular electronic, for transmitting a result of the comm communication and / or detection to the vehicle-side control unit to trigger different vehicle functions depending on the communication and / or detection.

In this way, the UWB sensor unit can be made available as a particularly combined, individually manageable and/or coherent modular unit, preferably multifunctional unit, preferably in the form of a hardware unit, for providing different vehicle functions in a vehicle.

In addition, the invention can provide for a surveillance system that the UWB antenna can be operated in a frequency range with a bandwidth of at least 500 MHz or at least 20% of the arithmetic mean of the lower and upper limit frequencies of the frequency band used, with the frequency range preferably between 30 MHz to 10.6 GHz, preferably between 3.0 to 10.6 GHz. In this way, communication and/or detection can be provided using UWB technology.

In addition, the invention can provide in a surveillance system that the UWB antenna has one, in particular only one, preferably a common one for communication and/or detection, UWB antenna unit that is designed to communicate and/or carry out the detection as a function of activation by the processing device. With the help of just one UWB antenna unit, communication and detection can be carried out sequentially or alternately. Again, only one UWB antenna unit can have a simple and compact design.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a surveillance system that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB antenna, has a first UWB antenna unit and a second UWB antenna unit, the first UWB antenna unit being designed to carry out the detection with the user-side mobile device, and wherein the second UWB antenna unit is designed to carry out the communication of objects and/or people in the vehicle. With the help of different UWB antenna units, communication and detection can be carried out either simultaneously or sequentially. Using different UWB antenna units for communication and detection, the UWB antenna units can be specifically designed to perform communication or detection. In this way, communication and detection can be performed with increased accuracy.

Furthermore, in a surveillance system, the invention can provide that the UWB antenna is produced on the printed circuit board using a photolithographic process. In this way, the UWB antenna can be manufactured in a common manufacturing process with the printed circuit board, which can simplify the manufacture of the UWB sensor unit. A simply constructed and compact UWB sensor unit can also be provided as a result.

Furthermore, in a surveillance system, the invention can provide that the processing device and/or the UWB transceiver have/have a microcontroller. In this way, electronic components for operating and/or controlling the UWB antenna can be provided with a memory, which are programmable so that the UWB sensor unit can be adapted to the desired vehicle functions and to the circumstances and weather conditions at the place of use, etc.

In addition, the invention can provide in a surveillance system that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB transceiver, at least a first UWB front-end module for a first UWB antenna unit and a second UWB front-end module for has a second UWB antenna unit. In this way, the first UWB antenna unit and the second UWB antenna unit can be operated simultaneously to still allow flexibility and customer convenience in providing vehicle functions through the UWB sensor unit.

In addition, the invention can provide in a surveillance system that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB transceiver, is designed as a common UWB front-end module for a first UWB antenna unit and a second UWB antenna unit . In this way, the first UWB antenna unit and the second UWB antenna unit can be operated alternately. This means that communication and detection can be carried out separately from one another, for example to avoid overlapping.

Advantageously, the invention can provide in a surveillance system that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB transceiver, has a switching unit in order to have a first UWB antenna unit and a second UWB antenna unit for carrying out the communication or for carrying out the detection to control, Thus, in a simple way and Way to be switched between communication and detection.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the switching unit can be designed as an electronic switch, preferably an HF switch. In this way, during operation of the UWB sensor unit, it is possible to switch between communication and detection at high frequency, in order to enable vehicle functions to be made available quickly, reliably and conveniently.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a monitoring system that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB transceiver, is designed such that the center frequency and/or the bandwidth of the UWB antenna can be variably adjusted when carrying out the detection. In this way it can be achieved that the detection by the UWB antenna can be flexibly adapted to different environmental influences, preferably humidity conditions.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a monitoring system that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB transceiver, is designed in such a way that measurements through the UWB antenna when carrying out the detection using measurements through the UWB antenna, in particular of propagation times of the UWB -Pulse that can be calibrated when performing the communication. The propagation times of the signals between the UWB sensor unit and a mobile device that is positioned at a known distance from the UWB sensor unit can be measured. These propagation times can be used to refine the accuracy of the detection by the UWB antenna, for example when measuring a distance, and to calibrate the UWB antenna to carry out the detection. Advantageously, the accuracy of the detection by the UWB antenna can be significantly increased as a result. The calibration of the UWB antenna to carry out the detection can be done with the help of a user. Advantageously, however, it is also conceivable that the calibration of the UWB antenna to carry out the detection can be carried out independently and unnoticed by a user, e.g. in typical recurring situations due to user habits when the distance between the user's mobile device and the UWB sensor unit is known .

Furthermore, in a surveillance system, the invention can provide that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB transceiver, is designed in such a way that an angle of incidence of the UWB antenna can be variably adjusted. Thus, measurement areas for performing the detection can be adjusted and/or aligned in an advantageous manner. Consequently, the position can be determined very precisely using the detection. Even complicated movement patterns can be reliably detected.

• - eine Präsenz eines Benutzers bzw. einer Person und/oder eines Objekts,
• - einen Abstand zu einem Benutzer und/oder einem Objekt,
• - eine Position eines Benutzers und/oder eines Objekts, und/oder
• - eine Bewegung eines Körperteils eines Benutzers und/oder eines Insassen, bspw. eines Kindes im Kindersitz oder eines Fahrers des Fahrzeuges, zu erfassen.

Auf diese Weise kann die UWB-Sensoreinheit auf eine vielfältige Art und Weise eingesetzt werden, um unterschiedliche Fahrzeugfunktionen bereitzustellen und/oder verschiedene Fahrzeugassistenzsysteme zu unterstützen.A surveillance system within the scope of the invention can provide that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB transceiver, is designed to carry out the detection in order to:

• - a presence of a user or a person and/or an object,
• - a distance to a user and/or an object,
• - a position of a user and/or an object, and/or
• - A movement of a body part of a user and/or an occupant, for example a child in a child seat or a driver of the vehicle to detect.

In this way, the UWB sensor unit can be used in a variety of ways to provide different vehicle functions and/or to support different vehicle assistance systems.

• - Personenerkennungssensor,
• - Sitzplatzbelegungssensor,
• - Fahrerwechselerkennungssensor,
• - Kind-im-Kindersitz-Erkennungssensor,
• - Hund-im-Fahrzeug-Erkennungssensor,
• - Bewegungssensor,
• - Bewegungsmustererkennungssensor, und/oder
• - Überwachungssensor für Vitalfunktionen, insbesondere Herzschlag und/oder Atmung.

A monitoring system within the scope of the invention can also provide that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB transceiver, is designed to serve as a detection unit, preferably by evaluating a transit time of UWB pulses, in particular as one of the following detection units :

• - people detection sensor,
• - seat occupancy sensor,
• - driver change detection sensor,
• - child in child seat detection sensor,
• - dog-in-vehicle detection sensor,
• - motion sensor,
• - motion pattern recognition sensor, and/or
• - Monitoring sensor for vital functions, in particular heartbeat and/or respiration.

In this way, advantageous vehicle functions can be provided in an improved manner when monitoring the interior of the vehicle using the UWB sensor unit.

The UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB transceiver, can advantageously be designed to carry out communication, in particular with the aid of digital radio transmission, preferably with the aid of pulse phase modulation lead to query, receive and / or verify information, in particular authentication information of a user from the user's mobile device. Thus the authorization of the user can be verified. The functionality of many vehicle assistance systems can also be expanded in this way.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the UWB transceiver, is designed to transmit the results of the monitoring, in particular the communication and/or the detection, to the user's mobile device. In this way, further advantageous functions can be provided using the UWB sensor unit and the user-side mobile device, such as. e.g. B. Driver change detection, child in child seat detection, etc.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a monitoring system that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the processing device and/or the interface, is designed to store information, in particular authentication information of a user, and/or a function code calculated in particular by the processing device and /or to transmit a warning code for a corresponding vehicle function to the vehicle-side control unit, and/or that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the processing device and/or the interface, is designed to transmit the UWB sensor unit to a safety system, in particular a warning system, of the vehicle to connect functionally. In this way, the safety system can be integrated to warn the driver in the event of a detected misconduct.

• - Unterstützen mindestens eines Fahrzeugassistenzsystems für eine Innenraumüberwachung, wie insbesondere:
• - Müdigkeitskontrolle,
• - Insassenerkennung,
• - Sitzplatzbelegungserkennung,
• - Airbag-Steuerung,
• - Fahrerwechselerkennung,
• - Kind-im-Kindersitz-Erkennung,
• - Hund-im-Fahrzeug-Erkennung, und/oder
• - Insassenüberwachung für Vitalfunktionen, insbesondere Herzschlag und/oder Atmung, vorzugsweise durch Auswertung einer Laufzeit von UWB-Impulsen.

Somit kann die Moduleinheit auf eine vorteilhafte Weise flexibel im Fahrzeug eingesetzt werden, um verschiedene Fahrzeugfunktionen für eine Innenraumüberwachung bereitstellen zu können.In a monitoring system, the processing device can be designed to control the UWB sensor unit to provide the following vehicle functions, such as:

• - Support at least one vehicle assistance system for interior monitoring, such as in particular:
• - fatigue control,
• - occupant detection,
• - seat occupancy detection,
• - airbag control,
• - driver change detection,
• - Child in child seat detection,
• - dog-in-vehicle detection, and/or
• - Occupant monitoring for vital functions, in particular heartbeat and / or respiration, preferably by evaluating a transit time of UWB pulses.

The modular unit can thus be used flexibly in the vehicle in an advantageous manner in order to be able to provide various vehicle functions for interior monitoring.

Furthermore, in a monitoring system, the invention can provide that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the interface, has a plug in order to connect the UWB sensor unit electrically, electronically and/or in terms of data technology to the vehicle-side control unit. Advantageously, the plug can be designed to attach the UWB sensor unit to the vehicle as an individually manageable unit. In this way, the UWB sensor unit can be easily and conveniently connected to or in the vehicle and preferably attached at the same time as a combined, individually manageable and/or coherent modular unit.

Furthermore, in a monitoring system, the invention can provide that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the plug, has at least one latching element in order to fasten the UWB sensor unit to the vehicle in a positive and/or non-positive manner. Thus, the UWB sensor unit can be attached to or in the vehicle not only easily and conveniently, but also reversibly, e.g. for the purpose of replacement or repair.

In addition, the invention can provide in a monitoring system that the UWB sensor unit, in particular the plug, has at least one guide element in order to guide the UWB sensor unit in a predefined direction when it is attached to the vehicle. In this way, the assembly of the UWB sensor unit on or in the vehicle can be facilitated. The guide element can also ensure that the module unit is attached in the correct position on or in the vehicle.

In addition, in a monitoring system, the invention can provide that a housing element is provided in order to at least partially or completely enclose and/or seal the UWB sensor unit. In this way, the UWB sensor unit can be protected from the environmental influences. The housing element can preferably be made of plastic in order to let the UWB pulses through.

Furthermore, in a monitoring system, the invention can provide that the housing element is designed in the form of a housing shell, which is preferably attached over the UWB sensor unit after the UWB sensor unit has been attached to the vehicle in order to cover and/or seal the UWB sensor unit. Thus, an elegant solution can be provided to Fix the UWB sensor unit first and then cover and/or seal it.

Furthermore, in a monitoring system, the invention can provide that the housing element has a first housing shell and a second housing shell in order to completely enclose and/or seal the UWB sensor unit. In this way, the UWB sensor unit can be provided as a completely closed and/or sealed assembly before it is installed on or in the vehicle.

Furthermore, the invention can provide for a monitoring system that the housing element has at least one latching element in order to fasten the housing element in a positive and/or non-positive manner on or in the vehicle or on the UWB sensor unit, and/or that the housing element has at least one guide element , in order to guide the housing element in a predefined direction during attachment to or in the vehicle or to the UWB sensor unit. In this way, the housing element can be fastened together with the UWB sensor unit on or in the vehicle, or the housing element without the UWB sensor unit on the UWB sensor unit that is already fastened to the vehicle, easily, conveniently and reversibly.

In addition, the object according to the invention is achieved by a vehicle with at least one monitoring system, which can be designed as described above. The vehicle according to the invention achieves the same advantages as described above in connection with the monitoring system. Reference is made in full to these advantages here.

Advantageously, one or more UWB sensor units for a vehicle function can be provided in or on the vehicle. It is also conceivable that one or more UWB sensor units, in particular on the inside, on a vehicle roof, in a fin on a vehicle roof, on a reading lamp, on a center console, on an interior door panel, on a backrest, on a headrest, on a sunroof , on a sunroof control, on a mirror, in particular on a rearview mirror and/or side mirror, on an inside handle, on a grab handle, on an A, B and/or C pillar trim and/or on a center armrest . In this way, different vehicle functions can be provided for different vehicle assistance systems using the monitoring system.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a method for carrying out monitoring for an interior of a vehicle using a monitoring system, which can be implemented as described above, comprising at least one UWB sensor unit, the UWB sensor unit being used in a first mode as a detection unit for carrying out a detection of objects and/or persons in the vehicle, and wherein the UWB sensor unit is operated in a second mode as a communication unit for performing communication with a user-side mobile device to transmit at least one result of the detection and/or the communication to a to transmit on-board control unit and / or the user-side mobile device. The same advantages are achieved with the aid of the method according to the invention as were described above in connection with the monitoring system. Reference is made in full to these advantages here.

Furthermore, in a method, the invention can provide that the UWB sensor unit is operated simultaneously in the first mode and in the second mode, or that the UWB sensor unit is operated alternately in the first mode or in the second mode. Depending on the desired specifications of the module unit, one way or the other of operating the module unit can be advantageous. With an alternating operation of the module unit, it can be ensured that the communication and detection do not overlap. With synchronous operation of the module unit, communication and detection can take place in parallel and the vehicle functions can be provided quickly.

• - wenn erkannt wurde, dass eine Zündung des Fahrzeuges ausgeschaltet wurde,
• - wenn das benutzerseitige Mobilgerät nicht in dem Fahrzeug detektiert wird,
• - wenn ein Zugangssystem zum Fahrzeug betätigt wird, und/oder
• - wenn eine Person im Fahrzeug detektiert wird.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a method that the UWB sensor unit is operated in the first mode as a detection unit for carrying out the detection of objects and/or people in the vehicle,

• - if it was detected that an ignition of the vehicle was switched off,
• - if the user's mobile device is not detected in the vehicle,
• - when an access system to the vehicle is operated, and/or
• - if a person is detected in the vehicle.

In this way, monitoring can be started after certain events that can be specifically selected for certain vehicle functions. The UWB sensor unit can be informed about these events by the vehicle-side control unit, preferably via the interface. Thus, also a cases of breakage or driver changes can be detected. Advantageously, this forgotten objects and / or creatures such. As dogs or children are detected in the vehicle.

In a method, the invention can also provide that the UWB sensor unit is operated in the first mode or in the second mode depending on a speed and/or a state of the vehicle. In this way, the functionality of the UWB sensor unit can be advantageously expanded.

• - eine Präsenz eines Benutzers und/oder eines Objekts,
• - einen Abstand zu einem Benutzer und/oder einem Objekt,
• - eine Position eines Benutzers und/oder eines Objekts, und/oder
• - eine Bewegung eines Körperteils eines Benutzers und/oder eines Insassen zu erfassen.

In a method, the invention can also provide that the module unit is used in the first mode to carry out a detection, in particular with the aid of a propagation time measurement of UWB pulses, in order to:

• - a presence of a user and/or an object,
• - a distance to a user and/or an object,
• - a position of a user and/or an object, and/or
• - to detect a movement of a body part of a user and/or an occupant.

• - Müdigkeitskontrolle,
• - Insassenerkennung,
• - Sitzplatzbelegungserkennung,
• - Fahrerwechselerkennung,
• - Kind-im-Kindersitz-Erkennung,
• - Hund-im-Fahrzeug-Erkennung, und/oder
• - Insassenüberwachung für Vitalfunktionen, insbesondere Herzschlag und/oder Atmung, vorzugsweise durch Auswertung einer Laufzeit von UWB-Impulsen.

In addition, the invention can provide in a method that the UWB sensor unit is used in the first mode to support at least one vehicle assistance system for interior monitoring, such as in particular:

• - fatigue control,
• - occupant detection,
• - seat occupancy detection,
• - driver change detection,
• - Child in child seat detection,
• - dog-in-vehicle detection, and/or
• - Occupant monitoring for vital functions, in particular heartbeat and / or respiration, preferably by evaluating a transit time of UWB pulses.

Furthermore, the invention can provide in a method that the UWB sensor unit is used in the second mode to carry out communication, in particular using digital radio transmission, preferably using pulse phase modulation, in order to receive information, in particular authentication information from a user, from a query, receive and/or verify the user's mobile device, and/or that the UWB sensor unit is used in the second mode to send the results of the monitoring, in particular the communication and/or the detection, to the user's mobile device.

Advantageously, the UWB sensor unit can be used to warn a user, preferably with the help of the mobile device and/or the vehicle-side control unit, which can control corresponding devices of the vehicle, when monitoring, in particular during communication and/or detection , user misconduct was detected. For this purpose, the processing device can create a warning code, which is transmitted via the interface to the vehicle-side control unit and/or via the communication to the user-side mobile device in order to trigger the warning.

• 1 eine beispielhafte Darstellung eines Überwachungssystems im Sinne der Erfindung,
• 2 eine beispielhafte Darstellung eines Signals, welches für eine Detektion spezifisch ist,
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer UWB-Sensoreinheit im Sinne der Erfindung mit einer UWB-Antennen-Einheit,
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung einer UWB-Sensoreinheit im Sinne der Erfindung mit mehreren UWB-Antennen-Einheiten,
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung einer UWB-Sensoreinheit im Sinne der Erfindung mit mehreren UWB-Antennen-Einheiten,
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrzeuges mit mehreren Moduleinheiten im Sinne der Erfindung,
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung einer UWB-Sensoreinheit im Sinne der Erfindung mit einem Stecker,
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung einer UWB-Sensoreinheit im Sinne der Erfindung mit einem Gehäuseelement,
• 9 eine schematische Darstellung einer UWB-Sensoreinheit im Sinne der Erfindung mit zwei Gehäuseschalen.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. It shows:

• 1 an exemplary representation of a monitoring system within the meaning of the invention,
• 2 an exemplary representation of a signal which is specific for a detection,
• 3 a schematic representation of a UWB sensor unit according to the invention with a UWB antenna unit,
• 4 a schematic representation of a UWB sensor unit according to the invention with several UWB antenna units,
• 5 a schematic representation of a UWB sensor unit according to the invention with several UWB antenna units,
• 6 a schematic representation of a vehicle with several modular units according to the invention,
• 7 a schematic representation of a UWB sensor unit according to the invention with a connector,
• 8th a schematic representation of a UWB sensor unit according to the invention with a housing element,
• 9 a schematic representation of a UWB sensor unit according to the invention with two housing shells.

In the following figures, the same reference numbers are used for the same technical features of different exemplary embodiments.

the 1 and 6 each show an exemplary monitoring system S for an interior 202 of a vehicle 200, further exemplary embodiments of the monitoring system S being conceivable. The monitoring system S within the meaning of the invention has at least one UWB sensor unit 100, which can also be referred to as a module unit. According to the invention, the (meaning one and the same) UWB sensor unit 100 is designed to carry out a detection D of objects and/or persons (ie a detection of objects and/or persons with only one device 100) in the vehicle 200. At the same time, the UWB sensor unit 100 is designed to carry out a communication K (ie a data exchange between two devices 100, 300) with a user-side mobile device 300 to at least one result E1, E2, E3 of the detection D and/or the communication K a vehicle-side control device 201 and/or the user-side mobile device 300 to be transmitted. An exemplary signal, which is specific to a detection D, and exemplary results E1, E2, E3, which were obtained in the evaluation of the signal, are described in connection with the 2 described. Exemplary UWB sensor units 100 are shown in FIGS 3 until 5 and 7 until 9 shown.

Like it the 3 until 5 and 7 until 9 illustrate, the UWB sensor unit 100 can have a UWB transceiver 3, e.g. in the form of a UWB front-end module. The UWB sensor unit 100 can also have a processing device 4, for example in the form of an electronic processing arrangement, which can use a microcontroller, for example, for processing. The processing device 4 can control the UWB transceiver 3 and the electrical signals (cf 2 ) that are sent and/or received by the UWB transceiver 3 in order to evaluate the communication K and/or the detection D and a result E1, E2, E3 or information based on the communication K and/or the detection D to receive. Depending on the evaluation of the communication K and/or the detection D, the processing device 4 can also generate a finished function code for a corresponding vehicle function F in order to correspondingly control a corresponding vehicle assistance system.

The UWB sensor unit 100 can also have an interface 5, e.g. B. to transmit the results E1, E2, E3 of the communication K and/or the detection D to the control unit 201 via the interface 5 and/or to activate different vehicle functions F via the interface 5 depending on the communication K and/or to trigger the detection D. The interface 5 is also connected to the 7 described.

The electrical signals (see an example signal in the 2 ) sent and/or received by the UWB transceiver 3 of the UWB sensor unit 100 may be communication K and/or detection D specific. A result E1, E2, E3 of the detection D and/or the communication K can be determined by the processing device 4 on the basis of the electrical signals.

A result E1, E2, E3 of a detection D can include at least one piece of information about whether a user B or a person and/or an object is in the vicinity of the UWB sensor unit 100, is moving or is moving in a particular way .

A result of a communication K between the UWB sensor unit 100 and a user-side mobile device 300 can contain at least one item of information about the user B, e.g. B. authentication information ID include. A result E1, E2, E3 of the detection D can also be transmitted to the mobile device 300 via the communication K.

The UWB sensor unit can transmit not only the authentication information ID and/or a result E1, E2, E3 of the detection D and/or communication K, but also a function code for a corresponding vehicle function F to the user-side device 201 via the interface 5.

A result of a communication K between the UWB sensor unit and/or the user-side mobile device 300 can also include navigation data, message data, music data, but also actuation data for an on-board device, such as. e.g. B. include lighting, heating, air conditioning and the like.

A signal for communication K can, for. B. be a defined sequence of short UWB pulses. The defined sequence of short UWB pulses, which can be provided with time stamps, for example, can be generated using pulse phase modulation as part of digital radio transmission. In this case, a UWB pulse is shifted relative to a constant reference clock in terms of time, namely the phase. The phase shift between the UWB pulses symbolizes the information such. B. an authentication information ID. The period duration and the amplitude of the UWB pulses remain the same.

For example, a UWB pulse can be mapped as a portion of a sine wave of finite duration of a few nanoseconds or even picoseconds, corresponding to a broad spectral line from at least 5 GHz, particularly from 7.5 GHz, to over 8.8 GHz.

Due to the extremely short UWB pulses, a high resolution of a few millimeters to even micrometers can be achieved during detection, e.g. with the help of a transit time measurement of the UWB pulses. the 2 shows an example of how the transit time of the UWB pulses at a distance A from an object to be monitored, eg. Chest of a child in a child seat that is in the 1 as shown, the distance being monitored as a function of time t.

The invention recognizes that, using UWB technology, high-resolution detection, e.g. for distance measurement, can be achieved with a resolution of a few millimeters to even micrometers, e.g. using a runtime measurement of the UWB pulses. Here, the UWB sensor unit 100 smallest movements, such. B. chest movements, ie breathing, heartbeat, head nod, etc. detect not only a presence and / or position of an object and / or a person such. B. a child in the child seat or a driver in the driver's seat, but also detect the vital functions of the person with high resolution.

A corresponding user-side mobile device 300 can also be part of the monitoring system S. The mobile device 300 can preferably be designed as a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone, or tablet or smartwatch, in order to be able to achieve the desired data exchange using the communication K with the UWB sensor unit 100 .

Like it the 1 until 9 indicate, the UWB sensor unit 100 can be used as a, in particular combined, individually manageable and/or coherent modular unit (or as a single node or in other words as a satellite), preferably a multifunctional unit, preferably in the form of a hardware unit, for providing different vehicle functions F can be performed in a vehicle 200 .

Furthermore, the 6 schematically shows that in a monitoring system S within the meaning of the invention, one or more UWB sensor units 100 can be provided for a vehicle function F. A plurality of UWB sensor units 100 can help to provide a 2D or 3D resolution in a detection D, for example for the purpose of position determination. Complicated movements can thus be detected with high resolution using a plurality of UWB sensor units 100 .

Like it the 1 and 6 To illustrate, one or more UWB sensor units 100 can be arranged, in particular on the inside, for example on a vehicle roof. Other locations for arranging UWB sensor units 100 can also be: in a fin on a vehicle roof, on a reading lamp, on a center console, on a door inner panel, on a seat back, on a headrest, on a sunroof, on a sunroof control, on a Mirrors, in particular on a rear view mirror and/or side mirror, on an inside handle, on a grab handle, on an A, B and/or C pillar trim and/or on a center armrest.

In a vehicle assistance system for monitoring fatigue, at least one UWB sensor unit 100 can be arranged at different locations in vehicle 200, from which the movements, in particular the movements of the chest, of the driver can be monitored. At least one UWB sensor unit 100 can monitor the driver's vital signs, such as B. chest movements, respiration, heartbeat, head nods, etc., preferably by evaluating a transit time of UWB pulses, using the detection D monitor.

In a vehicle assistance system for detecting occupants and/or for detecting seat occupancy, at least one UWB sensor unit 100 can be arranged at different locations in vehicle 200, from which the vehicle seats can be monitored. It is conceivable that at least one UWB sensor unit 100 at the front of the vehicle 200 or two UWB sensor units 100 at the front and rear of the vehicle 200 (cf 6 ) or one UWB sensor unit 100 can be provided for each seat. Several UWB sensor units 100 per vehicle seat are also conceivable. At least one corresponding UWB sensor unit 100 can monitor the movements of the chest of a person sitting on a corresponding vehicle seat and use the movements to distinguish whether it is an adult, a man, a woman, a child, e.g. a child in a child seat, a dog or not a person at all, just an immovable object. Depending on which person was detected on the seat, an airbag can be activated or deactivated. If a child is detected in the child seat, the airbag can be deactivated on the corresponding seat. Even with objects such as B. shopping bags, airbags can ent speaking seats can be deactivated. The monitoring system S can thus be used to specifically activate the airbags in the vehicle.

In a vehicle assistance system for driver change detection, at least one UWB sensor unit 100 can detect a person at the driver's seat using detection D and use communication K to check whether the appropriate user-side mobile device 300 can identify itself in the vicinity of UWB sensor unit 100 .

the 1 shows a schematic of a vehicle assistance system for child-in-child seat detection. At least one UWB sensor unit 100 can be arranged above the vehicle seat on which a child seat is installed. At least one UWB sensor unit 100 can be arranged, for example, on a vehicle roof above the child seat. The UWB sensor unit 100 can monitor the child's vital signs, such as e.g. B. Monitor chest movements. An exemplary signal that may be specific to such monitoring is in US Pat 2 shown. The signal can be evaluated, being left in the 2 a rapid breathing (child is awake), in the middle of 2 no breathing (child not breathing, e.g. overheating) and right in the 2 shallow breathing (child is sleeping) can be detected.

In addition, the 1 that the UWB sensor unit 100 can use the communication K to check whether the matching user-side mobile device 300 can identify itself in the vicinity of the UWB sensor unit 100 . When the driver is no longer detected near the UWB sensor unit 100 using the communication K, the UWB sensor unit 100 can warn the driver using the communication K that a child is in the vehicle 200 and may have been forgotten. At the same time, the UWB sensor unit 100 can transmit the results E1, E2, E3 of the detection D using the communication K to the mobile device 300 on the user side.

At the same time, depending on the result E1, E2, E3 of the detection D, in particular the result E2, and/or communication K, the UWB sensor unit 100 can determine a malfunction and send a warning code or a trigger signal for a warning to the mobile device 300 on the user side , whereupon the user-side mobile device 300 can warn the user B that a child has been forgotten by vibrating and/or acoustically and/or visually signaling. In this way, cases can be successfully avoided when something happens to the child when the driver leaves the vehicle 200 and/or is inattentive.

Like it the 1 schematically indicated by a flashing rear light, the user B can be informed not only via the mobile device 300 on the user side, but also via the vehicle-side control unit 201 about the results E1, E2, E3 of the monitoring. While the mobile device 300 on the user side can inform the user B about the results E1, E2, E3 of the monitoring by haptic signals, for example vibrations, acoustic signals or visual displays, the vehicle-side control unit 201 can control certain devices in or on the vehicle 200, such as e.g. As speakers, displays, headlights or lights, drive to issue a warning to the user B.

Like it the 3 until 5 show, the UWB antenna 1 for communication K and for detection D can be a common UWB antenna unit (cf 3 ) or two separate UWB antenna units 1a, 1b (cf 4 and 5 ) exhibit. It is conceivable that the communication K and the detection D simultaneously (cf 4 ) or sequential (cf. the 3 and 5 ) can be carried out.

The UWB antenna 1 can be operated in a frequency range with a bandwidth of at least 500 MHz to several MHz, with the frequency range preferably being between 30 MHz and 10.6 GHz, preferably between 3.0 and 10.6 GHz. The UWB antenna 1 can be applied to the printed circuit board 10 using a photolithographic method, for example.

Like it the 4 shows, the UWB transceiver 3 may comprise at least a first UWB front-end module 3a for a first UWB antenna unit 1a and a second UWB front-end module 3b for a second UWB antenna unit 1b. Thus, the first UWB antenna unit 1a and the second UWB antenna unit 1b can be operated simultaneously.

Like it the 5 shows, the UWB transceiver 3 can be implemented as a common UWB front-end module for a first UWB antenna unit 1a and a second UWB antenna unit 1b. Thus, the first UWB antenna unit 1a and the second UWB antenna unit 1b can be operated alternately. The UWB transceiver 3 can have a switching unit 2 in order to drive the first UWB antenna unit 1a and the second UWB antenna unit 1b to carry out the communication K or to carry out the detection D. The switching unit 2 can be designed, for example, as an electronic switch, preferably an HF switch.

In addition, it can be advantageous in a UWB sensor unit 100 within the meaning of the invention that the center frequency and/or the bandwidth of the UWB antenna 1 can/can be variably adjusted when carrying out a detection. Advantageously, it is also conceivable that it is possible to switch between different center frequencies of the UWB antenna 1, for example using the UWB transceiver 3. Thus, the detection D by the UWB antenna 1 can be flexibly adapted to different humidity conditions.

In addition, it can be advantageous in a UWB sensor unit 100 according to the invention that measurements by the UWB antenna 1 when performing the detection D using measurements by the UWB antenna 1, in particular using transit times of the UWB pulses, when performing the Communication K can be calibrated. For this purpose, the propagation times of the UWB pulses between the module unit 100 and a mobile device 300 on the user side, which is positioned at a known distance from the module unit 100, can be measured during the communication K. These propagation times can be used to refine the accuracy of the detection D by the UWB antenna 1, for example when measuring a distance, and to calibrate the UWB antenna 1 to carry out the detection D.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous that an angle of incidence of the UWB antenna 1 can be set variably, for example in order to set and/or align the measurement areas for carrying out the detection D.

• - eine Präsenz eines Benutzers B und/oder eines Objekts,
• - einen Abstand zu einem Benutzer B und/oder einem Objekt,
• - eine Position eines Benutzers B oder und/oder Objekts, und/oder
• - eine Bewegung eines Körperteils eines Benutzers B und/oder eines Insassen, bspw. eines Kindes im Kindersitz zu erfassen (vgl. die 9).

In addition to the examples shown in the 1 and 6 a detection D can be performed using the UWB sensor unit 100 to detect:

• - a presence of a user B and/or an object,
• - a distance to a user B and/or an object,
• - a position of a user B or and/or object, and/or
• - To detect a movement of a body part of a user B and/or an occupant, e.g. a child in a child seat (cf 9 ).

• - Personenerkennungssensor,
• - Sitzplatzbelegungssensor (vgl. die 6),
• - Fahrerwechselerkennungssensor,
• - Kind-im-Kindersitz-Erkennungssensor (vgl. die 1),
• - Hund-im-Fahrzeug-Erkennungssensor,
• - Bewegungssensor,
• - Bewegungsmustererkennungssensor, und/oder
• - Überwachungssensor für Vitalfunktionen, insbesondere Herzschlag und/oder Atmung (vgl. die 1).

In this way, the module unit 100 can serve as a detection unit, preferably by evaluating a transit time of UWB pulses, such as e.g. e.g.:

• - people detection sensor,
• - Seat occupancy sensor (cf. the 6 ),
• - driver change detection sensor,
• - Child in child seat detection sensor (cf. the 1 ),
• - dog-in-vehicle detection sensor,
• - motion sensor,
• - motion pattern recognition sensor, and/or
• - Monitoring sensor for vital functions, in particular heartbeat and/or respiration (cf 1 ).

Like it in the 1 and 6 is indicated, the UWB transceiver 3 of the UWB sensor unit 100 can be designed to use the UWB antenna 1 to carry out the communication K, e.g. using digital radio transmission, e.g. B. using a pulse phase modulation to drive to an information such. B. to query, receive and/or verify authentication information ID of a user B from a user-side mobile device 300 .

Furthermore, the 1 and 6 that the UWB transceiver 3 of the UWB sensor unit 100 can be designed to transmit the results E1, E2, E3 of the communication K and/or the detection D to a mobile device 300 on the user side.

The processing device 4 and/or the interface 5 of the UWB sensor unit 100 can in turn be designed to transmit information, in particular an authentication information ID of the user B, and/or a function code and/or warning code, preferably calculated by the processing device 4, to the to transmit vehicle-side control unit 201. Advantageously, the processing device 4 and/or the interface 5 can be designed to functionally connect the modular unit 100 to a safety system, in particular a warning system, of the vehicle 200 .

• - Müdigkeitskontrolle,
• - Insassenerkennung,
• - Sitzplatzbelegungserkennung,
• - Fahrerwechselerkennung,
• - Kind-im-Kindersitz-Erkennung,
• - Hund-im-Fahrzeug-Erkennung, und/oder
• - Insassenüberwachung für Vitalfunktionen, insbesondere Herzschlag und/oder Atmung, vorzugsweise durch Auswertung einer Laufzeit von UWB-Impulsen.

In general, it is conceivable that the UWB sensor unit 100 can be used for interior monitoring, e.g. for at least one of the following vehicle assistance systems:

• - fatigue control,
• - occupant detection,
• - seat occupancy detection,
• - driver change detection,
• - Child in child seat detection,
• - dog-in-vehicle detection, and/or
• - Occupant monitoring for vital functions, in particular heartbeat and / or respiration, preferably by evaluating a transit time of UWB pulses.

Like it the 7 as well as the 8th and 9 show, the (particularly electronic) interface 5 can have a (particularly mechanical) plug 5a in order to connect the modular unit 100 to the vehicle-side control unit 201 mechanically, electrically and in terms of data technology.

Like it the 7 until 9 indicate, the plug 5a can be designed to fasten the UWB sensor unit 100 as an individually manageable unit on or in the vehicle 200. For this purpose, the plug 5a can have a latching element 101 in order to fasten the UWB sensor unit 100 on or in the vehicle 200 in a positive and/or non-positive manner. In addition, the connector 5a can have at least one guide element 102 in order to guide the UWB sensor unit 100 in a predefined direction when it is attached to or in the vehicle 200 and to facilitate the attachment of the UWB sensor unit 100 .

Like it the 6 and 7 indicate, a housing element 20 can be provided in a UWB sensor unit 100 in order to enclose and/or seal the modular unit 100 at least partially or completely.

Like it the 6 indicates, the housing element 20 can be embodied in the form of a housing shell, which can preferably be attached over the UWB sensor unit 100 after the UWB sensor unit 100 has been attached to or in the vehicle 200 in order to cover and/or seal the module unit 100 .

Like it the 7 indicates, the housing element 20 can have a first housing shell 21 and a second housing shell 22 in order to completely enclose and/or seal the UWB sensor unit 100 . In this way, the modular unit 100 can be provided as a completely closed and/or sealed structural unit before it is installed on or in the vehicle 200 .

It is also possible for the housing element 20 to be designed as a one-piece, e.g. sleeve-like and/or cup-like housing element, e.g. B. can be designed with a cover to completely enclose and/or seal the UWB sensor unit 100 .

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the UWB sensor unit 100 can be encapsulated within the housing element 20 with a casting compound.

Like it the 8th and 9 also show that at least one latching element 23 can be provided on housing element 20 in order to positively and/or non-positively lock housing element 20 on or in vehicle 200 (cf 7 ) or on the module unit 100 (cf. the 6 ) to fix. It is also conceivable that the housing element 20 can have at least one guide element 24 in order to guide the housing element 20 in a predefined direction when it is fastened on or in the vehicle 200 or on the UWB sensor unit 100 .

In the example of 6 the housing element 20 can be simply slid onto a corresponding guide of the UWB sensor unit 100 with the aid of the guide element 24 . In the example of 7 the housing element 20 with the UWB sensor unit 100 accommodated therein can be slid onto a corresponding guide on or in the vehicle 200 with the aid of the guide element 24 .

A vehicle 200 with at least one monitoring system S, which can be designed as described above, also represents an aspect of the invention, as is the 1 and 6 clarify.

A method for monitoring an interior 202 of a vehicle 200 using a monitoring system S, which can be implemented as described above, also represents an aspect of the invention. The UWB sensor unit 100 is used in a first mode I as a detection unit for Carrying out a detection D of persons and/or objects in vehicle 200. Furthermore, in a second mode II, the UWB sensor unit 100 is operated as a communication unit for carrying out a communication K with the user-side device 300 .

• - wenn erkannt wurde, dass eine Zündung des Fahrzeuges 200 ausgeschaltet wurde,
• - wenn das benutzerseitige Mobilgerät 300 nicht in dem Fahrzeug 200 detektiert wird,
• - wenn ein Zugangssystem zum Fahrzeug 200 betätigt wird, und/oder
• - wenn eine Person im Fahrzeug 200 detektiert wird.

The UWB sensor unit 100 is preferably operated in the first mode I,

• - if it was detected that an ignition of the vehicle 200 was switched off,
• - if the user-side mobile device 300 is not detected in the vehicle 200,
• - when an access system to the vehicle 200 is operated, and/or
• - when a person in the vehicle 200 is detected.

In this way, the monitoring by the UWB sensor unit 100 can be determined according to Events are started, which can be specifically selected for certain vehicle functions F. The UWB sensor unit 100 can be informed about these events by the vehicle-side control unit 201, preferably via the interface 5.

In addition, the UWB sensor unit 100 can be operated in the first mode I or in the second mode II depending on a speed and/or a state of the vehicle 200 . In this way, the functionality of the UWB sensor unit 100 can advantageously be expanded.

The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively in the context of examples. It goes without saying that individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, insofar as this makes technical sense, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Reference List

S

surveillance system

100

module unit

101

locking element

102

guide element

10

circuit board

1

UWB antenna

1a

first UWB antenna unit

1b

second UWB antenna unit

2

switching unit

3

UWB transceiver

3a

first UWB front-end module

3b

second UWB front-end module

4

processing device

5

interface

5a

plug

20

housing element

21

first housing shell

22

second housing shell

23

locking element

24

guide element

200

vehicle

201

control unit

202

inner space

300

mobile device

A

Distance

B

user

B1

Foot

D

detection

E1

result

E2

result

E3

result

f

vehicle function

K

communication

ID

authentication information

t

time

I

first mode

II

second mode

Claims (28)

Monitoring system (S) for an interior (202) of a vehicle (200), having: at least one UWB sensor unit (100), wherein the UWB sensor unit (100) is designed to carry out a detection (D) of objects and/or persons in the vehicle (200), and wherein the UWB sensor unit (100) is designed to carry out a communication (K) with a user-side mobile device (300), to transmit at least one result (E1, E2, E3) of the detection (D) and/or communication (K) to a vehicle-side control unit (201) and/or the user-side mobile device (300). Monitoring system (S) after claim 1 , characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100) as a, in particular combined, individually manageable and / or coherent, modular unit, preferably multifunctional unit, preferably in the form of a hardware unit, for providing different vehicle functions (F) in a vehicle (200) is executed. Monitoring system (S) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that one or more UWB sensor units (100) for a vehicle function (F) is / are provided, and / or that one or more UWB sensor units (100), in particular on the inside, on a vehicle roof, in a fin a vehicle roof, on a reading lamp, on a center console, on an interior door panel, on a backrest, on a headrest, on a sunroof, on a sunroof control, on a mirror, in particular on a rear-view mirror and/or Side mirrors, on an inside handle, on a grab handle, on an A, waistband/or C-pillar panel and/or on a center armrest is/are arranged. Monitoring system (S) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100) has at least one printed circuit board (10), at least one of the following elements being arranged in particular on the printed circuit board (10): - a UWB antenna (1) for carrying out the communication (K) and/or the detection (D), in which case different vehicle functions (F) can be activated depending on the communication (K) and/or the detection (D), - a, in particular electronic, UWB transceiver (3) for emitting and/or receiving electrical signals from the UWB antenna (1) specific to communication (K) and/or detection (D), - a processing device, in particular electronic, ( 4) for controlling the UWB transceiver (3) in order to carry out communication (K) and/or detection (D) through the UWB antenna (1), and/or - an interface (5), in particular electronic, for transmission of the result ( E1, E2, E3) of the detection (D) and/or the communication (K) to the vehicle-side control unit (201) in order to trigger different vehicle functions (F) depending on the communication (K) and/or the detection (D). . Monitoring system (S) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB antenna (1) can be operated in a frequency range with a bandwidth of at least 500 MHz or at least 20% of the arithmetic mean of the lower and upper limit frequencies of the frequency band used, wherein preferably the frequency range is between 30 MHz and 10.6 GHz, preferably between 3.0 and 10.6 GHz. Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB antenna (1) is one, in particular only one, preferably a common one for communication (K) and/or detection (D), UWB antenna unit which is designed to carry out the communication (K) and/or the detection (D) depending on activation by the processing device (4), or that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB antenna (1 ), a first UWB antenna unit (1a) and a second UWB antenna unit (1b), wherein the first UWB antenna unit (1a) is designed to detect (D) with the user-side mobile device ( 300) to carry out, and wherein the second UWB antenna unit (1b) is designed to carry out the communication (K) of objects and / or people in the vehicle (200). Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device (4) and/or the UWB transceiver (3) has/has a microcontroller. Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB transceiver (3), at least one first UWB front-end module (3a) for a first UWB antenna - unit (1a) and a second UWB front-end module (3b) for a second UWB antenna unit (1b), or that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB transceiver (3), as a common UWB front-end module, for a first UWB antenna unit (1a) and a second UWB antenna unit (1b). Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB transceiver (3), has a switching unit (2) in order to switch a first UWB antenna unit (1a) and to control a second UWB antenna unit (1b) for carrying out the communication (K) or for carrying out the detection (D), the switching unit (2) in particular being designed as an electronic switch, preferably an HF switch. Module unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB transceiver (3), is designed in such a way that the center frequency and/or the bandwidth of the UWB antenna when carrying out the Detection (D) are variably adjustable / is. Module unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB transceiver (3), is designed in such a way that measurements through the UWB antenna (1) when carrying out the detection ( D) can be calibrated with the aid of measurements through the UWB antenna (1), in particular of propagation times of the UWB pulses, when carrying out the communication (K). Module unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB transceiver (3), is designed such that an angle of incidence of the UWB antenna (1) can be variably adjusted. Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB transceiver (3), is designed to carry out the detection (D) to: - a presence of a user or of an object, - a distance to a user or an object, - a position of a user or an object, and/or - a movement of a body part of a user and/or an occupant. Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB transceiver (3), is designed as a detection unit, preferably by evaluating a transit time of UWB pulses, to serve, in particular as one of the following detection units: - person detection sensor, - seat occupancy sensor, - driver change detection sensor, - child in child seat detection sensor, - dog in vehicle detection sensor, - movement sensor, - movement pattern recognition sensor, and/or - monitoring sensor for vital functions , especially heartbeat and/or respiration. Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB transceiver (3), is designed to communicate (K), in particular using digital radio transmission, preferably using a Pulse phase modulation, to query, receive and/or verify information, in particular authentication information (ID) of a user, from the user-side mobile device (300), and/or that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the UWB Transceiver (3) designed to transmit the results (E1, E2, E3) of the monitoring, in particular the detection (D) and/or the communication (K), to the user-side mobile device (300). Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the processing device (4) and/or the interface (5), is designed to transmit information, in particular authentication information (ID) of a user and/or a function code and/or warning code, preferably calculated by the processing device (4), to the vehicle-side control unit (201), and/or that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the processing device (4) and / or the interface (5) is designed to functionally connect the UWB sensor unit (100) to a safety system, in particular a warning system, of the vehicle (200). Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing device (4) is designed to control the UWB sensor unit (100) for providing the following vehicle functions (F), such as: - Supporting at least one vehicle assistance system for interior monitoring , such as in particular: - drowsiness control, - occupant detection, - seat occupancy detection, - airbag control, - driver change detection, - child in child seat detection, - dog in vehicle detection, and/or - occupant monitoring for vital functions, in particular heartbeat and /or respiration, preferably by evaluating a transit time of UWB impulses. Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the interface (5), has a plug to connect the UWB sensor unit (100) mechanically, in terms of control technology and/or data technology to the to connect vehicle-side control unit (201), in particular the connector is designed to attach the UWB sensor unit (100) as an individually manageable unit on the vehicle (200). Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the plug, has at least one latching element (101) to shape the UWB sensor unit (100) and / o to be fastened to the vehicle (200) in a non-positive manner, and/or that the UWB sensor unit (100), in particular the plug, has at least one guide element (102) in order to guide the UWB sensor unit (100) when it is fastened to the vehicle (200) in a predefined direction. Monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing element (20) is provided in order to enclose and/or seal the UWB sensor unit (100) at least in part or in its entirety, with the housing element (20) in particular is designed in the form of a housing shell, which is preferably attached after the UWB sensor unit (100) has been attached to the vehicle (20) over the UWB sensor unit (100) in order to cover and/or seal the UWB sensor unit (100), or wherein the housing element (20) has a first housing shell (21) and a second housing shell (22) in order to completely enclose and/or seal the UWB sensor unit (100). Monitoring system (S) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the housing element (20) has at least one latching element (23) in order to positively and/or non-positively lock the housing element (20) on or in the vehicle (200) or on the UWB to attach the sensor unit (100), and/or that the housing element (20) has at least one guide element (24) in order to guide the housing element (20) when it is attached to or in the vehicle (200) or to the UWB sensor unit (100). to lead in a predefined direction. Vehicle (200) with at least one monitoring system (S) according to one of the preceding claims. Vehicle (200) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that one or more UWB sensor units (100) is/are provided for a vehicle function (F) and/or that one or more UWB sensor units (100), in particular on the inside, on a vehicle roof, in a fin on a vehicle roof, on a reading lamp, on a center console, on an interior door panel, on a backrest, on a headrest, on a sunroof, on a sunroof control, on a mirror, in particular on a rear-view mirror and/or Side mirrors, on an inside handle, on a grab handle, on an A, waistband/or C-pillar panel and/or on a center armrest is/are arranged. Method for carrying out monitoring for an interior (202) of a vehicle (200) using a monitoring system (S), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one UWB sensor unit (100), the UWB sensor unit (100) in one first mode (I) is operated as a detection unit for carrying out a detection (D) of objects and/or persons in the vehicle (200), and wherein the UWB sensor unit (100) is operated in a second mode (II) as a communication unit for performing communication (K) with a user-side device (300), to transmit at least one result (E1, E2, E3) of the detection (D) and/or communication (K) to a vehicle-side control unit (201) and/or the user-side mobile device (300). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100) is operated simultaneously in the first mode (I) and in the second mode (II), or that the UWB sensor unit (100) alternately in the first mode (I) or in the second mode (II). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100) in the first mode (I) as a detection unit for performing the detection (D) of objects and / or people in the vehicle (200) is operated, - if it was recognized that an ignition of the vehicle (200) was switched off, - if the user's mobile device (300) is not detected in the vehicle (200), - if an access system to the vehicle (200) is operated, and/or - if a person is detected in the vehicle (200). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100) is operated in the first mode (I) or in the second mode (II) depending on a speed and/or a condition of the vehicle (200). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the UWB sensor unit (100) is used to create a warning code, which via the communication (K) is transmitted to the user-side mobile device (300) and/or to the vehicle-side control unit (201) if a user malfunctions during the monitoring, in particular during the communication (K) and/or the detection (D). (B) has been detected in order to warn the user (B) using the mobile device (300) and/or the vehicle-mounted control unit (201).

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