DE102013207094B4 - System for implementing functions in the vehicle using short-range communication - Google Patents

Abstract

A system (100) comprising: a plurality of location-indicating devices (104) disposed in a vehicle, each location-indicating device (104) attached to or integrated into a respective vehicle seat, including a wireless communication interface, and being configured to communicate via the wireless communication interface to communicate with end-user devices (102) located in respective vehicle seats;electronic components communicatively coupled to a vehicle network (106), each electronic component configured to provide a dedicated function;a central controller ( 108) of the vehicle, wherein the central controller (108) comprises a computer processor and is communicatively coupled to the location indicating devices (104) and the electronic components via the vehicle network (106); andlogic (110) executable by the computer processor, the logic (110) being configured to implement a method, the method comprising:receiving a unique identifier of one of the location indicating devices (104) over the vehicle network (106). the central controller (108), wherein the unique identifier identifies a location in the vehicle at which the location-indicating device (104) is located;verifying the location-indicating device (104) and an end-user device (102) of an end-user seated in the vehicle seat, the associated with the location-indicating device (104), in response to activation of the location-indicating device (104) by the end-user device (102) via the communication interface, wherein the activation comprises the end-user dragging the end-user device (102) over the location-indicating device (104), and wherein the verifying comprises a secure verification process between the location indicating device (104) and the vehicle network (106), the location indicating device (104) sends a signal to the end-user device (102), the end-user device (102) responds with an acknowledgment, and the location indicating device (104) transmits the acknowledgment to the vehicle network (106). ;receiving a request from the end-user device (102) at the central controller (108) to implement end-user configured settings for at least one of the electronic components serving the location in the vehicle associated with the location indicating device (104) associated with the unique identifier is, corresponds to; andactivating the at least one of the electronic components based on the settings configured by the end user.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to communications, and more particularly to in-vehicle functions using short-range communications.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles today provide many features aimed at enhancing driver and passenger experiences. Additionally, some of these features provide functionality targeted to specific passenger locations, allowing each passenger to adjust specific settings in their area of the vehicle cabin. When a person enters a vehicle, the person selects controls available therein to adjust these features, such as: B. Seat positioning, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), entertainment options, and lighting, to name a few.

It would be desirable to provide a way for the vehicle to recognize a particular passenger and initiate targeted functions by the vehicle based on the passenger's individual preferences.

U.S. 2011/0 137 520 A1 discloses a system for controlling permitted settings in a vehicle, wherein a unique identifier is sent to the vehicle from a driver's wireless communication device upon a request from the vehicle, which identifier is used to identify the driver and stored in a database for him retrieve settings. Further state of the art is out DE 10 2010 002 861 A1 , DE 10 2008 028 844 A1 , DE 10 2005 021 171 A1 , DE 199 43 484 A1 and US 2013 / 030 645 A1 known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide an improved system for implementing functions in the vehicle using short-range communication.

To solve the problem, a system with the features of claim 1 is provided. Advantageous developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

character list

• 1 ein Blockdiagramm eines Systems ist, an dem Funktionen im Fahrzeug unter Verwendung von Kurzstreckenkommunikation gemäß einer Ausführungsform implementiert werden können;
• 2 ein Ablaufdiagramm ist, das einen Prozess zum Implementieren von Funktionen im Fahrzeug unter Verwendung von Kurzstreckenkommunikation gemäß einer Ausführungsform beschreibt;
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Prozesses zum Implementieren von Funktionen im Fahrzeug unter Verwendung von Kurzstreckenkommunikation gemäß einer Ausführungsform ist; und
• 4 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Prozesses zum Implementieren von Funktionen im Fahrzeug unter Verwendung von Kurzstreckenkommunikation gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform ist.

Further features, advantages and details appear only by way of example in the following detailed description of embodiments, which detailed description refers to the drawings, in which:

• 1 Figure 12 is a block diagram of a system upon which in-vehicle functions may be implemented using short-range communication, according to one embodiment;
• 2 Figure 12 is a flow chart describing a process for implementing functions in the vehicle using short-range communication according to an embodiment;
• 3 Figure 12 is a flowchart of a process for implementing in-vehicle functions using short-range communication, according to one embodiment; and
• 4 Figure 12 is a flow diagram of a process for implementing in-vehicle functions using short-range communications according to another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. Of course, corresponding reference characters throughout the drawings indicate the same or corresponding parts and features.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in-vehicle functions are provided using short-range communications (also referred to herein as “in-vehicle functions”). The in-vehicle functions provide the ability to identify a particular driver or passenger of a vehicle and initiate targeted functions through the vehicle without passenger input. In one embodiment, the targeted functions include adjusting various electronic components of the vehicle according to known passenger preferences. The targeted vehicles may also include enabling a passenger's end-user device to stream music from the end-user device to the vehicle's entertainment system. The targeted functions may also include allowing passenger user devices to initiate hands-free calling.

Based on 1 A system 100 on which functions can be implemented in the vehicle will now be described in an exemplary embodiment. The system 100 includes various portions of a vehicle with components used in performing functions in the vehicle. The vehicle can be any type of motor vehicle known in the art. As in 1 As shown, the system 100 includes location indicating devices 104 communicatively coupled to a central controller 108 via a vehicle network 106 . The central controller 108 may include hardware, software, firmware, and associated circuitry configured to manage various vehicle electronics, including various electronic devices, components, and networks, particularly those described herein, and to communicate with the vehicle electronics. In one embodiment, the central controller 108 is implemented using one or more computer processing devices.

The location indicating devices 104 include short-range wireless communication devices distributed at various passenger locations of the vehicle. For example, the location indicating devices 104 may be attached to or integrated into a passenger seat or other structure associated with a passenger seating location. Location indicating devices 104 include components that use any suitable short-range wireless communication technologies to communicate with end-user devices, particularly those further described herein. In one embodiment, the short-range wireless communication technologies may include Near Field Communication (NFC) standards, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™ Low Power, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), or a combination thereof.

The vehicle network 106 may be a physically wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the vehicle network 106 is a local area network that communicatively couples electronic components of the vehicle to the central controller 108 . The electronic components include, for example, a seat control system 112, an HVAC system 114, an entertainment system 116, a lighting system 118, and input/output (I/O) components 119. Each of the electronic components includes electronic control units (not shown) that implemented in hardware, including associated circuitry and logic to facilitate communication between the electronic components and the central controller 108.

The seat control system 112 includes physical controls for adjusting the seat position for respective seats in the vehicle. The electronic control unit of the seat control system 112 receives signals through the physical controls as well as from the central controller 108 to perform a seat adjustment function (e.g., move the seat forward and backward, recline and recline the seat back, lumbar support, side support, and raise and lowering the seat). If the vehicle seat includes a heating component and/or a cooling component, the seat adjustment function may also include activating or adjusting the respective heating and/or cooling component.

The HVAC system 114 includes physical controls for adjusting the interior climate of specified portions of the vehicle or cabin area. The HVAC system 114 electronic control unit receives signals through the physical controls and from the central controller 108 to perform an HVAC function (e.g., enabling and disabling the HVAC system 114 and increasing or lowering the temperature through a heating unit as well as an air conditioning unit and associated valves and other HVAC components used to activate and deactivate selected modes, such as e.g. e.g. floor vents only, main cabin, and turning rear HVAC on and off when no passenger is present).

Entertainment system 116 includes physical controls having various adjustment knobs, switches, graphical user interfaces, and the like for adjusting entertainment system 116 functions such as; B. turning the system 116 on or off, increasing or decreasing audio volume levels, and setting favorite radio stations, including applying radio presets to favorite radio stations. The entertainment system electronic control unit 116 facilitates entertainment functions such as B. Playback of pre-recorded media by system 116. Entertainment system 116 also includes speakers or other output means to provide music or programming through the radio or pre-recorded media. In one embodiment, the entertainment system 116 also includes a short-range communication technology (e.g., a "Bluetooth™ enabled interface) for receiving music and content from another device in the vehicle and presenting the music or content through the entertainment system 116.

The lighting system 118 includes physical controls with various knobs, switches, graphical user interfaces, and the like for adjusting lighting levels for appropriate areas in the vehicle. The lighting system electronic control unit 118 receives signals through the physical controls and from the central controller 108 to perform a lighting adjustment function (e.g., turning lights on and off and dimming or raising light levels).

One or more occupants of the vehicle may carry a portable device, referred to herein as end-user device 102, that may be used in implementing the example functions described herein in the vehicle. End-user device 102 may include a smartphone, tablet PC, watch, credit card, or key fob, to name a few.

The central controller 108 executes logic 110 for implementing the functions described herein in the vehicle. The central controller 108 is communicatively coupled to a storage device 120 that includes memory for storing presets and identifiers for location indicating devices 104 .

The end-user device 102 includes a short-range wireless communication interface 103 for communicating with the location indicating devices 104 and other vehicle components that may receive communications from the end-user device 102, such as. , entertainment system 116. In one embodiment, wireless communication interface 103 of end-user device 102 uses near-field communication (NFC) components using magnetic induction to implement wireless communication with location indicating devices 104. In another embodiment, wireless communication interface 103 and the location indicating devices 104 radio frequency identification (RFID) components (e.g., RFID readers, memories, and antennas) to facilitate this communication.

In another embodiment, wireless communication interface 103 of end-user device 102 uses low-power Bluetooth components to implement wireless communication with location-indicating devices 104. In this embodiment, location-indicating devices 104 are also configured as Bluetooth-enabled components (e.g., transceivers used to configured for use with Bluetooth protocols) to enable this communication. In another embodiment, end-user devices 102 and location indicating devices 104 may use a combination of the above wireless technologies.

In one embodiment, logic 110 is preconfigured to determine and store identifiers for each location indicating device 104 in the vehicle. Any unique identifier can be used for this purpose.

      USER_ID1
                  LOCATION_DEVICE_ID1
                        ELECTRONIC_COMPONENT_SETTING1
                        ELECTRONIC_COMPONENT_SETTING2...
                        ELECTRONIC_COMPONENT_SETTINGn
                  LOCATION_DEVICE_ID2...
                  LOCATION_DEVICE_IDn...
            USER ID2...
            USER_IDn

In one embodiment, a vehicle owner, driver, or passenger, referred to herein as an "end user," may configure customized preferences for the vehicle's electronic components. The preferences may be stored on the vehicle's storage device 120 The or may be stored in the location-indicating devices 104 (e.g., where the location-indicating devices 104 are NFC-configured read/write tags). In one embodiment, the identifier of each of the location indicating devices 104 is stored in a record along with customized end-user settings. The end user can configure these settings using a variety of techniques. In one embodiment, the logic 110 may be configured to provide an interface via an in-vehicle display device (e.g., one or more of the vehicle I/O components 119). In this embodiment, the end user may be prompted via the interface on the vehicle's display to select from available settings associated with the electronic components for the seat control system 112, the HVAC system 114, the entertainment system 116, and the lighting system 118. The end-user may be identified using any unique identification system (e.g., if end-user device 102 is a cellular phone, the unique identifier may be the cellular phone number). Alternatively, the logic 110 can be implemented as a downloadable application on a mobile phone, such as a mobile phone. the end-user device 102, may be modified so that the application includes a similar interface, and the selected settings are wirelessly transmitted to the appropriate location indicating devices 104. A sample data structure format that can be used to store these settings is shown below:

 USER_ID1
                  LOCATION_DEVICE_ID1
                        ELECTRONIC_COMPONENT_SETTING1
                        ELECTRONIC_COMPONENT_SETTING2...
                        ELECTRONIC_COMPONENT_SETTINGn
                  LOCATION_DEVICE_ID2...
                  LOCATION_DEVICE_IDn...
            USERID2...
            USER_IDn

As indicated above, in-vehicle functions provide the ability to identify a specific driver or passenger of a vehicle and initiate targeted functions by the vehicle. In one embodiment, the targeted functions include adjusting various electronic components of the vehicle according to passenger preferences. The targeted functionality may also include enabling a passenger's end-user device to stream music from the end-user device to the vehicle's entertainment system. The targeted functions may also include allowing passenger user devices to initiate hands-free calls.

Based on 2 A flow diagram of a process for implementing functions in the vehicle according to an embodiment will now be described. The process may begin with the initiation of a drive cycle, or may begin at any time before, during, or after the drive cycle as long as there is at least one passenger in the vehicle. The vehicle may or may not be on.

In step 202, an end-user activates a location-indicating device 104 via an end-user device 102 via the wireless communication interface 103. In one embodiment, this is implemented using near-field communication technologies by dragging or sweeping the end-user device 102 over the location-indicating device 104 in the vehicle. Alternatively, as indicated above, this may be implemented using a wireless communication interface 103 using Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) protocols or other wireless technology.

In step 204, the location indicating device 104 sends its unique identifier to the central controller 108 via the vehicle network 106. Accordingly, the method of FIG 2 receiving at a computer processor a unique identifier of a location indicating device disposed in a vehicle. The location-indicating device includes a wireless communication interface, and the unique identifier identifies a location in the vehicle at which the location-indicating device is located.

In step 206, the location indicating device 104 and the end-user device 102 are verified using any secure method. Consequently, the process of 2 checking the location indicating device and an end-user device in response to activation of the location indicating device by the end-user device via the communication interface.

In step 208, the central controller 108 receives a request from the end-user device 102 to activate user-configured settings. Consequently, the process of 2 receiving a request from the end-user device to implement end-user configured settings for at least one electronic component serving the location in the vehicle corresponding to the unique identifier. The logic 110 retrieves the user-configured settings (also referred to as default information) from the storage device 120 or other storage location, e.g. B. using a data set that uses the above-mentioned data structure, and determines based on the default information and the location device identifier in step 210 which electronic component of the vehicle to adjust. For example, if the location indicating device identifier indicates that the end user is seated in the front passenger seat, the HVAC system 114 that controls that portion of the vehicle can be adjusted to the settings specified for the end user (e.g., climate control that a ventilation opening, which is arranged on the front passenger side of the vehicle).

At step 212, the logic 110 directs the associated electronic components to adjust their settings based on the location indicating device identifier and the stored settings for the end user.

If you now 3 and 4 , flowcharts 300 and 400, respectively, depicting various use cases of the functions in the vehicle will now be described. End-User Devices 302 and 402 of 3-4 correspond to end-user devices 102 of FIG 1 . Also, NFC devices 304 and 404 of FIG 3-4 the location indicating devices 104 of 1 . Vehicle networks 306 and 406 correspond to vehicle network 106 of FIG 1 . Central controllers 308 and 408 correspond to central controller 108 of FIG 1 .

3 FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart 300 depicting the adjustment of electronic components based on preferences set for a passenger. As in 3 specified, a passenger located in the rear portion of the vehicle swipes the end-user device (e.g., a smartphone) over an NFC device 308 associated with the back seat of the vehicle (310). A reader of NFC device 304 receives a signal from end-user device 302 (312). The NFC device 304 communicates its unique identifier to the vehicle network 306 and a secure verification process is implemented between the NFC device 304 and the vehicle network 306 (314). The NFC device 304 in turn sends a signal to the end-user device 302 to perform a verification between the vehicle network 306 and the end-user device 302 (316), and the end-user device 302 responds with an acknowledgment (318). The NFC device 304 transmits the confirmation information to the vehicle network 306 (320). The end-user device 302 then sends a request to the NFC device 304 to initiate (322) the user-configured settings of various electronic components of the vehicle. The NFC device 304 broadcasts the request on the vehicle network 306 (324), and the vehicle network 306 forwards the request to the central controller 308 (326), which forwards the request to the appropriate electronic control units based on the electronic components identified from the settings . As in 3 For example, as shown, audio presets (328), HVAC presets (330), and rear seat entertainment (RSE) presets (332) are included in the request. The appropriate electronic control units (e.g., associated with the electronic components 112, 114, 116, and 118) implement the changes to the appropriate electronic components based on the presets (334).

4 FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart 400 depicting the selection of a passenger's end-user device 402 from which to stream music. As in 4 As shown, a passenger located in the rear portion of the vehicle swipes the end-user device 402 (e.g., a smartphone) over an NFC device 404 associated with the passenger's seating location (410). A reader of the NFC device 404 receives a signal from the end-user device 402 (412). The NFC device 404 communicates its unique identifier to the vehicle network 406 and a secure verification process is implemented between the NFC device 404 and the vehicle network 406 (414). The NFC device 404 in turn sends a signal to the end-user device 402 to perform a verification between the vehicle network 406 and the end-user device 402 (416), and the end-user device 402 responds with an acknowledgment (418). The NFC device 404 forwards the confirmation over the vehicle network 406 (420). The central controller 408 sends a connection request to the end-user device 402 using wireless communication technologies such as e.g. B. Bluetooth low-power protocols (422). The end-user device 402 connects to the central controller 408 (424), followed by streaming music from the device 402 to the central controller 408 (426). In turn, the central controller 408 forwards the music to the entertainment system 116, which presents the music through the audio components of the entertainment system 116 (428).

Logic 110 may further be configured to enable hands-free calling between end-user devices. The process can be the same as that referred to above 4 described can be implemented, except that once the end-user device 402 is connected to the central controller 408, the end-user device 402 is ready to initiate a phone call using hands-free, and the communication received at the end-user device 402 is transmitted wirelessly via the vehicle's hands-free component.

Technical effects of the invention include in-vehicle functions implemented using short-range communications. The in-vehicle functions provide the ability to identify a particular driver or passenger of a vehicle and initiate targeted functions through the vehicle without passenger input. The targeted functions are performed using short-range wireless technologies such as B. near field communication (NFC) or low-energy Bluetooth communication implemented. The targeted functions include adjusting various electronic components of the vehicle according to known passenger conditions. The targeted functionality may also include enabling a passenger's end-user device to stream music from the end-user device to the vehicle's entertainment system. The targeted functions may also include allowing passenger user devices to initiate hands-free calling.

As described above, the invention may be embodied in the form of computer-implemented processes and apparatus for performing those processes. Embodiments of the invention may also be embodied in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as. floppy disks, CD-ROMs, hard disks or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes a device for carrying out the invention. An embodiment of the invention may also be embodied in the form of computer program code, for example whether stored in a storage medium, loaded on and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over any transmission medium such as a computer. via electrical wiring or cabling, fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, where when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes apparatus for carrying out the invention. When implemented on a general purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

Claims (6)

A system (100) comprising: a plurality of location indicating devices (104) disposed in a vehicle, each location indicating device (104) attached to or integrated into a respective vehicle seat, comprising a wireless communication interface and being configured to communicate via the wireless communication interface communicate with end-user devices (102) of end-users located in the respective vehicle seats; electronic components communicatively coupled to a vehicle network (106), each electronic component configured to provide a targeted function; a central controller (108) of the vehicle, the central controller (108) including a computer processor and communicatively coupled to the location indicating devices (104) and the electronic components via the vehicle network (106); and logic (110) executable by the computer processor, the logic (110) configured to implement a method, the method comprising: receiving a unique identifier of one of the location indicating devices (104) via the vehicle network (106) at the central controller (108), the unique identifier identifying a location in the vehicle at which the location indicating device (104) is located; checking the location indicating device (104) and an end-user device (102) of an end user located in the vehicle seat associated with the location indicating device (104) in response to activation of the location indicating device (104) by the end-user device (102) via the communication interface wherein the activation comprises the end-user dragging the end-user device (102) over the location device (104), and wherein the verifying comprises a secure verification process between the location device (104) and the vehicle network (106), the location indicating device (104) sends a signal to the end-user device (102), the end-user device (102) responds with an acknowledgment, and the location indicating device (104) transmits the acknowledgment to the vehicle network (106); receiving a request from the end-user device (102) at the central controller (108) to implement end-user configured settings for at least one of the electronic components serving the location in the vehicle associated with the location indicating device (104) associated with the unique identifier , is equivalent to; and activating the at least one of the electronic components based on the settings configured by the end user. system (100) after claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication interface comprises components capable of near field communication. system (100) after claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a display device and the logic (110) is further configured to implement: prompting an end user to select settings for at least one of the electronic components of the vehicle; Saving the settings as end-user configured settings; and assigning a user identification for the end user to the settings configured by the end user. system (100) after claim 1 wherein the electronic components include: a vehicle seat component; and/or a heating, air conditioning, and ventilation system component; and/or an entertainment system component; and/or a lighting component. system (100) after claim 1 , wherein activating the at least one of the electronic components comprises streaming music from the end-user device (102) to an entertainment system (116) of the vehicle, the entertainment system (116) comprising the at least one electronic component. system (100) after claim 1 wherein activating the at least one of the electronic components comprises enabling a hands-free component of the vehicle by transmitting a communication from the end-user device (102) to the hands-free component.

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