DE102013212060A1 - Vehicle remote control system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

What is provided is a vehicle remote control system for determining a position of a keyfob relative to a vehicle. The system includes a controller configured for installation in the vehicle and configured to communicate with antennas installed at various vehicle locations, the controller operative to determine the position of the keyfob based on UWB radio signals transmitted between the vehicle Antennas and the key fob are transmitted. The controller is configured to locate the key fob within one of a plurality of three-dimensional zones, one of the zones being configured to have a non-spherical shape. Furthermore, a method is provided for use in a vehicle remote function system, the method for determining a position of a key fob relative to a vehicle. The method includes transmitting UWB radio signals between the vehicle and the key fob and determining the position of the key fob within one of a plurality of three-dimensional zones, one of the zones having a non-spherical shape.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

The present application claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 663,736, filed Jun. 25, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical area

In the following, reference will be made to a vehicle remote control system and method for determining a position of a car key fob relative to a vehicle using UWB (ultra-wide band wireless signal) signals.

background

Motor vehicles may include so-called passive entry systems that allow a user to gain access to and start a vehicle by carrying only a key, key fob, or a card. In operation, these systems may perform and / or enable functions related to accessing and starting the vehicle based on a detected position of the key in or around the vehicle.

To enable determination of the position of the key, the key, the key fob or the card may be provided with a transceiver having one or more antennas, and for the passive entry system, a transceiver may be used or may include multiple transceivers several antennas are used, which are located at different positions in the vehicle. The passive entry system may further include an electronic control unit (ECU) or a decision-based algorithm controller that determines the position of the key based on the transmission of radio frequency or low frequency (e.g., 125 kHz) signals between the keys Antenna and the antennas in the vehicle.

Current passive-entry systems use low-frequency antennas, which are located in the door handles and in the trunk of the vehicle. Such systems provide relatively small, concentrated lock / unlock zones immediately around portions of the individual doors and the trunk. The lock / unlock operations occur as a result of radio communication with a key fob.

Therefore, a vehicle remote control system as well as a method for more accurately locating the trailer (fob) around the entire vehicle is needed. This system and method would allow sharper contouring and enclosing zones using UWB radio signals transmitted between the key fob and in-vehicle antennas. The improved zoning in a system and method of this kind would allow zones to be individually tailored to the needs of individual vehicles as well as users' needs.

Summary

According to an embodiment disclosed herein, a vehicle remote control system is provided for determining a position of a key fob relative to a vehicle. The system includes a plurality of antennas arranged for installation at a different location in the vehicle, each antenna serving to transmit and / or receive UWB radio signals to and / or from the key fob. The system further comprises a controller configured for installation in the vehicle and configured to communicate with the antennas, the controller being operative to determine the position of the key fob relative to the vehicle based on UWB radio signals transmitted between the two Antennas and the key chain. The controller is configured to locate the key fob within one of a plurality of three-dimensional zones, wherein one of the plurality of zones is configured to have a non-spherical shape.

According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a vehicle remote control system is used to determine a position a key fob relative to a vehicle. The system includes a controller configured to be mounted in the vehicle and configured to communicate with a plurality of antennas mounted at different locations in the vehicle. The controller is used in determining the position of the key fob based on UWB radio signals transmitted between the antennas and the key fob. The controller is configured to locate the key within one of a plurality of three-dimensional zones, wherein one of the plurality of zones is configured to have a non-spherical shape.

According to another embodiment disclosed herein, there is provided a method of use in a vehicle remote control system, the method for determining a position of a key fob relative to a vehicle. The method includes transmitting UWB radio signals between the vehicle and the key fob. The method further comprises determining the position of the key fob within one of a plurality of three-dimensional zones based on the UWB radio signals transmitted between the vehicle and the fob, wherein one of the plurality of zones has a non-spherical shape.

The following is a detailed description of these embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

1 Figure 3 is a simplified, exemplary schematic illustration of a prior art passive entry system incorporating coverage zones;

2 FIG. 3 is a simplified exemplary schematic illustration of a vehicle remote control system that includes exemplary coverage zones and that determines a position of a key fob relative to a vehicle using UWB radio signals; FIG. and

3 FIG. 10 is a simplified, exemplary flowchart of a method for determining a position of a keyfob relative to a vehicle using UWB radio signals for use in a vehicle remote control system.

Detailed description

In the following, as required, embodiments are disclosed in detail. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples, and that various alternative forms may be utilized. The embodiments are included to illustrate principles of the disclosure, and not to limit its scope, which is defined by the appended claims. Details of two or more of the embodiment (s) may be combined. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Some structures can be enlarged or reduced to show details of specific components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis from which a person skilled in the art will be informed.

With reference to 1 - 3 Various embodiments of the method and system disclosed herein are illustrated and described. In order to simplify the illustration and to facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used throughout the following description, if appropriate, to designate like elements, parts, units or structures throughout the drawings.

Motor vehicles, as already described, may include so-called passive entry systems that allow a user to gain access to and start a vehicle by merely carrying a key, key fob or a card. In operation, these systems may perform and / or enable functions related to accessing and starting the vehicle based on a detected position of the key in or around the vehicle. To enable determination of the position of the key, the key, the key fob or the card may be provided with a transceiver having one or more antennas, and for the passive entry system, a transceiver may be used or may include multiple transceivers several antennas are used, which are located at different positions in the vehicle. The passive entry system may further include an electronic control unit (ECU) or a decision-based algorithm controller that determines the position of the key based on the transmission of radio frequency or low frequency (e.g., 125 kHz) signals between the keys Antenna and the antennas in the vehicle.

Current passive-entry systems use low-frequency antennas, which are located in the door handles and in the trunk of the vehicle. Such systems provide relatively small, concentrated lock / unlock zones immediately around portions of the individual doors and the trunk. The locking / unlocking operations take place, as already noted, as a result of radio communication with a key fob. Therefore, a vehicle remote control system as well as a method for more accurately locating the trailer (fob) around the entire vehicle is needed. This system and method would allow sharper contouring and enclosing zones using UWB radio signals transmitted between the key fob and in-vehicle antennas. The improved zoning in a system and method of this kind would allow zones to be individually tailored to the needs of individual vehicles as well as users' needs.

1 is a simplified, exemplary schematic representation of a passive entry Systems 10 for a vehicle 12 according to the prior art, the coverage zones 14 . 16 . 17 contains. The zones concerned 14 . 16 . 17 are on areas around the doors 18 and the trunk 20 established. For current passive entry systems 10 become low frequency antennas 22 used in the handles of the doors 18 and in the trunk 20 and the relatively small, concentrated locking / unlocking zones 14 . 16 . 17 immediately around the individual doors 18 and the trunk 20 create around. Locking / unlocking operations take place inside / outside the zones 14 . 16 . 17 due to radio communication 28 a control device or electronic control unit (ECU) installed in the vehicle 24 with a key chain 26 via antennas 22 instead of.

For example, if the key fob 26 in an area 14 which is about 1.5 meters around the vehicle doors 18 can be issued, an unlock command can be issued, which causes a process or step to unlock the vehicle doors is performed. If with the trailer 26 an area 16 from about 2 meters around the vehicle doors 18 is left, a lock command can be issued, which causes a step to lock the vehicle doors is performed. All areas outside these small zones 14 . 16 . 17 are "dead zones" where no locking or unlocking operations take place.

The ECU or control device 24 determines, as already described, the position of the keyfob 26 based on the transmission of radio frequency or low frequency signals (eg 125 kHz) between the key antenna (not shown) and the antennas installed in the vehicle 22 usually using the strength of the signals 28 in the specified range. The using antennas 22 created zones 14 . 16 . 17 are three-dimensional and have a spherical shape, but can also be described as being in a cross-section of the zones 14 . 16 . 17 in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the ground have a circular or circular arc shape.

2 is a simplified, exemplary schematic representation of a vehicle remote control system 10 , the exemplary coverage zones 14 . 16 Contains and with the a position of a trailer 26 relative to a vehicle 12 using UWB radio signals 28 is determined. This in 2 shown and disclosed here remote control system 10 Can the key chain 26 more precisely locate around the entire vehicle so that sharper outlined and enclosing zones between the key fob 26 and in the vehicle located antennas 22 possible are. 2 provides this improved zone scheduling method with exemplary zones 14 . 16 These zones 14 . 16 can be individually tailored to the needs of individual vehicles and user requirements.

This in 2 The system shown implements continuous locking and unlocking zones 14 . 16 around the entire vehicle 12 around. About triangulation, trilateration or the use of a Kalman filter ECU 24 the key chain 26 exactly to the entire vehicle 12 localize so that seamlessly enclosing zones are made possible. That means there can be zones 14 . 16 be created that the entire vehicle 12 completely enclose and allow the key fob 26 when moving in these zones 14 . 16 is traced in and out of them and locking / unlocking operations relative to the position of the trailer 26 be carried out so that, for example, an unlocking operation is performed when the trailer 26 in zone 14 moved into it, and a locking process is performed when the trailer 26 from zone 16 moved out.

UWB antennas 22 At various locations in / on the vehicle, custom lock / unlock zones may be provided 14 . 16 around the entire vehicle 12 around, locking / unlocking or other operations on the vehicle inside / outside the zones 14 . 16 due to radio communication 28 from ECU 24 with a key chain 26 occur. It can in this context an antenna 22 an internal antenna of a UWB transceiver unit or an antenna that is in communication with a centrally located UWB transceiver, such as via coaxial cabling, the centrally located UWB transceiver being part of the ECU 24 can be.

The UWB antennas 22 can be at different positions in / on the vehicle 12 are located. An antenna 22 can, as in 2 can be seen in the dashboard 32 of the vehicle 12 while there are three other antennas 22 in the roof sky 30 of the vehicle 12 can be located. It should be understood, however, that any number of antennas 22 can be used and at any of a variety of positions in / on the vehicle 12 can be arranged.

Although in 2 two essentially rectangular zones 14 . 16 Any number of zones in other shapes and sizes / extents may be employed or created. The UWB system makes this possible 10 in 2 Create any number of zones, each zone having any shape, size and / or position inside or outside the vehicle 12 , at one or both sides of the vehicle 12 and / or in front of or behind the vehicle 12 and the zones may or may not completely or partially surround, surround or enclose the vehicle and may have any orientation.

For example, this allows in 10 illustrated vehicle remote function system 10 unlike in 1 illustrated prior art passive entry system, the spherically shaped zones 14 . 16 . 17 has zones 14 . 16 with sharp corners. The zones 14 . 16 may be three-dimensional rectangular prisms having a substantially rectangular cross-section in a horizontal plane parallel to the bottom. Alternatively, however, other shapes may be used for these or other zones, which may be spheres, regular three-dimensional prisms, or whose shape or volume may be irregular or irregular. Furthermore, other shaped zones may be used to remotely control different vehicle functions, such as a circular arc zone for a door unlock function, an octagonal zone for a door lock function, and a square zone for a trunk opening function.

These zones may be inside or outside the vehicle and may have any volume. For example, the in 2 represented zones 14 . 16 outside the vehicle 12 and have and / or enclose a volume greater than that of the vehicle 12 , This in 2 However, shown system allows zones that are outside the vehicle 12 may be located on one side thereof, as may be desired, for example, to allow a door unlocking function only when the trailer 26 approaching the vehicle from one side.

The system 10 in 2 Also allows zones that are completely or partially within the vehicle 12 and may have a relatively small volume, such as less than the average volume of a human being. Such smaller zones that are inside the vehicle 12 can serve the exact position of the trailer 26 inside the vehicle, such as in a glove box of the vehicle to determine, and / or used in so-called push-to-start systems.

The zones used or created can also be used to remotely control other vehicle functions in addition to remotely locking / unlocking doors or opening the trunk. For example, a combination of zones outside the vehicle 12 can be used, which can be used to detect a user's gestures when the trailer 26 moved between zones (which may include rocking motion) to remotely start the engine, activate headlights, and / or perform any other vehicle function.

It will, as with renewed reference to 2 it can be seen, a vehicle remote control system 10 created with a position of a key fob 26 relative to a vehicle 12 is determined. The system 10 Can a variety of antennas 22 include that for installation at various locations in the vehicle 12 are set up. Every antenna 22 is used to send and / or receive UWB radio signals 28 to and / or from the key fob 12 also provided with an antenna and a transmitter / transceiver (not shown).

The system 10 may further include a controller 24 include that for installation in the vehicle 12 set up and configured to connect with the antennas 22 communicated. The control device 24 serves the position of the key fob 26 relative to the vehicle 12 based on UWB radio signals 28 to determine that between the antennas 22 and the key chain 26 be transmitted. The control device 24 is configured to fit the key fob within one of a variety of three-dimensional zones 14 . 16 localized, one of the plurality of zones 14 . 16 is formed so that it has a non-spherical shape.

One of the variety of zones 14 . 16 , which is formed so that it has a non-spherical shape, can, as described above, be designed so that it the vehicle 12 essentially encloses. One of the variety of zones 14 . 16 , which is arranged to have a non-spherical shape, may be formed to have a substantially rectangular cross section in a horizontal plane. Likewise is one of the multitude of zones 14 . 16 configured to have a non-spherical shape adapted to be substantially outside the vehicle.

As described above, one of the plurality of zones formed to have a non-spherical shape may be formed to be on one side of the vehicle and to have a volume smaller than a volume of the vehicle. One of the plurality of zones may be configured to have a volume that is smaller than a volume of a human, may be configured to be substantially outside the vehicle is located, and / or may be formed so that it is located substantially inside the vehicle.

The variety of antennas 22 can an antenna 22 for installation in a headliner 30 of the vehicle is set up, as well as an antenna 22 include that for installation in a dashboard 32 of the vehicle is set up. The control device 34 Further, it may be configured to determine the position of the key fob using a Kalman filter, trilateration, triangulation, or other similar means or methods.

If the key fob 26 , as in 2 can be seen in a first area 14 anywhere around the vehicle 12 can be issued, an unlock command can be issued, which causes a process or a step to unlock vehicle doors is performed. If the key fob 26 a second area 16 anywhere around the vehicle 12 can leave, a locking command can be issued, which causes a process or a step to lock vehicle doors is performed.

3 shows a simplified, exemplary flowchart of a method 40 for determining a position of a key fob relative to a vehicle using UWB radio signals, the method 40 used in a vehicle remote control system such as the one associated with 2 is described. The procedure 40 can, as in 3 can be seen, transmission 42 UWB radio signals between the vehicle and the key fob. The method may further determine 44 comprise the position of the key fob within a plurality of three-dimensional zones based on the UWB radio signals transmitted between the vehicle and the fob, wherein one of the plurality of zones has a non-spherical shape.

The one of the plurality of zones, which has a non-spherical shape, can, as already in connection with in 2 described system, the vehicle substantially enclose. Further, the one of the plurality of zones having a non-spherical shape may be located substantially outside of the vehicle on one side of the vehicle and have a volume smaller than a volume of the vehicle. The one of the plurality of zones may further have a volume that is smaller than a volume of a human.

The activities, functions or operations or steps of the system 10 and the procedure 40 for determining the position of a key fob 26 relative to a vehicle 12 The ones described above may also be implemented in a computer readable medium having non-transitory computer-executable instructions for determining a position of a key fob stored for use in a vehicle access system, or implemented as such. That is, computer-executable instructions stored on the computer-readable medium may include instructions for performing any or all of the activities, functions, or steps described above in connection with the system 10 or procedure 40 described herein.

The ECU 24 comprise a suitably programmed processor or other hardware, software or any combination thereof for performing the operations described herein. The ECU 24 may further include a memory, which may be the computer-readable medium and on which the above-described computer-executable instructions are stored.

As will be readily apparent from the foregoing, a vehicle remote control system and method have been described for locating a key fob more accurately around a vehicle. The described embodiments of the system and method enable sharper outlined and enclosing zones using UWB radio signals transmitted between the key fob and antennas installed in the vehicle. The improved zoning of the described embodiments of the system and method allow zones to be customized to individual vehicle needs and user requirements.

Although various embodiments of a vehicle remote control system as well as a method of locating a keyfob relative to a vehicle using UWB radio signals have been illustrated and described herein, these are exemplary only, and not all possibilities are to be shown and described with these embodiments. Rather, the formulations used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and it is to be understood that various changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims (20)

A vehicle remote control system for determining a position of a keyfob relative to a vehicle, the system comprising: a plurality of antennas arranged for installation at various locations in the vehicle, each antenna for transmitting and / or receiving UWB radio signals to and / or from the key fob; and a controller configured for installation in the vehicle and configured to communicate with the antennas, the controller operative to determine the position of the keyfob relative to the vehicle based on UWB radio signals transmitted between the antennas and the key fob become; and the controller is configured to locate the key within one of a plurality of three-dimensional zones, wherein one of the plurality of zones is configured to have a non-spherical shape. The system of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of zones configured to have a non-spherical shape is configured to substantially enclose the vehicle. The system of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of zones formed to have a non-spherical shape is formed to have a substantially rectangular cross-section in a horizontal plane. The system of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of zones formed to have a non-spherical shape is configured to be substantially outside of the vehicle. The system of claim 4, wherein the one of the plurality of zones formed to have a non-spherical shape is configured to be on one side of the vehicle and to have a volume that is less than one Volume of the vehicle. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of zones is configured to have a volume that is less than a volume of a human. The system of claim 6, wherein the one of the plurality of zones is configured to be substantially outside of the vehicle. The system of claim 1, wherein the one of the plurality of zones is configured to be substantially within the vehicle. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antennas comprises an antenna adapted for installation in a headliner of a vehicle and an antenna adapted for installation in a dashboard of the vehicle. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine the position of the key fob using a Kalman filter, trilateration, or triangulation A vehicle remote control system for determining a position of a keyfob relative to a vehicle, the system comprising: a controller configured for installation in the vehicle and configured to communicate with a plurality of antennas installed at different positions in the vehicle, the controller for determining the position of the key fob based on UWB radio signals; which are transmitted between the antennas and the key fob; and the controller is configured to locate the key fob within a plurality of three-dimensional zones, wherein one of the plurality of zones is configured to have a non-spherical shape. The system of claim 11, wherein the one of the plurality of zones formed to have a non-spherical shape is configured to substantially enclose the vehicle. The system of claim 11, wherein the one of the plurality of zones formed to have a non-spherical shape is formed to have a substantially rectangular cross section in a horizontal plane. The system of claim 11, wherein the one of the plurality of zones formed to have a non-spherical shape is configured to be substantially outside of the vehicle. The system of claim 14, wherein the one of the plurality of zones formed to have a non-spherical shape is formed to be on one side of the vehicle and to have a volume that is less than one Volume of the vehicle. The system of claim 11, wherein one of the plurality of zones is configured to have a volume that is less than a volume of a human. A method for use in a vehicle remote function system, the method for determining a position of a key fob relative to a vehicle, and the method comprising: transmitting UWB radio signals between the vehicle and the fob; and determining the position of the key fob within one of a plurality of three-dimensional zones based on the UWB radio signals transmitted between the vehicle and the fob, wherein one of the plurality of zones has a non-spherical shape. The method of claim 17, wherein the one of the plurality of zones having a non-spherical shape substantially encloses the vehicle. The method of claim 17, wherein the one of the plurality of zones having a non-spherical shape is located substantially outside the vehicle on one side of the vehicle and has a volume that is less than a volume of the vehicle. The method of claim 17, wherein one of the plurality of zones has a volume that is less than a volume of a human.

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