DE202011105142U1 - Multifunctional remote control for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle key (1) with an integrated, large-scale color display (item 2), a combined function and menu button (item 3) and with extended touchscreen technology for remote control of the vehicle access and authorization system, the location memory or navigation, the individual vehicle settings and the safety functions. The multifunctional key is also characterized by a key-sized color display integrated in the vehicle key (1) on the operator's side (item 2)

Description

State of the art

The vehicle keys supplied by the car manufacturer have only manual button functions for remote control of vehicle access systems for opening / closing the doors, trunk, door windows or sunroof etc .. In the integrated software of the key technical vehicle data are stored at some car manufacturers and read out as needed. Currently, no car manufacturer offers smart key systems that provide the user with visual state information from the vehicle or the location of the parked vehicle.

The problem

The current vehicle keys of passenger cars have very limited operating options due to the mechanical pushbutton versions (three or four pushbuttons depending on the manufacturer). With mechanical key versions, no current vehicle conditions or settings can be visualized in any way. Even operating / safety functions as well as information about the location of the parked vehicle can not be realized with this key generation. A car key that combines all of these functions in one key housing requires a fundamentally new user interface with new hardware and software, a display and a new technology-based design.

The solution / product description

A multifunctional vehicle key ( 1 ) with integrated, large-area display (Pos 2 ), a combined function and menu key (pos. 3 ) and additionally with touch screen technology for remote control and control of vehicle access and authorization systems, location memory, security features and vehicle settings. Due to the color display, the key has optical color representations of the four individual main menu image surfaces. Depending on the requirements of the user, the menu can be operated or called up via the combined function and menu keys. Pressing the function key confirms or activates the selected menu item.

Due to the additionally integrated touchscreen technology, even conventional pushbutton systems are only conditionally necessary, so that the key has a completely new and very comprehensive operating and information system of the respective vehicle states. The control of the vehicle access authorization system can be done as previously with the software currently installed in vehicle keys manufacturer. The key and the vehicle correspond via radio systems and additionally via GPS. The function of the location memory can optionally be installed as a full navigation system (location memory or navigation). The key is particularly suitable for the use of vehicles that have a comfort access.

The key housing is made of high quality materials and can be made of polished aluminum or aluminum with special coating or varnish. The material properties of the display and the surface of the housing are scratch and impact resistant and individually designed in an elegant design by the color scheme. The display glass can also be replaced individually in case of external damage (scratches, etc.). This avoids that in case of damage the key must be completely replaced and thus cost savings for the user occur. The individual design of the body shape emphasizes not only the interior of the vehicle, but also the demands on the brand design.

The operation and control of the vehicle access and authorization system takes place exclusively via the function key (manual priority key, pos. 3 ), which is integrated in the lower part of the display. The activation of the touchscreen functions and the change to another menu are made via the combined function and menu keys. Since no conventional push-button systems are installed in the key, it is also significantly less sensitive to external influences such as dirt or moisture. Below the function key, the connection (Pos. 4 ) for the charging cable or USB (only additional charge at low battery voltage required) and the connection for updating the software. In everyday use, the battery of the key is charged by an induction system in the vehicle. The required key holder or charging station can be located for example in the front of the center console of the vehicle. In case of above-average use of the key functions or in case of prolonged absence from the vehicle (no recharging of the battery), the battery in the key can also be recharged by means of a charging cable or USB port.

Overview of the main menu levels

• – Menü 1 – Steuerung und Information der Fahrzeugzugangssysteme
• – Menü 2 – Standort Memory, Bildoberfläche analog Navigationssysteme
• – Menü 3 – Personenbezogene, individuelle Fahrzeugeinstellungen
• – Menü 4 – Sicherheitseinstellungen.

The key has four main menu levels with the following functions:

• - Menu 1 - Control and information of vehicle access systems
• - Menu 2 - Location Memory, screen interface analogue navigation systems
• - Menu 3 - Personal, individual vehicle settings
• - Menu 4 - Security Settings.

The desired menu is selected via the menu button and the user interface of the display. In the respective main menu (except for the vehicle access system, menu 1), the icons of the submenu are called up via touchscreen. The release or activation of these functions is always done via the function key.

"Menu 1" - Operation of vehicle access / authorization systems

• – Status Zugangssystem (Türen, Scheiben, Kofferraum etc.) verriegelt/entriegelt
• – Bedienung Zugangssystem verriegeln bzw. entriegeln
• – Bedienung Zugangssystem Kofferraum öffnen/schließen
• – Individuelle Speicherfunktionen von Fahrzeugeinstellungen

In _" Menu 1", the vehicle access system is always activated and also operated by the function key. It shows the user not only the current state of the vehicle access system (doors, trunk, sunroof locked or unlocked) by means of symbols in the display (pos. 5 ), but it also supports the information by color symbols and figures and by a corresponding text hint. The following states and operating functions can be called up and operated in this menu:

• - Status access system (doors, windows, boot, etc.) locked / unlocked
• - Operation Locking or unlocking the access system
• - Operation Access system Open / close trunk
• - Individual memory functions of vehicle settings

If the vehicle is not locked after leaving the vehicle or the key is outside a specified range of the vehicle, this condition is visually displayed and supported by an acoustic warning signal (vehicle was not locked). If the key is outside the specified range of the vehicle, the "Open vehicle" function is no longer active. An accidental opening is thus excluded.

In addition, further, individual vehicle settings can also be stored and retrieved in "Menu 3".

Menu 2 - Location Memory

• – Anzeige zum Fahrzeugstandort
• – Suchfunktion mit Zielführung zum Standort
• – Manuelle Speicherfunktion des jeweilien Standorts
• – Wegeleitsystem mit geografischer Zielführung
• – Angabe der Entfernung zum Zielort
• – Grafische Kartendarstellung

The menu key is used to select or change to the menu 2 "to the location memory. The location of the parked vehicle is stored in the key after leaving the vehicle and can later be retrieved and displayed by the search function using the geographic guidance system on the display. The user interface is similar to the image interface of navigation systems. The following functions can be called up in the location memory by means of touch screen operation:

• - Display to the vehicle location
• - Search function with route guidance to the location
• - Manual memory function of the respective location
• - Guide system with geographic route guidance
• - indication of the distance to the destination
• - Graphical map display

The menu of the location memory can optionally be extended by a full-fledged navigation system.

Menu 3 - Individual vehicle settings

• – Standheizung aus-/einschalten
• – Lüftung aus-/einschalten
• – Informationen zu technischen Fahrzeugzuständen (Service, Füllmengen etc.)
• – Einstellung Tag-/Nachtmodus automatisch oder manuell
• – Anzeige und Kontrolle des Ladezustandes des Schlüssel Akku mit Warnfunktion
• – Automatische Sicherheitsabschaltung bei Erreichung der Mindestspannung
• – Einstellungen im Standort-Memory bzw. Navigationsmenü
• – Software Update
• – Technischer Fahrzeug-Datenspeicher

The change to "Menu 3", the individual vehicle settings, is also made via the central menu button. By touchscreen operation of the icons, the desired functions are called or activated in this menu. The user interface is characterized by the following functions:

• - Switch the auxiliary heating off / on
• - Switch ventilation off / on
• - Information on technical vehicle conditions (service, capacities, etc.)
• - Setting day / night mode automatically or manually
• - Display and control of the state of charge of the key battery with warning function
• - Automatic safety shutdown when the minimum voltage is reached
• - Settings in the location memory or navigation menu
• - Software update
• - Technical vehicle data storage

Menu 4 - Security Settings

• – Einstellung der Bediensicherung gegen unbefugten Zugriff fremder Personen
• – Kindersicherung durch Codeeingabe.
• – Individuelle und personenbezogene Programmierung von Einstellungen

The "Menu 4" security settings, like the other menus, are also called up or activated and are characterized by the following functions:

• - Adjustment of the operating safety against unauthorized access of foreign persons
• - Parental control by code entry.
• - Individual and personal programming of settings

In the security menu, the operation of the key can be blocked from outside access. By entering the personal code, individual functions can be locked in the key. This setting can be used as a child safety device.

In the case of vehicles with an alarm system, a signal is transmitted to the key via GPS when the vehicle breaks into the vehicle. In the display of the key, the "break-in" symbol lights up and flashes, which also signals this status by an acoustic signal.

product benefits

• - Multiple functions compared to conventional key systems, small housing design with combined key and touch screen functions
• - Convenient operator guidance through system-leading image surfaces
• - Operator convenience in the submenus through touchscreen
• - Enclosed housing surface (no three or four push-button systems) therefore low susceptibility to contamination or moisture of the hardware
• - Visual communication of all control panels in the display
• - Combined "push-button system" for the operation of several functions, thus smaller and more compact design
• - Elegant, high quality case design in brand identity and interior
• - Optionally integrated, invisible reserve key in the housing

Claims (20)

A vehicle key ( 1 ) with integrated, large-scale color display (Pos. 2 ), a combined function and menu key (pos. 3 ) and with advanced touchscreen technology to remotely control the vehicle access and authorization system, location memory or navigation, individual vehicle settings and security features. Furthermore, the multifunctional key is characterized by a in the vehicle key ( 1 ) integrated color display in key size on the operator side (pos. 2 ) marked by The four main menus on the display - vehicle access and authorization system, location memory or navigation, vehicle settings and safety functions - can be visualized and operated individually on four different user interfaces marked by that the vehicle key communicates with the vehicle via radio control and GPS and exchanges necessary data marked by the operation via a combined function and menu button (pos. 3 ) in addition to touchscreen in each menu is marked by that the vehicle access system and its current state is always displayed visually primarily and the operation via the function key (Priority push-button system) is carried out (pos. 3 ) marked by that the respective closed state of the vehicle is always shown in an optical form marked by each operation or change of state by means of symbols and figures ( 5 ) in all menus visually and in color are indicated by a newly designed housing design made of high-quality scratch and impact resistant aluminum, painted or polished, individually tailored to the brand design and the interior of the vehicle marked by a replaceable display glass in case of damage marked by a small and compact design with low weight marked by Color illustrations of symbols and figures in the display (Pos. 2 ) that indicate the current state and also navigate through the desired menus accordingly If the vehicle breaks in, this information is displayed by GPS in the key display marked by visual information on the current technical vehicle condition (service, quantities, etc.) is characterized by an integrated location memory with geographic color representation and a guidance system for locating the parked vehicle marked by an optionally integrated, full-featured navigation system characterized by a combined release / menu button to start and change menus marked by an integrated emergency key, optionally sunk in the rear half of the housing marked by a display with automatic day / night mode lighting, also manually adjustable marked by that the battery in the key with induction technology in the vehicle or in addition by an external connection, optionally USB, can be loaded marked by that a connection / interface (pos. 4 ) is integrated for software updates and for the charging cable or USB in the lower half of the housing

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