Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
  • E05B81/54—Electrical circuits
  • E05B81/64—Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
  • E05B81/76—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
  • E05B81/78—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
  • G07C9/20—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass
  • G07C9/215—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass the system having a variable access-code, e.g. varied as a function of time
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B81/00—Power-actuated vehicle locks
  • E05B81/54—Electrical circuits
  • E05B81/64—Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors
  • E05B81/76—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles
  • E05B81/77—Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C2209/00—Indexing scheme relating to groups G07C9/00 - G07C9/38
  • G07C2209/60—Indexing scheme relating to groups G07C9/00174 - G07C9/00944
  • G07C2209/63—Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
  • G07C2209/65—Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle using means for sensing the user's hand

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for processing detection signals originating from at least one detection zone arranged on a motor vehicle, a device for implementing this method, a door handle and a motor vehicle provided with such means.
• Motor vehicles fitted with at least one centralized locking system comprise on the one hand different sensors which collect information reflecting the actions of the users and on the other hand control means which exploit this information to trigger different devices in response to said actions users.
• Capacitive sensors are for example used to detect touch, they are then designated as touch sensors, or the approach of a user's hand relative to a given surface, they are then called approach sensors.
• the optical sensors detect breaks in the light beam. They belong to the category of approach sensors.
• the presence of such sensors to execute different commands is certainly advantageous in comparison with mechanical sensors, as has just been mentioned, but nevertheless poses some difficulties linked to the fact that it is necessary to manage all these sensors simultaneously, which supposes the presence in the vehicle of relatively complex electronic means capable of settling possible conflicts between sensors, and that it is necessary to bear the cost of supplying and mounting these sensors and the associated electronic means.
• the present invention aims to propose a solution in which the number of sensors used is optimized and in which the electronic means required in the vehicle can be simplified.
• This invention finds a particularly interesting application in motor vehicles provided with a so-called "hands-free" system, in which the various User actions first give rise to an identifier search allowing to know if the person whose action has been detected is an authorized user of the vehicle.
• the subject of the present invention is a method for processing detection signals originating from at least one detection zone arranged on a motor vehicle, characterized in that it consists in taking into account, following the reception of said detection signals, environmental information characteristic of a state in which the vehicle is located, and in interpreting the signal received as a function of this environmental information in order to provide an actuation signal intended for control means belonging to the motor vehicle.
• control means means all of the devices present in the vehicle to execute orders for locking / unlocking of opening elements, activation / deactivation of the supply circuit breaker, activation / deactivation of alarm, engine start / stop, and more generally any start / stop command from any part of the vehicle. Thanks to the invention, the control means are issued, in the form of actuation signals, orders directly executable by said control means.
• the invention makes a distinction between a first category of rules, which could be described as discriminating, making it possible to determine what the intention of the user is when he activates a detection zone. and a second category of rules, which could be described as arbitrary, relating to the management of priorities between different intentions which are a priori contradictory or incompatible but which are expressed simultaneously by one or more users.
• the method for processing detection signals takes care of the application of the discriminating rules, which makes it possible to relieve the control means which only have to ensure, if necessary, the management priorities using arbitration rules.
• the environmental information relates to the state of locking of the opening elements of the vehicle.
• the method takes account of the fact that all the openings or at least some of them are locked or unlocked.
• account when receiving the detection signal, account is taken not only of environmental information but also of temporal information linked to the detection signal received, by example its duration or a time elapsed between its reception and an additional event caused by the user.
• the invention provides for different categories of commands resulting from the interpretation of the detection signal.
• One of these commands is the verification of the identity of the person whose action is detected, verification which is particularly important in the context of the operation of a "hands-free" system.
• the environmental information verifies predetermined conditions, such as for example that all the doors of the vehicle are locked, in which case provision may be made for the identity verification command to be followed by a command unlocking.
• the time information can be used to interpret the signal received as a command to lock or unlock a single window or all the windows of the vehicle.
• This time information can consist of the duration of the received signal, a short duration signal corresponding for example to the unlocking of an opening element associated with the detection zone while a long duration signal corresponds for example to the unlocking of all opening elements.
• the time delay between the start of the received detection signal and the change of position of a switch is chosen as time information linked to the detection signal received.
• the switch can be linked to an opening handle of an opening, the switch changing position when the handle is operated or released, the associated opening being for example unlocked alone if the delay between the start of detection and the change of position of the switch is less than a predetermined duration while all the doors are for example unlocked if said delay reaches the predetermined duration.
• the method according to the invention is implemented for automatically locking a door leaf of a motor vehicle using a hands-free access system comprising a recognition device intended to be installed inside the vehicle and a portable identification device, said recognition device being able to communicate remotely with the identification device to authenticate it.
• This method applies to a vehicle equipped with a hands-free access system configured so that a user of the vehicle can enter it without having to handle a key or a remote control.
• Such a vehicle most often comprises an approach sensor coupled to the recognition device of the hands-free access system so that an authentication attempt is triggered when the approach sensor detects the presence of a user.
• the recognition device triggers the unlocking of one or more openings of the vehicle.
• One of the aims of the present invention is to remedy this drawback by improving the ergonomics of hands-free access systems.
• the method according to the invention consists in automatically locking a window of a motor vehicle using a hands-free access system comprising a recognition device intended to be installed inside the vehicle and a portable identification member, said recognition device being able to communicate remotely with the identification member to authenticate it, by providing the vehicle control means, following authentication of the identification unit, a signal for locking or unlocking the opening of the vehicle.
• the vehicle can be locked, for example, by activating a detection zone with the hand but without operating the door handle of the vehicle which is in the closed state.
• a detection zone for example, a two-position switch linked to the movement of the handle to detect the released or engaged position of the handle.
• This method has the advantage of being able to be implemented with the parts already present on a hands-free access system configured to automatically trigger the locking of an opening leaf of the vehicle.
• a signal for locking the opening of the vehicle is delivered, before the expiration of a predetermined period, as soon as the approach sensor no longer supplies a signal detection. In this way, the vehicle can be locked in a very short time.
• said predetermined delay has a duration prerecorded in the recognition device, so that operating instabilities linked to the unlocking criteria can be avoided.
• a locking signal of the opening is delivered only if the recognition device authenticates the identification member, the locking of the vehicle can only be achieved by a user carrying an identification device.
• the present invention also relates to a particular technical problem which is part of the more general problem, previously explained, of the simultaneous management of several sensors.
• two capacitive sensors can be provided: one oriented towards the inside of the comb and which fulfills the function of approach sensor, the other oriented towards the outside of the handle and which performs the function of touch sensor.
• the approach sensor detects if the user runs his fingers behind the handle to grab it and, for example, open the door.
• the touch sensor detects whether the user applies a finger to said sensor, for example to lock all the doors of the vehicle.
• Each sensor therefore corresponds for the user to a particular function.
• a difficulty which arises with these capacitive sensors is that their proper functioning is conditioned by the absence, in their environment, of materials liable to disturb them, such as electrically conductive materials which either mask the sensor or sensors and inhibit or spread them out. their detection areas so that in the event of detection, any sensor which has reacted is not necessarily a sensor concerned by the action triggered by the user.
• an approach detection can be mistaken for a tactile detection following the untimely activation of the two sensors, thus introducing erroneous information into the means for controlling the detection signals.
• the present invention therefore also aims to propose a solution which makes it possible to overcome this difficulty linked to the presence of materials disturbing the proper functioning of the sensors.
• the detection signal received is interpreted as having to be ignored.
• the method according to the invention makes it possible to intervene on the signals supplied by several sensors before said signals cause undesirable actions.
• the detection signals coming from at least two independent detection zones, each of which is capable of providing its own detection signal.
• the present invention draws its originality from the fact that the inventors, rather than seeking to overcome the deficiencies of the sensors when they are placed in an unfavorable environment, have sought a solution making it possible to accommodate a degraded operation of said sensors without degradation. as for the analysis of the detection signals.
• the detection zones are mounted on a handle of the vehicle.
• the handle is itself mounted on an opening of the vehicle.
• the detection zones can be coated with a material capable of disturbing their proper functioning.
• a material can be an electrically conductive material such as a paint incorporating particles metallic, the detection zones being zones sensitive to a variation of electric or electromagnetic field.
• ignoring the signal from a detection zone can consist of different implementations.
• ignoring the signal can consist of inhibiting means for reading the signal from the detection zone.
• Ignoring the signal can also be achieved by replacing said signal with a constant signal of true boolean value, so that a detection is considered to have taken place as soon as the predetermined conditions are verified and independently of a real detection signaled by the sensor.
• Another possibility may consist in replacing the result of any control carried out on the detection signal, that is to say both the detection controls and the non-detection controls, with the true Boolean value, which amounts to to no longer take into account the signal from the sensor in question, whether or not a detection is carried out.
• the present invention also relates to a device for implementing the method described above.
• Such a device is constituted by processing means comprising at least one state module capable of taking into account environmental information, as well as at least one signal interpretation module, said interpretation module providing a signal. actuation dependent on environmental information and directly usable by control means.
• the device further comprises duration measurement means providing information related to the detection signal received and / or means for verifying predetermined conditions.
• the interpretation module is placed directly downstream of a sensor and is constituted by an OR gate accepting as input on the one hand the signals from the sensor, on the other hand the result, provided by the status module, checking conditions.
• This embodiment is suitable for control means performing only positive detection checks on the sensor, that is to say verifying that a detection has taken place, because these checks are systematically made positive by the value true resulting from the verification of the predetermined conditions when these are fulfilled.
• adapted to control means carrying out only negative detection checks that is to say verifying that no detection takes place, the door OR is replaced by a NOT gate at the output of the status control module and an AND gate combines this output with the sensor signal.
• control means control the positive detection as well as the negative detection by the sensor by means of detection control modules
• interpretation module is placed not directly downstream of the detection zone but directly downstream of any detection control module and that it consists of an OR gate combining the result of the detection control with the result of the verification of predetermined conditions, so that the result of the control seen by the control means is always true if said conditions are met.
• the detection zones form an integral part of a vehicle handle, which is advantageously mounted on an opening of the vehicle.
• the present invention also relates to a handle of a motor vehicle sash comprising on the one hand at least one detection zone, on the other hand, a processing device as described above, providing an actuation signal directly usable by control means external to the handle.
• the detection zone of the handle is sensitive either to a variation of electric or electromagnetic field, or to a cut of a light beam.
• the detection zone is advantageously arranged on the handle in such a way that the ambient electric or electromagnetic field is disturbed or that the optical beam is cut when a hand is engaged in the handle.
• the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one opening, at least one detection zone and a processing device as described above.
• the opening is provided with a handle which integrates the treatment device.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a door handle of a motor vehicle
• FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 and shows the detection field of each detection zone of the handle
• FIG. 3 is a functional diagram illustrating a treatment method according to the invention.
• FIG. 4 is a detailed view of an interpretation module of the diagram in FIG. 3
• FIG. 5 is a detailed view of another interpretation module of the diagram of FIG. 3
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the steps implemented in an opening handle during an attempt to lock the latter
• FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of another opening handle
• FIG. 8 is a first graph illustrating a method implemented by the handle of FIG. 7
• FIG. 9 is a second graph illustrating another method implemented by the same handle.
• a handle 1 comprises a central gripping part 2 and two fixing ends, one 3 pivoting the other 4 sliding, allowing the operation of the handle for opening the door.
• the central part 2 has an internal clearance 5 leaving a space for the fingers of a user wishing to pull the handle towards him.
• the handle comprises an approach detection zone 6, delimited by a broken line in the drawing.
• the handle On the outside and to the right of its sliding end 4, the handle has a tactile detection zone 7 also delimited by a broken line and constituted by a capacitive sensor 8, a portion of which appears through the open end 9 of the handle.
• This tactile zone 7 is intended to detect the application of a finger of the user while the approach zone 6 detects the fact that a user passes his fingers behind the handle to grasp it.
• the detection fields 6a, 7a of these two zones are of different dimensions, the approach detection zone 6 having a greater range than the tactile detection zone 7.
• the handle is covered with a metallic paint giving a chrome finish (not visible in the drawing).
• This painting interferes with the visibility of the two sensors and causes, or risks causing, at least partial overlapping of the two detection zones 6, 7.
• the ergonomics of the handle can be such that the hand of the user grasping or approaching said handle is simultaneously in the two detection fields 6a, 7a, even if the latter do not overlap.
• the two sensors embodying the detection zones 6, 7 sometimes provide imprecise information.
• processing means 10 shown schematically in FIG. 3, are interposed between the detection zones 6, 7 and control means 11, which are used for determining and executing the actions requested by the user.
• the processing means 10 comprise state modules 12, 13 and interpretation modules 14, 15.
• Each status module 12, 13 is connected to different detectors 16 - 19 placed on the vehicle, detectors whose function is to collect the overall state of the vehicle.
• the detector 16 signals that an opening of the vehicle is locked.
• the detector 17 signals that a door is open, etc.
• the state modules 12, 13 are capable of globally determining the state of the vehicle with regard to the criteria relevant for triggering an action corresponding to the user's requests.
• the role of the module d interpretation 14 is to ensure that, seen by the control means 11, the detection zone 6 always provides a true signal when the predetermined conditions are verified by the status module.
• an OR gate 20 as shown in FIG. 4, is satisfactory.
• the signal arriving at the control means 11 is systematically false when the corresponding predetermined conditions are verified, even if the detection zone emits a true signal.
• a NON gate 21 is placed at the output of the state control module and an AND gate 22 following this NO gate to combine this output with the signal from the sensor, in order to provide to the control means 11 a signal which is that of the sensor when the predetermined conditions are not met and which is always false when these conditions are met.
• Other arrangements of the interpretation modules are naturally possible depending on the specifics of the control means.
• control means can also be modified in their organization, for example by installing control shunts so as to ignore the reading of the detection zone when the corresponding predetermined conditions are fulfilled.
• the treatment method according to the invention can, for example, be implemented if the exterior tactile detection zone 7 corresponds to a manual locking command for the opening of the vehicle and the interior approach detection zone 6 is used to ensure the unlocking the lock, releasing the lock allowing the door to be opened and the alarm to be deactivated.
• the status modules 12, 13 and the interpretation modules 14, 15 are preferably integrated into the handle so that the processing method according to the invention takes place inside the handle and so that the latter is seen by the vehicle control means as a member delivering clear locking and unlocking signals, in the sense that the control means no longer have to discriminate between different possible action requests made by the user.
• FIG. 6 shows an example of a succession of steps of the treatment method which can be implemented in the handle.
• a detection signal following an activation of the detection zone 6 is perceived by the interpretation module.
• the interpretation module interrogates the status module 12, which, during a step 32, interrogates the various detectors 16-19 placed on the vehicle and, during the next step 33 , provides the status module 14 with globalized environment information.
• a next step 34, executed in the interpretation module 14, consists of a test of the environmental information received. If predetermined conditions are not fulfilled, the process stops and no signal is sent to the control means 11.
• the interpretation module 14 triggers, during a step 35, a time countdown of a predetermined time.
• a test of the detection zone 6 is again carried out to find out whether the detection signal is still present.
• a locking signal is sent to control means 11. If not, the process continues to proceed by a test, corresponding to the step 37, test during which a switch present on the handle (switch not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is scanned. If it is found that the switch has switched before the expiration of the predetermined time, the process stops and no signal is delivered to the control means. On the other hand, if the switch has not flipped, the method goes to a next step 38 during which it is tested whether the predetermined time has elapsed in order either to complete the test in step 36 or to exit the loop for delivering to the control means 11 a locking signal.
• control means receive a directly executable locking signal.
• a door handle 40 which is mounted on the external part of an opening leaf 41 of a motor vehicle, is equipped with an optical approach sensor 42 capable of emitting and receiving an optical beam 43.
• This optical sensor 42 is electrically connected to a recognition device 44 of a hands-free access system so as to emit towards it a characteristic electrical signal when it detects a cut in the optical beam.
• the transmitter and the optical receiver of the approach sensor 42 are mounted in the handle and the optical beam 43 is emitted from the handle in the direction of the leaf 41 and reflected by the latter towards the handle so that 'It is cut when the hand of a vehicle user is engaged in the handle, which is detected by the recognition device 44.
• the recognition device is installed inside the vehicle as is known and is capable of communicate with a portable identification unit worn by the user of the vehicle.
• the door handle is provided for example with a two-position switch 46 which changes position when the handle is moved from a so-called released rest position to an engaged position when it is operated, which allows the opening of the vehicle door.
• a two-position switch 46 which changes position when the handle is moved from a so-called released rest position to an engaged position when it is operated, which allows the opening of the vehicle door.
• the released position of the handle is shown on the switch 46 by 47 and the engaged position of the handle is indicated by 48.
• This switch is connected to the recognition device 44 to supply it with a signal representative of the change in position of the switch and therefore of the handle.
• a two-position open (interior) door switch could be envisaged which changes position when the leaf is moved from the closed position to the open position or vice versa.
• FIG. 8 which is a representation of signals 51 and 52 respectively emitted by the switch 46 and by the approach sensor 42 in the direction of the recognition device, the corresponding evolution over time of the state 53 has been represented.
• the opening of the vehicle which will preferably be the driver's door of the vehicle.
• the door is unlocked.
• the handle is in a relaxed state: the electrical signal 51 indicates that the switch 46 is in the position 47.
• the device recognition 44 verifies that the switch 46 remains in position 47 (the handle remaining released), which is indicated by the signal 51, for a duration ⁇ t which is prerecorded (of the order of 2 seconds) counted from the detection of the change of state of the switch 46. If the recognition device does not detect a change of state of the switch 46 during the duration ⁇ t, it controls the locking of the door of the vehicle at the end of the duration ⁇ t. According to another embodiment of the method according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 3, the locking of the vehicle sash is controlled as soon as the optical beam is no longer cut, which is detected by a change in the signal 52.
• FIG. 9 contributes to making the hands-free access system more responsive.
• the opening can be locked in a shorter time than ⁇ t.
• the switch 46 must nevertheless be monitored after having detected that the beam is no longer cut. More particularly, if very shortly after the detection that the optical beam 43 has been cut, the switch 46 changes position (the handle for example is engaged), it is necessary to command the unlocking of the door of the vehicle as soon as the detection of the change of position of the switch since it is then a situation where the user wants to open the door of the vehicle.
• the implementation of the method according to FIG. 8 can be adapted to introduce a time delay ⁇ t intended to avoid instabilities of the succession type of locking and unlocking when the user moves his hand in the handle.
• the recognition device 44 may make an attempt to authenticate an organ identification 49, so as to further condition the locking of the vehicle to the authentication of the identification member 49.
• the authentication can advantageously be supplemented by a location of the identification member 49 so that the command the door lock is only triggered if the identification member 49 authenticated by the recognition device 44 is outside the vehicle.
• the door is locked conventionally on detection of the cut in the optical beam 43 and the change in position of the handle 40 (which is operated) which is indicated by a change in the signal 52.
• the method according to the invention makes it possible to automatically lock and unlock a vehicle window using a hands-free access system equipped with an approach sensor and a two-position switch.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

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• 2001
  • 2001-09-04 WO PCT/EP2001/010167 patent/WO2002021455A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2001-09-04 EP EP01969688A patent/EP1328907B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-09-04 JP JP2002525590A patent/JP4783543B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-09-04 DE DE60142440T patent/DE60142440D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

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