EP4327578A1

EP4327578A1 - Method and motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP4327578A1
Application number: EP22709245.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Özgür Mutlu
Original assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2021-04-23
Filing date: 2022-02-11
Publication date: 2024-02-28
Also published as: JP2024514950A; WO2022223166A1; DE102021002165A1; CN117178585A; KR20230157499A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for enabling at least one of a plurality of access points (2) to a vehicle interior (3) of a motor vehicle (1) for a user (4), wherein, according to the method, a (first) outer zone (A1), which adjoins an inner zone (B) directly surrounding the motor vehicle (1), is monitored by means of a (first) monitoring device (5) of the motor vehicle (1) so that an instantaneous position of the user (4) relative to the motor vehicle (1) is determined by means of the (first) monitoring device (5) if the monitoring indicates that the user (4) is in the (first) outer zone (A1); a short-range monitoring device (6) of the motor vehicle (1), which scans the inner zone (B), is activated if the monitoring indicates that the user (4) moves from the (first) outer zone (A1) into the inner zone (B), so that the instantaneous position of the user (4) relative to the motor vehicle (1) is then determined exclusively by means of the short-range monitoring device (6) when the user (4) is in the inner zone (B), and at least one of the access points (2) to the vehicle interior (3) of the motor vehicle (1) is enabled for the user (4) after the monitoring has indicated that the user is in the inner zone (B).

Description

Procedure and motor vehicle

The invention relates to a method for releasing at least one of several accesses to a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle for a user. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle equipped for such a method.

Methods for releasing at least one of several accesses to a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle for a user have been used for some time, which do not require a key that physically interacts with a locking device of the motor vehicle.

For example, US 2020/0314651 A1 teaches a method according to which different ranges of a first communication signal based on the "Bluetooth Low Energy" standard and a second communication signal based on the ultra-wide-band standard are used. The ranges of the first and second communication signals define a zone within which a distance between an ID transmitter, which emits the first and second communication signal, and one of several entrances to a motor vehicle, which receives the first and second communication signal, is determined . This distance determination is used to determine the probability of the identification transmitter moving to which of the entrances to the motor vehicle. Both are permanently transmitted between the ID transmitter and the motor vehicle.

It is also known from DE 102016 008 388 A1 to evaluate a so-called RSSI level of a wireless communication signal transmitted by an electronic vehicle key for determining a distance between the electronic vehicle key and a motor vehicle receiving the communication signal. It is also known from DE 102018 005 763 A1 to use a low-frequency component of a communication signal emitted by means of several ultra-wide-band antennas of a motor vehicle in order to use so-called "low-frequency polling" to determine the distance between an ID transmitter and the individual antennas to determine and from this to determine a movement trajectory of the identification transmitter.

However, such conventional methods have disadvantages. It is often not possible to guarantee that such a method will be carried out without problems. Rather, the connection between an electrical identification transmitter and the motor vehicle is often broken, as a result of which irritating error messages can be sent to a user of the motor vehicle who is carrying the identification transmitter with them. This can also result in undesired waiting times for the user if the communication link between the ID transmitter and the motor vehicle is lost and has to be reestablished.

It is therefore an object of the present invention - in particular to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above - to show new ways for methods for releasing at least one of several accesses to a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle for a user and for motor vehicles that are set up to carry out such a method .

The basic idea of the invention is therefore to monitor several zones surrounding a motor vehicle in a shell-like manner with different monitoring devices of the motor vehicle, each of the monitoring devices being based on a different operating principle or standard. The monitoring devices monitor a position of a user of the motor vehicle in the zones, with the position determination in a zone on the outside of the motor vehicle being used to activate the monitoring device for an inner zone adjoining the outer zone on the inside of the motor vehicle.

A fusion of sensor data or communication signals from the various monitoring devices of the motor vehicle can thus advantageously be implemented, which increases the accuracy and speed of the position determination of the user. In addition, when the user moves from the outer to the inner zone the position can be determined without interruption, so that unwanted waiting times for the user when crossing from the outer to the inner zone can be avoided. The position of the user can therefore be monitored without gaps.

A method according to the invention is used to enable at least one of a number of accesses to a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle for a user. In this context, “release” can mean in particular an unlocking or an automatic opening of a vehicle door blocking the relevant access. According to the method, a (first) outer zone, which adjoins an inner zone immediately surrounding the motor vehicle, is monitored using a (first) monitoring device of the motor vehicle, so that a current position of the user relative to the motor vehicle is determined using the (first) monitoring device when monitoring reveals that the user is in the (first) outer zone. According to the method, a near-monitoring device of the motor vehicle that scans the inner zone is also activated if the monitoring shows that the user is crossing from the (first) outer zone into the inner zone, so that the current position of the user relative to the motor vehicle can be determined by means of the near- Monitoring device is only determined when the user is in the inner zone. At least one of the entrances to the vehicle interior of the motor vehicle is released for the user after monitoring has shown that he is in the inner zone. As already explained above, the method allows the user's position to be determined particularly precisely and quickly. In addition, the current position of the user relative to the motor vehicle can be continuously monitored using the method.

According to an advantageous development of the method, the close-up monitoring device generates sensor data reflecting the current position of the user, on the basis of which a trajectory of the user is calculated in order to predict a continuation of the user's movement. This allows various measures to be taken in the motor vehicle before the user has actually reached the motor vehicle.

Expediently, the trajectory is used to estimate which access of the motor vehicle the user most likely intends to use, and precisely this access is released. So only the access that the In all likelihood, the user would also like to use it, with the other entrances to the motor vehicle not being released, which is an advantage in terms of safety.

In a further preferred development of the method, the close-up monitoring device includes at least one ultrasonic sensor, preferably a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. Such ultrasonic sensors are often built into motor vehicles anyway for parking aids, so that additional functional content is assigned to said ultrasonic sensors that are built in anyway.

Alternatively, one or more vehicle cameras can be used for the close-up monitoring device.

In a further alternative, both the outer zone and the inner zone can be monitored with one or more vehicle cameras.

In a further preferred development of the method, it is provided that the first outer zone is surrounded by a second outer zone, with the first outer zone functioning as an inner zone with respect to the second outer zone. The second outer zone is monitored by a second monitoring device of the motor vehicle, so that the current position of the user relative to the motor vehicle is determined by the second monitoring device when the user is in the second outer zone. A monitoring radius within which the current position of the user can be monitored using the method can thus be increased. It goes without saying that, in a similar manner, additional outer zones facing away from the motor vehicle can be connected to the second outer zone, which can further increase the surveillance radius.

The (first and/or second) monitoring device expediently comprises a receiver for wirelessly receiving a (first and/or second) communication signal, which is transmitted wirelessly by an identification transmitter of the user. The identifier advantageously identifies the user as being authorized to access the motor vehicle, so that it can be ensured that the at least one of several access points in the method is only released if the user is also authorized to access it. The first communication signal is expediently based on the Bluetooth low energy standard. Alternatively or additionally, the second communication signal is based on the ultra-wide-band standard. Such widespread communication standards facilitate the implementation of the method.

In a further advantageous development of the method, the current position of the user in the (first and/or second) outer zone is determined using a received field strength of the (first and/or second) communication signal.

This allows a particularly accurate and rapid determination of the current position of the user.

According to a further preferred development of the method, the accuracy of the determination of the current position of the user is greater in the inner zone than in the (first and/or second) outer zone. The current position of the user can thus be determined more precisely the closer the user is to the motor vehicle. This allows the method to be carried out particularly efficiently.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with a close-up monitoring device for scanning an inner zone immediately surrounding the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle also includes a (first) monitoring device for monitoring an outer zone adjoining the inner zone. The motor vehicle is set up to carry out the method according to the invention, so that the above-mentioned advantages of the method according to the invention are also transferred to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

Further important features and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, with the same reference numbers referring to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

show:

Fig. 1 shown in bird's eye view, an example of one according to the invention

Motor vehicle equipped for a method according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows the motor vehicle of Figure 1, also in a bird's eye view

Top view when performing an example of the method according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a bird's-eye view of an example of a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention. Motor vehicle 1 includes a close-up monitoring device 6 for monitoring an inner zone B immediately surrounding motor vehicle 1. Motor vehicle 1 also includes a first monitoring device 5 for monitoring an outer zone A1, which adjoins inner zone B and faces away from motor vehicle 1. The motor vehicle 1 is set up for the method according to the invention for releasing at least one of several accesses 2 to a vehicle interior 3 of the motor vehicle 1 for a user 4—not shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the example of FIG. 1 is also shown in a bird's-eye view from above, to be precise while the method according to the invention is being carried out. The method according to the invention can thus be understood on the basis of FIGS. According to the method, the first outer zone A1, which adjoins the inner zone B immediately surrounding the motor vehicle 1, is monitored by means of the first monitoring device 5 of the motor vehicle 1. The first outer zone A1 is monitored by the first monitoring device 5 in such a way that a current position of the user 4 relative to the motor vehicle 1 is determined by the first monitoring device 5 if the monitoring shows that the user 4 is in the first outer zone Zone A1 is located. According to the method, the close monitoring device 6 of the motor vehicle 1 scanning the inner zone B is also activated if the monitoring reveals that the user 4 is crossing from the first outer zone A1 into the inner zone B. Consequently, by means of the Monitoring device 6 determines the current position of the user 4 relative to the motor vehicle 1 only when the user 4 is in the inner zone B. According to the method, at least one of the entrances 2 to the vehicle interior 3 of the K vehicle 1 is released for the user 4 after the monitoring has shown that he is in the inner zone B.

FIG. 2 shows that the close-up monitoring device B generates sensor data that reflect the current position of the user 4 . A trajectory T of the user 4 is calculated on the basis of this sensor data in order to predict a continuation of movement of the user 4 . The past movement of the user 4 tracked as a result of the monitoring can be used for this. Optionally, machine-learned behavioral patterns of the user 4 can also be taken into account for the prediction of the continuation of the movement of the user 4. By means of such a behavior pattern it can be taken into account, for example, which access 2 of the motor vehicle 1 the user 4 uses particularly frequently or in which order several of the accesses 2 motor vehicle 1 are used particularly frequently.

Based on the trajectory T, the method can be used to estimate which entrance 2 of the motor vehicle 1 the user 4 most likely intends to use. Then exactly this access 2 is released according to the method. In this context, the term “release” can mean unlocking the vehicle door blocking the access 2 in question. If necessary, to release access 2, the vehicle door blocking it can be opened automatically.

According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the close-up monitoring device 6 of the motor vehicle 1 includes at least one ultrasonic sensor 7. The motor vehicle 1 of FIGS. It goes without saying that the close-up monitoring device 6 can alternatively or additionally include other sensors that are based on a different operating principle. It is conceivable, for example, that the close-up monitoring device 6 includes at least one vehicle camera.

In the case of one or more vehicle cameras, so-called Surround Vision Cameras (SVC) can be used. With SVC in the car (360 Park Cameras), the viewing direction can be recognized with a suitable recognition program. Not only does the customer have to be in the unlocking area, they also have to look in the direction of the vehicle. The recognition is possible by computer vision based lines of sight direction detection. The customer does not have to trigger any movements to open / close a door. He must be in the appropriate area, look in the direction of the door or vehicle and wait briefly (approx. 400ms).

As can be understood from FIG. 2, the first outer zone A1 is surrounded by a second outer zone A2, for example. The first outer zone A1 acts as an inner zone B* with respect to the second outer zone A2. The second outer zone A2 is monitored by a second monitoring device 8 of the motor vehicle 1 so that the current position of the user 4 relative to the motor vehicle 1 is determined by the second monitoring device 8 when the user 4 is in the second outer zone A2. The first monitoring device 5 can be activated if monitoring by the second monitoring device 8 shows that the user 4 is crossing from the second outer zone A2 into the first inner zone A1, with the first inner zone A1 then being relative to the second outer zone A2 acts as inner zone B*. Consequently, the current position of the user 4 relative to the motor vehicle 1 is determined by the first monitoring device 5 only when the user 4 is in the first outer zone A1 or the inner zone B* or the inner zone B.

Figures 1 and 2 also illustrate that the first and - alternatively or additionally - second monitoring device 5, 8 comprises a receiver for wirelessly receiving a first or second communication signal. This first or second communication signal is transmitted wirelessly by an identification transmitter 9 of the user 4, see FIG. 2. The identification transmitter 9 can therefore transmit both the first and the second communication signal. The identification transmitter 9 can be an electronic radio key or a mobile electronic device, in particular a smartphone.

The first monitoring device 5 can receive the first communication signal. The second monitoring device 8 can receive the second communication signal. For example, the first communication signal is based on what is known as the “Bluetooth Low Energy” standard. The second communication signal is based, for example, on the so-called "ultra-wide-band" standard. The current position of the user 4 in the first and - alternatively or additionally - second outer zone A1, A2 and possibly also in the inner zone B by means of a reception field strength of the first or second communication signal is determined. A so-called RSSI level of the first or second communication signal can be used for this in a manner known per se. In the case of the method illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the accuracy of the determination of the current position of the user 4 is greater in the inner zone B than in the first or second outer zone A1, A2.

Claims

patent claims

1. A method for releasing at least one of several entrances (2) to a vehicle interior (3) of a motor vehicle (1) for a user (4), according to the method using a (first) monitoring device (5) of the motor vehicle (1) a (First) outer zone (A1), which adjoins an inner zone (B) immediately surrounding the motor vehicle (1), is monitored, so that the (first) monitoring device (5) can determine a current position of the user (4) relative to the Motor vehicle (1) is determined when the monitoring shows that the user (4) is in the (first) outer zone (A1); a close monitoring device (6) of the motor vehicle (1) scanning the inner zone (B) is activated if the monitoring shows that the user (4) is crossing from the (first) outer into the inner zone (A1, B), so that the current position of the user (4) relative to the motor vehicle (1) is determined by means of the close-up monitoring device (6) only when the user (4) is in the inner zone (B), with at least one of the entrances ( 2) is released to the vehicle interior (3) of the motor vehicle (1) for the user (4) after the monitoring has shown that he is in the inner zone (B).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the near-monitoring device (B) generates the current position of the user (4) reflecting sensor data, which are used to predict a Continuation of movement of the user (4) a trajectory (T) of the user (4) is calculated.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the trajectory (T) is used to estimate which access (2) of the motor vehicle (1) the user (4) most likely intends to use, and precisely this access (2) is released .

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the close monitoring device (6) comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor (7), preferably two or more ultrasonic sensors (7), or one or more vehicle cameras.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first outer zone (A1) is surrounded by a second outer zone (A2), the first outer zone (A1) being the inner zone with respect to the second outer zone (A2). (B*), the second outer zone (A2) is monitored by means of a second monitoring device (8) of the motor vehicle (1), so that the current position of the user (4) relative to the motor vehicle (1) can be determined by means of the second monitoring device (8). is determined when the user (4) is in the second outer zone (A2).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the (first and/or second) monitoring device (5, 8) comprises a receiver for wirelessly receiving a (first and/or second) communication signal which is transmitted by an identification transmitter (9) of the user (4) is sent wirelessly.

7. The method according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the first communication signal is based on the "Bluetooth Low Energy"standard; or/and that the second communication signal is based on the "Ultra Wide Band" standard.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 6, characterized in that the current position of the user (4) in the (first and / or second) outer zone (A1, A2) by means of a received field strength of the (first and / or second) communication signal is determined.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the accuracy of determining the current position of the user (4) in the inner zone (B) is greater than in the (first and/or second) outer zone (A1, A2 ).

10. Motor vehicle (1), with a close-up monitoring device (6) for scanning an inner zone (B) immediately surrounding the motor vehicle (1), with a (first) monitoring device (5) for monitoring a region adjoining the inner zone (B ) subsequent outer zone (A1), wherein the motor vehicle (1) is set up for a method according to any one of the preceding claims.