FR3078041A1 - VEHICLE COMPRISING AN ACCESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUTHORIZING ACCESS TO A VEHICLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) comprising an access management system (2) to the vehicle, the access management system (2) comprising: - a central unit (10), comprising a control module. Bluetooth (R) type wireless communication, hereinafter Bluetooth (R) module (11), and an ultra-wideband type wireless communication module, hereinafter UWB module (12); - a Bluetooth antenna (R), connected to the Bluetooth module (R) (11); and - at least one UWB antenna (14a-14f), connected to the UWB module (12), the access management system (2) being configured to: - remain in a standby state when the vehicle is stationary and locked, state in which only the Bluetooth module (R) (11) is waiting for a connection from a portable electronic device, the UWB module (12) being deactivated; - go to a detection state if a portable electronic device connecting through the Bluetooth module (R) (11) is recognized as belonging to an authorized user, state in which the UWB module (12) is activated and waiting for a connection of the portable electronic device; - authorize the unlocking of the vehicle when the portable electronic device is detected by the UWB module (12).

Description

The invention relates to the field of management of access to a motor vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to an automatic access and starting system for a motor vehicle as well as a method for authorizing access to a motor vehicle.

Motor vehicles are known which comprise an access and starting system without manual intervention, called “hands-free access and starting”. Such a system makes it possible to unlock the doors and / or other anti-theft security devices of the motor vehicle, without manual intervention by the user. For this, the user is provided with a recognition means, such as a key or an electronic card, which allows a control unit for unlocking the motor vehicle to recognize the authorized user, when this user is nearby. of a door of the motor vehicle and, generally, when the user actuates the opening handle or more generally any device for controlling the exterior opening of the door.

The recognition means can be constituted for example by an electronic card or a transmitter providing an identification code which must be recognized by the unlocking control unit of the motor vehicle to allow the unlocking maneuver.

Generally, the automatic access and starting system comprises means for detecting recognition means, in an area inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle and in several areas located at least partially outside the motor vehicle. , for example in the vicinity of the vehicle doors and in the vicinity of the rear part of the vehicle. Thus, the automatic access and start system is able to recognize a means of recognition when approaching its wearer, and unlocks the vehicle. Other functions can also be implemented, such as starting the vehicle or adjusting personalized settings (height and position of the driver's seat, etc.)

The invention starts from the observation that with the generalized use of mobile phones, it would be advantageous if the automatic access and starting system of a vehicle could detect the mobile phone of an authorized user and allow this user access to the vehicle.

However, one of the technologies currently most used to connect a mobile phone to another device or to an external system, the Bluetooth® communication standard, does not allow detection that is sufficiently reliable, in particular because the very high frequency radio waves used by this standard are easily attenuated by objects or people in their path. In addition, this technology does not allow precise detection of the location of a connected object in relation to the system. However, this technology has the advantage of consuming relatively little energy.

The other communication standards used today by mobile phones are also not suitable for detection by the automatic access and starting system of a vehicle, either because they consume too much energy ( for example the WiFi standard) or because they are not always usable, for example when the vehicle is located in an underground car park (which is generally the case for GSM networks).

The object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for managing access to a vehicle which allow the detection of a mobile telephone when it is approached by its carrier, so that this detection is reliable and precise while consuming little energy.

To this end, the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a vehicle access management system, the access management system comprising:

a central unit, comprising a wireless communication module of the Bluetooth® type, hereinafter Bluetooth® module, and a wireless communication module of the ultra wideband type, hereinafter UWB module;

- a Bluetooth® antenna, connected to the Bluetooth® module; and

- at least one UWB antenna, connected to the UWB module, the access management system being configured for:

- remain in a standby state when the vehicle is stopped and locked, a state in which only the Bluetooth® module is waiting for a connection from a portable electronic device, the UWB module being deactivated;

- enter a detection state if a portable electronic device connecting via the Bluetooth® module is recognized as belonging to an authorized user, state in which the UWB module is activated and waiting for a connection from the portable electronic device;

- authorize the unlocking of the vehicle when the portable electronic device is detected by the UWB module.

Thus, by combining a first detection of a user's portable electronic device by means of a Bluetooth® type link, with a second detection by means of an ultra-wideband type link (or UWB, acronym corresponding to the English name "Ultra Wide Band"), it is possible to obtain a very precise determination of the position of the portable electronic device (and therefore of its wearer) relative to the vehicle, while saving consumption as much as possible. whether it's for the vehicle battery or the portable electronic device. In fact, by keeping the UWB module deactivated until a connection has been established via the Bluetooth® link, significant energy consumption is avoided, since UWB technology is relatively energy-consuming.

In one embodiment, the access management system includes a plurality of remote UWB antennas.

In one embodiment, the access management system comprises at least three UWB antennas, at least two of the UWB antennas being arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the access management system comprises six UWB antennas, three antennas being arranged on the left side of the vehicle and three antennas being arranged on the right side of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, at least one UWB antenna is arranged in one of the following elements of the vehicle: the front bumper, the rear bumper, the exterior mirrors, the interior mirror, the head restraints of the seats, the uprights roof.

In one embodiment, the access management system comprises means for determining by a trilateration method the position of the portable electronic device relative to the vehicle when the portable electronic device is connected to the UWB module.

In one embodiment, the access management system is configured to authorize partial unlocking of the vehicle, for example unlocking of the boot or of a single door.

The invention also relates to a method for authorizing access to a motor vehicle, the vehicle comprising first means of connection to a portable electronic device, via a wireless connection of Bluetooth® type and second means of connection to a portable electronic device, via an ultra-wideband wireless link, the method comprising the following steps:

- maintain, when the vehicle is stopped and locked, the first connection means awaiting connection with a portable electronic device, and maintain the second connection means in a deactivated state;

- when a connection is established between the first connection means and a portable electronic device recognized as belonging to an authorized user, activate the second connection means;

- when a connection is established between the second connection means and the portable electronic device, authorize the unlocking of the vehicle.

In one embodiment, the method comprises a step of determining the position of the portable electronic device relative to the vehicle, this step possibly comprising a trilateration step.

In one embodiment, the unlocking of the vehicle is partial.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIGS. 1 to 3 represent different views of a vehicle equipped with a system according to the invention.

Figures 1 to 3 show a motor vehicle 1, the vehicle 1 being equipped with an automatic access and starting system according to the invention, or access management system 2. The access management system 2 comprises a central unit 10 capable of exchanging data with a portable electronic device such as a mobile telephone, and more particularly a telephone of the smartphone (or ordiphone) type, such as the mobile telephone 3 shown in FIG. 3.

The central unit 10 comprises a wireless communication module of the Bluetooth® type, or Bluetooth® module 11, as well as a wireless communication module of the ultra wideband type, or UWB module 12. The Bluetooth® module 11 and connected to a Bluetooth® antenna 13, while the UWB module 12 is connected to at least one UWB antenna. In the example of Figures 1 to 3, the UWB module 12 is connected to six remote UWB 14a-14f antennas.

The central unit 10 is therefore able to exchange data according to the Bluetooth® standard (in particular version 4.x or 5.x of the Bluetooth® standard) with a compatible electronic device, as well as data according to the UWB standard (according to the standard IEEE802.15.4.a) with a compatible electronic device.

The access management system 2 according to the invention is configured to exchange data with a portable electronic device compatible both with the Bluetooth® standard and with the UWB standard, such as the mobile telephone 3 in FIG. 3.

When the vehicle 1 is stopped and locked, the access management system 2 is in a standby state, in which only the Bluetooth® module 11 is activated (i.e. it is in waiting for a connection with a device), the UWB 12 module being deactivated so as not to consume energy. When a user carrying a compatible portable electronic device, such as a mobile telephone 3, approaches the vehicle, at a distance allowing connection with the Bluetooth® module 11 (typically a distance of less than ten meters), then the mobile telephone 3 is detected by the central unit 10 as being close to the vehicle 1. If the mobile telephone 3 is identified as that of an authorized user, then the central unit 10 commands the activation of the UWB module 12, for the purpose of more precise detection of the position of the mobile telephone 3 relative to the vehicle 1, in order to determine the position of the user carrying the mobile telephone 3.

The fine detection of the position of the user relative to the vehicle 1 is ensured by the UWB module 12 associated with the UWB antennas 14a-14f. Indeed, as visible in Figures 1 to 3, the UWB antennas 14a-14f are offset relative to the UWB module 12, and distant from each other. Thus, each UWB antenna 14a-14f defines its own detection sphere, these detection spheres, with a radius of several meters, partially overlapping. When the mobile telephone 3 connects to the UWB module 12, it is then possible to determine by trilateration the position of the mobile telephone 3 and therefore of its carrier. As shown in Figure 2, it is possible to determine whether the user is located on the left or right side of vehicle 1, and whether it is located in the front, in the middle or in the back. When this connection between the mobile telephone 3 and the UWB module of the central unit 10 is established, then the central unit 10 orders the vehicle to be unlocked. As the determination of the user's position is very fine thanks to the plurality of UXB 14a14f antennas, this unlocking can advantageously be partial. For example, if the central unit 10 determines that the user carrying the mobile telephone 3 is located near the right rear door, then the central unit 10 can control the unlocking of this single door.

The system according to the invention which is described in relation to Figures 1 to 3 comprises six UWB 14a-14f antennas. The UWB antennas 14a, 14d are arranged in the front, in the front bumper 15. The UWB antennas 14b, 14e are each arranged in one of the roof posts 16 and the UWB antennas 14c, 14f are arranged in the bumper rear impact 17. For each of these three pairs of antennas, one is arranged on the left side and the other on the right side of the vehicle 1. This gives a distribution right / left and front / middle / rear of the six antennas UWB 14a-14f fitted to the vehicle.

It is of course possible to envisage another arrangement of the UWB antennas, as well as a different number of UWB antennas.

We could for example provide a single UWB antenna, which will be arranged near the driver's seat, in order to detect the presence of the user near the driver's door.

It is also possible to provide three antennas arranged one towards the front of the vehicle, one towards the rear of the vehicle and one in an intermediate position, towards the middle of the vehicle. Advantageously, the three antennas will not be aligned along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle: at least one of the three antennas being offset relative to this axis. Thus, by a trilateration process, we will be able to determine which side of the vehicle the user is on.

UWB antennas may be placed in parts of the vehicle not concealed by metal parts, such as for example the front and rear bumpers, exterior and interior mirrors, head restraints for seats, roof pillars, fenders and doors if these are plastic or composite, etc.

Claims (10)

1. Motor vehicle (1) comprising an access management system (2) to the vehicle, the access management system (2) comprising: - a central unit (10), comprising a wireless communication module of the Bluetooth® type, hereinafter Bluetooth® module (11), and a wireless communication module of the ultra wideband type, hereinafter UWB module ( 12); - a Bluetooth® antenna, connected to the Bluetooth® module (11); and - at least one UWB antenna (14a-14f), connected to the UWB module (12), the access management system (2) being configured for: - remain in a standby state when the vehicle is stopped and locked, a state in which only the Bluetooth® module (11) is waiting for a connection from a portable electronic device (3), the UWB module ( 12) being deactivated; - enter a detection state if a portable electronic device (3) connecting via the Bluetooth® module (11) is recognized as belonging to an authorized user, state in which the UWB module (12) is activated and waiting for a connection from the portable electronic device (3); - authorize the unlocking of the vehicle when the portable electronic device (3) is detected by the UWB module (12). 2. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the access management system (2) comprises a plurality of UWB antennas (14a14f) distant from each other. 3. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the access management system (2) comprises at least three UWB antennas (14a14f), at least two being arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. 4. Vehicle (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the access management system (2) comprises six UWB antennas (14a-14f), three antennas being arranged on the left side of the vehicle and three antennas being arranged on the right side of the vehicle. 5. Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one UWB antenna is arranged in one of the following vehicle elements: the front bumper (15), the rear bumper ( 17), the exterior mirrors, the interior mirror, the head restraints for the seats, the roof pillars (16). 6. Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the access management system (2) comprises means for determining by a trilateration method the position of the portable electronic device (3) relative to the vehicle (1) when the portable electronic device (3) is connected to the UWB module (12). 7. Vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the access management system (2) is configured to authorize partial unlocking of the vehicle, for example unlocking of the boot or of a single door. 8. Method for authorizing access to a motor vehicle (1), the vehicle (1) comprising first connection means (11, 13) to a portable electronic device (3), via a wireless connection of the type Bluetooth®, and second means of connection (12, 14a-14f) to a portable electronic device, via a wireless link of the ultra-wide band type, the method comprising the following steps: - maintain, when the vehicle (1) is stopped and locked, the first connection means (11, 13) awaiting connection with a portable electronic device, and maintain the second connection means (12, 14a -14f) in a deactivated state; - when a connection is established between the first connection means (11, 13) and a portable electronic device (3) recognized as belonging to an authorized user, activate the second connection means (12, 14a-14f); - when a connection is established between the second connection means (12, 14a-14f) and the portable electronic device (3), authorize the unlocking of the vehicle (1). 9. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising a step of determining the position of the portable electronic device (3) relative to the vehicle (1), this step may include a trilateration step. 10. Method according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the unlocking of the vehicle (1) is partial.