GB2531056A

GB2531056A - Smart driver window

Info

Publication number: GB2531056A
Application number: GB1417912.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wai Lee Fook; Wei Lee Chee
Original assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
Current assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
Priority date: 2014-10-10
Filing date: 2014-10-10
Publication date: 2016-04-13
Also published as: GB201417912D0

Abstract

A method of operating a vehicle gate system 10. The method includes a step of a vehicle gate unit 10 transmitting gate identifier information within a short-range. A vehicle 12, which is near the vehicle gate unit 10, later receives the gate identifier information. After this, a window motor of the vehicle 12 is activated when the vehicle 12 receives a predetermined gate identifier information. Preferably the vehicle window moves to an open position when activated by receiving the gate identifier information. A window controlling device for the vehicle comprises a receiver (15, Figure 3) for receiving gate identifier information; a control unit (21, Figure 3) that comprises a receiver port and a driver window motor port where the control unit (21) generating a signal to activate a window motor. There may also be a speed sensor (23, Figure 3), a radar sensor (25, Figure 3) and internal / external cameras (28, 31, Figure 3). A gate unit 10 having a movable barrier 36 and a short range transmitter 42 is also disclosed.

Description

SMART DRIVER WINDOW

This application relates to an improved vehicle with an auto- mated driver side window. In particular, it relates to an im-proved driver side window of a vehicle.

US 8011797 52 discloses a boom-type barrier that comprises a boom mounted on a bracket or stand for movement between an open position and a barring position. The boom includes a tub-ular member that transmits light and has therein a band on which are mounted light emitting diodes, which extend substan- tially the full length of the boom. An electronics module con-trols the light emitting diodes.

It is an object of the application to provide an improved ve-hicle with a driver window. The driver window is placed at the driver side of the vehicle.

The application provides an improved vehicle with an automated driver window, which reduces the number of process steps that a driver of the vehicle needs to perform when driving the ve-hicle through an automated gate or barrier.

The driver usually performs a number of steps for driving through the automated gate. As the vehicle approaches the au-tomated gate, the driver may reduce speed of vehicle and then stop the vehicle near a kiosk. The kiosk refers to a device that provides information and services on a computer display screen. The driver may also move a driver window ot the vehi- dc downward and attend to the kiosk, which collecting a tick-et from the kiosk or inserting a card or coin into the kiosk.

The driver may then move the driver window upward, thereby causing the automated gate to open, and then drive the vehicle through the automated gate. Reducing the number of steps that the driver needs to perform for driving through the automated gate provides a benefit for the driver.

The application provides a method of operating a vehicle gate system. The gate system includes a gate unit for managing or controlling access of a vehicle to a controlled area, such as a toll road and a car park. The vehicle is used for transport-ing goods and people. The gate unit has a movable barrier that can either block a vehicle from passing through the barrier or allow the vehicle to pass the barrier.

The method includes a step of a vehicle gate unit transmitting gate identifier information within a short-range.

When a vehicle approaches the gate unit and is placed near the gate unit, a control unit of the vehicle receives the gate identifier information from the gate unit. The gate identifier information acts to provide an identity of the gate unit to the vehicle.

The control unit then activates a window motor of the vehicle upon receiving a predetermined gate identifier information.

The activated window motor then actuates or moves a driver window of the vehicle.

The predetermined gate identifier information allows the car window to move only at designated gate unit that transmit said predetermined gate identifier information. The feature also acts to provide a security tor the opening or closing ot the car window.

This method allows the driver window to be actuated automati-cally when the vehicle is near the gate unit. This frees a driver of the vehicle from actuating the driver window, which is useful as the driver often performs several tasks, when driving the vehicle through the gate unit.

The activated window motor can move the driver window to an open position or to a closed position.

The method often includes a step of the driver of the vehicle accessing a kiosk of the vehicle gate unit in order for the vehicle to pass through the gate unit. The driver can access the kiosk when the driver window is in the open position.

The method can also include a further step of actuating a bar- rier of the vehicle gate unit to an open position, thereby al-lowing the vehicle to pass through the gate unit.

The application also provides an improved window-controlling device for a vehicle. The window-controlling device includes a receiver and a control unit.

The receiver is used for receiving gate identifier information from a nearby gate unit.

Referring to the control unit, it comprises a receiver port, which is connected to the receiver, wherein the control unit receives the gate identifier information from the receiver.

The control unit also includes a driver window motor port for connecting to a driver window motor. The window motor is used tor actuating a driver window to an opened position or to a closed position.

The control unit is also adapted for generating an activation signal upon receiving a predetermined gate identifier infor-mation and for sending the activation signal to the driver window motor port. The activation signal acts to activate the driver window motor such that the activated driver window mo-tor actuates the driver window to a desired position.

In practice, the control unit often has a port for connecting with an antenna for receiving efectromagnetic or radio waves.

The window-controlling device can have different additional sensor readings for confirming or verifying that the vehicle is near the gate unit. The control unit can then be adapted for generating the activation signal according to the gate identifier information and to at least one additional sensor reading. In effect, the additional sensor readings serve to improve security or accuracy of moving the driver window.

In one implementation, the window-controlling device includes a speed sensor. The control unit includes a corresponding speed sensor port, which is connected to the speed sensor in order for the control unit to receive the speed sensor infor-mation from the speed sensor. The control unit is further adapted for generating the activation signal according to the gate identifier information and to the speed sensor infor- mation. The speed sensor information acts to indicate or con-firm that the vehicle is near the gate unit. When the vehicle is near the gate unit, the speed of the vehicle is often slow or stationary.

In another implementation, the window-controlling device in-cludes one or more radar sensors. The control unit includes a corresponding a radar sensor port, which is connected to the radar sensors for receiving radar sensor information from the radar sensors. The control unit is further adapted for gener-ating the activation signal according to the gate identifier information and to the radar sensor information. The radar sensor information acts to confirm that the vehicle is near the gate unit. When the vehicle is near the gate unit, the ra-dar sensor information often indicates an object at the driver side of the vehicle, wherein the object corresponds to a kiosk.

The radar sensor information often indicates an object at the front of the vehicle, wherein the objeot corresponds to a mov- able barrier. The radar sensor information also often indi-cates that there are no objects behind the vehicle and that there are no objects on the passenger side of the vehicle.

In a further implementation, the window-controlling device al-so includes an internal camera, which is directed at a driver of the vehicle for taking pictures or images of the driver.

The control unit further comprises an internal camera port, whioh is oonnected to the internal camera for receiving driver image information from the internal camera. The control unit is further adapted for generating the activation signal ac-cording to the gate identifier information and to the driver image information. The driver image information acts to con-firm that the vehicle is near the gate unit. When the vehicle is near the gate unit, the driver is often looking out the driver window.

In another implementation, the window-controlling device also comprises an external camera, which is directed at a front ar-ea of the vehicle for taking vehicle front area images of the vehicle. The control unit also comprises an external camera port being connected to the external camera for receiving ve-hicle tront area image intormation trom the external camera.

The control unit is adapted for generating the activation sig-nal according to the gate identifier information and to the vehicle front area image information. The vehicle front area image information acts to confirm that the vehicle is near the gate unit. When the vehicle is near the gate unit, the vehicle front area image information often indicates or shows a barri-er.

In a further implementation, the window-controlling device al- so includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation de- vice. The control unit further comprises & GPS navigation de- vice port being connected to the GEE navigation device for re- ceiving satellite positioning information from the GPS naviga- tion device. The control unit is further adapted for generat- ing the activation signal according to the gate identifier in-formation and to the satellite positioning information. The satellite positioning information acts to confirm that the ve-hicle is near the gate unit. When the vehicle is near the gate unit, the satellite positioning information would indicate a geographical position of the gate unit or a geographical posi-tion that is near the gate unit.

In a further aspect of the application, the window-controlling device also comprises a window activation interface unit being connected to the control unit. The window activation interface unit is provided for receiving a user input. Examples of the interface unit include a button, a touch screen, a touch pad, or a voice command device (VCD) In particular, the touch screen or touch-pad acts to receive touches or touch gestures from a user, wherein the user uses the touches to provide inputs. In other words, the user pro-vides touches to tell a computing device what to do or to get intormation trom the computing device. The voice command de-vice receives instructions in the form of human voices or sounds.

The window-controlling device also includes a memory unit that stores the gate identifier information and a corresponding us-er input information. The control unit is further adapted for generating the activation signal according to the user input information. This allows a user to stop an actuation of the driver window or other actions.

The application provides an improved vehicle. The vehicle in-cludes the above window-controlling device, a driver window, and a driver window motor, wherein the driver window motor is connected to the window-controlling device and to the driver window. The window-controlling device is used for receiving gate identifier information from a nearby gate unit. The win-dow-controlling device is adapted for activating the driver window mctor according to the received gate identifier infor-mation.

The application provides a gate unit of a gate system. The gate unit includes a movable vehicle barrier and a short-range transmitter for transmitting a predetermined gate identifier information to a nearby vehicle.

In one aspect of the application, the vehicle barrier includes a boom barrier. The boom barrier includes a pole that is piv-oted at one end.

In another aspect of the application, the vehicle barrier com-prises a kiosk, such as a payment kiosk.

In many implementations, the short-range transmitter has an operating range ot about 1 to about 6 meters.

Fig. 1 illustrates an improved gate unit, Fig. 2 illustrates the gate unit of Fig. 1 with an improved vehicle, Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of the vehicle of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 illustrates a top view of the vehicle of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 illustrates another improved vehicle.

In the following description, details are provided to de-scribe embodiments of the application. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such details.

Some parts of the embodiments, which are shown in the Figs. below, have similar parts. The similar parts may have the same names or the similar part numbers with a prime symbol. The de-scription of such similar parts also applies by reference to other similar parts, where appropriate, thereby reducing repe-

tition of text without limiting the disclosure.

Fig. 1 shows a gate unit 10. Fig. 2 shows the gate unit 10 with an improved vehicle 12.

As seen in Fig. 3, the improved vehicle 12 includes a gate in-formation receiver 15 with a plurality of vehicle sensors, a driver window motor 18, and a control unit 21. The gate infor-mation receiver 15, the vehicle sensors, and the driver window motor 18 are electrically connected to the control unit 21.

In particular, the gate information receiver 15 is positioned inside the vehicle 12.

The vehicle sensors include a vehicle speed sensor 23, a set of radar sensors 25, an internal camera 28 and an external camera 31, and a Global Positioning System (OPS) navigation device 33. The radar sensors 25 are shown in Fig. 4. The ex- ternal camera 31 is mounted inside the vehicle 12 and is di-rected or pointing towards a front area of the vehicle 12. The internal camera 28 is mounted inside the vehicle 12 and is di-rected towards a driver of the vehicle 12. The radar sensors are placed on a front part, a rear part, and side parts of the vehicle 12. The speed sensor 23 and the GE'S navigation de-vice 33 are positioned inside the vehicle 12.

The control unit 21 is positioned inside the vehicle 12. The driver window motor 18 is connected a driver window 34 of the vehicle 12.

Referring to the gate unit 10, it includes a movable boom bar- rier 36 and a payment kiosk 39 with a short-range gate infor-mation transmitter 42. The boom barrier 36 comprises a pole that is pivoted at one end. The boom barrier 36 is placed across a road that leads to a car park. The payment kiosk re-fers to a small device that provides information and services on a display screen. The payment kiosk 39 is positioned near one end of the boom barrier 36, which is near drivers of vehi-cles, which move through the boom barrier 36. Put differently, the payment kiosk 39 is placed at a driver side of the vehicle 12. The short-range gate information transmitter 42 is placed inside or near the payment kiosk 39.

In one implementation, the short-range gate information trans-mitter 42 has an operating range of about one to five meters.

The range allows the short-range gate information transmitter 42 to communicate with the gate information receiver 15 when the vehicle 12 is fairly near the gate unit 10.

The short-range gate intormation transmitter 42 and gate in-formation receiver 15 can use different types of communication protocols, such as Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) , Re-mote Keyless Entry (RKE) System, Remote Keyless Ignition (RKI) System, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.

The control unit 21 can refer to a single control unit or to a network of control units. The network includes a speed-sensor control unit being associated to the speed sensor 23, an info-tainment Electronic Control Unit (ECU) being associated to the GPS navigation device 33, a radar sensor control unit being associated to the radars sensors 25, and a camera control unit being associated to the external camera 28 and the internal camera 28.

In use, the vehicle 12 is used for transporting people or goods.

The car park acts as an area to which access to the area is controlled by the gate unit 10.

In a general sense, the controlled area can also refer to a toll road, to a car park, or to a fast food drive-through.

Referring to the gate unit 10, the short-range gate infor-mation transmitter 42 sends gate identifier information to nearby gate information receivers.

The boom barrier 36 provides an open position and a closed po-sition. In the open position, the boom barrier 36 is rotated such that it allows a vehicle to pass through the boom barrier 36. In the closed position, the boom barrier 36 is rotated such that it blocks a vehicle from passing through the boom barrier 36.

Referring to the vehicle 12, the gate information receiver 15 is intended for receiving the gate identifier information from the short-range gate information transmitter 42 of the gate unit 10 when the vehicle 12 is near the gate unit 10. The gate information receiver 15 sends the received gate identifier in-

II

formation to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 the uses the received gate identifier information to indicate that the vehicle 12 is near said gate unit 10.

For enhanced security, the control unit 21 can also use other additional sensor information to confirm that the vehicle 12 is near the gate unit 10. The additional sensor information allows the control unit 21 to judge correctly, when the driver window 34 should moves down or up. The possible additional sensor information is described below.

The speed sensor 23 is used for determining a speed of the ve- hicle 12. The speed sensor 23 also sends the determined vehi-cle speed information to the control unit 21. When the vehicle 12 is near the gate unit 10, the vehicle 12 is slow or sta-tionary. The control unit 21 can use the determined vehicle speed information with slow speed or zero speed to confirm that the vehicle 12 is near the gate unit 10.

In one implementation, the speed sensor 23 sends the deter-mined vehicle speed information to a speed-sensor concrol unit, which later sends the received vehicle speed information to the control unit 21.

The CPS navigation device 33 is used for receiving positioning signals from satellites. The received positioning signal in- formation is used to provide positional information of the ve-hicle 12. The GPS navigation device 33 also sends the received positioning signal intormation to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 can use the vehicle positional information to confirm that the vehicle 12 is near the gate unit 10. In some areas, objects, such as building, block the GPS navigation de-vice 33 from receiving the satellite positioning signals.

In a special implementation, the UPS navigation device 33 sends the positioning signal information to an infotainment Electronic Control Unit (ECU) , which then sends the position-ing signal information to the control unit 21.

In some implementations, the UPS navigation device 33 includes a gyroscope that is capable of detecting a road hump. A road hump is often found near the gate unit 10. The UPS navigation device 33 also sends the road hump information to the control unit 21. The control unit 21 can use the road hump information to confirm the vehicle 12 is near the gate unit 10.

The radar sensors 25 detect objects, which are placed within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 12. The radar sensors 25 are arranged such that they provide complete object detec-tion coverage around the vehicle 12, as illustrated in fig. 4.

The radar sensors 25 later send the object detected infor-mation to the control unit 21. When the vehicle 12 is near the gate unit 10, these radars detect an object, which is placed at the driver side of the vehicle 12, wherein the detected ob- ject corresponds to the payment kiosk 39. The radars also de- tect another object, which is placed at the front of the vehi-cle 12, wherein this detected object corresponds to the boom barrier 36. The radars also do not detect any object at the passenger side of the vehicle 12 and does not detect any ob-ject at the rear side of the vehicle 12. The control unit 21 can use such radar object detected information to confirm that the vehicle 12 is near the gate unit 10.

In one implementation, the radar sensors 25 sends the object detected information to a radar sensor control unit, which af-terward sends the object detected information to the control unit 21.

The external camera 31 takes or captures images, which are in front of the vehicle 12, wherein a driver of the vehicle 12 also sees the same images. The external camera 31 can have night vision capability. The external camera 31 afterward sends the front vehicle image information to the control unit 21. When the vehicle 12 is near the gate unit 10, the external camera 31 can take an image of the boom barrier 36. The con-trol unit 21 can use the image Information of the boom barrier 36 serves to confirm that the vehicle 12 is next to the gate unit 10.

In a special implementation, the boom barrier 36 includes col-or strips to allow easy identification or recognition of the boom barrier 36 by the control unit 21.

The internal camera 28 captures images of the driver of the vehicle 12. The internal camera 28 then sends the driver image information to the control unit 21. When the vehicle 12 is near the gate unit 10, the driver is often looking at the driver window 34 towards the payment kiosk 39. The control unit 21 can use the images of the driver looking at the pay-ment kiosk 39 to confirm that the vehicle 12 is next to the gate unit 10.

The driver window motor 18 acts to move the driver window 34 to a closed or an open position, when the driver window motor 18 is activated.

The control unit 21 is adapted to activate the window motor 18 according to information received from the gate information receiver 15 as well as other received information. The re-ceived information can include information received from the vehicle speed sensor 23, from the radar sensors 25, from the internal camera 28, from the external camera 31, or from the GEE navigation device 33.

The control unit 21 is also adapted to activate the window mo-tor 18 for moving the drive window to the open position when the vehicle 12 near the gate unit 10 and when the vehicle 12 is moving towards the gate unit 10.

The control unit 21 is also adapted to activate the window mo-tor 18 for moving the drive window to the closed position when the vehicle 12 is moving away from the gate unit 10.

Referring to the gate unit 10, the payment kiosk 39 provides an interface with a driver for receiving payment from the driver and for issuing a payment ticket to the driver. The payment kiosk 39 also activates the boom barrier 36 for moving to the open position or to the closed position.

This embodiment has a benefit of not reguiring the driver to open or to close the driver window 34, when driving through a gate unit 10.

The driver often performs several actions or steps for driving the vehicle 12 through a boom barrier gate. The driver has to move the vehicle 12 towards the boom barrier gate, stops the vehicle 12 carefully near the boom barrier gate, moves down or wind down the driver window 34, collects a paper or a token from a payment management kiosk, moves up or wind up the win-dow, and drives the vehicle 12 through the boom barrier gate.

These steps are performed often for drivers who access the controlled area on a daily basis. Some situations can further aggravate this driving experience. These situations includes a gate being located on a steep slope thereby reguiring the driver to control the vehicle 12 carefully to prevent the ve-hicle 12 from unintentional descent or ascent, being followed by an impatient driver, and cold or wet weather conditions causing the driver to felt cold or wet when the window is wound down.

Hence, providing a vehicle with the automated driver window 34, which requires reduced process steps, when driving the vehicle 12 through a gate or barrier, is advantageous.

Moreover, this embodiment also has a benefit in that it uses information from the gate unit 10 to activate the window motor 18, wherein the information is not affected by clouds or near-by structures. This is different from other devices that use satellite information to determine a position of a vehicle to activate a window motor of the vehicle. The information from the satellite can be affected by clouds and nearby structures, and are thus not stable.

In a general sense, the gate information receiver 15 with the short-range gate information transmitter 42 is a form of a short-range transmitter with a receiver.

The short-range transmitter and receiver can use other comrnu- nication protocol such as Bluetooth or an arbitrary transmit-ter that operates at 2.4 0Hz or 5.0 0Hz freguency.

One method of operating the improved vehicle 12 with the auto-mated gate unit 10 is described below.

The method includes a step of a driver moving the vehicle 12 towards the boom barrier 36 and stopping the vehicle 12 near the gate unit 10.

The gate information receiver 15 then obtains the gate identi- fier information from the short-range gate information trans-mitter 42. The gate information receiver 15 later transmits the received gate identifier intormation to the control unit 21.

The vehicle 12 then slows down, wherein the speed sensor 23 determines a speed of the vehicle 12 and sends the determined vehicle speed information to the control unit 21.

The GES navigation device 33 also receives positioning signals from satellites and sends the received positioning signal in-formation to the control unit 21.

The radar sensors 25 also detect objects around the vehicle 12 and send the object detected information to the control unit 21.

The external camera 31 also takes images, which are in front the vehicle 12 and sends the front vehicle image information to the control unit 21.

The internal camera 28 also captures images of the driver of the vehicle 12 and sends to the control unit 21.

The control unit 21 then activates the window motor 18 accord- ing to the gate identifier information and to one or more con-firmation information. The confirmation information includes one ot the vehicle speed intormation, the radar object detect-ed information, the boom barrier image information, the driver image information, the vehicle positional information.

The activated window motor 18 then moves down the driver win- dow 34. This is performed in order to allow the driver to ac-cess the payment kiosk 39. This is done without an action from the driver, thus freeing the drive to focus on other tasks.

When the driver moves the vehicle 12 through the gate unit 10, the control unit 21 also activates the window motor 18 accord- ing to the gate identifier information and to one or more con-firmation information.

The activated window motor 18 later moves up the driver window 34 automatically, without any action from the driver.

Fig. 5 shows another improved vehicle 12' with additional ele-ment.

The vehicle 12' includes parts of the vehicle 12 of Fig. 3.

The vehicle 12' comprises a control unit 21' with a memory unit 12' , wherein the memory unit 12' includes a database, and a window activation button 24' The window activation button 24' is positioned such that the window activation button 24' can be easily reached by a driver of the improved vehicle 12' In use, the window activation button 24' provides an open state and a closed state. The driver changes the state of the window activation button 24' in order to provide a user input to the control unit 21' The memory unit 12' is used ton storing sensor intormation.

that are received by the control unit 21' and for storing cor-responding user input.

The received sensor information includes gate identifier in-formation that is sent from the short-range gate information transmitter 42, positioning signal information that is sent from the GPS navigation device 33, objeot detected information that is sent from the radar sensors 25, and front vehicle im-age information that is sent from the external camera 31.

The control unit 21' is adapted to activate the window motor 18 acoording to the stored user input information and aooord-ing to at least one of the stored sensor information.

One method of operating the vehicle 12 is described below.

When the vehicle 12' reaches a particular gate unit, the con-trol unit 21' receives sensor information.

The control unit 21' then activates the window motor 18 to open the driver window, wherein the driver window is moved down, in accordance with the received sensor information.

During the activation of the window motor 18, the driver may disrupt and cancel this activation of the window motor 18 by changing the state of the window activation button 24' . The state of the window activation button 24' is sent to the con-trol unit 21' The control unit 21' subsequently activates the window motor 18 to close the driver window, which is to move up the driver window, in accordance with the received button state infor-mation.

The memory unit 12' later stores the received sensor infor-mation and also stores the received button state information.

In effect, the memory unit 12' stores a preference of the driver for the window activation for a particular gate unit.

Later, when the vehicle 12' reaches again the same gate unit, the control unit 12' also receives the sensor information. The control unit 12' later detects a matching of the received sen-sor information with the stored sensor information.

The control unit 21' then does not activate the window motor 18 in accordance with the previously stored button state in-formation.

The improved vehicle 12' provides a benefit in that the driver does not need to press again the window activation button 24' to cancel an activation of the window motor 18 for a particu-lar gate unit.

In a general sense, the window activation button 24' is a form of a user interface device. Examples of the user interface de-vice include a touch screen or touch pad and a voice command device (VCD) . The touch screen or touch pad acts to receive touches or touch gestures from a user, wherein the user uses the touches to provide inputs. In other words, the user pro-vides touches to tell a computing device what to do or to get information from the computing device. The voice command de-vice receives instructions in the form of human voices or sounds.

In a special embodiment, the cancelation of window motor acti-vation is applied for a predetermined area, such as toll road.

As an example, when the driver cancels the activation of the window motor tor one gate unit ot the toll road, this cancela-tion of window motor activation is also applied for the other gate units of the same toll road.

Although the above description contains much specificity, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodi- ments but merely providing illustration of the foreseeable em-bodiments. The above stated advantages of the embodiments should not be construed especially as limiting the scope of the embodiments but merely to explain possible achievements if the described embodiments are put into practice. Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the claims and their equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

gate unit 12 vehicle 15 gate information receiver 18 driver window motor 21 control unit 23 speed sensor radar sensor 28 internal camera 31 external camera 33 UPS navigation device 34 driver window 36 boom barrier 39 payment kiosk 42 short-range gate information transmitter 12' vehicle 21' control unit 22' memory unit 24' window activation button

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of operating a vehicle gate system, the method comprising transmitting gate identifier information within a short-range by a vehicle gate unit, receiving the gate identifier information by a vehi-cle, which is near the vehicle gate unit, and activating a window motor of the vehicle when the vehicle receives a predetermined gate identifier infor-mation.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the activating of the window motor acts for moving a driver window to an open position.
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising accessing a kiosk of the vehicle gate unit by a driver of the vehicle.
4. The method according to one of the above-mentioned claims further comprising actuating a barrier of the vehicle gate unit to an open position.
5. A window-controlling device for a vehicle( the window-controlling device comprising -a receiver for receiving gate identifier information, and -a control unit that comprises -a receiver port, the receiver port being con-nected to the receiver for receiving the gate identifier information from the receiver, and -a driver window motor port for connecting to a driver window motor, wherein the control unit is adapted for generating an ac- tivation signal upon receiving a predetermined gate iden-tifier information and for sending the activation signal to the driver window motor port.
6. The window-controlling device according to claim 5 fur-ther comprising a speed sensor, wherein -the control unit further comprises a speed sensor port being connected to the speed sensor for receiv-ing speed sensor information from the speed sensor and -the control unit is further adapted for generating the activation signal according to the speed sensor information.
7. The window-controlling device according to claim 5 or 6 further comprising at least one radar sensor, wherein -the control unit further comprises a radar sensor port being connected to the at least one radar sen-sor for receiving radar sensor information from the at least one radar sensor and -the control unit is further adapted for generating the activation signal according to the radar sensor information.
8. The window-controlling device according to one of claims to 7 further comprising an internal camera being directed at a driver of the ve-hicle, wherein -the control unit further comprises an internal cam-era port being connected to the internal camera for receiving driver image information from the internal camera and -the control unit is further adapted for generating the activation signal according to the driver image information.
9. The window-controlling device according to one of claims 5 to S further comprising an external camera being directed at a front area of the vehicle, wherein -the control unit further comprises an external cam-era port being connected to the external camera for receiving vehicle front area image information from the external camera and -the control unit is further adapted for generating the activation signal according to the vehicle front area image information.
10. The window-controlling device according to one of claims to 9 further comprising a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation device, wherein -the control unit further comprises a GPS navigation device port being connected to the GPS navigation device for receiving satellite positioning infor-mation from the GPS navigation device and -the control unit is further adapted ton generating the activation signal according to the satellite po-sitioning information.
11. The window-controlling device according to one of claims to 10 further comprising -a window activation interface unit being connected to the control unit, the window activation interface unit being provided for receiving a user input and -a memory unit that stores the gate identifier infor-mation and a corresponding user input information, wherein the control unit is further adapted for generating the activation signal according to the user input information.
12. A vehicle comprising -a window-controlling device according to one of claims 5 to 11 for receiving gate identifier infor-mation from a nearby gate unit, -a driver window, and -a driver window motor being connected to the window-controlling device and to the driver window, wherein the window-controlling device is adapted for activating the driver window motor upon receiving a predetermined gate identifier information.
13. A gate unit comprising -a movable vehicle barrier and -a short-range transmitter for transmitting a prede-termined gate identifier information to a vehicle.
14. The gate unit according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle barrier comprises a boom barrier.
15. The gate unit according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the vehicle barrier comprises a kiosk.