GB2546670A

GB2546670A - Feature control system

Info

Publication number: GB2546670A
Application number: GB1706305.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Powell Richard; Mistry Urmila; Millen Laura
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2014-04-11
Filing date: 2014-04-11
Publication date: 2017-07-26
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-11
Also published as: GB201706305D0; GB2546670B; GB2525383A; GB2525383B; GB201406571D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a feature control system for a vehicle, the feature control system comprising: a key sensor arranged to detect a key 214; a gesture sensor arranged to detect a gesture, preferably a hand gesture, performed by an operator 218; and a controller 240 arranged to control windows and/or suspension height in dependence on detection of the key and the detection of the gesture. Other vehicle features that may be controlled are: mirrors, locks particularly codes for locking and unlocking, deployable door handles, load compartment opening, and comfort settings for a particular driver. A plurality of gestures may be used, and may be performed by a plurality of operators. The gestures may have to be performed within a particular time and a particular distance from the vehicle. The gesture sensor may be an e-field sensor.

Description

FEATURE CONTROL SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a feature control system. Aspects of the invention relate to a system for a vehicle, to a vehicle and to a method of controlling features of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Keyless entry vehicles provide vehicle operators, for example drivers, with the ability to unlock their vehicle without having to locate a key fob about their person. Operators are however provided with additional functionality on their key fob to, for example, open and close vehicle windows. This additional functionality has a drawback in that the operator must locate their key fob. This reduces the convenience and experience of the keyless entry function.

It is an aim of embodiments of the invention to address this issue. Other aims and advantages will be inferred from the following description, claims and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention relate to a feature control system for a vehicle, a vehicle and a method of controlling features of a vehicle as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a feature control system for a vehicle, the feature control system comprising: a key sensor arranged to detect a key; a gesture sensor arranged to detect a gesture performed by an operator; a controller arranged to control vehicle one or more vehicle features in dependence on detection of the key and the detection of the gesture.

The feature control system is advantageous because it permits control of vehicle features without having to directly touch those features. It should be understood that the term features comprises vehicle windows, mirrors, suspension, locks, handles. Control of features does not comprise opening access to the vehicle in the form of a tailgate.

The key sensor may be arranged to detect the proximity of a key to the key sensor and the controller may be arranged to control vehicle features in dependence on the detected proximity of the key. This ensures that only when the key is within a predefined range are the features controllable thus preventing control of features by an operator who is not holding the key.

There may be one or more further gesture sensors arranged to detect one or more further gestures performed by one or more further operators, wherein the controller may be arranged to control further vehicle features in dependence on detection of the one or more further gestures. This permits multiple operators to each interact with multiple features.

The controller may be arranged to determine a type of a gesture sensed by the gesture sensor and to control vehicle features in dependence on the type of gesture sensed. This provides multiple control inputs through one sensor.

The vehicle features controlled by the controller may comprise door handles of the vehicle such that the door handles are deployed in dependence on a sensed type of gesture. The vehicle features controlled by the controller may also comprise comfort features adaptable to a specific operator, and wherein the controller may be arranged to determine a type of gesture indicative of a specific operator and to control the comfort features to adapt to the specific operator. Comfort features may include for example, the position of seats inside the vehicle, the position of mirrors in relation to a driver, media settings, and temperature settings.

The vehicle features controlled by the controller may also comprise a door locking means, wherein the controller may be arranged to determine a type of gesture indicative of a security code and to control the door locking means to unlock and/or lock at least one door of the vehicle in dependence on the type of gesture.

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling one or more features of a vehicle the method comprising: detecting a key; detecting a gesture; controlling the one or more features of the vehicle in dependence on the detection of the key and the detection of the gesture.

Detecting a gesture may comprise detecting a type of gesture, and wherein controlling the features of the vehicle in dependence on detection of the gesture may comprise controlling the features in dependence on the type of gesture detected. Controlling the features of the vehicle in dependence on detection of the gesture may comprise deploying deployable door handles. Detecting a type of gesture may comprise detecting a type of gesture indicative of a specific operator, and the method may comprise controlling the features of the vehicle in dependence on the specific operator gesture. Detecting a type of gesture may comprise detecting a type of gesture indicative of a security code, and the method may comprise unlocking and/or locking the vehicle in dependence on the detection of a security code gesture.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle comprising a feature control system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a vehicle 10 comprising a feature control system 12 according to an embodiment. The feature control system 12 comprises a key sensor 14, a gesture sensor 16 and a controller 18. Each of the key sensor 14 and gesture sensor 16 are coupled to the controller 18 by wired or wireless means 20. The controller 18 may be a standalone module or may be integrated into or as part of a vehicle electronic control unit (not shown).

The key sensor 14 is arranged to sense a key 22 or the like, for example a passive entry key fob, positioned about an operator 100. The key sensor 14 is arranged to sense the key 22 within a predetermined range illustrated schematically in Figure 1 as a field 24. A suitable key sensor is described in GB2496755, which is incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood that the key sensor position is not limited to the position shown in Figure 1. Indeed, the key sensor may be in a different position and there may be additional key sensors.

In an embodiment the gesture sensor 16 is positioned on a door handle 26 of the vehicle 10 and is arranged to detect gestures performed by the operator 100. Gestures may include moving the operator’s 100 hand laterally, longitudinally and vertically with respect to the position of the gesture sensor. A plurality of movements of the operator’s hand is also termed a gesture or gesture sequence. For example, an operator may flick their hand right and then left in view of the gesture sensor. Each hand movement or gesture can indicate a specific desire of the operator 100. This is discussed further below.

The gesture sensor 16 is an e-field sensor and may comprise an array of e-field sensors. The gesture sensor 16 is arranged to have a predefined sensory field 28, which defines a sensing region 30 in which a gesture must be performed in order for it to be sensed. In an embodiment of the invention the sensory field has a field of view of 180 degrees and a depth of field of 0.2m. However, both the field of view and the depth of field may be optimised to increase or decrease the size of the sensing region 30 to permit larger gestures to be performed or minimise noise from other objects incident on the sensing region 30. In an embodiment the field of view is selected to be 180 degrees to permit gestures to be detected laterally of the sensor position. In an embodiment the depth of field is selected to be less than 0.1m to minimise the potential for non-gestures, for example movement of the operator’s limbs, to be detected.

The feature control system 12 is arranged to provide the operator 100 with control of vehicle features from outside the vehicle. Prior art keyless entry systems provide an operator with means to unlock and lock the vehicle from outside the vehicle without having to locate a key on their person but provide further functionality only when the operator locates and interacts with the key. For example, prior art keyless entry systems feature a key that has a button for raising and lowering the windows of the vehicle from outside the vehicle. While this may provide functionality to the operator the system is undesirable because the operator has to locate their key. The feature control system 12 according to embodiments of the present invention provides the operator 100 with a system that enables the operator to interact with features of the vehicle without having to locate the key. This is further described by reference to Figures 2 to 4, which show steps of a method for controlling features of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a method 210 for controlling features of a vehicle such as that shown in Figure 1. The method is initiated at 212 and awaits a passive entry key to enter the required proximity to the vehicle at step 214. If no passive entry key is detected the method ends at 216 and can be restarted. If a passive entry key is detected in the required proximity the method proceeds to await a gesture to be performed by an operator at 218. Following detection of a gesture the key sensor detects the identity of the key at 220. If the key is approved as associated with the vehicle then the method proceeds to 222 otherwise the method ends at 224. At 222 the gesture is compared to a library of one or more known gestures to determine whether the gesture is recognisable as such. If the gesture is not recognisable the method ends at 226 otherwise the method proceeds to control a feature of the vehicle in dependence on the gesture at 240.

Controllable vehicle features comprise, for example, windows, deployable door handles, locking means such as door locks, suspension height, comfort/personalisation settings. Other features may also be controlled. For each of these features, gesture examples are described below. However, this should not be construed as limiting the gestures that may be performed to control particular features and indeed, the gestures may be modified.

In an embodiment an operator may lower or raise windows of the vehicle using a gesture. With reference to Figure 1, the operator 100 standing inside the field 24 may move their hand inside the gesture sensing region 30. Movement of the operator’s hand in an upward direction relative to the vehicle is indicative of the operator wishing to raise the windows. This may be particularly advantageous if the operator has exited the vehicle forgetting to raise the windows. Alternatively or in addition to, movement of the operator’s hand in a downward direction relative to the vehicle is indicative of the operator wishing to lower the windows. This may be particularly advantageous if the operator is about to enter the vehicle and wishes to lower the window, for example, to speak to a bystander through the window.

In an embodiment an operator may deploy deployable door handles by moving their hand toward the door handle. Prior art deployable door handles require the operator to press a button on the door handle to deploy the handle. This is undesirable if the door handle is dirty. The present embodiment is therefore particularly advantageous if the door handle is dirty because the gesture deploys the door handle.

In an embodiment an operator may lock or unlock the vehicle. A locking gesture may, for example, be performed by moving the hand of the operator towards the rear of the vehicle while an unlocking gesture may be performed by moving the hand of the operator toward the front of the vehicle. This is particularly advantageous again because the operator does not have to touch the vehicle to lock and unlock the doors.

In an embodiment an operator may alter the suspension height of the vehicle to make entering the vehicle more comfortable. A suspension height altering gesture may, for example, include moving the hand of the operator in a vertical direction. In systems where a vertical gesture may also be used to raise or lower the windows, distinction between the gestures may be drawn using a palm-parallel and palm-perpendicular orientation of the hand while performing the gesture. For example, if the user positions the palm of their hand perpendicular to the vehicle body on which the sensor is positioned and moves their hand downward relative to the vehicle, the gesture sensor determines that the operator wishes to lower the suspension of the vehicle. Alternatively, if the operator positions the palm of their hand parallel to the vehicle body on which the sensor is positioned and moves their hand downward relative to the vehicle, the gesture sensor determines that the operator wishes to lower the window(s) of the vehicle.

In an embodiment the operator may indicate their identity through a gesture in the form of a gesture pin code. Indication of the operator’s identity may be used, for example, to permit the vehicle to be unlocked only by an operator who knows the pin code. Alternatively or in addition to, the indication of the operator’s identity may be used to personalise the vehicle. For example the controller, in response to detecting a particular operator, may move a driving seat. In another example, in response to detecting a particular user the controller may select a radio station or other media source. In another example, many vehicle comfort features such as the position of the driving seat, the position of vehicle mirrors, the temperature of the vehicle, and so on, may be modified as a result of a single gesture.

The use of a pin code for these features requires pre-setting of the personalisation features. A set up mode of the controller can be entered through the vehicle’s HMI system. In the setup mode the operator is asked to pre-set their desired personalisation such as their driving position. The operator is then asked to record a gesture in front of a gesture sensor or to select a gesture or gesture sequence from a displayed list of gestures. This sensor may be the sensor disposed on the outside of the vehicle as already discussed but could also be an additional sensor positioned inside the vehicle with the HMI system used for set up.

Embodiments of the invention as shown in Figure 1 and described above may comprise additional sensors positioned at additional locations around the vehicle. For example, additional sensors may be positioned on each door handle of the vehicle so that each vehicle occupant may perform gestures to control vehicle features specific to that occupant. For example, each occupant may be able to raise and lower their own window.

In some embodiments, a gesture sensor as described above may be positioned at or near to a handle for accessing a load compartment of the vehicle. The gesture sensor may be arranged to detect a gesture for lowering or raising the suspension to improve access to the load compartment and in response, the controller controls the suspension to lower or raise the vehicle. This is advantageous if the operator is unable to operate the load compartment handle but is able to move their hand into the sensing region to perform the gesture required to open the load compartment. The gesture may, for example, be a proximity gesture so that moving the operator’s hand or another body part toward the gesture sensor opens the load compartment.

In some embodiments the system is configured to determine that the key is inside the vehicle and subsequently, either immediately or after a predefined time period, deactivate the gestures sensor or sensors. This feature is advantageous because an outsider cannot alter the vehicle conditions. In other embodiments, the gesture sensors are deactivated once the vehicle speed first goes above a nominal speed, for example 5kph, and are not reactivated until the vehicle is stationary and/or a vehicle door is opened. Where the system is configured to deactivate the gesture sensor or sensors the method 210 is moved to any of the end steps 216, 224, 226, 240.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the invention having similar steps to the embodiment of Figure 2. Accordingly like features are given like numerals. Figure 3 further includes the step 328 where the timing of the gesture is questioned to determine whether the gesture was made within a required time period. If the gesture is not made within the required time period the method proceeds to step 330 where the method ends and gesture sensing ceases. This is advantageous because gestures occurring outside the required time period are likely to be noise caused by, for example, passing traffic or pedestrians.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment to Figure 3. Like steps are given like reference numerals. The embodiment of Figure 4 differs from Figure 4 in that the key is approved at step 420 before a gesture is performed and sensed at steps 418, 422. The embodiment of Figure 4 is thus directed toward a system wherein the passive entry key polls for the key sensor, whereas the embodiment of Figure 3 is directed toward a system wherein the key sensor polls for the passive entry key.

In any of Figures 2 to 4, the steps described may be performed simultaneously or in an order different to that shown in Figures 2 to 4.

In embodiments of the invention the gesture sensor 16 is located proximal to the feature to be controlled. For example a gesture sensor may be located at the bottom of a retractable window on the vehicle such that an in-air swipe down in the gesture sensor field would lower the window. In another example a gesture sensor may be positioned near sills on the vehicle such that an in-air swipe down in the gesture sensor field would lower the vehicle suspension. In these examples the gesture fields may be termed zones in which gestures must be made to control the feature associated with the zone. In an embodiment, a single gesture sensor may detect gestures in more than one zone.

Claims

1. A system for a vehicle comprising: a key sensor arranged to detect a key; a gesture sensor arranged to detect a gesture performed by an operator; and a controller arranged to control one or more vehicle features in dependence on the detection of the key and the detection of the gesture; wherein the controller is arranged to determine a type of a gesture sensed by the gesture sensor and to control one or more of: windows of the vehicle such that the windows are lowered or raised in dependence on the type of gesture sensed; and the suspension of the vehicle such that the suspension height is altered dependence on the type of gesture sensed.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key sensor is arranged to detect the proximity of a key to the key sensor and the controller is arranged to control vehicle features in dependence on the detected proximity of the key.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of gesture sensors each arranged to detect one or more gestures performed by one or more operators, wherein the controller is arranged to control a plurality of vehicle features in dependence on detection of the one or more further gestures.

4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle features controlled by the controller comprise comfort features adaptable to a specific operator, and wherein the controller is arranged to determine a type of gesture indicative of a specific operator and to control the comfort features to adapt to the specific operator.

5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a timer arranged to begin timing when the key sensor detects a key within a threshold distance from the vehicle and wherein the controller is arranged to control vehicle features in dependence on the time elapsed.

6. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the gesture sensor is arranged to detect a hand gesture performed by an operator.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the gesture sensor is arranged to detect a movement of a hand of the operator in a vertical direction.

8. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the gesture sensor distinguishes between a palm-parallel and palm-perpendicular orientation of the hand to differentiate between a gesture to control the windows and a gesture to control the suspension.

9. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the gesture sensor is an e-field sensor.

10. A vehicle comprising a system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

11. A vehicle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the gesture sensor of the system is positioned adjacent to or on one or more door handles of the vehicle.

12. A method of controlling one or more features of a vehicle the method comprising: detecting a key; detecting a gesture; and, controlling the one or more features of the vehicle in dependence on the detection of the key and the detection of the gesture. wherein detecting a gesture comprises detecting a type of gesture, and wherein controlling the features of the vehicle in dependence on detection of the gesture comprises controlling one or more of: windows of the vehicle such that the windows are lowered or raised in dependence on the type of gesture sensed; and the suspension of the vehicle such that the suspension height is altered dependence on the type of gesture sensed.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein detecting a type of gesture comprises detecting a type of gesture indicative of a specific operator, and the method comprises controlling the features of the vehicle in dependence on the specific operator gesture.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein detecting a type of gesture comprises detecting a hand gesture performed by an operator.

15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein detecting a type of gesture comprises detecting a movement of a hand of the operator in a vertical direction.

16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein detecting a type of gesture comprises the gesture sensor distinguishing between a palm-parallel and palm-perpendicular orientation of the hand to differentiate between a gesture to control the windows and a gesture to control the suspension.