Patent Description:
Many of today's vehicles are equipped with a keyless entry system enabling access to the vehicle without using a traditional mechanical key. A vehicle equipped with a keyless entry system may be able to unlock its doors upon detecting a smart vehicle key such as an electronic key fob associated with the vehicle. There are mobile phone applications providing the functionality of an electronic key fob, thus enabling mobile phones to be used in place of electronic key fobs to control said unlocking of vehicle doors.

<CIT>, for instance, relates to a computing device functioning as a vehicle key to control one or more functionalities of a vehicle. However, although the approach disclosed in <CIT> enables keyless entry by means of a computing device such as a mobile phone, there is still room for improvement when it comes to enabling secure keyless entry.

Document <CIT> discloses an information processing apparatus including a locking control unit configured to execute a first process of processes for causing a locking unit to unlock, on the basis of detection of access of a first communication terminal, while <CIT> discloses a method for conditionally authenticating a user for access to a physical space.

It is therefore an object of embodiments herein to provide an approach according to which accidental and/or malicious keyless entry into a locked space such as a vehicle, may be avoided.

The invention is defined according to the appended independent claims, while additional aspects of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

Thereby, an approach is provided according to which accidental and/or malicious keyless entry into a locked space such as a vehicle, may be avoided.

Accordingly, unlocking of the locked space is enabled only when the key device is in a vicinity of the locked space, which thus reduces the risk of accidental and/or malicious unlocking of the locked space from a distance.

For that reason, an approach is provided for avoiding accidental and/or malicious keyless entry into a locked space such as a vehicle.

The technical features and corresponding advantages of further non-claimed embodiments will be discussed in further detail below.

By introducing a method performed by an entry system for - prior to enabling a key device keyless entry into a locked space - establishing that the key device is within a vicinity of the locked space, an approach is provided according to which accidental and/or malicious keyless entry into the locked space may be avoided. The "entry system" may fully or at least partly be comprised in, be integrated with and/or be connected to the locked space, for instance be distributed between one or more nodes, such as ECUs ("Electronic Control Units"). "Locked space" may refer to "locked vehicle, door, building, room, etc.", whereas the expression "keyless entry" may refer to "access without use of a traditional mechanical key". Furthermore, "keyless entry" may refer to "secure keyless entry" and/or active keyless entry", and moreover to "keyless entry through an electronic lock" and/or "keyless entry with support from electronic remote control activated by said key device". Moreover, according to an example, the expression "keyless entry" may refer to the temporary disablement of an alarm, such as an anti-theft alarm, associated with the locked space, for example if repair and/or replacement work needs to be carried on the locked space without requiring entry into a part of the locked space, such as the replacement of a damaged wheel or punctured tyre, whereby "enabling an unlocking of the locked space" consequently refers to the temporary disablement of the alarm. The expression "prior to" enabling may refer to "before" enabling, whereas "enabling" may refer to "allowing" and/or "initiating". "Key device" may refer to "electronic key device", and furthermore to "portable and/or handheld key device". Moreover, the "key device" may for instance be represented by a smartphone and/or a smartwatch, or an equivalent and/or successor thereof. Furthermore, the "key device" may refer to a portable device adapted to be carried by an operator, establish a secure communication link with the entry system and/or a control unit associated therewith, run software and comprise one or more sensors. "Establishing" that the key device is within a vicinity may refer to "ensuring and/or determining" that the key device is within a vicinity, whereas the expression "a vicinity" may refer to "vicinity", "a close vicinity", "an arm's length", "<NUM> meter", and/or "approximately <NUM> meter". According to an example, the expression "within a vicinity of said locked space" may refer to "within a standardized maximum distance from said locked space - or one or more sensors thereof - for allowing keyless entry". According to an example, the expression "for, prior to enabling a key device keyless entry into a locked space" may refer to "for, prior to enabling an operator associated with, in possession of and/or carrying a key device, keyless entry into a locked space". Moreover, according to another example, the expression "for, prior to enabling a key device keyless entry into a locked space, establishing that said key device is within a vicinity of said locked space" may refer to "for actively and securely enabling a key device keyless entry into a locked space".

"One or more sensors" refer according to the invention to one or more sound sensors.

The various aspects of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention, including particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Dashed lines of some boxes in the figures indicate that these units or actions are optional and not mandatory.

In the following, according to embodiments herein which relate to - prior to enabling a key device keyless entry into a locked space - establishing that the key device is within a vicinity thereof, there will be disclosed an approach according to which accidental and/or malicious keyless entry into a locked space, such as a vehicle, may be avoided.

Referring now to the figures and <FIG> in particular, there is illustrated a schematic overview of an exemplifying entry system <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosure. The entry system <NUM> is adapted for - prior to enabling a key device <NUM> keyless entry into a locked space <NUM> - establishing that the key device <NUM> is within a vicinity of the locked space <NUM>. The key device <NUM> is here represented by a smartphone, whereas the locked space <NUM> here is represented by a vehicle such as a passenger car. The key device <NUM> and the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - are adapted to communicate via a secure communication link in a commonly known manner to subsequently - when conditions are fulfilled that will be explained further on - enable keyless entry into the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - by means of the key device <NUM>. The key device <NUM> comprises one or more sensors <NUM>, here microphones. The key device <NUM> may further comprise an optional app <NUM> which may assist an operator <NUM> in a commonly known manner to communicate with the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle. Comprised in the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - is one or more sensors <NUM>, here microphones, which may be distributed as considered suitable for the implementation at hand. The locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - further comprises one or more exemplifying doors, which comprise electronic locks (not shown) which may be remotely unlocked as commonly known in the art. An exterior surface of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - is denoted <NUM>, and may refer to any arbitrary exterior surface thereof.

In the shown embodiment, it is illustrated how the operator <NUM> taps on the exterior surface <NUM> of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - holding the key device <NUM> in his hand. The operator <NUM> here taps on the window on the driver's side, which in the shown embodiment represents an optional predetermined section <NUM> of the locked space <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, which depicts a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplifying entry system <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosure, the entry system <NUM> comprises a locked space determining unit <NUM>, an optional direction determining unit <NUM>, a key device determining unit <NUM>, a comparing unit <NUM>, an optional signal strength determining unit <NUM> and an enabling unit <NUM>, all of which will be described in greater detail in conjunction with <FIG>. Furthermore, the embodiments herein for - prior to enabling a key device <NUM> keyless entry into a locked space <NUM> such as a vehicle - establishing that the key device <NUM> is within a vicinity of the locked space <NUM>, may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor <NUM>, here denoted CPU, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. Said program code may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the entry system <NUM>. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to entry system <NUM>. The entry system <NUM> may further comprise a memory <NUM> comprising one or more memory units. The memory <NUM> may be arranged to be used to store e.g. information, and further to store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications, to perform the methods herein when being executed in the entry system <NUM>.

Furthermore, the locked space determining unit <NUM>, the optional direction determining unit <NUM>, the key device determining unit <NUM>, the comparing unit <NUM>, the optional signal strength determining unit <NUM>, the enabling unit <NUM>, the optional processor <NUM> and/or the optional memory <NUM> may at least partly be comprised in the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - for instance in one or more nodes <NUM> thereof such as electronic control units (ECUs). Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the locked space determining unit <NUM>, the optional direction determining unit <NUM>, the key device determining unit <NUM>, the comparing unit <NUM>, the optional signal strength determining unit <NUM> and/or the enabling unit <NUM> described above, and which will be described in more detail later on in this description, may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in a memory such as the memory <NUM>, that when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor <NUM> perform as will be described in more detail in conjunction with <FIG>. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a SoC (System-on-a-Chip).

<FIG> illustrates an exemplifying diagram of signals detected in the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - and by the key device <NUM> according to embodiments of the disclosure. Here, the tap audio envelopes are generated from the operator <NUM> tapping four times on the exterior surface <NUM> of the locked space <NUM>. Shown is a locked space stimulus signal <NUM> and a key device stimulus signal <NUM>, both of which will be described in greater detail in the following in conjunction with <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart depicting an exemplifying method for - prior to enabling a key device <NUM> keyless entry into a locked space <NUM> - establishing that the key device <NUM> is within a vicinity of the locked space <NUM>, according to embodiments of the disclosure. The exemplifying method, which may be continuously repeated, comprises the following actions discussed with support essentially from <FIG>. The actions may be taken in any suitable order, for instance may Actions <NUM> and <NUM> be performed simultaneously and/or in an alternate order.

In Action <NUM>, the entry system <NUM> determines - e.g. by means of the locked space determining unit <NUM> - a locked space stimulus signal <NUM>. The locked space stimulus signal <NUM> is derived from a sound signal detected by one or more sensors <NUM> associated with the locked space <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG>, a signal <NUM> is established which is based on a sound pattern - e.g. a tapping sound - detected by at least a first sensor <NUM> of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle.

Optionally, Action <NUM> of determining a locked space stimulus signal <NUM> may comprise determining a locked space stimulus signal <NUM>, which locked space stimulus signal <NUM> is derived from a sound and/or vibration signal emanating from tapping on an exterior surface <NUM> of the locked space <NUM>, detected by one or more sensors <NUM> associated with the locked space <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG> and <FIG>, the signal <NUM> detected by the locked space sensor(s) <NUM> is generated from tapping on e.g. a door and/or window of the locked space <NUM>. That is, with the occurrence of tapping on an exterior <NUM> of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - a sound and/or vibration signal is generated which may be detected by the locked space sensor(s) <NUM> - here sensor(s) on-board the vehicle.

Optionally, Action <NUM> of determining a locked space stimulus signal <NUM> may comprise determining a locked space stimulus signal <NUM>, which locked space stimulus signal <NUM> is derived from a sound and/or vibration signal emanating from tapping with the key device <NUM> on an exterior surface <NUM> of the locked space <NUM>, detected by one or more sensors <NUM> associated with the locked space <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG> and <FIG>, the signal <NUM> detected by the locked space sensor(s) <NUM> is generated from tapping with the key device <NUM> on e.g. a door and/or window of the locked space <NUM>. That is, with the occurrence of tapping with the key device <NUM> on an exterior <NUM> of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - a sound and/or vibration signal is generated which may be detected by the locked space sensor(s) <NUM> - here sensor(s) on-board the vehicle.

Optionally, Action <NUM> of determining a locked space stimulus signal <NUM> may comprise determining a locked space stimulus signal <NUM>, which locked space stimulus signal <NUM> is derived from a sound and/or vibration signal emanating from two or more instances of tapping on an exterior surface <NUM> the locked space, detected by one or more sensors <NUM> associated with the locked space <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG> and <FIG>, the signal <NUM> detected by the locked space sensor(s) <NUM> is generated from more than one tapping on e.g. a door and/or window of the locked space <NUM>. That is, with the occurrence of two or more instances of tapping on an exterior <NUM> of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - a more extensive sound and/or vibration signal is generated which may be detected by the locked space sensor(s) <NUM> - here sensor(s) on-board the vehicle; in <FIG> there is illustrated four instances of tapping.

Optionally, the one or more locked space sensors <NUM> may comprise at least two sensors. Accordingly, in optional Action <NUM>, the entry system <NUM> may determine - e.g. by means of a direction determining unit <NUM> - a direction from which the sound and/or vibration signal detected by the at least two locked space sensors <NUM> originates.

In Action <NUM>, the entry system <NUM> determines - e.g. by means of the key device determining unit <NUM> - a key device stimulus signal <NUM>. The key device stimulus signal <NUM> is derived from a sound signal detected by one or more sensors <NUM> associated with the key device <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG>, a signal <NUM> is established which is based on a sound pattern - here from tapping - detected by at least a first sensor <NUM> of the key device <NUM>.

Optionally, Action <NUM> of determining a key device stimulus signal <NUM> may comprise determining a key device stimulus signal <NUM>, which key device stimulus signal <NUM> is derived from a sound, motion and/or vibration signal emanating from tapping on an exterior surface <NUM> of said locked space <NUM>, detected by one or more sensors <NUM> associated with the key device <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG> and <FIG>, the signal <NUM> detected by the key device sensor(s) <NUM>, is generated from tapping on e.g. a door and/or window of the locked space <NUM>. That is, with the occurrence of tapping on an exterior <NUM> of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - a sound, motion and/or vibration signal is generated which may be detected by the key device sensor(s) <NUM> should the key device <NUM> be in vicinity of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - and/or the exterior <NUM> thereof, and/or should the key device sensor(s) <NUM> be positioned in e.g. a hand or on a wrist of an operator <NUM> doing the tapping.

Optionally, Action <NUM> of determining a key device stimulus signal <NUM> may comprise determining a key device stimulus signal <NUM>, which key device stimulus signal <NUM> is derived from a sound, motion and/or vibration signal emanating from tapping with the key device <NUM> on an exterior surface <NUM> of the locked space <NUM>, detected by one or more sensors <NUM> associated with the key device <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG> and <FIG>, the signal <NUM> detected by the key device sensor(s) <NUM>, is generated from tapping with the key device <NUM> on e.g. a door and/or window of the locked space <NUM>. That is, with the occurrence of tapping with the key device <NUM> on an exterior <NUM> of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - a sound, motion and/or vibration signal is generated which is detected with great certainty by the key device sensor(s) <NUM>.

Optionally, Action <NUM> of determining a key device stimulus signal <NUM> may comprise determining a key device stimulus signal <NUM>, which key device stimulus signal <NUM> is derived from a sound, motion and/or vibration signal emanating from two or more instances of tapping on an exterior surface <NUM> of the locked space <NUM>, detected by one or more sensors <NUM> associated with the key device <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG> and <FIG>, the signal <NUM> detected by the key device sensor(s) <NUM> is generated from more than one tapping on e.g. a door and/or window of the locked space <NUM>. That is, with the occurrence of two or more instances of tapping on an exterior <NUM> of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - a more extensive sound, motion and/or vibration signal is generated which potentially may be detected by the key device sensor(s) <NUM> should the key device <NUM> be in vicinity of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - and/or the exterior <NUM> thereof, and/or should the key device sensor(s) be positioned in e.g. a hand or on a wrist of an operator doing the tapping. In <FIG>, there is illustrated four instances of tapping.

In Action <NUM>, the entry system <NUM> compares - e.g. by means of the comparing unit <NUM> - the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> with the key device stimulus signal <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG>, similarities and/or correlations between the signal <NUM> detected by the locked space sensor(s) <NUM> - here the sensor(s) on-board the vehicle - and the signal <NUM> detected by the key device sensor(s) <NUM>, are analysed.

According to the invention, Action <NUM> of comparing the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> with the key device stimulus signal <NUM>, comprises comparing a frequency domain signature of the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> with a frequency domain signature of the key device stimulus signal <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG>, similarities and/or correlations may be established between the two signals <NUM>, <NUM>, in view of frequency domain signatures and, according to additional embodiments, time signatures of the signals <NUM>, <NUM>.

In optional Action <NUM>, the entry system <NUM> may determine - e.g. by means of the signal strength determining unit <NUM> - a signal strength with which the key device <NUM> communicates with the entry system <NUM>.

In Action <NUM>, the entry system <NUM> enables - e.g. by means of the enabling unit <NUM> - when the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> matches the key device stimulus signal <NUM>, an unlocking of the locked space <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG>, entry into the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - is enabled only if the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> is determined to match the key device stimulus signal <NUM>. Subsequently, entry into the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - is enabled only if the signal detected by the locked space sensor(s) <NUM> - here the sensor(s) on-board the vehicle - is considered to match the signal detected by the key device sensor(s) <NUM>, which may imply according to non-claim embodiments that the key device sensor(s) <NUM> has detected the same sound and/or vibration signal as the locked space sensor(s) <NUM> has detected, and/or that the key device sensor(s) <NUM> has detected a motion signal - here the operator's <NUM> hand moving back and forth four times during tapping - which motion signal correlates with the sound and/or vibration signal detected by the locked space sensor(s) <NUM>. This in turn implies that the key device <NUM> is within a vicinity of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle. Accordingly, unlocking of the locked space <NUM> is enabled only when the key device <NUM> is in a vicinity of the locked space <NUM>, which thus reduces the risk of accidental and/or malicious unlocking of the locked space - here vehicle - from a distance.

Optionally - following upon optional Action <NUM> of determining a direction from which the sound and/or vibration signal detected by the at least two locked space sensors <NUM> originates - Action <NUM> of enabling an unlocking of the locked space <NUM> may further comprise enabling an unlocking when further the direction originates from a predetermined section <NUM> of the locked space <NUM>. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG>, in order to enable unlocking; in addition to the criteria that the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> needs to match the key device stimulus signal <NUM>, yet another criteria must be fulfilled, namely that the direction of the sound and/or vibration signal detected by the at least two locked space sensors <NUM> needs to originate from a certain region <NUM> of the locked space <NUM>. That is, a sound and/or vibration signal intended for attempting an unlocking of the locked space <NUM>, must originate from the predetermined section <NUM>. Thus, should the locked space <NUM> for instance be represented by a vehicle, then an operator <NUM> in possession of the key device <NUM> needs to e.g. tap - e.g. by means of the key device <NUM> and/or e.g. two or more times - an exterior surface <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> comprising the predetermined section <NUM>, which in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is represented by the vehicle door window on the driver's side. Accordingly, should the sound and/or vibration signal detected by the at least two locked space sensors <NUM> - here the sensors on-board the vehicle - originate from any other direction not within the predetermined section <NUM>, then an unlocking of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - will not be enabled. That is, sound and/or vibrations signals assumed not intended for attempting an unlocking of the locked space <NUM>, such as for instance arbitrary surrounding noise originating from directions not within the predetermined section <NUM> - here window on the driver's side - will not lead to unlocking of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle.

Optionally - following upon optional Action <NUM> of determining a signal strength with which the key device <NUM> communicates with the entry system <NUM> - Action <NUM> of enabling an unlocking of the locked space <NUM> may further comprise enabling an unlocking when further the signal strength exceeds a predetermined minimum signal strength threshold. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG>, in order to enable unlocking; in addition to the criteria that the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> needs to match the key device stimulus signal <NUM>, yet another criteria must be fulfilled, namely that the signal strength associated with the secure communication link needs to reach up to a level considered sufficient. Accordingly, yet another measure is provided for establishing that the key device <NUM> is in a vicinity of the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle, with the assumption that a sufficient signal strength may be an indication of closeness.

Optionally - following upon Action <NUM> of comparing, and should said comparing comprise comparing a time signature and/or frequency domain signature of the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> with a time signature and/or frequency domain signature of the key device stimulus signal <NUM> - then Action <NUM> of enabling an unlocking of the locked space <NUM> may further comprise enabling, when the time signature and/or frequency domain signature of the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> matches the time signature and/or frequency domain signature of the key device stimulus signal <NUM>, an unlocking of the locked space <NUM>.

Optionally, Action <NUM> of enabling unlocking of the locked space <NUM> may further comprise enabling an unlocking when the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> matches a predetermined sound and/or vibration signal. Thus, as shown with support at least from <FIG> and <FIG>, in order to enable unlocking; in addition to the criteria that the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> needs to match the key device stimulus signal <NUM>, yet another criteria must be fulfilled, namely that the locked space stimulus signal <NUM> needs to match a predetermined sound and/or vibration signal. Accordingly, yet another measure is provided in order to distinguish sound and/or vibration signals intended for attempting to unlock the locked space <NUM> - here vehicle - from other potential detected sound and/or vibration signals, and/or in order to implement an additional security measure.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplifying sequence diagram according to embodiments of the disclosure. The term "user" indicated in <FIG> refers to the operator <NUM> shown in <FIG>, whereas the term "PaK" refers to the node <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A method performed by an entry system (<NUM>) for, prior to enabling a key device (<NUM>) keyless entry into a locked space (<NUM>), establishing that said key device (<NUM>) is within a vicinity of said locked space (<NUM>), said method comprising:
determining (<NUM>) a locked space stimulus signal (<NUM>), said locked space stimulus signal (<NUM>) being derived from a sound signal detected by one or more sound sensors (<NUM>) associated with said locked space (<NUM>);
determining (<NUM>) a key device stimulus signal (<NUM>), said key device stimulus signal (<NUM>) being derived from a sound signal detected by one or more sound sensors (<NUM>) associated with said key device (<NUM>);
comparing (<NUM>) said locked space stimulus signal (<NUM>) with said key device stimulus signal (<NUM>), comprising comparing a frequency domain signature of said locked space stimulus signal (<NUM>) with a frequency domain signature of said key device stimulus signal (<NUM>); and
enabling (<NUM>), when said frequency domain signature of the locked space stimulus signal (<NUM>) matches said frequency domain signature of the key device stimulus signal (<NUM>), an unlocking of said locked space (<NUM>).