Patent Description:
As is known, computerised systems are currently available for keyless access to a vehicle. These technical solutions, described for example in the patent documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>, are normally widely used for the implementation of vehicle rental or car sharing services. <CIT> describes a computerized system for accessing a vehicle in which a mobile computerized terminal (e.g., a smartphone) can interact with the vehicle control system upon the use of an identification code ("electronic key"). <CIT> describes a device ("upgrade kit") that can be operationally associated with a physical vehicle key to make the latter capable of interacting with the vehicle control system and a mobile computerized device. <CIT> discloses a method for pairing a mobile device to a vehicle in order to make such a mobile device able to interact directly with the vehicle, for example in order to lock/unlock the vehicle doors. <CIT> discloses a computerized system to program a mobile device as a vehicle key fob.

In general, in computerised systems of this type, the user receives a specific identification code (typically called "electronic key") on a mobile computerised device (for example a smartphone) and transmits this identification code to a specific electronic device installed on the vehicle.

This electronic device interacts with the control system of the vehicle for recognition of the identification code. Once the identification code has been recognised, the control system of the vehicle controls unlocking of the doors and enables the engine of the vehicle to start. Computerised system for accessing to a vehicle of known type are relatively laborious and costly to implement in a practical manner.

As illustrated above, they normally require the installation of a dedicated electronic device on each vehicle. This device is relatively costly to produce on an industrial scale, given that it must be capable of communicating and coacting with the control unit of the vehicle and with an external mobile computerised device to allow a user to access the vehicle.

Moreover, often a specific server network is provided to manage the identification codes to be sent to users.

The patent document <CIT> describes an upgrade kit intended to be coupled to the key of a vehicle to modify its functions and make this key suitable for use in car sharing or similar systems.

Solutions of this type have some drawbacks.

Firstly, they are relatively complex to implement in a practical manner.

In fact, in order to ensure correct interaction with the vehicle, the upgrade kit must necessarily be able to inhibit some basic functions of the original key, such as the immobilizer function (via transponder).

Moreover, these devices are difficult to manage, above all with regard to the methods of sharing the aforesaid upgrade kit between several users and the related method of enabling use.

In the light of the problems set forth above, in the state of the art there is a need for new solutions that facilitate the management of accessing to a vehicle by means of a computerised system, making it relatively simple and inexpensive.

The present invention intends to meet this need by providing a computerised system for accessing to a vehicle, according to claim <NUM> and the related dependent claims set forth below.

In a general definition thereof, the computerised system, according to the invention comprises a vehicle key comprising a control unit, a first wireless communication module operatively connected to said control unit and adapted to allow said control unit to communicate with a control system of said vehicle and a second wireless communication module operatively connected to said control unit and adapted to allow said control unit to communicate with a mobile computerised device.

Preferably, said first communication module is a communication module for radio frequency communications.

Preferably, said second communication module is a communication module for local communications, more preferably a Bluetooth™ communication module.

Preferably, said vehicle key comprises one or more control buttons adapted to allow a user to send control signals to said control unit.

Preferably, said key comprises a third wireless communication module operatively connected to said control unit and adapted to allow said control unit to communicate with a control system of said vehicle even in the absence of a power supply for the internal components of said key.

The computerised system according to the invention comprises a software application which can be stored on and executed by at least one mobile computerised device (which can be of known type).

According to the invention, this software application is configured to control said control unit to interact with said control system to cause the unlocking of one or more doors of said vehicle.

Preferably, said software application is configured to control said control unit to interact with said control system to cause the locking of one or more doors of said vehicle.

Preferably, said software application is configured to control said control unit to interact with said control system to prevent the unlocking of one or more predefined doors of said vehicle.

According to an aspect of the invention, said software application is configured to control said control unit to interact with said control system to prevent the engine of said vehicle from starting.

According to an aspect of the invention, said software application is configured to disable one or more of the control buttons of said vehicle key.

In a further aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a vehicle key according to claim <NUM>, set forth below.

The key comprises a control unit, a first wireless communication module adapted to allow said control unit to communicate with a second control unit on said vehicle and a second wireless communication module adapted to allow said control unit to communicate with at least one mobile computerised device.

According to the invention, said mobile computerised device is capable of storing and executing a dedicated software application.

According to the invention, the control unit of said vehicle key is configured to receive control signals from said software application, when this latter is executed by said mobile computerised device.

The control unit of the aforesaid vehicle key is configured to interact with said control system to cause the unlocking of one or more doors of said vehicle, in response to the reception of control signals sent by said software application.

In a further aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a method for accessing to a vehicle according claim <NUM>, set forth below.

The method according to the invention, comprises:.

The computerised system and the method according to the invention provide a simple and versatile solution for accessing to a vehicle.

This solution provides that the user can interact with the vehicle by means of a software application (installable on a mobile computerised device, for example a smartphone) capable of sending suitable control signals to the key of the vehicle.

Unlike prior art solutions, in the computerised system and the method according to the invention no dedicated electronic devices are installed on the vehicle.

According to the invention, the key of the vehicle forms the means with which the user can interact with the vehicle by means of a mobile computerised device.

The computerised system and the method according to the invention can advantageously be used in the private sector, in order to improve the security and comfort of use of a vehicle.

The computerised system and the method according to the invention are particularly suitable for implementing services for managing corporate vehicle fleets, vehicle rental services and car sharing services.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be better perceived by referring to the description given below and to the accompanying drawings, provided purely for nonlimiting illustrative purposes, wherein the single <FIG> schematically illustrates the computerised system according to the invention.

With reference to the aforesaid figure, the present invention relates to a computerised system <NUM> for accessing to a vehicle <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> comprises a control system <NUM> capable of controlling its functions. This control system comprises, for example, an ECU (Engine Control Unit) and other suitable control modules that interact therewith.

In general, the vehicle <NUM> can be of known type. Therefore, for obvious reasons of brevity, only the aspects that are relevant for the invention shall be described below.

Preferably, the vehicle <NUM> is a motor vehicle provided with a passenger compartment, for example a car.

However, the invention could be advantageously applied to vehicles of different type, for example open motor vehicles (motorcycles, sidecars, and the like) provided with a lockable storage compartment or luggage compartment.

The computerised system <NUM> advantageously comprises a vehicle key <NUM>. In general, the key <NUM> is a smart key, i.e., a key that interacts according to a wireless mode with the control system <NUM> of the vehicle.

For example, the key <NUM> can be of the type with a serrated blade to be inserted into a lock to start the engine of the vehicle or unlock the doors or can be of remote control type.

The key <NUM> comprises a control unit <NUM> preferably comprising at least one digital processing device, for example a microprocessor capable of executing suitable software instructions stored in a storage medium to execute the functions required for the key.

Preferably, the key <NUM> comprises a first wireless communication module <NUM> operatively connected to the control unit <NUM>.

The communication module <NUM> is advantageously arranged to allow the control unit <NUM> to communicate with the control system <NUM> of the vehicle.

Preferably, the communication module <NUM> is a communication module for radio frequency communications.

Preferably, the communication module <NUM> comprises a radio antenna <NUM> operatively connected to a transceiver <NUM> (for example operating in the UHF band at <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>) operatively connected to the antenna <NUM> and to the control unit <NUM>.

According to some variants of the invention, the transceiver <NUM> can be at least partially integrated in the control unit <NUM>.

In general, the communication module <NUM> can be of known type and shall not be described in further detail for obvious reasons of brevity.

The same interaction between the control unit <NUM> and the control system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> can take place according to known methods, widely used for controlling motor vehicles. These methods of interaction shall not be described in detail herein for reasons of brevity.

Preferably, the key <NUM> comprises a second wireless communication module <NUM> operatively connected to the control unit <NUM>.

The communication module <NUM> is advantageously arranged to allow the control unit <NUM> to communicate (locally) with the mobile computerised device (not belonging to the vehicle <NUM>), for example a smartphone, a tablet or the like.

Preferably the communication module <NUM> comprises an antenna for local communications <NUM> and a local controller <NUM> (for example a microprocessor) operatively connected to the antenna <NUM> and to the control unit <NUM>.

Preferably, the communication module <NUM> is capable of implementing local, or proximity based, communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi™, Bluetooth™ or similar communication protocols.

Preferably, the communication module <NUM> is a communication module of Bluetooth™ type. In general, the communication module <NUM> can be of known type and shall not be described in further detail herein for reasons of brevity.

The interaction between the control unit <NUM> and the mobile computerised device <NUM> can also take place according to known methods, widely used in proximity based communications between electronic devices. These interaction methods shall not be described in further detail herein for reasons of brevity.

Preferably, the key <NUM> comprises a third wireless communication module <NUM> electrically connected to the control unit <NUM>.

Preferably, the communication module <NUM> comprises a passive electronic circuit (RFID antenna) for radio frequency communications (for example <NUM>-<NUM>).

The communication module <NUM> is advantageously arranged to allow the control unit <NUM> to communicate with the control system <NUM> of the vehicle also in the absence of a power supply for the internal components of the key.

The communication module <NUM> allows the implementation, in the absence of a power supply, of some basic functions for controlling the vehicle, for example the immobilizer function.

Preferably, the key <NUM> comprises one or more control buttons <NUM> adapted to allow a user to send control signals to the control unit <NUM>, for example a door unlocking control, a luggage compartment unlocking control, and so forth.

The control buttons <NUM> are operatively connected to the control unit <NUM>.

In response to manual operation by a user, the control buttons <NUM> are capable of sending suitable control signals to the control unit <NUM>.

In response to these control signals, the control unit <NUM> interacts with the control system <NUM> of the vehicle to execute some predefined functions, such as unlocking the doors or the luggage compartment.

Advantageously, the control buttons <NUM> can be configured according to various functions during programming (firmware) of the control unit <NUM>.

Preferably, the key <NUM> comprises a battery and an electronic power supply circuit <NUM> intended to provide a power supply PS for some electronic components of the key, for example the control unit <NUM> and the communication modules <NUM>, <NUM>.

In general, these latter components of the key <NUM> can be of known type and shall not be described in detail herein for obvious reasons of brevity.

According to the invention, the computerised system <NUM> comprises a software application <NUM> which can be stored on and executed by at least one mobile computerised device <NUM>.

In general, the mobile computerised device <NUM> (which itself may not form a part of the computerised system <NUM>) can be of any type, for example a smartphone, a tablet or the like.

The computerised device <NUM> advantageously comprises one or more communication ports for local wireless communications, for example Wi-Fi™, Bluetooth™ or similar communication ports.

According to the invention, the software application <NUM> is configured to send control signals to the key <NUM>, when executed by the mobile computerised device <NUM>.

In response to these control signals, the control unit <NUM> executes some predefined functions. In particular, it interacts with the control system <NUM> of the vehicle to cause the unlocking of one or more doors of the vehicle.

Due to the interaction between the software application <NUM> (when executed on mobile computerised device) and the key <NUM>, the user can therefore access the vehicle <NUM>, without having the aforesaid key.

The function of the computerised system <NUM> illustrated above can be widely applied in all those situations in which the same vehicle is to be shared by several users, as is the case when providing car rental services, services for the management of corporate vehicle fleets or car sharing services.

For example, the key <NUM> can be left inside the locked vehicle. To access the vehicle, the user can advantageously use a smartphone to communicate with the key and cause the unlocking of one or more doors.

The function of the computerised system <NUM> illustrated above can also be widely applied in a private or domestic sector.

For example, a user who does not intend to carry the key can leave it inside the passenger compartment. To access the vehicle again, the user can control the unlocking of the doors of the vehicle via smartphone.

Preferably, the software application <NUM> is configured to control the control unit <NUM> of the key <NUM> to interact with the control system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> to control the locking of one or more doors.

This function of the computerised system <NUM> can be applied in situations in which it is desirable for the user to be allowed to lock the vehicle without using the key, for example leaving the key in the vehicle. It is particularly useful in the case in which the doors are provided with a motorized locking device.

Preferably, the software application <NUM> is configured to control the control unit <NUM> of the key <NUM> to interact with the control system <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> to prevent the unlocking of one or more doors of the vehicle.

This function of the computerised system <NUM> can be applied in situations in which it is desirable for the user to be allowed access only to some areas of the vehicle.

For example, the software application can be configured so that the user can control the unlocking of only some doors via smartphone to allow the user only to access the passenger compartment without being able to access the luggage compartment, or vice versa.

According to another aspect of the invention, the software application <NUM> is configured to control the control unit <NUM> of the key <NUM> to interact with the control system <NUM> of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle engine from starting.

Due to this function of the computerised system <NUM>, a user may or may not be authorised to use the vehicle after gaining access to it.

This function of the computerised system <NUM> can be widely applied in all those situations in which it is desirable to control security with regard to the use of a vehicle on the road.

For example, in the domestic field, it may be desirable to implement a sort of parental control in relation to the use of a vehicle. Via the software application <NUM>, the user can control the key of the vehicle <NUM> to interact with the control system of the vehicle <NUM> to prevent the engine from starting so as to prevent a minor from using the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the invention, the software application <NUM> is configured to disable one or more of the control buttons <NUM> of the key.

Due to this function of the computerised system <NUM>, a user can be enabled to used only some control buttons of the key <NUM>.

From the above, it is evident how the present invention also relates to a key <NUM> for a vehicle having the structure and the functions described above.

According to the invention, the control unit <NUM> is configured to receive control signals from the software application <NUM>, when this latter is executed by the mobile computerised device <NUM>. According to the invention, the control unit <NUM> is configured to interact with the control system <NUM> of the vehicle to control the unlocking of one or more doors of said vehicle, in response to the reception of said control signals sent by the software application <NUM>.

In a further aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a method for accessing to a vehicle <NUM>.

It has been found in practice how the present invention offers numerous advantages with respect to prior art computerised systems for accessing to a vehicle.

The particular feature of the computerised system according to the invention consists in the possibility of interacting, via a mobile computerised device capable of executing a suitable software application, with the key <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> to perform some predefined functions, in particular the unlocking of the doors.

It is evident how the computerised system according to the invention differs completely from prior art solutions.

In fact, in these latter dedicated electronic devices, distinct from the key of the vehicle and not interacting therewith, are installed on the vehicle. The computerised system according to the invention can be widely used in the private and domestic sector. It can be advantageously used to improve the security and the comfort of use of a vehicle.

The computerised system according to t he invention can also be widely used in the commercial or industrial sector.

It is particularly suitable for the management of corporate vehicle fleets or to provide vehicle rental or car sharing services.

The computerised system according to the invention is relatively simple and inexpensive to implement on a practical level.

The key <NUM> can be produced using methods for producing electronic circuits of known type. The control unit <NUM> can be easily configured to communicate with a mobile computerised device and to perform the functions illustrated above.

Claim 1:
A computerised system (<NUM>) for accessing to a vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
- a key (<NUM>) for said vehicle_configured to interact, according to a wireless mode, with a control system (<NUM>) of said vehicle, said key comprising a control unit (<NUM>), a first wireless communication module (<NUM>) operatively connected to said control unit and adapted to allow said control unit to communicate with said control system (<NUM>) and a second wireless communication module (<NUM>) operatively connected to said control unit and adapted to allow said control unit to communicate with a mobile computerised device (<NUM>);
characterised in that said computerised system comprises a software application (<NUM>) which can be stored on and executed by at least one mobile computerised device (<NUM>), wherein said software application is configured to send control signals to said key (<NUM>) to control said control unit (<NUM>), when executed by said mobile computerised device,
wherein, in response to said control signals, said control unit (<NUM>) interacts with the control system (<NUM>) of said vehicle (<NUM>) to cause the unlocking of one or more doors of said vehicle.