Patent ID: 12194820

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1illustrates, in a flow chart, a method for access control for a motor vehicle. With the method, access to the motor vehicle with at least a first and a second access element of the motor vehicle, each of which can be automatically adjusted between a closed position and an open position, can be controlled.

The method starts with step10, in which at least one position of a key element carried by a user is detected relative to the motor vehicle by radio. In the following step12, the probability of use of each access element is calculated depending on the at least one detected position of the key element. If this calculation yields a sufficiently high probability of use for only one access element, in particular because its probability of use is the only one above a predetermined first threshold value, this access element is moved to its open position in step14.

If the calculation results in a sufficiently high probability of use for at least two of the access elements because the probability of use for both access elements is above the first predetermined threshold value, a difference of the two probabilities of use is calculated. If an absolute value of this difference is below a predetermined second threshold value, both access elements are adjusted into the open position in step16. The second threshold value can be a significance threshold below which it is no longer possible to distinguish with sufficient certainty which access element should be opened exclusively.

If an absolute value of this difference is above a predetermined third threshold value, the one of the two access elements that has the higher probability of use is adjusted to the open position in step18. In this case, the opening of both access elements would make sense on its own, but the probability of use for one of the two access elements is so significantly higher that only its opening is sufficient to allow comfortable access to the vehicle. Thus, unnecessary adjustment of an access element and/or an unnecessarily open access element can be avoided.

This procedure can be repeated, wherein the position of the key element is detected again in step10and an updated second prediction, following to the first, with calculation of updated second probabilities of use is made in step12. If the calculation results in a different situation according to steps14,16and18, respective access elements can be adjusted back into their closed position. For example, according to step16, a first prognosis may show that both access elements have to be adjusted into the open position due to an insufficient difference in the probabilities of use but sufficient probabilities of use by themselves. For example, a second prognosis can show that only a certain one of these two access elements would have to be adjusted into the open position because the difference of the probabilities of use is now sufficiently large. This would correspond to step18described above. However, if both access elements are already in the open position in the case of the second prediction, the access element with the lower probability of use is closed again in step18.

Likewise, in response to a second calculation of the probabilities of use or a second prediction, the first access element can be adjusted into its closed position if the first access element has already been adjusted into its open position and the second probability of use of the first access element is now below a predetermined fourth threshold value. Similarly and alternatively or additionally, the second access element can be adjusted into its closed position if the second access element has already been adjusted into its open position and the second probability of use of the second access element is now below a predetermined fifth threshold value. Such an adjustment can be performed in step20. This respective adjustment back from the open position to the closed position can also be called readjustment. Due to the readjustment, respective access elements can be automatically closed again, thus avoiding uncomfortable situations for the user due to incorrect usage prognoses of access elements.

The method can be terminated if, for example, the user or carrier of the key element uses an access and has entered the vehicle. The method can be terminated, for example, if the position of the key element is detected and it shows that the key element has moved through an access element into the interior of the motor vehicle. In this case, all access elements in the open position can then be closed automatically, preferably after a predetermined delay. The method can also be terminated by a trigger signal. Such a trigger signal can be, for example, the starting of a drive or engine of the motor vehicle, a drive off with the motor vehicle, a manual operation of a lock and/or a detected movement of the key element through another access element into the interior of the motor vehicle. The triggering signal may also cause all access elements to close.

FIG.2shows, in a schematic view, an access control system30for a motor vehicle32. The access control system30comprises an adjustment device34for the automatic adjustment of a plurality of access elements of the motor vehicle. Presently, the access elements are configured as the two front doors36and38or driver's door36and passenger door38, as well as the rear doors40and42and the trunk lid44. Each of these doors is operatively connected to the adjustment device34for opening and closing. Thus, the respective access elements of the motor vehicle32can be opened and closed automatically. The operative connection is not shown further in the present case and can, for example, be made by means of respective actuators.

The access control system30comprises one or more portable key elements. A smartphone46is shown as a key element, which is carried by a user48. The smartphone46has an antenna50, which allows the transmission and/or reception of radio signals.

The access control system30also comprises a detection device52, which is configured to detect at least one position of the smartphone46relative to the vehicle32by radio. For this purpose, the detection device52presently comprises three antennas54, which are arranged at a distance from each other on the vehicle32and allow triangulation of the smartphone46. Alternatively or additionally, for detecting the position relative to the vehicle32respective sensor data captured by the smartphone46could be used. For example, the smartphone46could use acceleration sensors, position sensors and/or GPS to detect or calculate its position and/or movement and transmit this data by radio to the detection device52.

The access control system30also comprises a prediction device56, which is configured to calculate an assigned probability of use for each of the access elements36,38,40,42, and44depending on the at least one detected position of the smartphone46. A first calculation can be made, for example, if the smartphone46or the user48is closer to the motor vehicle than a predetermined minimum distance.

The adjustment device34, for example, is basically configured to adjust the one of the plurality of access elements36,38,40,42, and44for which the highest probability of use has been calculated from its closed position to its open position, provided that this probability of use is above the first threshold value. However, there may be cases in which the respective calculated probabilities of use do not result in an unambiguous prognosis of the door that the user will use. For example, in this case, user48may approach a transition between passenger door38and rear door42in a straight line, as illustrated by arrow58. This may result in a value for the probability of use of the passenger door38that is identical to or very close to the probability of use of the rear door42. Both probabilities of use can be above the first threshold value. In this case, both the passenger door38and the rear door42are automatically adjusted to their open position, which corresponds to the adjustment in step16. Therefore, the user48may comfortably enter vehicle32without having to open the door manually, regardless of whether he uses the rear or front access.

As can be seen from the description of the access control system30, it is suitable or configured to carry out the method illustrated inFIG.1or to be operated using this method.