Assembly module

• US 10,407,024 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2015
• Issued: 09/10/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Original Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
• Inventors: Muller, Oliver, Schumacher, Helmut, Heller, Norbert, Schindler, Mirko, Ette, Bernd, Sticherling, Nadine, Ziegler, Alexander, Malabo Yomkil, Jean, Monig, Stefan, Lindic, Iko, Hache, Christof
• Primary Examiner(s): Haile, Benyam
• Application Number:
  US15/115,648
• Publication Number:
  US 20170166169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,707 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/77 comprising sensors detecting the presence of the hand of a user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/78 as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/103 Static body considered as a whole, e.g. static pedestrian or occupant recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/64 using a proximity sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly module (20) for a motor vehicle, comprising an optical sensor system (30), which can be used to a) monitor a detection area (21) on the outside of the motor vehicle (1) in order to determine the proximity of a user (10), b) in the event a user (10) is detected in the detection area (21), a signal for starting an authentication test between an ID transmitter (13) and an access control system (14) of the motor vehicle (1) is triggered.

Claims

1. An assembly module for a motor vehicle, comprising:

an optical sensor system comprising;

an optical sensor;

a source of light; and

a monitor configured to evaluate images recorded by the optical sensor, wherein the optical sensor system is configured to

a) monitor an image of a detection region lying outside of the motor vehicle so as to determine a proximity of a user, and

b) trigger a signal, in the event the user is detected in the detection region, for starting an authentication check between an ID transmitter and an access control system of the motor vehicle,

wherein

the optical sensor receives light from the detection region,

the source of light comprises at least one light source emitting light in a transmitting region,

the images each comprise a plurality of pixels,

the detection region is formed by overlapping the transmitting region of the source of light and a receiving region of the optical sensor,

the optical sensor system is switchable between a sleep mode and operating mode, wherein a frame rate is lower in the sleep mode than in the operating mode, and

the light has a predefined pulse frequency which comprises a plurality of light pulses emitted by the source of light over time, wherein the pulse frequency of the light is lower in the sleep mode than in the operating mode.

2. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein

the optical sensor system introduces a passive-keyless entry check.

3. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein

the detection region is located at least partially above a floor surface on which the motor vehicle is standing.

4. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein the detection region is not visible to the user.

5. The assembly module according to claim 4,

wherein

the optical sensor system is configured to record recognition images produced by the reflected light of the source of light and comparison images produced without the reflected light of the source of light via extraneous light, and to evaluate the latter so as to generate a modified recognition image from which the extraneous light has been removed.

6. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein

the optical sensor system is configured to monitor the detection region with the motor vehicle parked, from the time the motor vehicle is parked until authentication is successful.

7. The assembly module according claim 1,

wherein

the detection region comprises two rays as viewed from above, which form an angle α

of 30°

≤

α

≤

110°

.

8. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein a frequency of evaluating the images recorded by the optical sensor is lower in the sleep mode than in the operating mode.

9. The assembly module according to claim 4,

wherein

only a portion of the image recorded by the optical sensor is evaluated in step a) while monitoring the detection region, in particular during the sleep mode.

10. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein

a user in the detection region is only recognized at least if an object is located in the detection region for a predefined period of time or if an object of a predefined size is located in the detection region.

11. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein

a user in the detection region is only recognized if an object moves in the detection region, in particular that the object in the detection region approaches the optical sensor.

12. The assembly module according claim 1,

wherein

the detection region is divided into at least two zones, into a proximate zone and remote zone, wherein the proximate zone is spaced a smaller distance apart from the optical sensor system than the remote zone, wherein in particular the optical sensor is in the sleep mode when the object is located in the remote zone, and in the operating mode when the object is located in the proximate zone.

13. The assembly module according to claim 12,

wherein

the user is only recognized when the user is located in the proximate zone.

14. The assembly module according to claim 4,

wherein

the source of light comprises several light sources.

15. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein

the optical sensor system is configured to

c) monitor an actuation region that differs from the detection region and lies outside of the motor vehicle upon successful authentication,

d) provide an operating signal for the motor vehicle in the event a user intention in the actuation region has been recognized, in particular a signal for at least opening or closing a movable part.

16. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein

the actuation region is visible to the user, wherein the assembly module comprises a display with which the visible light can be emitted to make the actuation region visible to the user.

17. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein

a predefined motion must take place within an actuation duration b in order to recognize the user intention, wherein the predefined motion in particular involves at least a motion of a body part of the user in or on the actuation region or a motion of the body part at least into the actuation region or out of the actuation region.

18. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein

the detection region comprises a larger spatial expansion than the actuation region as viewed from above, wherein the actuation region is located within the detection region in particular as viewed from above.

19. The assembly module according to claim 1,

wherein

at least the optical sensor or the source of light monitor both the detection region and the actuation region.

20. The assembly module according claim 4,

wherein

at least the optical sensor or the source of light comprise a rigid lens system.

21. The assembly module according to claim 7, wherein the angle α

is 30°

≤

α

≤

90°

.

22. The assembly module according to claim 7, wherein the angle α

is 30°

≤

α

≤

60°

.

23. The assembly module according to claim 1, wherein the source of light emits several light pulses in succession to generate the image, wherein the light pulses are integrated or summed for generating the image.

24. An authentication system comprising:

an access control system;

an ID transmitter; and

an assembly module for a motor vehicle,

wherein the assembly module comprises;

an optical sensor system comprising;

an optical sensor;

a source of light; and

a monitor configured to evaluate images recorded by the optical sensor,

wherein the optical sensor system is configured to

a) monitor an image of a detection region lying outside of the motor vehicle so as to determine a proximity of a user, and

b) trigger a signal, in the event the user is detected in the detection region, for starting an authentication check between an ID transmitter and an access control system of the motor vehicle,

wherein

the optical sensor receives light from the detection region,

the source of light comprises at least one light source emitting light in a transmitting region,

the images each comprise a plurality of pixels,

the detection region is formed by overlapping the transmitting region of the source of light and a receiving region of the optical sensor,

the optical sensor system is switchable between a sleep mode and operating mode, wherein a frame rate is lower in the sleep mode than in the operating mode, and

the light has a predefined pulse frequency which comprises a plurality of light pulses emitted by the source of light over time, wherein the pulse frequency of the light is lower in the sleep mode than in the operating mode.

25. A method for triggering at least one signal for a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

a) monitoring an image of a detection region lying outside of the motor vehicle by an optical sensor system, so as to determine the proximity of a user; and

b) triggering a signal for starting an authentication check between the ID transmitter and an access control system of the motor vehicle in the event the user is recognized in the detection region,

wherein the optical sensor system comprises;

an optical sensor;

a source of light; and

a monitor configured to evaluate images recorded by the optical sensor,

wherein

the optical sensor system receives light from the detection region,

the source of light comprises at least one light source emitting light in a transmitting region,

the images each comprise a plurality of pixels,

the detection region is formed by overlapping the transmitting region of the source of light and a receiving region of the optical sensor,

the optical sensor system is switchable between a sleep mode and operating mode, wherein a frame rate is lower in the sleep mode than in the operating mode, and

the light has a predefined pulse frequency which comprises a plurality of light pulses emitted by the source of light over time, wherein the pulse frequency of the light is lower in the sleep mode than in the operating mode.

26. The method according to claim 25,

wherein

the method can be implemented with an assembly module for a motor vehicle, with

an optical sensor system configured to

a) monitor an image of a detection region lying outside of the motor vehicle so as to determine a proximity of a user, and

b) trigger a signal, in the event the user is detected in the detection region, for starting an authentication check between an ID transmitter and an access control system of the motor vehicle.