Method and apparatus for operating a vehicle

• US 10,518,785 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2015
• Issued: 12/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Nordbruch, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US15/531,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20170327125A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,531 Days
• Field of Search: 701 25
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00778 the input being a stationary vehicle position, e.g. parking or stopping
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/008 the input being air quality
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2001/2234 when vehicle is parked, preheating
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/002 with means for clear vision, e.g. anti-frost or defog panes, rain shields window heating in H05B3/84, H05B3/86
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0279 for detecting objects outside the vehicle, e.g. for user identification
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/56 Heating or ventilating devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/002 specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle, e.g. for viewing tyres, bumpers or the like integrated in the windows B60R1/001; combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/062 with remote control for adjusting position B60R1/0607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/01 operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/22 including control of suspension systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2510/222 Stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/18054 at stand still, e.g. engine in idling state hill holding B60W30/18118
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0097 Predicting future conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/181 : with power actuated adjustment, e.g. with position memory
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0807 : Remote means
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0811 : using a timer
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0088 : characterized by the autonomous decision making process, e.g. artificial intelligence, predefined behaviours using knowledge based models G06N5/00

Abstract

A method, apparatus, system, vehicle, and/or computer program provides that one or more components of a vehicle are operated as a function of a predetermined pick-up time of the vehicle at a pick-up position of a parking facility in such a way that the vehicle exhibits one or more predetermined states at the pick-up position at the predetermined pick-up time.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

operating one or more vehicle components of a vehicle as a function of a predetermined pick-up time of the vehicle at a pick-up position of a parking facility in such a way that the vehicle exhibits one or more predetermined states at the pick-up position at the predetermined pick-up time,

wherein the one or more vehicle components includes;

at least one of an engine-independent heater and an air-conditioning system operated whose operation as a function of the predetermined pick-up time is such that the vehicle has a predetermined passenger-compartment temperature;

one or more driver assistance systems operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has one or more driver assistance systems ready for use;

one or more vehicle seat heaters operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one seat of the vehicle assigned to the one or more vehicle seat heaters has a predetermined vehicle seat temperature;

one or more window heaters operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one window of the vehicle assigned to the one or more window heaters is at least partially defrosted;

one or more seat-adjustment devices for adjustment of at least one seat and that is operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the at least one seat is adjusted in a predetermined position;

a steering-wheel adjustment device operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, a steering wheel of the vehicle is adjusted in a predetermined position;

one or more mirror-adjustment devices operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one mirror of the vehicle is adjusted in a predetermined position;

at least one of a radio and a navigation device that, as a function of and prior to the predetermined pick-up time, request at least one of current and future traffic information via a communication network with sufficient time to be able to download the requested traffic information via the communication network prior to the predetermined pick-up time, so that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the at least one of the radio and navigation device stores the requested traffic information;

a door actuator for unlocking and locking one or more vehicle door and that is operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time to unlock the one or more vehicle doors, so that as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has one or more unlocked vehicle doors at the predetermined pick-up time;

a navigation device that, as a function of and prior to the predetermined pick-up time, ascertains, or receives via a communication network, a route to a desired destination position, so that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a navigation device prepared for navigation to the desired destination position;

includes a drive motor operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time and as one of the one or more predetermined states, to be in a started state, permitting the vehicle to drive off at the predetermined pick-up time;

a drive motor operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time and as one of the one or more predetermined states, to be adjusted into a started state with a predefined drive-motor dynamics mode, permitting the vehicle to drive off at the predetermined pick-up time;

a ride-adjustment device operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a predefined adjusted ride;

an electronic stability program operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a switched-on or a switched-off electronic stability program;

or

a front-passenger-side airbag operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has an activated or a deactivated front-passenger-side airbag.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes at least one of an engine-independent heater and an air-conditioning system operated whose operation as a function of the predetermined pick-up time is such that the vehicle has the predetermined passenger-compartment temperature.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one of the air-conditioning system and engine-independent heater is operated in a recirculation mode or in a fresh-air mode.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising measuring a quality of air surrounding the vehicle, and selecting between either the recirculation mode or the fresh-air mode as a function of the measured quality of the air surrounding the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes one or more driver assistance systems operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has one or more driver assistance systems ready for use.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes one or more vehicle seat heaters operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one seat of the vehicle assigned to the one or more vehicle seat heaters has a predetermined vehicle seat temperature.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes one or more window heaters operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one window of the vehicle assigned to the one or more window heaters is at least partially defrosted.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes one or more seat-adjustment devices for adjustment of at least one seat and that is operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the at least one seat is adjusted in a predetermined position.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes a steering-wheel adjustment device operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, a steering wheel of the vehicle is adjusted in a predetermined position.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes one or more mirror-adjustment devices operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one mirror of the vehicle is adjusted in a predetermined position.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes at least one of a radio and a navigation device that, as a function of and prior to the predetermined pick-up time, request at least one of current and future traffic information via a communication network with sufficient time to be able to download the requested traffic information via the communication network prior to the predetermined pick-up time, so that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the at least one of the radio and navigation device stores the requested traffic information.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes a door actuator for unlocking and locking one or more vehicle door and that is operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time to unlock the one or more vehicle doors, so that as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has one or more unlocked vehicle doors at the predetermined pick-up time.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, even with a passing of the predetermined pick-up time, the door actuator unlocks the one or more vehicle doors as a function of the predetermined pick-up time only if a least one person is detected at the pick-up position.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, even with a passing of the predetermined pick-up time, the door actuator unlocks the one or more vehicle doors as a function of the predetermined pick-up time only if a least one person, who has been recognized as authorized for access of the vehicle, is detected at the pick-up position.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes a navigation device that, as a function of and prior to the predetermined pick-up time, ascertains, or receives via a communication network, a route to a desired destination position, so that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a navigation device prepared for navigation to the desired destination position.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, after a driver of the vehicle has been detected getting into the vehicle, the navigation device makes the ascertained route available via a human-machine interface to the driver who has gotten in.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the navigation device receives the desired destination position via the communication network and ascertains the route to the destination position based on the destination position.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes a drive motor operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time and as one of the one or more predetermined states, to be in a started state, permitting the vehicle to drive off at the predetermined pick-up time.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes a drive motor operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time and as one of the one or more predetermined states, to be adjusted into a started state with a predefined drive-motor dynamics mode, permitting the vehicle to drive off at the predetermined pick-up time.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes a ride-adjustment device operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a predefined adjusted ride.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes an electronic stability program operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a switched-on or a switched-off electronic stability program.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicle components includes a front-passenger-side airbag operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has an activated or a deactivated front-passenger-side airbag.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining or modifying the predetermined pick-up time based on position data of a mobile device associated with a vehicle user.

24. A system comprising:

a control device interfacing with one or more components of a vehicle, wherein the control device is configured to control operation of the one or more components as a function of a predetermined pick-up time of the vehicle at a pick-up position of a parking facility in such a way that the vehicle exhibits one or more predetermined states at the pick-up position at the predetermined pick-up time,

wherein the one or more vehicle components includes;

at least one of an engine-independent heater and an air-conditioning system operated whose operation as a function of the predetermined pick-up time is such that the vehicle has a predetermined passenger-compartment temperature;

one or more driver assistance systems operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has one or more driver assistance systems ready for use;

one or more vehicle seat heaters operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one seat of the vehicle assigned to the one or more vehicle seat heaters has a predetermined vehicle seat temperature;

one or more window heaters operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one window of the vehicle assigned to the one or more window heaters is at least partially defrosted;

one or more seat-adjustment devices for adjustment of at least one seat and that is operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the at least one seat is adjusted in a predetermined position;

a steering-wheel adjustment device operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, a steering wheel of the vehicle is adjusted in a predetermined position;

one or more mirror-adjustment devices operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one mirror of the vehicle is adjusted in a predetermined position;

at least one of a radio and a navigation device that, as a function of and prior to the predetermined pick-up time, request at least one of current and future traffic information via a communication network with sufficient time to be able to download the requested traffic information via the communication network prior to the predetermined pick-up time, so that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the at least one of the radio and navigation device stores the requested traffic information;

a door actuator for unlocking and locking one or more vehicle door and that is operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time to unlock the one or more vehicle doors, so that as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has one or more unlocked vehicle doors at the predetermined pick-up time;

a navigation device that, as a function of and prior to the predetermined pick-up time, ascertains, or receives via a communication network, a route to a desired destination position, so that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a navigation device prepared for navigation to the desired destination position;

includes a drive motor operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time and as one of the one or more predetermined states, to be in a started state, permitting the vehicle to drive off at the predetermined pick-up time;

a drive motor operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time and as one of the one or more predetermined states, to be adjusted into a started state with a predefined drive-motor dynamics mode, permitting the vehicle to drive off at the predetermined pick-up time;

a ride-adjustment device operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a predefined adjusted ride;

an electronic stability program operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a switched-on or a switched-off electronic stability program;

or

a front-passenger-side airbag operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has an activated or a deactivated front-passenger-side airbag.

25. The system of claim 24 further comprising the one or more vehicle components.

26. A vehicle comprising an apparatus that includes a control device interfacing with one or more components of the vehicle, wherein the control device is configured to control operation of the one or more components as a function of a predetermined pick-up time of the vehicle at a pick-up position of a parking facility in such a way that the vehicle exhibits one or more predetermined states at the pick-up position at the predetermined pick-up time,

wherein the one or more vehicle components includes:

at least one of an engine-independent heater and an air-conditioning system operated whose operation as a function of the predetermined pick-up time is such that the vehicle has a predetermined passenger-compartment temperature;

one or more driver assistance systems operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has one or more driver assistance systems ready for use;

one or more vehicle seat heaters operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one seat of the vehicle assigned to the one or more vehicle seat heaters has a predetermined vehicle seat temperature;

one or more window heaters operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one window of the vehicle assigned to the one or more window heaters is at least partially defrosted;

one or more seat-adjustment devices for adjustment of at least one seat and that is operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the at least one seat is adjusted in a predetermined position;

a steering-wheel adjustment device operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, a steering wheel of the vehicle is adjusted in a predetermined position;

one or more mirror-adjustment devices operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one mirror of the vehicle is adjusted in a predetermined position;

at least one of a radio and a navigation device that, as a function of and prior to the predetermined pick-up time, request at least one of current and future traffic information via a communication network with sufficient time to be able to download the requested traffic information via the communication network prior to the predetermined pick-up time, so that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the at least one of the radio and navigation device stores the requested traffic information;

a door actuator for unlocking and locking one or more vehicle door and that is operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time to unlock the one or more vehicle doors, so that as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has one or more unlocked vehicle doors at the predetermined pick-up time;

a navigation device that, as a function of and prior to the predetermined pick-up time, ascertains, or receives via a communication network, a route to a desired destination position, so that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a navigation device prepared for navigation to the desired destination position;

includes a drive motor operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time and as one of the one or more predetermined states, to be in a started state, permitting the vehicle to drive off at the predetermined pick-up time;

a drive motor operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time and as one of the one or more predetermined states, to be adjusted into a started state with a predefined drive-motor dynamics mode, permitting the vehicle to drive off at the predetermined pick-up time;

a ride-adjustment device operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a predefined adjusted ride;

an electronic stability program operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a switched-on or a switched-off electronic stability program;

or

a front-passenger-side airbag operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has an activated or a deactivated front-passenger-side airbag.

27. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which are stored instructions that are executable by a processor and that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

operating one or more vehicle components of a vehicle as a function of a predetermined pick-up time of the vehicle at a pick-up position of a parking facility in such a way that the vehicle exhibits one or more predetermined states at the pick-up position at the predetermined pick-up time,

wherein the one or more vehicle components includes;

at least one of an engine-independent heater and an air-conditioning system operated whose operation as a function of the predetermined pick-up time is such that the vehicle has a predetermined passenger-compartment temperature;

one or more driver assistance systems operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has one or more driver assistance systems ready for use;

one or more vehicle seat heaters operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one seat of the vehicle assigned to the one or more vehicle seat heaters has a predetermined vehicle seat temperature;

one or more window heaters operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one window of the vehicle assigned to the one or more window heaters is at least partially defrosted;

one or more seat-adjustment devices for adjustment of at least one seat and that is operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the at least one seat is adjusted in a predetermined position;

a steering-wheel adjustment device operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, a steering wheel of the vehicle is adjusted in a predetermined position;

one or more mirror-adjustment devices operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, at least one mirror of the vehicle is adjusted in a predetermined position;

at least one of a radio and a navigation device that, as a function of and prior to the predetermined pick-up time, request at least one of current and future traffic information via a communication network with sufficient time to be able to download the requested traffic information via the communication network prior to the predetermined pick-up time, so that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the at least one of the radio and navigation device stores the requested traffic information;

a door actuator for unlocking and locking one or more vehicle door and that is operated as a function of the predetermined pick-up time to unlock the one or more vehicle doors, so that as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has one or more unlocked vehicle doors at the predetermined pick-up time;

a navigation device that, as a function of and prior to the predetermined pick-up time, ascertains, or receives via a communication network, a route to a desired destination position, so that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a navigation device prepared for navigation to the desired destination position;

includes a drive motor operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time and as one of the one or more predetermined states, to be in a started state, permitting the vehicle to drive off at the predetermined pick-up time;

a drive motor operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time and as one of the one or more predetermined states, to be adjusted into a started state with a predefined drive-motor dynamics mode, permitting the vehicle to drive off at the predetermined pick-up time;

a ride-adjustment device operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a predefined adjusted ride;

an electronic stability program operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has a switched-on or a switched-off electronic stability program;

or

a front-passenger-side airbag operated, as a function of the predetermined pick-up time, in such a way that, as one of the one or more predetermined states, the vehicle has an activated or a deactivated front-passenger-side airbag.