Radio Remote Control System for Controlling Vehicle Functions of a Motor Vehicle

• US 20140365034A1
• Filed: 08/26/2014
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayersiche Motoren Werke
• Inventors: Schilling, Simon, Wagatha, Helmut, Bartelt, Joerg, Kuntz, Matthias
• Granted Patent: US 9,302,675 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/00 Details of control systems for road vehicle drive control not related to the control of a particular sub-unit , e.g. process diagnostic or vehicle driver interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0023 with encription of the transmittted data signal
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/60 Security, fault tolerance

Abstract

A radio remote control according to the invention is used to control at least one first vehicle function that is relevant for functional safety, and also used to control further vehicle functions not related to functional safety. The remote control comprises input means for the user selection of vehicle functions and for obtaining a user input corresponding to the selected vehicle function. The remote control according to the invention additionally comprises a security device for safeguarding the first vehicle function. The security device itself comprises a security input means, which must be actuated for the first vehicle function to be carried out. The security device moreover comprises a security circuit that is coupled to the security input means and includes security information. The remote control is configured in such a way that, in the case of a user input that is associated with the first vehicle function, the security information is only used to generate transmission data that causes the first vehicle function to be carried out if the security input means was actuated.

Claims

1. A radio remote control for controlling at least one first vehicle function that is relevant for functional safety and for controlling one or more further second vehicle functions of a motor vehicle, wherein the radio remote control comprising:

an input means for the user activation of vehicle functions and for obtaining a user input corresponding to the vehicle function to be activated, wherein a user input that is associated with the first vehicle function is provided for the first vehicle function to be activated;

a transmitter logic controller for processing the user input; and

a security device configured to safeguard the first vehicle function, wherein the security device includes a security input means, which is to be actuated for the first vehicle function to be carried out, and a security circuit that is coupled to the security input means and includes security information,

wherein the remote control is configured such that, in the case of the user input that is associated with the first vehicle function, the security information is only used for the generation of transmission data that causes the first vehicle function to be carried out if the security input means was actuated.

2. The radio remote control according to claim 1, wherein the security input means is transferred into a first state upon actuation, and remains in this first state while the first vehicle function is being carried out, and wherein the remote control is configured such that use of the security information for the generation of the transmission data is precluded when the first state is left.

3. The radio remote control according to claim 1, wherein the remote control is configured such that, upon actuation of the security input means, the transmission logic controller receives the security information and generates the transmission data using the security information and the user input associated with the first vehicle function.

4. The radio remote control according to claim 3, wherein the security input means is transferred into a first state upon actuation, and remains in this first state while the first vehicle function is being carried out, and wherein in the remote control is further configured such that use of the security information for the generation of the transmission data is precluded when the first state is left, and such that the transmitter logic controller loses the security information when the security input means leaves the first state.

5. The radio remote control according to claim 4, wherein the security device further comprises:

a reset circuit that is coupled to the security input means and is configured to generate a reset pulse, wherein the transmitter logic controller loses the security information when the reset pulse is triggered.

6. The radio remote control according to claim 1, wherein the remote control is configured such that:

the security circuit generates first data, using the security information, or provides the security information as first data upon actuation of the security input means;

the transmitter logic controller generates second data using the user input that is associated with the first vehicle function, or the user input associated with the first vehicle function corresponds to the second data; and

the transmission data result from the first data and the second data.

7. The radio remote control according to claim 1, wherein the remote control is configured such that:

the security circuit generates first data, using the security information and using second data upon actuation of the security input means;

the transmitter logic controller generates the second data using the user input that is associated with the first vehicle function, or the user input associated with the first vehicle function corresponds to the second data; and

the transmission data to be sent results from at least one of the first data and the second data, or the transmission data corresponds to the first data.

8. The radio remote control according to claim 6, wherein:

the security input means is transferred into a first state upon actuation, and remains in the first state while the first vehicle function is being carried out,

the remote control is configured such that use of the security information for the generation of the transmission data is precluded when the first state is left, and

the remote control is configured such that the security circuit no longer generates or outputs first data using the security information when the security input means leaves the first state.

9. The radio remote control according to claim 7, wherein:

the security input means is transferred into a first state upon actuation, and remains in the first state while the first vehicle function is being carried out,

the remote control is configured such that use of the security information for the generation of the transmission data is precluded when the first state is left, and

the remote control is configured such that the security circuit no longer generates or outputs first data using the security information when the security input means leaves the first state.

10. The radio remote control according to claim 1, wherein

the transmitter logic controller generates second data using the user input associated with the first vehicle function;

the security circuit comprises means for enabling the security information for processing within the security circuit, wherein the means for enabling the security information are coupled to the security input means such that the security information is enabled for processing within the security circuit upon actuation of the security input means; and

the security circuit is configured to generate the transmission data to be sent when the security information has been enabled using the security information and using the second data.

11. The radio remote control according to claim 10, wherein

the security input means is transferred into a first state upon actuation, and remains in this first state while the first vehicle function is being carried out;

the remote control is configured such that use of the security information for the generation of the transmission data is precluded when the first state is left, and

the remote control is configured such that the security circuit loses the enabled state for use of the security information when the security input means leaves the first state.

12. The radio remote control according to claim 1, wherein the security input means is a security switching element, and the remote control comprises a first button which includes the security switching element.

13. The radio remote control according to claim 12, wherein the first button, in addition to the security switching element, comprises a further switching element that is used to obtain the user input that is associated with the first vehicle function, wherein the first is configured such that both the security switching element and the further switching element are actuated upon actuation of the first button.

14. The radio remote control according to claim 12, wherein the remote control comprises at least one further button, in addition to the first button, and the further button is used as an input means for activating the first vehicle function.

15. The radio remote control according to claim 1, wherein the remote control further comprises:

a main body; and

an operating part comprising at least one operating element, wherein the remote control is configured such that

in a hidden state of the operating part, the at least one operating element of the operating part is hidden and cannot be operated,

by movement of the operating part in relation to the main body, in particular by pushing out, pulling out or folding the operating part, the operating part can be transferred from the hidden state into an open state of the operating part, in which the at least one operating element is visible and can be operated, and

the security input means is actuated by the movement of the operating part in relation to the main body.

16. The radio remote control according to claim 1, wherein

the security input means is transferred into a first state upon actuation and remains in this first state while the first vehicle function is being carried out;

the remote control is configured such that use of the security information for the generation of such transmission data is precluded when the first state is left; and

the remote control is configured such that the security input means is to be maintained in the first state by the user while the first vehicle function is being carried out, in particular by the user applying a force.

17. The radio remote control according to claim 1, wherein the first vehicle function is a parking function for the automated maneuvering of a passenger car into or out of a parking space.

18. The radio remote control according to claim 1, wherein the security information is security information having a length of at least 16 bits.

19. A motor vehicle, comprising a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to:

receive the transmission data from the radio remote control according to claim 1;

carry out the at least one first vehicle function that is relevant for functional safety, and the one or more further second vehicle functions, in a remotely controllable manner; and

only carry out the first vehicle function when it has been confirmed, based on a check carried out by the receiver, that the received transmission data was generated by the radio remote control using the security information.

20. A radio receiver configured to:

receive the transmission data from the radio remote control according to claim 1;

carry out the at least one first vehicle function that is relevant for functional safety, and the one or more further second vehicle functions, in a remotely controllable manner; and

only carry out the first vehicle function when it has been confirmed, based on a check carried out by the radio receiver, that the received transmission data was generated by the radio remote control using the security information.