Vehicle system for activating a vehicle component to provide vehicle access

• US 9,499,125 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2013
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG), Volkswagen AG
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG), Volkswagen AG
• Inventors: Akay, Sinan, Steiner, Tobias, McClain, Megan, Rill, Florian
• Primary Examiner(s): MELTON, TODD M
• Application Number:
  US14/065,996
• Publication Number:
  US 20150120151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/01 operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A vehicle system for activating at least one vehicle component to provide access to a vehicle. A first receiver is operative to obtain a wireless signal at least comprising first identification data of an electronic device; a memory device storing at least second identification data; at least a second receiver being operative to check the presence of a matching vehicle access key, and the at least second receiver being operative to check the presence of a matching vehicle access key if the first identification data match the at least second identification data.

Claims

1. A vehicle system for activating at least one vehicle component to provide access to a vehicle, the vehicle system comprising:

a first receiver operative to obtain a wireless signal at least comprising first identification data of at least one mobile electronic device;

a memory storing at least second identification data; and

at least a second receiver operative to check a presence of a matching vehicle access key, the second receiver being operative to check the presence of a matching vehicle access key if the first identification data matches the at least second identification data, and

wherein, if the check is successful, the vehicle system receives and executes at least two commands from the at least one mobile electronic device, wherein the commands operate the at least one vehicle component through a vehicle control system,

wherein the at least one mobile device is connected with a server for generating at least one of the commands, and

wherein the first receiver or the at least second receiver is operative to obtain a wireless signal comprising data for a vehicle system preference.

2. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver or the at least second receiver is operative to obtain a wireless signal comprising data for a vehicle open instruction for a vehicle door, a vehicle trunk lid, a fuel filler, electrical charging port door release, an electrical charging plug release, at least one window, a sunroof, or a convertible roof system.

3. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle system preference comprises data for a navigation system, a radio or infotainment system, a climate control, a seat adjustment, a steering wheel adjustment, or at least one driver assistance system.

4. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver is a Bluetooth low energy receiver.

5. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the at least second receiver is operable to be switched from a first to a second operation mode based on a signal from the first receiver.

6. The vehicle system of claim 5, wherein the first operation mode of the at least second receiver uses no power or less power compared to the second operation mode of this receiver.

7. A vehicle that includes the system of claim 1.

8. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the command is a preset action performed by the vehicle, including opening a trunk, turning on lights, turning on air conditioning or unlocking doors.

9. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the command is transmitted to the vehicle from the at least one mobile electronic device when the at least one mobile device enters a reception range of the vehicle system such that the at least one mobile electronic device communicates wirelessly with at least the first receiver.

10. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle system periodically checks the presence of the vehicle access key, if in communication with the at least one mobile electronic device.

11. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the matching vehicle access key is an electronic access device dedicated to the vehicle.

12. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein an input command from a user is saved on the at least one mobile device and wirelessly transmitted when in range of the vehicle.

13. The vehicle system of claim 1, wherein the at least second identification data is stored in the vehicle system and corresponds to a specific mobile electronic device.

14. The vehicle system according to claim 1, wherein the data for the vehicle system preference comprises geolocation based preference rules.

15. A vehicle system for activating at least one vehicle component to provide access to a vehicle, the vehicle system comprising:

a first receiver operative to obtain a wireless signal at least comprising first identification data of at least one mobile electronic device;

a memory storing at least second identification data;

at least a second receiver operative to check a presence of a matching vehicle access key, the second receiver being operative to check the presence of a matching vehicle access key if the first identification data matches the at least second identification data;

a user camera on a wearable electronic device, the user camera capturing images of at least one vehicle and the wearable electronic device matching the at least one vehicle to a specific vehicle stored by a person;

a vehicle camera; and

an image recognition device;

wherein the vehicle system is operable to take at least one image or a video by the vehicle camera,

wherein the image recognition device is operative to check for a person or a predefined gesture of a person in the image or video, and

wherein, if the person or a predefined gesture of the person is recognized and a matching vehicle access key is received by the second receiver, the vehicle system initiates at least one vehicle control command in response to the predefined gesture or the person.

16. The vehicle system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle control command includes:

open an automatic tailgate or vehicle door;

turn on at least one exterior or interior light;

or power on a vehicle radio or infotainment system.

17. The vehicle system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle control command is preset by a driver, and configurable to depend on environment variables including location, weather data, or a time of day.

18. A method of activating at least one vehicle component to provide access to a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving a wireless signal containing first identification data by a first vehicle receiver from at least one mobile electronic device; and

comparing the first identification data to second identification data stored in a memory device of the vehicle,

wherein, if the first identification data matches the second identification data, a check is made for a presence of a matching vehicle access key in a reception range of at least a second vehicle receiver, wherein, if the check is successful, the at least one mobile electronic device transmits at least two instructions to the vehicle system,

wherein the instructions operate the at least one vehicle component through a vehicle control system,

wherein at least one of the instructions operates a sunroof, a radio, a vehicle infotainment system, a navigation system, an engine, a climate control, vehicle lights, mirror, seat or steering wheel adjustment, a drivers assistance system or a vehicle camera, and

wherein the first vehicle receiver receives additional data concerning at least one vehicle system preference.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first identification data is sent from a portable electronic device with a wireless interface.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the portable electronic device is a mobile phone, a smart watch, or smart glasses.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein, if the check is successful, the vehicle automatically executes a preset command stored in the memory of the vehicle system.