METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO A VEHICLE

Abstract

A method for controlling access to a vehicle. An electronic key for accessing one or multiple vehicle components is deactivated after the vehicle is switched off in order to park the vehicle in a parking position, so that an attempt with the aid of the deactivated electronic key to access the one or multiple vehicle components of the vehicle parked in the parking position may be prevented. Moreover, a system for controlling access to a vehicle, a parking system for vehicles, an access control system for controlling access to a vehicle, a vehicle, a user for a communication network, a method for operating a user for a communication network, and a computer program, are described.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A method for controlling access to a vehicle, comprising: deactivating an electronic key for accessing one or multiple vehicle components after the vehicle is switched off in order to park the vehicle in a parking position, so that an attempt with the aid of the deactivated electronic key to access the one or multiple vehicle components of the vehicle parked in the parking position may be prevented.

22. The method as recited in claim 21, further comprising: reactivating the deactivated electronic key so that the one or multiple vehicle components may be accessed with the aid of the activated electronic key.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein for at least one of the deactivation or activation, a deactivation signal or activation signal is received, via a communication network, by an access control system of the vehicle for controlling the access to the one or multiple vehicle components, so that the access control system has knowledge that the electronic key has access, or no longer has access, to the one or multiple vehicle components.

24. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein prior to parking, the electronic key is received by a key management server via a communication network, the key management server deactivating the key after the vehicle is switched off.

25. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the key management server receives via the communication network a deactivation instruction for deactivating the electronic key or an activation instruction for activating the deactivated key, the key management server deactivating the electronic key in response to the deactivation instruction, and activating the electronic key in response to the activation instruction.

26. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein a time at which the deactivated key is reactivated is ascertained in such a way that sufficient time is available to start the vehicle with the aid of the activated key, so that the vehicle may drive from the parking position to a pick-up position at the right time, so that a person may pick up the vehicle at the pick-up position at a predefined pick-up time.

27. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the electronic key deactivates itself after a predefined deactivation time.

28. The method as recited in claim 21, wherein the switching off of the vehicle is monitored with the aid of a vehicle-external monitoring system, an end of the switching off being detected based on the monitoring.

29. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein an additional electronic key is provided for the access, and is transmitted via the communication network to the key management server.

30. A system for controlling access to a vehicle, comprising: a key management server designed for deactivating an electronic key for accessing one or multiple vehicle components after the vehicle is switched off in order to park the vehicle in a parking position, so that an attempt to access the one or multiple vehicle components of the parked vehicle with the aid of the deactivated electronic key may be prevented.

31. The system as recited in claim 30, wherein the key management server is designed for reactivating a deactivated electronic key, so that the one or multiple vehicle components may be accessed with the aid of the activated electronic key.

32. The system as recited in claim 31, further comprising: a processor designed for ascertaining a time at which the deactivated key is to be reactivated, in such a way that sufficient time is available to start the vehicle with the aid of the activated key, so that the vehicle may drive from the parking position to a pick-up position at the right time, so that a person may pick up the vehicle at the pick-up position at a predefined pick-up time, the key management server also being designed for activating the deactivated key at the predetermined time.

33. The system as recited in claim 31, further comprising: a communication interface designed for receiving via a communication network a deactivation instruction for deactivating the electronic key or an activation instruction for activating the deactivated key, the key management server being designed for deactivating the electronic key in response to the deactivation instruction, and activating the electronic key in response to the activation instruction.

34. The system as recited in claim 30, further comprising: a vehicle-external monitoring system for monitoring the switching off of the vehicle, so that an end of the switching off may be detected based on the monitoring.

35. A parking system for vehicles, comprising: a parking facility; and a system for controlling access to a vehicle, including a key management server designed for deactivating an electronic key for accessing one or multiple vehicle components after the vehicle is switched off in order to park the vehicle in a parking position in the parking facility, so that an attempt to access the one or multiple vehicle components of the parked vehicle with the aid of the deactivated electronic key may be prevented.

36. An access control system for controlling access to a vehicle, comprising: a communication interface designed for receiving via a communication network at least one of a deactivation signal for deactivating, or an activation signal for activating, an electronic key for accessing one or multiple vehicle components after the vehicle is switched off in order to park the vehicle in a parking position, so that the access control system may have knowledge that the electronic key has access, or no longer has access, to the one or multiple vehicle components, the access control system also being designed for allowing guided access, with the aid of an activated electronic key, to the one or multiple vehicle components, and for preventing guided access with the aid of a deactivated electronic key.

37. A vehicle which includes an access control system for controlling access to the vehicle, the access control system including a communication interface designed for receiving via a communication network at least one of a deactivation signal for deactivating, or an activation signal for activating, an electronic key for accessing one or multiple vehicle components after the vehicle is switched off in order to park the vehicle in a parking position, so that the access control system may have knowledge that the electronic key has access, or no longer has access, to the one or multiple vehicle components, the access control system also being designed for allowing guided access, with the aid of an activated electronic key, to the one or multiple vehicle components, and for preventing guided access with the aid of a deactivated electronic key.

38. A user for a communication network, comprising: a processor designed for ascertaining at least one of a deactivation signal or activation signal for an access control system of a vehicle for controlling the access to one or multiple vehicle components; and a communication interface designed for transmitting the at least one of the deactivation signal or activation signal to the access control system via a communication network, so that the access control system may have knowledge that the electronic key has access, or no longer has access, to the one or multiple vehicle components.

39. A method for operating a user for a communication network, comprising: ascertaining, by the user, at least one of a deactivation signal or activation signal for an access control system of a vehicle for controlling the access to one or multiple vehicle components, and transmits the at least one of the deactivation signal or activation signal to the access control system via a communication network, so that the access control system may have knowledge that the electronic key has access, or no longer has access, to the one or multiple vehicle components.

40. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium on which is stored a computer program which includes program code for controlling access to a vehicle, the program code, when executed by a computer, causing the computer to perform: deactivating an electronic key for accessing one or multiple vehicle components after the vehicle is switched off in order to park the vehicle in a parking position, so that an attempt with the aid of the deactivated electronic key to access the one or multiple vehicle components of the vehicle parked in the parking position may be prevented.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a method for controlling access to a vehicle.

[0060] FIG. 2 shows a system for controlling access to a vehicle.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a parking system for vehicles.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows an access control system for controlling access to a vehicle.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows a vehicle.

[0064] FIG. 6 shows a user for a communication network.

[0065] FIG. 7 shows a method for operating a user for a communication network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0066] FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a method for controlling access to a vehicle.

[0067] An electronic key for accessing one or multiple vehicle components after the vehicle is switched off in order to park the vehicle in a parking position is deactivated according to a step 101. As a result, an attempt to access the one or multiple vehicle components of the vehicle parked in the parking position with the aid of the deactivated electronic key may advantageously be prevented.

[0068] According to one specific embodiment, the electronic key has been transmitted beforehand to a parking facility management server for managing or operating a parking facility, such a parking facility management server preferably including a key management server, in particular the system according to the present invention for controlling access to a vehicle.

[0069] This means in particular that, within the scope of automatic valet parking or an automatic parking operation, the vehicle transmits an electronic key to the parking facility management server before reaching, or at, the drop-off point or drop-off position, so that the parking facility management server guides the vehicle within the scope of an automatic parking operation to the parking position, or provides the vehicle with data that are relevant for an autonomous trip to the parking position (for example, a digital map of the parking facility). The driver may leave his/her vehicle at the drop-off position. The vehicle subsequently drives autonomously to the parking position and parks there, i.e., switches off. This generally requires that the system according to the present invention or the parking facility management server accesses one or multiple vehicle components. This is carried out in particular with the aid of the electronic key. However, the electronic key is deactivated after the vehicle is switched off, so that during the parking of the vehicle, i.e., while the vehicle is parking in the parking position, the key may no longer be used to access the vehicle, i.e., the one or multiple vehicle components.

[0070] According to one specific embodiment, after a predetermined parking period ends, the key is reactivated, so that the vehicle may be accessed with the aid of the electronic key, and in particular the vehicle may be started with the aid of the electronic key, so that the vehicle may then drive or be guided back to the drop-off point or drop-off position.

[0071] FIG. 2 shows a system 201 for controlling access to a vehicle.

[0072] System 201 includes a key management server that is designed for deactivating an electronic key for accessing one or multiple vehicle components after the vehicle is switched off in order to park the vehicle in a parking position, so that an attempt to access the one or multiple vehicle components of the parked vehicle with the aid of the deactivated electronic key may be prevented.

[0073] FIG. 3 shows a parking system 301 for vehicles. Parking system 301 includes a parking facility 303 and system 201 of FIG. 2.

[0074] FIG. 4 shows an access control system 401 for controlling access to a vehicle, i.e., for controlling access to one or multiple vehicle components of the vehicle.

[0075] Access control system 401 includes a communication interface 403 that is designed for receiving via a communication network a deactivation signal for deactivating, or an activation signal for activating, an electronic key for accessing one or multiple vehicle components after the vehicle is switched off in order to park the vehicle in a parking position, so that access control system 401 may have knowledge that the electronic key has access, or no longer has access, to the one or multiple vehicle components. Access control system 401 is preferably designed for preventing or permitting remote access to the vehicle, i.e., to the one or multiple vehicle components, in response to a received deactivation signal or activation signal.

[0076] Access control system 401 is thus also designed for allowing guided access to the one or multiple vehicle components with the aid of an activated electronic key, and preventing guided access with the aid of a deactivated electronic key.

[0077] The access control system includes, for example, a processor for appropriately processing the deactivation signal or the activation signal, and for appropriately allowing (permitting) or preventing access.

[0078] FIG. 5 shows a vehicle 501, the vehicle 501 including access control system 401 of FIG. 4.

[0079] FIG. 6 shows a user 601 for a communication network.

[0080] User 601 includes a processor 603 that is designed for ascertaining a deactivation signal or activation signal for an access control system of a vehicle for controlling the access to one or multiple vehicle components. User 601 includes a communication interface 605 that is designed for transmitting the deactivation signal or activation signal to the access control system via a communication network, so that the access control system may have knowledge that the electronic key has access, or no longer has access, to the one or multiple vehicle components.

[0081] According to one specific embodiment, the user is a terminal, in particular a mobile terminal, for example a mobile telephone, for example a smart phone.

[0082] FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of a method for operating a user for a communication network, or a user of a communication network.

[0083] According to a step 701, the user ascertains a deactivation signal or activation signal for an access control system of a vehicle for controlling the access to one or multiple vehicle components. The user transmits the deactivation signal or activation signal to the access control system via a communication network according to a step 703, so that the access control system may advantageously have knowledge that the electronic key has access, or no longer has access, to the one or multiple vehicle components.

[0084] According to one specific embodiment, the user is user 601 according to FIG. 6.

[0085] In summary, the present invention provides a technical and efficient concept, with the aid of which a third party may be prevented from opening and/or driving the vehicle during the parking operation by accessing one or multiple vehicle components with the aid of an electronic key. Such an electronic key is generally transmitted to an operator of the parking facility prior to a parking operation. Due to the deactivation of the electronic key according to the present invention after the vehicle is switched off, it may advantageously be ensured that an operator of the parking facility does not have unauthorized access to the vehicle during the parking period.

[0086] The concept here according to the present invention in particular, among others, is that, for example, a driver and/or an owner of the vehicle may deactivate the electronic key, which generally may also be referred to as a virtual key, online, for example via a terminal, in particular a mobile terminal, for example a smart phone, in particular a mobile telephone, after the vehicle is in the parking position, for example in a parking space.

[0087] According to one specific embodiment, it is provided that prior to the end of the parking operation, the driver or owner reactivates the deactivated electronic key, so that the vehicle may advantageously drive back to the drop-off point or to the drop-off position. This means that an activation signal is transmitted to the access control system by the user, for example. In particular, an activation instruction is transmitted to the key management server.

[0088] According to one specific embodiment, the processor is designed for ascertaining a deactivation instruction for deactivating the electronic key, or ascertaining an activation instruction for activating the deactivated key, the communication interface being designed for transmitting the deactivation instruction or the activation instruction via the communication network to a key management server, in particular to the system for controlling access to a vehicle.

[0089] According to one specific embodiment, the points in time for the activation and deactivation are triggered by the parking facility management system, i.e., the parking facility management server, in particular the system according to the present invention, for example the parking system. This takes place, for example, due to the fact that the system generally coordinates all of the operations within the parking facility, for example in the parking deck.

[0090] According to one specific embodiment, it is provided that the driver or owner may additionally track all operations during the entire trip from the drop-off point to the parking position, parking in the parking position, unparking from the parking position, and returning to the drop-off point, online, for example visually via a mobile terminal.