CALCULATION MEANS, ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION OF AN AUTHENTICATION MEANS FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

A system for determining an angle α between a longitudinal axis of a vehicle and an authenticator, in particular a key or a keyless entry device for a vehicle, wherein the angle α can be calculated with the system using the formula α=(d.sub.r−d.sub.l).Math.k.sub.w, where d.sub.r is the calculated and/or measured distance to the authenticator from an antenna mounted on the right side in or on the vehicle, d.sub.l is the calculated and/or measured distance to the authenticator from an antenna mounted on the left side on the vehicle, and k.sub.w is a correction factor for the angle calculation that is established in a vehicle-specific manner.

Claims

1. A system for determining an angle α between a longitudinal axis of a vehicle and an authenticator, in particular a key or a keyless entry system for the vehicle, the system comprising: a first antenna; and a second antenna, wherein the angle is calculated with the system using the formula:
α=(d.sub.r−d.sub.l).Math.k.sub.w, wherein d.sub.r is the calculated and/or measured distance to the authenticator from the first antenna mounted on a right side in or on the vehicle, wherein d.sub.l is the calculated and/or measured distance to the authenticator from the second antenna mounted on a left side on the vehicle, and wherein k.sub.w is a correction factor for the angle calculation that is established in a vehicle-specific manner.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system has inputs that are used for transfer of the established distance d.sub.r and/or of the established distance and/or of an established difference Δ.sub.d between these values (d.sub.r, d.sub.l).

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the distances (d.sub.r, d.sub.l) is calculated from field strengths of at least two signals that are sent by the first and second antennas mounted in or on the vehicle.

4. An authenticator or a key or a keyless entry system for a vehicle, the authenticator comprising the system according to claim 1.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a control unit for the vehicle, wherein the control unit determines the angle.

6. An arrangement for establishing an angle α between a longitudinal axis of a vehicle and an authenticator, in particular a key or a keyless entry system for a vehicle, the arrangement comprising: the system according to claim 1; an authenticator; and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls components of the vehicle, including a light control system.

7. A motor vehicle comprising an arrangement according to claim 6.

8. A method for operating an arrangement according to claim 6, the method comprising: transferring the calculated and/or measured distances (d.sub.r, d.sub.l) to the system; and calculating the enclosed angle between vehicle and authenticator.

9. A system for determining a corrected distance d.sub.korr to an authenticator from a point on the vehicle longitudinal axis based on a distance (d.sub.r, d.sub.l) between at least one antenna arranged on a vehicle side and the authenticator, wherein the corrected distance d.sub.korr is calculated with the system using the formula: $d_{\mathrm{korr}}=\left(d_{r,l}+\left(\frac{\mathrm{FZB}}{2}\right)*\left(\frac{\propto }{90}\right)\right)*k_d,$ wherein d.sub.r is the calculated distance to the authenticator from an antenna mounted on a right side in or on the vehicle or is the calculated distance to the authenticator from an antenna mounted on a left side in or on the vehicle, wherein FZB is a vehicle width, wherein α is the angle determined in claim 1, and wherein k.sub.d is a correction factor for the distance calculation that is established in a vehicle-specific manner.

10. An arrangement for establishing a corrected distance d.sub.korr from a point on a vehicle longitudinal axis to an authenticator based on a distance (d.sub.r, d.sub.l) between an antenna arranged on a vehicle and the authenticator, comprising at least two antennas that are mounted apart from one another in or on a vehicle; a control unit arranged in or on the vehicle; an authenticator or a key or a keyless entry system for a vehicle; and a system according to claim 1 or another source for the provision of the angle α.

11. A method for operating an arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises: determining which side of the vehicle the authenticator is located on; transferring to the system the distance (d.sub.r, d.sub.l) from the authenticator to the antenna located on this side of the vehicle; calculating or transferring the enclosed angle α between the vehicle and authenticator; and calculating the corrected distance d.sub.korr.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a top view of an arrangement according to the invention having a vehicle and an authenticator for establishing an angle α between the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and the authenticator; and

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a top view of an arrangement according to the invention having a vehicle and an authenticator for establishing a corrected distance, wherein the origin of the distance is displaced to the center point of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a vehicle 1, in or on which are accommodated a multiplicity of antennas, in the present case two antennas 3, 4 by way of example. They are located in the region of the driver-side and passenger-side doors. A control unit 5 is likewise arranged in the vehicle 1.

[0046] The arrangement according to the invention additionally includes an authenticator 2, in particular a key or a keyless entry means for a vehicle 1. In the present embodiment, the authenticator 2 has a system 6. One possible embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention is that the system 6 can be arranged in the control unit 5 of the vehicle 1.

[0047] The system 6 is suitable for determining an angle α between the longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1 shown and the authenticator 2. The enclosed angle α is identified in FIG. 1 by the hatched area.

[0048] For calculation of the angle α, it is necessary for the distance d.sub.r, d.sub.l from the authenticator to the two antennas 3, 4 mounted in or on the vehicle 1 to be known. For this purpose, the system 6 has inputs suitable for transfer of the established distances d.sub.r, d.sub.l to the two antennas 3, 4 and/or the difference Δ.sub.d of the two distances d.sub.r, d.sub.l.

[0049] In this case, the distances d.sub.r, d.sub.l have already been measured or calculated in the vehicle 1 and transferred to the system 6. In addition, it is possible that the distances d.sub.r, d.sub.l are calculated from the field strengths of the signals that are transmitted by the two antennas 3, 4 mounted in or on the vehicle. In this case, the system 6 is designed such that it can receive and process the signals of the antennas 3, 4.

[0050] If the necessary distance values d.sub.r, d.sub.l of the antennas 3, 4 on the right and left sides are present in the system 6 as well as a vehicle-specific correction factor, which is stored in the control unit 5 of the vehicle and is sent to the system 6 or is stored in the system 6, then the system 6 is able to approximately calculate the angle α enclosed with the longitudinal axis 7 of the vehicle 1.

[0051] In the case that the system is to be provided in the authenticator 2, then the angle α is subsequently transmitted to the control unit 5 in the vehicle 1.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows an arrangement according to the invention for the calculation of a corrected distance, in which the origin of the distance is displaced to the vehicle central axis 7.

[0053] The present figure illustrates the case in which the authenticator 2 is approaching the vehicle 1 from the right-hand side 9. The embodiments can be applied equally well to the case in which the authenticator 2 approaches from the left side of the vehicle. Strictly for reasons of clarity, only one side is described here. This has no restrictive effect on the present invention.

[0054] The system 6, here arranged in the authenticator 2, either has the distance d.sub.r, d.sub.l to the two antennas 3, 4 located in or on the vehicle 1 transmitted to it or calculates them to start with. It is likewise possible that the system 6 is arranged in the control unit 5 of the vehicle 1.

[0055] If the distances d.sub.r, d.sub.l are transferred to the system 6, then the way in which the distances d.sub.r, d.sub.l were established beforehand is irrelevant. Normally, the distances d.sub.r, d.sub.l are calculated or measured, but other possibilities should not be precluded.

[0056] It is likewise necessary for a decision to be made as to which side 9 of the vehicle 1 the authenticator 2 is located on.

[0057] From the established distances d.sub.r, d.sub.l the system 6 will calculate the angle α between the longitudinal axis 7 of the vehicle 1 and the authenticator 2.

[0058] The system 6 can calculate the distance from the authenticator 2 to the vehicle central axis 7 based on the known distance at which the authenticator 2 is located from the antenna d.sub.r on its vehicle side 9, the enclosed angle α, and a vehicle-specific distance correction factor that is stored in the control unit 5 of the vehicle 1 and is sent to the system 6 or is stored in the system 6.

[0059] This value is returned to the control unit 5 located in the vehicle 1 for further use.

[0060] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.