Method and Device for the Non-Mechanical Activation of a Closure Arrangement

Abstract

A method and a device are provided for non-mechanical activation of a closure arrangement, in particular of a vehicle door, by way of a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal is registered and corresponding registration information is generated, on the basis of which an activation signal is transmitted to the registered terminal. The terminal changes from a first operating state into a second operating state on the basis of the activation signal, wherein in the second operating state a user input is registered by way of the terminal, and corresponding input data are generated. An activation signal which is output by the terminal operated in the second operating state, on the basis of the input data, is received, and the closure arrangement is activated in a power-driven fashion on the basis of the activation signal.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A method for non-mechanical actuation of a closure arrangement by way of a mobile terminal, comprising: detecting the mobile terminal and generating corresponding detection data; transmitting an activation signal to the detected terminal on the basis of the detection data; changing from a first operating state of the terminal to a second operating state of the terminal on the basis of the activation signal; detecting a user input by way of the terminal operated in the second operating state and generating corresponding input data; receiving an actuation signal transmitted by the terminal operated in the second operating state, on the basis of the input data; and actuating the closure arrangement through external force on the basis of the actuation signal.

11. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: detecting a vehicle operating state of a vehicle having the closure arrangement to be non-mechanically actuated, and generating corresponding operating data, wherein the activation signal is transmitted on the basis both of the detection data and of the operating data.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method checks whether the detected terminal is situated within an outer region around the closure arrangement to be non-mechanically actuated, and a first activation signal is transmitted on the basis of a result of the check, on the basis of which first activation signal the terminal switches to the second operating state.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method checks whether the detected terminal is situated within an inner region around the closure arrangement to be non-mechanically actuated, and a second activation signal is transmitted on the basis of a result of the check, on the basis of which second activation signal the terminal switches from the second operating state to a third operating state.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the terminal operated in the second or third operating state provides a user of the terminal with options for non-mechanically actuating the closure arrangement for selection.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the options are based on a result of the check as to whether the terminal is situated within the outer and/or inner region around the closure arrangement to be non-mechanically actuated.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the mobile terminal provides the user with the options for selection on the basis of user data that are generated by way of machine learning from previously generated input data.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein a motion vector of a user of the terminal is determined when the mobile terminal is detected.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method checks whether the detected terminal is situated within an outer region around the closure arrangement to be non-mechanically actuated, and a first activation signal is transmitted on the basis of a result of the check, on the basis of which first activation signal the terminal switches to the second operating state.

19. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method checks whether the detected terminal is situated within an inner region around the closure arrangement to be non-mechanically actuated, and a second activation signal is transmitted on the basis of a result of the check, on the basis of which second activation signal the terminal switches from the second operating state to a third operating state.

20. The method according to claim 10, wherein the closure arrangement is a vehicle door.

21. A device for non-mechanical actuation of a closure arrangement by way of a mobile terminal, comprising: a detection apparatus that is configured so as to detect the mobile terminal and to generate corresponding detection data; a communication apparatus that is configured so as to transmit an activation signal to the detected terminal on the basis of the detection data, on the basis of which activation signal the terminal is able to be changed from a first operating state to a second operating state, and to receive an actuation signal transmitted by the terminal operated in the second operating state, on the basis of detection data that are generated by the terminal operated in the second operating state when a user input is detected; and an actuation apparatus that is configured so as to actuate the closure arrangement through external force on the basis of the actuation signal.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the closure arrangement is a vehicle door.

23. A vehicle comprising a device according to claim 21 for non-mechanical actuation of a vehicle door.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment of a device for the non-mechanical actuation of a closure arrangement.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment of a method for the non-mechanical actuation of a closure arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment of a device 1 for the non-mechanical actuation of a closure arrangement 2 by way of a mobile terminal 3. In the example that is shown, a vehicle 10 is equipped with the device 1 and the closure device 2 is in the form of a vehicle door and the terminal 3 is in the form of a smartphone.

[0039] The device 1 has a detection apparatus 4 that is configured so as to detect the terminal 3 and to generate corresponding detection data. The terminal 3 may for example be coupled to the vehicle 10, for instance via Bluetooth, WLAN or another air interface. In this case, an identifier of the terminal 3, such as for instance an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) or IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), is preferably transmitted to the vehicle 10 or the device 1, on the basis of which the terminal 3 is able to be identified, preferably uniquely. Information about a first operating state of the terminal 3 in which the terminal 3 is currently being operated is in this case further preferably also transmitted. Information about the identifier and/or the first operating state may be contained in the detection data. By virtue of the detection data, the vehicle 10 or the device 1 is preferably given the ability to transmit control commands, in particular an activation signal A, to the terminal 3, in particular to control the terminal 3.

[0040] To this end, the device 1 has for example a communication apparatus 5 that is configured so as to transmit the activation signal A, generated on the basis of the detection data, to the terminal 3. The communication apparatus 5 may be connected to a controller 1a or have a controller 1a that is configured so as to generate the activation signal A or the control commands corresponding thereto.

[0041] The activation signal A is preferably received by the terminal 3, which then switches from the first operating state to a second operating state in which a user input from a user of the terminal 3 is able to be detected. By way of example, on the basis of the received activation signal A, a computer program may be booted that displays a button 3a to the user via the terminal, the actuation of which button brings about the opening or closure of the vehicle door. As an alternative or in addition, the terminal 3 may output information, in a second operating state, that the vehicle door is able to be opened or closed by way of a predefined gesture to be performed by the user with the terminal 3.

[0042] The configuration of the terminal 3, in particular the configuration of the second operating state, is in this case preferably dependent on the activation signal A or the detection data. This means that the user may be given various information and/or options for actuating the closure arrangement 2 via the terminal 3 depending on the activation signal A. It is conceivable for example for the user to be greeted via the terminal 3 upon initial detection of the terminal 3 and to be given the option of opening the driver's door, the passenger door and/or the trunk lid. If the terminal 3 has already been detected multiple times and if the user has already predominantly selected a certain option, for instance opening the driver's door, the user may be asked whether the driver's door should always be opened in the future when the terminal 3 is detected.

[0043] When the activation signal A is transmitted, a vehicle operating state, preferably detected by the controller 1a, of the vehicle 10 may also be taken into account, such that the user's options for actuating the closure arrangement 2 may depend on the situation. Before the beginning of the journey, the option for opening the vehicle door may for example be given when the user is moving in the circle around the vehicle before entering the vehicle. Following the end of the journey, on the other hand, the option for closing the vehicle door may be given when the user is moving in the circle around the vehicle after exiting the vehicle.

[0044] If the user performs the corresponding user input, that is to say if he presses the button 3a that is shown or performs the predefined gesture, preferably corresponding detection data are generated by the terminal 3 and used as a basis for transmitting an actuation signal B to the vehicle 10 or the communication apparatus 5. In this case, the actuation signal B preferably identifies the option selected by the user. The actuation signal B may be received by the communication apparatus 5, whereupon an actuation apparatus 6, for instance an electric motor, opens the vehicle door through external force.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment of a method 100 for the non-mechanical actuation of a closure arrangement 2 by way of a mobile terminal 3. In the example that is shown, various vehicle doors, a trunk lid, an engine hood and/or a tank cover of a vehicle 10 may be actuated non-mechanically by way of the terminal 3, that is to say pivoting of these closure arrangements 2 through external force may be initiated.

[0046] The terminal 3 is preferably first of all detected, for example when a user with the terminal 3 enters into a detection region 7 around the vehicle 10. The spatial extent of the detection region 7 may in this case be predefined for example by the range of a radio connection between the terminal 3 and the vehicle 10.

[0047] When the terminal 3 is detected, detection data are preferably generated, on the basis of which data, in particular control commands, are able to be transmitted between the terminal 3 and the vehicle 10 and/or further information is able to be derived. The detection data may for example be used to determine a motion vector 8 of the user that depicts the user approaching the vehicle 10 and by way of which it is possible to conclude as to the vehicle door expected to be actuated.

[0048] The detection data may also be used to check whether the terminal 3 is situated within an outer region 9a around the vehicle 10, in particular around the vehicle door to be actuated, preferably determined on the basis of the motion vector 8. If the check reveals that the terminal 3 is situated within the outer region 9a, for example at a distance of 20 m or less, preferably 15 m or less, in particular 10 m or less, a first activation signal is preferably transmitted to the terminal 3, on the basis of which the terminal 3 is able to switch from a first operating state to a second operating state.

[0049] Following the change to the second operating state, the user is preferably greeted via the mobile terminal 3 and informed about various options as to how he is able to proceed with actuating the vehicle door. By way of example, the terminal 3 may be configured, in the second operating state, such that the user, through a user input on the terminal 3, is able to trigger outputting of an in particular visual and/or acoustic signal S by the vehicle 10, for instance by flashing a direction indicator or actuating a horn, in order to be able to find the vehicle 10, and thus the closure arrangement 2 to be actuated, more easily. As an alternative or in addition, the terminal 3 may be configured, in the second operating state, such that a route description to the vehicle 10 or a distance from the vehicle 10 is able to be output to the user via the terminal 3, for instance in the form of a map display, a radar image or a directional arrow on a smartphone screen or a smartwatch screen, visual highlighting of the vehicle in virtual or augmented reality displayed by way of VR glasses, a voice output through a headset and/or a signal tone that becomes shorter as a function of the distance from the vehicle 10 via a headset or a smartwatch.

[0050] By using the abovementioned functions, possibly also through a haptic, visual or acoustic signal that is output as an alternative or in addition by the terminal 3, the user is able to be informed that he is able to non-mechanically actuate, that is to say open or close through external force, a vehicle door by way of the terminal when he further approaches the vehicle 10, for instance through vibration of the smartphone or the smartwatch, through a corresponding display on the smartphone, the smartwatch or in the VR glasses or through a corresponding signal tone output via the smartphone, the smartwatch or the headset.

[0051] The detection data may further preferably also be used to check whether the terminal 3 is situated within an inner region 9b around the vehicle 10, in particular around the vehicle door to be actuated, preferably determined on the basis of the motion vector 8. If the check reveals that the terminal 3 is situated within the inner region 9b, for example at a distance of 10 m or less, preferably 5 m or less, in particular 2 m or less, a second activation signal is preferably transmitted to the terminal 3, on the basis of which the terminal 3 is able to switch from the second operating state to a third operating state.

[0052] Following the switch to the third operating state, the user is preferably given at least one option, via the mobile terminal 3, of actuating a closure arrangement 2 through external force. By way of example, the terminal 3 may be configured, in the second operating state, such that the user is able to open or close one of the vehicle doors, the trunk lid, the engine hood and/or the tank cover through a user input on the terminal 3.

[0053] These various options may be presented to the user for example visually or acoustically. The user may select the desired option haptically or acoustically, that is to say for example by touching a corresponding button on a display of the terminal 3, by performing a corresponding gesture or through a voice input. The user situated within the inner region 9b may thus open a certain one of the vehicle doors, in particular the vehicle door situated directly in front of him, through a corresponding user input and, after he has got into the vehicle, close the opened vehicle door through a further corresponding user input.

[0054] If the terminal 3 is situated in the outer and/or inner region 9a, 9b, the vehicle door to be actuated, in particular the one assumed according to the motion vector 8, may also be marked, for example through a light carpet 11 projected onto the ground by the vehicle 10. The marking may advantageously be taken into account via the terminal 3 in the third operating state, for instance by virtue of the user being given the option of opening the vehicle door marked by the light carpet 11.

[0055] The detection data may possibly also contain information about the user and/or the user surroundings, on the basis of which the activation signal is transmitted or the terminal switches to the first or second operating state. On the basis of the detection data, possibly situation-dependent information and/or options for actuating the closure arrangement 2 may thereby be given.

[0056] By way of example, it may become apparent from the detection data that the user is carrying a piece of luggage. This may be the case when the terminal 3 is in the form of an RFID tag that is fastened to the piece of luggage or is part of the piece of luggage. A terminal 3 in the form of a smartphone could likewise be coupled to an RFID tag of the piece of luggage and transmit corresponding information when linked to the vehicle 10. In the second or third operating state, the user may accordingly be asked, via the terminal 3, whether the piece of luggage should be placed in the trunk of the vehicle and whether the trunk lid should accordingly be opened.

[0057] The first activation signal and/or the second activation signal is preferably transmitted to the terminal 3 on the basis of operating data that characterize a vehicle operating state of the vehicle 10, wherein the terminal 3 accordingly switches to the first or second operating state depending on the operating data or the vehicle operating state. The terminal 3 may in this case in particular accordingly switch to the first or second operating state dependent on the vehicle operating state. The user is thereby able to be given situation-dependent information and/or options for actuating the closure arrangement 2.

[0058] If the vehicle operating state for example contains information about the vehicle surroundings, for instance about the distances between the vehicle 10 and further vehicles parked in the vicinity, the user may be offered to actuate only those vehicle doors for which opening through external force would not damage any of the surrounding vehicles.

[0059] Even though the method according to the invention in connection with FIG. 2 is illustrated only in connection with the user or the terminal 3 approaching the vehicle 10, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the method may also be applied when leaving the vehicle 10, that is to say when the user or the terminal 3 moves away from the vehicle 10.

[0060] When the vehicle 10 ends its journey, this being indicated for example by switching off the engine, the user, still sitting in the vehicle and thereby situated in the inner region 9b, may initiate opening of a driver's door through a corresponding user input via the terminal 3 operated in the third operating mode and, after getting out, may also initiate closure of the opened vehicle door. If the user leaves the inner region 9b or enters the outer region 9a, the user may be reminded of objects that he has left in the vehicle via the terminal 3 and/or informed that the vehicle has not yet been locked, and the user may be given options for locking some or all of the closure arrangements 2 of the vehicle 10. When leaving the outer region 9a, the user is preferably bid farewell by the terminal 3. If the user has input a destination via a navigation system of the vehicle 10 and has parked in the vicinity of the destination, a route description from the parked vehicle 10 to the destination may also be output to the user on the terminal 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0061] 1 device

[0062] 1a controller

[0063] 2 closure arrangement

[0064] 3 terminal

[0065] 3a button

[0066] 4 detection apparatus

[0067] 5 communication apparatus

[0068] 6 actuation apparatus

[0069] 7 detection region

[0070] 8 motion vector

[0071] 9a outer region

[0072] 9b inner region

[0073] 10 vehicle

[0074] 11 light carpet

[0075] 100 method

[0076] A activation signal

[0077] B actuation signal

[0078] S signal