Method and device for the remote control of a function of a vehicle

Abstract

A method and device for the remote control of a function of a vehicle is disclosed. Images of the vehicle are recorded by a camera which is integrated in the mobile control unit. A visual signal is generated at a predetermined position on the vehicle, where remote control is only enabled if the visual signal is recorded by the camera. The device for the remote control of a function of a vehicle includes a mobile control unit with an integrated camera to record the images of the vehicle. A signal generation unit is arranged at a predetermined position on the vehicle for the generation of a visual signal and the vehicle includes a function unit for the control of the function. The function unit is formed in such a way that remote control is only enabled when the visual signal is recorded by the camera.

Claims

1. A method for the remote control of a function of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: generating a visual signal or an audible signal at a predetermined position on the vehicle; and enabling the remote control only if the visual signal or the audible signal is recorded by a signal receiving unit which is integrated in a mobile control unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein coded information is emitted by the visual signal or the audible signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the coded information is recorded by the signal receiving unit and processed by the mobile control unit and enhanced by a key code to an authorization signal, wherein the authorization signal is transmitted to the vehicle via a data connection established between the mobile control unit and the vehicle.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the remote control is only enabled if the authorization signal is recorded by the vehicle and is detected as being valid.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the remote control is enabled for a predetermined period after recording an authorization signal which is detected and recorded by the vehicle as being valid.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein images of the vehicle recorded by a camera are displayed by a visual display unit which is integrated in the mobile control unit.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the visual signal is emitted as a light signal by a light unit of the vehicle.

8. A device for the remote control of a function of a vehicle, comprising: a mobile control unit that includes an integrated signal receiving unit for recording of signals of the vehicle; and a signal generator which is disposed at a predetermined position on the vehicle for generation of a visual signal or an audible signal; wherein the remote control of the function of the vehicle is only enabled if the visual signal or the audible signal is recorded by the signal receiving unit.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein a data connection is formed between the mobile control unit and the vehicle and wherein an authorization signal is transmittable over the data connection from the mobile control unit to the vehicle.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the signal receiving unit is a camera or a microphone.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 schematically, is a block diagram of a device according to the invention,

(2) FIG. 2 schematically, is a flow diagram of a method according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 3 schematically, is a first perspective presentation of a vehicle and a mobile control unit, and

(4) FIG. 4 schematically, is a second perspective presentation of a vehicle and a mobile control unit according to FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(5) Parts that correspond to one another are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

(6) In FIG. 1 a block diagram of a possible exemplary embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention and of a vehicle 2 is presented.

(7) The device 1 is provided for the remote control of at least one function of the vehicle 2 and includes a mobile control unit 3 for this purpose. An autonomous parking process is described below in an exemplary manner as a function which can be controlled remotely. In contrast, alternatively or additionally, further functions of the vehicle 2 can be controlled remotely, for example deviating autonomous driving processes, autonomous processes involving leaving parking spaces, light functions, opening and closing vehicle doors and/or of a locking system, air conditioning and ventilation and further comfort functions of the vehicle 2.

(8) During the remote control of the autonomous parking process, the user, in particular a driver of the vehicle 2, finds himself or herself outside the vehicle 2. A mobile telephone, for example a so-called smart phone, is used as a mobile control unit 3, which has a transmission/receiving unit 3.1 to establish a wireless data connection DV. In particular, the data connection DV is a radio connection, such as, for example, a so-called Bluetooth or WLAN connection or a connection to near-field communication. Furthermore, the mobile control unit 3 includes a signal receiving unit 3.2, for example a camera or a microphone for the generation of visual or audible signals of the vehicle 2.

(9) During the remote control of the autonomous parking process, a closed communication chain is established between the vehicle 2 and the mobile control unit 3, by means of which the vehicle 2 is clearly identified and incorrect and external operation is prevented.

(10) For this purpose, a visual light signal which is visible to the human eye is generated starting from a signal generation unit 2.1 arranged on the vehicle 2 which is formed as a light unit, for example as headlights, rear lights, direction indicators and/or marking lights. Coded information is thereby emitted by means of the visual light signal, wherein the visual light signal is recorded by means of the camera 3.2. Alternatively, the light signal can also be a signal situated in the range which is not visible to the human eye, for example the infrared range, which is generated with a suitable source.

(11) The visual and audible signals recorded by means of the signal receiving unit 3.2 are evaluated by means of a data processing unit 3.3 of the mobile control unit 3 and the coded information from the visual or audible signals is decoded. For this purpose, the mobile control unit 3 includes an application program for data processing, which, for example, can be transmitted in the form of a so-called app to the mobile control unit 3. Finally, the coded information is enhanced by a key code to an authorization signal, which is transmitted via the data connection DV established between the mobile control unit 3 and the vehicle 2 to a function unit 2.2 for the control of the parking function.

(12) The authorization signal recorded by the function unit 2.2 is checked by means of this for its validity and authenticity. The remote control of the parking function is only enabled by means of the function unit 2.2 if the authorization signal is recorded and detected as being valid. It is therefore ensured that remote control by the user is monitored. The remote control of the parking function is only carried out when this communication chain is closed. If the user changes the focus of the signal receiving unit 3.2 of the mobile control unit 3 in such a way that the visual or audible signals are no longer received, remote control is stopped. The mobile control unit thereby forms a so-called dead man's switch, by means of which the user can supervise the function to be controlled remotely and can intervene in the case of malfunction in a particularly simple manner.

(13) In order to make focusing the camera 3.2 easier for the user, the images of the vehicle 2 recorded by the camera 3.2 are displayed by means of a display unit 3.4 which is integrated in the mobile control unit 3. This integrated display unit can be visual as well as being in the form of a loudspeaker of the mobile control unit 3. As long as the vehicle or the visual signal of the vehicle is recorded by the camera 3.2, a visual or audible indication is emitted.

(14) As a result, the approval for remote control is only given if the visual or audible light signal is recorded by the signal receiving unit 3.2 and the vehicle 2 receives a valid authorization signal from the mobile control unit.

(15) As such, it is required that the mobile control unit 3 comprise access and driving authorization for the vehicle 2 and that the transmitter/receiving unit 3.1 of the mobile control unit 3 as well as a transmitter/receiving unit of the function unit which is not presented can be clearly identified. These therefore comprise clear names, wherein the data connection DV between the mobile control unit 3 and the vehicle 2 is firstly established to implement remote control. This means that the mobile control unit 3 and the vehicle 2 are paired.

(16) In one possible embodiment, remote control is enabled for a predetermined period after recording an authorization signal which is detected and recorded by the vehicle as being valid.

(17) Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible that audible signals are emitted by means of the vehicle 2, the signals being recorded by a microphone of the mobile control unit 3 and evaluated by means of the mobile control unit 3 and enhanced by a key code to an authorization signal.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a possible exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention for the remote control of the parking function of the vehicle 2. On this occasion, the data connection DV is established by means of a Bluetooth wireless connection and a visual light signal in the visible range is generated by the signal generation unit 2.1.

(19) The following requirements must be fulfilled in order to execute this exemplary embodiment of the method. The function unit 2.2 includes an electronic control device, which enables pairing and data communication between the mobile control unit 3 and the vehicle 2. The mobile control unit 3 includes the application program which is suitable for data processing.

(20) In a first method step S1, the vehicle 2 is unlocked by the user, which, for example, can also be carried out by means of the mobile control unit 3.

(21) In a second method step S2, the application program on the mobile control unit 3 is started.

(22) In a third method step S3, the mobile control unit 3 makes contact with the vehicle 2, i.e., with the electronic control device of the function unit 2.2, via the data connection DV. If the data connection DV is verified by the vehicle 2, i.e., by the electronic control device of the function unit 2.2, then in a fourth method step S4 following this, by means of the application program, the user of the mobile control unit 3 is offered the remote control function (FS) for a parking process or a selection of different remote control functions, from which they are able to choose.

(23) Method steps S1 to S4 therefore serve for the preparation of a connection establishment and thereby the establishment of the data connection DV of the mobile control unit 3 with the vehicle 2, i.e., with the electronic control device of the function unit 2.2.

(24) In a fifth method step S5, the user selects the desired remote control function on the mobile control unit 3. In a sixth method step S6, the user is thereby requested to focus the signal receiving unit 3.2, for example the camera of the mobile control unit 3, on the vehicle 2.

(25) In a seventh method step S7, the visual light signal is generated as a rhythmic light signal by means of the signal generation unit 2.1. Here, the described exemplary embodiment is a signal pattern M which is generated by means of a direction indicator of the vehicle 2 shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, which is formed, for example, randomly, but not regularly with a minimum variance and minimum character lengths, which allow the required monitoring in the time interval.

(26) In an eighth method step S8, the generated visual signal pattern M is recorded by means of the camera 3.2 of the mobile control unit 3. For this purpose, a visual indication, for example by means of the display unit 3.4, or an audible indication by means of a loud speaker of the mobile control unit 3 which is not shown, is emitted to the user.

(27) If the user focuses the camera 3.2 of the mobile control unit 3, for example, on the floor, such that the direction indicator of the vehicle 2 lies outside the detection region of the camera 3.2, no signal pattern M can be detected by means of the camera 3.2. The process is then terminated and the remote control function cannot be executed.

(28) In a ninth method step S9, the received signal is evaluated by means of the application program of the data processing unit 3.3 of the mobile control unit 3. In the process, coded information is decoded from the light signal.

(29) Finally, in a tenth method step S10, the coded information is enhanced by the key code to the authorization signal (BS) which is transmitted via the data connection DV established between the mobile control unit and the vehicle, i.e., in the described exemplary embodiment via the Bluetooth connection, to the function unit 2.2 for the control of the parking function.

(30) In an eleventh method step S11, the authorization signal (BS) is evaluated by means of the electronic control device of the function unit 2.2 of the vehicle 2, wherein, during the evaluation, in particular a comparison between the transmitted signal pattern M and the received signal pattern takes place.

(31) If the authorization signal is detected as being valid by the control device of the function unit 2.2, in the twelfth method step S12, this confirms that the communication chain between the vehicle 2 and the mobile control unit 3 is closed and enables the remote control function.

(32) In a thirteenth method step S13, it is checked whether or not the time between the generation of the signal pattern M in method step S7 and approval of the remote control function S12 exceeds a time interval T which is suitable for monitoring, which, for example, is 100 ms. As long as this time interval T is not exceeded, method steps S7 to S12 are repeated. If this time T is exceeded, the remote control function is ended.

(33) In FIG. 3, a first perspective presentation of the vehicle 2 and the mobile control unit 3 formed as a mobile telephone is presented, wherein the signal pattern M generated by means of the direction indicator of the vehicle 2 lies in the detection region of the camera 3.2 and the communication chain between the vehicle 2 and the mobile control unit 3 is closed. As a result, the remote control function is enabled.

(34) The images recorded by means of the camera 3.2 are presented by means of the display unit 3.4.

(35) FIG. 4 shows a second perspective presentation of the vehicle 2 and the mobile control unit 3 formed as a mobile telephone, wherein the signal pattern M generated by means of the direction indicator of the vehicle 2 lies outside the detection region of the camera 3.2, since the camera 3.2 is not correctly focused on the vehicle 2. The communication chain between the vehicle 2 and the mobile control unit 3 is therefore interrupted. As a result, the remote control function is disabled.

(36) The images recorded by means of the camera 3.2 are presented by means of the display unit 3.4. In a manner which is not presented in more detail, a visual and/or audible indicator can be emitted to the user such that the communication chain between the vehicle 2 and the mobile control unit 3 is interrupted and an alignment of the camera 3.2 of the mobile control unit 3 towards the vehicle 2, in particular the respective signal generation unit 2.1, is required in order to enable the remote control function.