DE102013220240A1 - In-vehicle occupant presence system, central locking system, method for checking occupant presence in the vehicle, and method for automatically actuating door locks - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an occupant presence system, a central locking system and a method for checking the presence of occupants in a vehicle (1) or method for automatically actuating door locks. The occupant presence system for a vehicle (1) comprises at least one sensor (3, 7, 8, 9, 24) with which an occupant present in the vehicle (1) can be detected, an evaluation device (11) which is one of the at least one sensor (3, 7, 8, 9, 24) analyzed to see whether in the operating condition of the vehicle (1) no or at least one occupant in the vehicle (1) is present and generates an occupant signal containing the information whether no or at least one occupant in the vehicle (1) is located, wherein the evaluation device (11) has an interface (12), with which the occupant signal to one or more devices (14, 22) can be transmitted.

Description

In-vehicle occupant presence system, central locking system, method for checking occupant presence in the vehicle, and method for automatically actuating door locks.

The present invention relates to an occupant presence system for a vehicle, a central locking system for locking the door of a vehicle, a method for checking the presence of occupants in a vehicle, and a method for automatically actuating door locks of a vehicle. The vehicle may in particular be a motor vehicle.

The door locks of the doors of a motor vehicle are nowadays usually locked with a central locking system. The central locking system can often be operated with a remote control key, whereby a user of the motor vehicle can unlock, unlock, lock and secure all doors by pressing the remote control key. 5 shows the states Unlocked, Secured and Locked and the corresponding transitions. In the unlocked state, the vehicle can be opened from inside and outside, for example, by pulling the door handle. When locked, the vehicle can only be opened from the inside but not from the outside. When secured, the vehicle can not be opened either from the inside or from the outside. If the vehicle has an anti-theft alarm, then it is only sharpened in the secured state.

The term "opening the doors" refers to the unlocking and unlocking of the doors. The term "closing the doors" means locking and securing the doors.

Meanwhile, there are also central locking systems in which it is not necessary to operate a key on the remote key, but the door locks can be opened or closed by a located on the body of the vehicle sensor is touched. The sensors are usually arranged on the door handle. There are also central locking systems that operate without such sensors. When the remote key is removed from the vehicle, all door locks are automatically closed, and when the remote key approaches the vehicle reopened. These known systems have considerable disadvantages. When washing the vehicle in manual car washes, the user repeatedly approaches and moves away from his vehicle so that each time the door locks are opened and closed again. Here, a variety of devices are switched on or off. On the one hand, the repeated clacking of the door locks is uncomfortable for the user and on the other hand, a lot of energy is consumed, which is withdrawn from the vehicle battery. The same behavior also occurs when the motor vehicle is parked in the garage and the user repeatedly passes by the vehicle (inside or outside the garage). Another, very serious disadvantage of these known systems is that people can be trapped in the motor vehicle when the remote key is removed, since the state is taken automatically secured. This can only be counteracted by the vehicle is locked when removing the remote key and thus the vehicle can be unlocked from the inside. This, in turn, reduces theft security, as thieves have a potential point of attack for unlocking the vehicle. In order to ensure a high level of theft protection, vehicles that are secured can not be opened without an appropriate key, neither from the inside nor from the outside without the use of force.

Radio keys for motor vehicles are for example from the EP 2 615 227 A2 and the EP 1 081 316 A1 known. That from the EP 1 081 316 A1 known radio key system allows a position detection of the radio key. Here, two spaced-apart antennas are used to locate a radio key.

There are sensors in the motor vehicle that detect the presence of a person. So often in the seats of a seat pressure sensors installed, which recognize whether the appropriate seat is used. If it is used and the corresponding buckle is not closed, a corresponding warning is issued that the user has to buckle.

Furthermore, alarm systems are known which monitor, especially by means of ultrasonic sensors, whether persons penetrate into the interior of a motor vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that allows different devices on the vehicle in a simple manner to assume different states in order to adapt well to one or more users of a vehicle, in particular to energy save and / or increase safety and / or improve comfort.

The object is achieved by the invention specified in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the respective subclaims.

An occupant presence system for a vehicle comprises at least one sensor with which an occupant present in the vehicle can be detected, an evaluation device which analyzes a signal generated by the at least one sensor as to whether no or at least one occupant is present in the vehicle during the operating state of the vehicle, and generates an occupant signal containing the information whether no or at least one occupant is in the vehicle, wherein the evaluation device has an interface with which the occupant signal can be transmitted to one or more devices.

The occupant presence system thus provides the occupant signal in the operating state of the vehicle. As the operating state of the vehicle, each state of the vehicle is understood in which an occupant such. B. a vehicle driver, a moving passenger or an animal is in the intended use of the vehicle in the vehicle. An operating condition is usually a condition in which the vehicle is not secured. In a secured state, all door locks are locked and all actuators for door locks, such. As door handles, central switch for locking and unlocking the door locks, etc. turned off, so that an opening of the doors is not possible. From such a secure state, the locked state is discriminated, in which the door locks of the doors of the vehicle are locked, so that they can not be opened from the outside, but an occupant can operate the door locks from the inside, so that he can leave the vehicle.

The occupant presence system provides with the occupant signal the information as to whether no or at least one occupant is in the vehicle. Known systems that detect the presence of occupants in motor vehicles are each limited to a specific location of the occupant in motor vehicle, such. B. an integrated in the seat of the passenger seat pressure sensor. With the invention, however, one or more sensors are evaluated, so that it can be determined whether no or at least one occupant is in the vehicle, this occupant can be located anywhere in the vehicle interior. The monitoring of a trunk of a station wagon is also possible in principle, but not absolutely necessary, since people in the trunk area of a station wagon is not allowed. It may also be appropriate to deliberately ignore movements in the trunk, as these z. B. can be triggered by a dog caged there and deliberately allowed. For monitoring of animals, however, it may also be useful to monitor the trunk of a station wagon and deposit a corresponding information in the occupant signal that an occupant is in the trunk.

Sensors for monitoring the entire interior of a motor vehicle are known from alarm systems. However, these sensors are not used in alarm conditions in the operating state.

By providing the occupant signal at an interface, different devices may use the occupant signal. The occupant signal is particularly suitable for a central locking system for checking whether there is no occupant in the motor vehicle, wherein the door locks of the motor vehicle are only secured when no occupant is present in the motor vehicle. This can be reliably avoided that z. B. persons or animals are locked in the vehicle or that a false alarm is triggered by a sharpened anti-theft alarm.

Other devices that can use the occupant signal, for example, media devices, such as radio, TV, VCR, etc. are completely turned off in the absence of occupants. As a result, the power consumption can be kept small.

According to a preferred development, the occupant presence system can be designed such that the number and / or location of the occupants in the vehicle is determined. As a result, devices that are assigned to certain seats or specific groups of seats in the vehicle can be switched on or off individually. One or more devices may be connected to the occupant presence system. The devices are z. As a central locking system, a media device (radio, television, or other audio or video display device), a control device for airbags. These devices assume a specific state depending on the occupant signal. If the occupant signal contains the information that there is no occupant in the motor vehicle, power consumers, such as media devices, are switched off in order to reduce the high power requirement of the motor vehicle. Airbags can be selectively activated depending on the presence of vehicle occupants.

The occupant signal is preferably a digital signal transmitted via a digital onboard network. The on-board network is, for example, a CAN bus, via which the digital occupant signal is transmitted in the form of digital messages. The occupant signal contains at least the information as to whether there is no occupant or at least one occupant in the motor vehicle. In addition, the occupant signal may also contain the information contain, at which place the occupant is in the interior of the vehicle. The occupant signal then contains the number of occupants and their location.

The evaluation device is preferably connected to a plurality of sensors. These sensors are, for example, one or more ultrasonic sensors, one or more infrared sensors, one or more cameras, one or more radar sensors, one or more buckle sensors, one or more door contact sensors, one or more pressure sensors integrated in a respective seat surface.

Basically, a sensor or multiple sensors of a certain type, such as. B. ultrasonic sensors to completely monitor the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle. A continuous monitoring of the vehicle interior with sensors of one type requires a regular activation of the sensors and causes a considerable power consumption. Power consumption can be significantly reduced if the signals are evaluated in combination of different types of sensors. If all the doors of the motor vehicle are closed, then no person can get into the vehicle or leave the vehicle. The term "doors" also includes tailgates, provided they allow access to the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle. Thus, it may be appropriate to monitor the vehicle interior sensors such. As ultrasonic sensors, infrared sensors, cameras or radar sensors, only within a predetermined period of time after the door contact sensors indicate the closing of all doors to activate. This makes it possible to detect whether, after one or more doors were opened, the personal condition in the motor vehicle has changed. This information is preferably linked to the information from the signals from the buckle sensors, since, based on the buckle sensors, the information initially obtained with the monitoring device can be correlated and, in addition, a clear allocation of the space can be created. If all persons or occupants are wearing a seatbelt, then during the period in which the belt buckle sensors indicate that the safety belts are strapped, no room monitoring is necessary, since the location and the number of persons or occupants are clearly reflected by the signals of the belt buckle sensors are given.

The release of a safety belt, which is indicated by a corresponding signal of a buckle sensor, can trigger the monitoring of the vehicle interior.

Opening a door, which is indicated by a corresponding door contact sensor, may trigger monitoring of the vehicle interior.

It is also suitable if a central locking system takes into account the occupant signal, so that each time before locking or securing vehicle doors a monitoring of the vehicle interior is performed to ensure clearly that when locking or securing vehicle doors, no occupant is in the vehicle interior. Since this ensures that when locking and securing no occupant in the vehicle interior, the central locking system can decide the locking and securing of vehicle doors according to criteria that do not necessarily take into account whether an occupant such. B. a person or an animal is located in the vehicle interior, since this criterion is sufficiently taken into account by the use of the occupant signal. As a result, it is possible to automatically decide on whether or not to lock and secure vehicle doors according to criteria that increase comfort because inadvertent confinement of persons is safely avoided by taking the occupant signal into account.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a central locking system for locking the doors of a vehicle with a central control device that reliably performs locking and unlocking without requiring a user to actively press a button and still do so ensures a high level of comfort and safety.

This object is achieved in particular by a central locking system having the features of claim 7 and the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the respective subclaims.

In a central locking system for locking the doors of a vehicle with a central control device, the door locks are connected to the central control device and are automatically actuated by the latter.

The central locking system is characterized in particular by an occupant presence system as explained above, wherein the central control device is designed such that, before locking the doors by means of the occupant presence system, it is checked whether there is no occupant in the vehicle and only if there is no occupant in the vehicle, the doors are locked.

• 1) Gibt das Insassensignal an, dass sich definitiv kein Insasse im Innenraum befindet, so wird gesichert.
• 2) Gibt das Insassensignal an, dass noch Insassen im Innenraum anwesend sein können, wird nur verriegelt.
• 3) Gibt das Insassensignal an, dass sich definitiv ein oder mehrere Insassen im Fahrzeug befinden, so wird weder verriegelt noch gesichert, d. h., dass die Türen nicht geschlossen werden.

When closing a door, which can be triggered, for example, via a remote key or a gesture or by removing the remote key from the vehicle, it is decided according to the following criteria, whether the door locks are automatically secured or locked:

• 1) If the occupant signal indicates that there is definitely no occupant inside, it will be secured.
• 2) If the occupant signal indicates that occupants still can be present in the interior, they are only locked.
• 3) If the occupant signal indicates that there is definitely one or more occupants in the vehicle, it will not lock or secure, ie the doors will not be closed.

The vehicle thus decides automatically whether an increased theft protection (secure vehicle) or a simple anti-theft device (vehicle lock) should be performed.

According to another aspect of the invention, the central locking system comprises a transceiver having at least one antenna for transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from a radio key, location means for determining the location of the radio key with respect to the location of the antenna of the transceiver the control device is designed such that the door locks are actuated when a predetermined local change of the key with respect to the antenna is detected.

The antenna is installed on the vehicle. A particular location of the radio key relative to the antenna also represents a particular location of the radio key with respect to the vehicle.

The operation of the door locks can be triggered solely by a predetermined local change of the key with respect to the antenna or the vehicle. The predetermined local change is preferably a movement having a predetermined directional range, and preferably a minimum speed and / or a particular range of acceleration and / or deceleration, or a particular sequence of locations of the key relative to the antenna. The predetermined directional range includes directions directed toward a vehicle door or access zone to open the door locks, or directions directed away from the vehicle door, to close the door locks of the vehicle. These directional ranges may be combined or weighted with a minimum speed and / or a minimum acceleration or lag. This gives a high information content indication of the local change or movement profile of the key, which is the intention that the vehicle should be used and therefore the doors should be opened or the vehicle should no longer be used and therefore the doors to be closed.

The consideration of a motion profile can make the decision to open and close the doors much more reliable. Repeated approaching and removing by only a small distance, as is the case, for example, when washing a motor vehicle, would cause neither opening nor closing, since then there is a lack of required acceleration or deceleration and / or not the required directional range or required minimum distance or minimum distance to the motor vehicle is maintained, if you move only along the outer circumference of the motor vehicle and not far away from this.

The movement profile can also be determined by subdividing the surrounding area of the motor vehicle into different zones, in which case the movement profile means that the radio key passes through a specific sequence of zones within specific time intervals.

According to another aspect of the present invention, which may be used alone or in combination with the above-described aspects and embodiments of the invention, there is provided a central locking system comprising a camera for detecting an area outside the vehicle and an image analyzing device for analyzing with characterized in that the image analysis device is designed such that with one or a series of multiple images, a specific occupant, in particular a specific person, can be detected by a specific gesture and actuates the door locks of the central control device in accordance with this gesture become.

These gestures can predetermined positions, such. As a raised hand holding a key, or predetermined movements such. B. Wink movements, be. Preferably, the image analysis device is configured as a self-learning system so that a user of the vehicle can teach individual gestures to the central locking system that allow the user to open or close the vehicle. The opening and closing of the vehicle by gestures is preferably combined with the detection of a radio key within a certain distance of the vehicle, so that the gestures are only effective when the radio key of the vehicle is in the vicinity of the vehicle or detected by the camera Position plausibly coincides. Another embodiment of the present invention is that triggered by the gestures not only the opening and closing of locks, but also the electrical opening of tailgates, front doors, windows, a sunroof and / or a convertible top can be. As a further embodiment of the present invention, the gesture recognition, if it is carried out with the radio key in the hand, via the position determination of the radio key by means of a localization device (with the aid of antennas) is executed. Here, the movement path of a wireless key is detected and evaluated as a gesture when it corresponds to a predetermined movement path and is executed within a predetermined range around the vehicle. This can be done in combination with image capture or alternatively to image capture. This approach is a cost effective alternative to installing cameras and an image analyzer.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for checking the presence of the occupants in a vehicle, in particular with an occupant presence system as explained above.

Furthermore, a method for automatically actuating door locks of a vehicle is provided, is automatically checked before locking door locks, if there is no occupant in the vehicle and only if there is no occupant in the vehicle, then the locking of the doors is executed. The automatic checking of whether there is no occupant in the vehicle is preferably carried out with one of the above-explained methods for checking the presence of occupants in a motor vehicle and in particular with an occupant presence system explained above.

The invention will be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. The drawings show in:

1 a rough-schematically simplified representation of the seat assembly in a motor vehicle and the arrangement of the sensors for detecting persons, wherein for better visualization of the seat assembly, the roof and vehicle windows of the motor vehicle are omitted,

2 a plurality of electrical devices coupled via a data bus including an occupant presence system and a central locking device,

3a . 3b schematic movement profiles of a vehicle key with respect to a motor vehicle,

4a . 4b Zones around a motor vehicle, taking into account the location of a key within one of the zones during automatic locking, and

5 a state diagram of the states Unlocked, Secured and Locked.

A motor vehicle 1 with an occupant presence facility 2 has at least one sensor with which a person present in the vehicle is detectable. This sensor 3 may be an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a radar or an optical camera. It is also possible to provide a plurality of sensors of one type or a plurality of sensors of different types.

Ultrasonic sensors are much cheaper compared to a radar or a camera. Ultrasonic sensors can detect bodies very reliably. The distinction between a living body and a non-living body is often difficult, especially when the non-living body has a similar dimension to a living body, such as a large bag that has a similar dimension to a child. Ultrasonic sensors are often provided in motor vehicles in conjunction with alarm systems and can then also for the occupant presence device according to the invention 2 be used.

With a radar smallest movements, such as respiratory movements, a living, especially human body can be reliably detected. A radar allows a clear distinction between a living and a non-living body.

Infrared sensors can detect the body heat emitted by the living body. With infrared sensors can be well distinguished between a living and a non-living body. However, the local resolution of infrared sensors is limited. A combination of one or more ultrasonic sensors and one or more infrared sensors is therefore very advantageous, as it gives both a good spatial resolution by the ultrasonic sensor and a good distinction between a living and a non-living body. Such a combination is particularly useful when one or more ultrasonic sensors are already present due to a built-in alarm system.

One or more optical cameras can very precisely capture certain areas in the interior of a vehicle with high resolution. Optical cameras are now a low-cost mass-produced product. For the detection of persons, however, an optical evaluation device is required, which requires considerable computing power. Such optical evaluation devices are available. However, they are still expensive and must be adapted to the special conditions of the interior of a motor vehicle.

With an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, a camera and a radar, a room is monitored, which is why the sensors are also summarized with the term "room monitoring sensors".

A motor vehicle 1 usually has two or more seats 4 . 5 on, with mostly two seats 4 in the front area and the other seats 5 in one or two rows in the rear of the motor vehicle 1 are arranged.

One of the front seats 4.1 is behind a steering wheel 6 arranged and for the driver of the motor vehicle 1 intended. The other seats 4.2 . 5 often have a built-in pressure sensor in the seat 7 on, which is designed for example as a printing mat. With these pressure sensors 7 It can be detected if a person is sitting on one of the seats 4.2 . 5 located. With such pressure sensors 7 Meanwhile, it is possible to capture the pressure profile of a person, so that a distinction can be made between persons and other objects. With such pressure sensors 7 Therefore, it can be reliably detected whether a person has a certain seat 4 . 5 taken in the vehicle. Such pressure sensors 7 are already provided as standard in many motor vehicles. They can therefore be used in combination with one or more of the above-mentioned sensors 3 be used. However, it is also possible, such pressure sensors 7 instead of the sensors explained above 3 but it is appropriate, all seats 5 ie also the seat 4.1 the driver, with a corresponding pressure sensor 7 equip so that it can be reliably established that none of the seats 4 . 5 occupied by one person.

The pressure sensors 7 and the above-described room monitoring sensors are used for direct detection of persons in the interior of the motor vehicle. Therefore, these sensors are also summarized below with the term "primary sensors".

There are a number of secondary sensors connected to the occupant presence facility 2 are connected and provide information with which the information detected by the primary sensors can be verified or optimized their use. These secondary sensors include, among other belt contact sensors 8th , Door contact sensors 9 and all operable buttons 10 in the vehicle interior.

Is a belt contact sensor 8th closed, then it means that at this seat 4 . 5 a safety belt is applied. This suggests that there is one person in this seat. Only in exceptional cases, objects are attached by means of a safety belt. A signal from one of the belt contact sensors 8th , which indicates a closed belt contact, is therefore a strong indication that on the corresponding seat 4 . 5 a person is located.

The signal of a door contact sensor 9 Indicates whether a door is open or closed. Is at least a door of the motor vehicle 1 opened, then a person can get on or off. In a dedicated use of a motor vehicle with closed doors no person can leave the car or get into the vehicle, unless a person climbs through an open window from the vehicle or climbs through an open window into the vehicle. In this context, it may therefore also be useful to monitor the opening state of the windows of a motor vehicle. Give the contact sensors 9 that all doors are closed, then a single, complete monitoring of the vehicle interior is sufficient to determine whether at least one person is in the vehicle interior. As long as all doors remain closed, no further monitoring or detection is necessary. Therefore, the signals of the door contact sensors 9 be used to optimize the capture procedure so that the sensors 3 respectively. 7 do not have to be permanently active.

The occupant presence system 2 has an evaluation device 11 on which one of the at least one sensor 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 10 received signal analyzed to the effect whether in the operating condition of the motor vehicle no or at least one occupant in the vehicle is present and generates a corresponding occupant signal containing the information whether no or at least one occupant is in the vehicle.

The operating state of the state of the motor vehicle is referred to, in principle, a person or an animal can be located in the vehicle in purpose-intended use. In operation, the doors are at least as far unlocked that you can open them from the inside. Mostly, the doors are fully unlocked and unlocked in the operating state, but there are also settings in which the doors are locked for operation from the outside, so that when stopped at a traffic light no third party unauthorized access to the vehicle. The operating state is the state of the motor vehicle in which a person is allowed to stay in the motor vehicle during a purposeful use. The operating state thus includes the states unlocked and locked. Usually some or all functions of the motor vehicle are actuated in the operating state, such as. As radio, telephone and / or the driving function.

The evaluation device 11 has an interface 12 via which the occupant signal is transmitted to other devices.

In the present embodiment, the interface 12 to a data bus 13 connected, which is connected to a variety of other devices. The occupant signal is transmitted as a digital message over the data bus 13 transmitted. The data bus is, for example, a CAN bus.

On the data bus 13 is a central locking device 14 connected. The central locking device 14 has a central control device 15 and electrically operated door locks 16 on. In the present embodiment, the door locks 16 or their electrical drives for four side doors and a tailgate control technology directly with the central control device 15 connected. However, it is also possible that the door locks 16 via the data bus with the central control device 15 are connected. The door locks 16 are formed in a conventional manner such that they by electrical signals from the central control device 15 can be controlled so that they lock or unlock the doors and secure or unlock the doors. When the doors are secured, they can not be operated either inside or outside.

The central control device 15 the central locking device 14 is with a transmitter / receiver 17 connected, the at least two antennas 18 . 19 for sending and receiving radio signals to and from a radio key 20 having. To determine the position of a remote control key, the transmitted signals from 2 to 8 antennas can be used. Bidirectional communication usually takes place via another antenna. The latter typically communicates in the HF range (434 MHz), whereas the position determination takes place in the LF range (eg 125 kHz). The radio key 20 can be a purely electric remote control key without a mechanical key bit. The radio key 20 contains an authentication code that comes from the radio key 20 over the antennas 18 . 19 to the central control device 15 can be transmitted and recognized and identified by this. The central control device 15 has a location device 21 on, with which of the antennas 18 . 19 received signals can be evaluated such that the location of the radio key 20 with respect to the motor vehicle 1 can be determined. The two antennas 18 . 19 are preferably on diametrically opposite spars or side skirts of the motor vehicle 1 arranged and spaced as far apart. It may also be useful to provide one or more other antennas.

The central locking device 14 itself has no sensors for detecting persons in the vehicle interior, but uses in this regard from the occupant presence system 2 generated occupant signal. This will be explained in more detail below.

A media device 22 with a speaker 23 is on the data bus 13 connected. The media device may be a radio, television, media player or the like. The media device 22 also receives the occupant signal, and depending on the occupant signal, the media device is energized or not. Further devices which use the occupant signal are, for example, a control for the interior lighting, which is switched off at least when there is no person in the interior of the vehicle, display devices, such as a display device for requesting a seatbelt, or other electrical consumers, which can be switched off when no one is inside the vehicle.

The car 1 has a camera 24 for optically detecting an area outside the motor vehicle. The camera 24 is to an image analysis device 25 to analyze images captured by the camera. The image analysis device is on the data bus 13 connected.

The following is a method for checking the presence of occupants in the motor vehicle 1 explained. The evaluation device 11 captured with the sensor 3 whether there is no or at least one occupant in the vehicle during the operating state of the motor vehicle and generates an occupant signal which contains at least the information as to whether no or at least one occupant is in the vehicle. The occupant signal is transmitted via the interface 12 to the data bus 13 created.

As a sensor 3 . 7 is preferably an ultrasonic sensor, a radar, an infrared sensor or more, each a seat 4 . 5 assigned pressure sensors used. Preferably, at least one ultrasonic sensor and one infrared sensor are used in combination.

These primary sensors 3 . 7 can also be combined with secondary sensors 8th . 9 . 10 be used, with the secondary sensors 8th . 9 . 10 On the one hand, times are defined at which monitoring of the vehicle interior, whether one or more occupants are present, should take place, and, on the other hand, the results determined using the primary sensors can be verified.

Used with the door contact sensor 9 found that all doors of the motor vehicle 1 have been closed, then the primary sensors 3 . 7 activated to the in the motor vehicle 1 determine inmates. As long as the doors remain closed, no re-supervision must be carried out because no person can leave the vehicle or get on the vehicle.

If one or more ultrasonic sensors alone are used as the primary sensor, then it may be expedient to analyze the signal of the ultrasonic sensor after closing all the doors as to whether a movement in the interior of the motor vehicle can be detected. A movement in the interior of the motor vehicle is a very strong indication of the presence of a living being. Once you have determined such a movement, then you have reliably detected that a living being is in the vehicle. Preferably, an ultrasonic sensor is actively switched after closing the doors until at least one movement can be detected. During the driving operation, the vehicle driver forcibly generates a detectable movement by means of his steering movements. Alternatively, once a key press is detected, activation of the ultrasonic sensors may be terminated.

Based on the monitoring sensors in combination with the pressure sensors 7 and / or belt contact sensors 8th and / or buttons 10 It is possible to determine how many people are in the car and on which seats 4 . 5 they sit. The occupant signal can accordingly be supplemented by the number and / or the location of the persons in the motor vehicle. With such information, seat-specific functions such as seat heating, seat-specific lighting, rear seat entertainment (such as video / music / games), data interfaces, mobile phone adapters, and power outlets for connecting external devices (over 12V Socket), etc. are controlled automatically.

The information as to whether at least one person is in the vehicle after closing all the doors can also be reliably determined solely by means of the belt contact sensors 8th and buttons 10 be determined. With the occupant presence system 2 it is also clearly established whether there is no person or living being in the interior of the motor vehicle 1 located. This is detected by the primary sensors.

Energy-intensive primary sensors, such as the ultrasonic sensor, the infrared sensor or the radar sensor, are preferably driven only in predetermined states, for example when one of the door contact sensors 8th indicates an open state and / or after at least one of the door contact sensors has returned to an open state and now all door contact sensors reflect a closed state, in which case the primary sensors either become active for a predetermined time interval or until they are actively switched until at least one movement has been detected is, and / or before locking the vehicle doors.

The consideration of a data history, wherein both the signals of the primary sensors and the secondary sensors are kept in each case with a corresponding time stamp, allows a verification of the signals of the primary sensors, ensures a high level of security of the results and allows conclusions about the location of the person or living beings in the interior of the motor vehicle.

With the occupant presence system 2 Thus, an occupant signal is provided which contains at least information as to whether none or one or more persons or living beings are located in the interior of the motor vehicle and preferably also contains further information indicating how many persons are on which seat in the motor vehicle ,

The occupant signal can also contain the information that definitely no occupant is safe in the motor vehicle or that possibly one or more occupants are in the vehicle. In particular, the occupant signal may include the likelihood with which occupants are located in the motor vehicle. Such a probability can be determined based on statistical data and the sensor signals.

This occupant signal is on the data bus 13 available and can be accessed anytime by any device that works with the data bus 13 is connected. As a result, it is not necessary for the individual devices to separately record information as to whether a person is located at the places relevant for the respective device.

It is also possible to use a threshold for the detection of a movement, wherein the threshold for the detection of the movement is automatically changed or adjusted in dependence on further parameters. For this purpose, in particular the condition of the windows, the sunroof or a convertible top are detected. Because the windows, the sunroof or the convertible top are open, so there may be an air flow in the vehicle interior, which can trigger a detection of movement even in a stationary motor vehicle. On the other hand, in a closed vehicle interior the Limits air flows, so that the corresponding threshold can be reduced, thereby minimizing the risk of erroneous non-recognition of movements.

The following is a method for automatically operating the door locks 16 by means of the central locking device 14 explained.

Before locking and securing the door locks 16 it is checked whether there is no living being in the motor vehicle, and if a living being is in the vehicle, then the securing of the doors is aborted. This prevents that living things can be trapped in the vehicle. The checking whether a living being is in the motor vehicle is preferably carried out with the method explained above.

In a method for automatically actuating door locks of a motor vehicle, radio signals are interposed between the transmitter / receiver 17 and a radio key 20 transmit, with the transmitter / receiver 17 two antennas 18 . 19 and it becomes the location of the radio key 20 with respect to the antennas 18 . 19 determined and in response to a predetermined local change the door locks are operated.

The local change of the key 20 with respect to the antennas 18 . 19 or of the motor vehicle 1 is, for example, a movement with a predetermined directional range. 3a schematically shows a motor vehicle 1 in which there is a first access zone around a door handle on a vehicle door 26 , at the tailgate a second access zone 27 and at the front door of the passenger side a third access zone 28 are drawn. The access zones 26 . 27 . 28 extend around an actuator for opening a vehicle door or the tailgate. These actuators are door handles or integrated in the tailgate handle elements. Will the remote key with a movement on the vehicle 1 is moved to, whose direction is directed in one of the three access areas, then this direction is an indication that the user wants to open the doors of the motor vehicle. Therefore, a direction of the radio key directed to one of the access areas is taken into account in the automatic decision as to whether the doors should be opened. These directional areas are thus relevant for opening the doors. Basically, it is possible to unlock the door locks on the basis of this direction information alone.

3b shows movements of the vehicle key that do not point into one of the three access areas. Detecting such movement is not judged as an indication that the door locks should be unlocked.

Appropriately, each door is associated with an actuator and the tailgate each having a separate access zone. It may also be useful to unlock only the door or tailgate to which the remote key moves. When opening this door then all other doors can be unlocked automatically.

This direction information, which is used to open the doors, is preferably combined with distance information, the closer the movement to the motor vehicle 2 It is weighted even more so that it is evaluated as an indication of unlocking and unlocking the door locks.

Furthermore, alternatively or in combination for removal, the speed or the delay of the movement of the key in the immediate vicinity of the motor vehicle 2 be taken into account for weighting the direction information, wherein the higher the speed, the stronger the weight and a strong delay immediately adjacent to the actuator of the respective door is again judged to be heavy.

The judgment as to whether the door locks are to be unlocked may alternatively be based on a change in the distance of the key with respect to the motor vehicle. This predetermined local change can be achieved, for example, by means of zones ( 4a . 4b ), wherein a first zone 29 at a small distance (about 1 to 2 m) from the outer surface of the motor vehicle 1 is formed, a second zone 30 outside the first zone 29 with an outer edge at a distance of about 2 to 4 m from the outer surface of the motor vehicle 1 and a third zone 31 outside the second zone 30 is formed, which extends up to a distance of about 4 to 8, in particular 5 to 6 m from the outer surface of the motor vehicle. The key is moved from the third zone to the second and from the second to the first zone, wherein the zone change within a predetermined time interval of z. B. takes about 2 seconds to 10 seconds, then it is judged as an indication that the doors should be opened.

The zones can preferably still be subdivided into sectors, so that the sequence of the zones in which the key is located also contains more precise direction information.

Will the vehicle key 20 from the motor vehicle 1 moved away, so the vehicle key goes through 20 successively the first zone 29 , the second zone 30 and the third zone 31 , From reaching the second or third zone, this can be an indication of automatic closure of the Doors are judged. This assessment can be made by means of the acceleration and / or speed with which the key 20 from the motor vehicle 1 is moved away, weighted. At a high acceleration can close and secure the doors already on reaching the second zone 30 respectively. At a low acceleration or at a low speed, it is more appropriate, only when reaching the third zone 31 closing the doors, as at a slower speed or lower acceleration, it is more likely that the user of the key may be reversing his movement and entering the car. A driver who washes his car in a manual car wash may be in the first zone 29 and the second zone 30 on. During car washing, it should be avoided that the central locking device repeatedly opens or closes the doors. The same applies to the application that the user passes by his vehicle to get something out of the garage.

When closing the doors, the direction with which the key is away from the motor vehicle 1 is moved, less significant than the direction with which the key to open the doors is moved to the motor vehicle ( 3a . 3b ). Therefore, it may be appropriate, only to open the doors to consider the direction of movement of the key, whereas the closing of the doors mainly based on the distance of the key to the vehicle or the change in distance of the key to the motor vehicle.

The use of three zones has the advantage that the consideration of the distance to open and close the doors can be formed with a hysteresis by the doors only when reaching the first zone 29 be opened and only when the third zone 31 getting closed. As long as the key is in the second zone 30 The doors are neither opened nor closed. This avoids repeated closing and opening when moving along a zone boundary, because the second zone 30 then forms a hysteresis zone.

The zones may approach the motor vehicle 1 also be used to control a so-called "welcome staging". Here, outside the vehicle and inside the vehicle compartment certain lights are turned on, which facilitate the user boarding, especially in the dark. Furthermore, person-specific settings can be recognized by the key and be made accordingly. Such person-specific settings are for example the adjustment of the driver's seat or the rearview mirror. If several people use a vehicle together, then these people preferably use different keys, so that when approaching the vehicle automatically based on the respective key, the respective person is recognized with their settings.

Alternatively or in addition to the above methods, the doors may be opened or closed by certain gestures made by the camera 24 and the image analysis device 25 be detected automatically. Such a gesture can be detected from a single image or a series of successive images. These gestures may be predetermined postures, such as a raised hand holding a key, or predetermined movements, such as winking. The image analysis device is preferably a self-learning system that can individually teach a user of the vehicle.

Alternatively or in addition to the above methods, the doors may be opened or closed by certain gestures in which the radio key is part of the gesture. These gestures may then be predetermined movements, such as a winking motion, with the radio key in hand. The localization device detects by means of multiple position determinations of the radio key in close sequence the executed gesture. The localization device is preferably a self-learning system that can individually teach a user of the vehicle.

Furthermore, it may be expedient, in certain places where the motor vehicle 1 is to automatically learn certain rules for opening and closing the motor vehicle. The location of the motor vehicle can be determined using a satellite-based positioning system (GPS). A vehicle is often turned off in certain places, such as in the car park of the place of residence or in the parking lot of the place of work or in parking lots of certain regularly approached destinations, such as stations, certain customers and the like. The movement pattern of the driver with respect to their motor vehicles and thus the vehicle key 20 with respect to motor vehicles are often very similar. Therefore, the central locking is preferably formed with a self-learning system, such as a neural network, in particular a multi-layer perceptron or a support vector machine. If the motor vehicle is in such a location that the central locking system recognizes on the basis of the repeatedly similar location coordinates, then the movement pattern of the key becomes 20 stored and assigned to this location coordinates. Continue to be Any corrections by manually triggering an opening or closing operation by the user of the key stored and associated with the movement patterns, so that when repeatedly stopping the motor vehicle at this location no manual operation of the opening or closing operation is necessary.

For example, if the driver has a very narrow garage, when entering the vehicle he will approach very slowly along a narrow corridor between the vehicle side and a garage wall of the vehicle door, or leave the vehicle through this narrow aisle. The movement of the driver of the vehicle to the vehicle door is always the same direction due to the narrowness of the aisle and the speed of the driver or the vehicle key with respect to the vehicle is low. Even if, according to the above-explained regulations in principle z. B. a minimum speed for opening and closing the doors is required, under these circumstances, a different movement profile is learned for this location to open the vehicle reliably and comfortably and close. If the same vehicle at the user's workplace repeatedly parked in an open and free parking, then the user of the vehicle with respect to the motor vehicle at a different speed, acceleration or deceleration and direction of the motor vehicle or move to this. Again, a similar pattern of movement will take place regularly, so that this movement pattern can be linked to an automatic closing and opening process.

The consideration of the location coordinates in combination with a self-learning system for opening and closing a motor vehicle represents an independent idea of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

motor vehicle

2

Occupants attendance system

3

sensor

4

seat

5

seat

6

steering wheel

7

pressure sensor

8th

Gurtkontaktsensor

9

Door contact sensor

10

button

11

evaluation

12

interface

13

bus

14

central locking device

15

central control device

16

Locks

17

Transmitter-receiver

18

antenna

19

antenna

20

radio key

21

localization device

22

media device

23

speaker

24

camera

25

Image analysis device

26

first access zone

27

second access zone

28

third access zone

29

first zone

30

second zone

31

third zone

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2615227 A2 [0006]
• EP 1081316 A1 [0006, 0006]

Claims (16)

Occupant presence system for a vehicle ( 1 ) comprising at least one sensor ( 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 24 ), with which in the vehicle ( 1 ) existing occupant is detectable, an evaluation device ( 11 ), one of the at least one sensor ( 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 24 ) is analyzed as to whether in the operating state of the vehicle ( 1 ) no or at least one occupant in the vehicle ( 1 ) and generates an occupant signal that contains the information as to whether no or at least one occupant in the vehicle ( 1 ), wherein the evaluation device ( 11 ) an interface ( 12 ), with which the occupant signal to one or more devices ( 14 . 22 ) is transferable. Occupant presence system according to claim 1, characterized in that with the evaluation device ( 11 ) at least one device ( 14 . 22 ) from the group of a control device for a central locking system ( 14 ), a media device ( 22 ) and a control device for an airbag, wherein the device ( 14 . 22 ) is designed such that it assumes a state depending on the occupant signal. Occupant presence system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the occupant signal is a digital signal, which via a digital board network ( 13 ) is transmitted. Occupant presence system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the evaluation device ( 11 ) with several sensors ( 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 24 ), such as. B. one or more ultrasonic sensors, one or more infrared sensors, one or more cameras ( 24 ), one or more radar sensors, one or more buckle sensors ( 8th ), one or more door contact sensors ( 9 ), one or more in each case a seat integrated pressure sensors ( 7 ). Occupant presence system according to claim 4, characterized in that the evaluation device ( 11 ) for driving the sensors ( 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 24 ), wherein energy-intensive sensors ( 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 24 ), such. As an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor or a radar sensor, are driven only in predetermined states, for. B. if at least one of the door contact sensors ( 9 ) reflects an open state and / or within a predetermined time interval after one of the door contact sensors ( 9 ) has shown an open or closed state, and / or prior to locking or securing vehicle doors. Occupant presence system according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the evaluation device ( 11 ) a data history of signals from the multiple sensors ( 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 24 ) and the data history is taken into account in the generation of the occupant signal. Central locking system for locking the doors of a vehicle ( 1 ) with a central control device ( 15 ) and automatically operated door locks ( 16 ) connected to the central control device ( 15 ), characterized by an occupant presence system according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the central control device ( 15 ) is designed such that it is checked before locking or securing the doors using the occupant presence system, whether no occupant in the vehicle ( 1 ) and only if no occupant in the vehicle ( 1 ), the doors are locked. Central locking system, in particular according to claim 7, for locking the doors of a vehicle ( 1 ) with a central control device ( 15 ) and automatically operated door locks ( 16 ) connected to the central control device ( 15 ), a transmitter / receiver ( 17 ), the at least one antenna ( 18 . 19 ) for transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from a radio key ( 20 ), a localization device for determining the location of the radio key ( 20 ) with respect to the location of the at least one antenna ( 18 . 19 ) of the transceiver ( 17 ), wherein the control device ( 15 ) is designed such that when a predetermined local change of the radio key ( 20 ) with respect to the at least one antenna ( 18 . 19 ), the door locks ( 16 ). Central locking system according to claim 8, characterized in that the predetermined local change movement with a predetermined directional range and preferably a minimum speed and / or a specific acceleration or deceleration region or a certain sequence of locations of the radio key ( 20 ) with respect to the at least one antenna ( 18 . 19 ). Central locking system, in particular according to one of claims 7 to 9, for locking the doors of a vehicle ( 1 ) with a central control device ( 15 ) and automatically operated door locks ( 16 ) connected to the central control device ( 15 ), comprising a device ( 24 . 25 ) for detecting a gesture, this device comprising - a camera ( 24 ) for detecting an area outside the vehicle ( 1 ), an image analysis device ( 25 ) to analyze with the camera ( 24 ) captured images as to whether the image or images show a particular occupant with a particular gesture, and / or - a location device ( 21 ) for detecting the location of a radio key ( 20 ), with one in particular into the localization device ( 21 ) integrated control device is designed such that a movement of the radio key is detectable by repeated detection and certain movements of the radio key are assessed as a gesture. Method for checking the presence of occupants in a vehicle ( 1 ) comprising at least one sensor ( 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 24 ), with which in the vehicle ( 1 ) existing occupant is detectable, an evaluation device ( 11 ), one of the at least one sensor ( 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 24 ) signal analyzes whether in the operating state of the vehicle ( 1 ) no or at least one occupant in the vehicle ( 1 ) and generates an occupant signal that contains the information as to whether no or at least one occupant in the vehicle ( 1 ), wherein the evaluation device ( 11 ) an interface ( 12 ), with which the occupant signal to one or more devices ( 14 . 22 ) is transferable. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the evaluation device ( 11 ) of several sensors ( 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 24 ), such. B. one or more ultrasonic sensors, one or more infrared sensors, one or more cameras ( 24 ), one or more radar sensors, one or more buckle sensors ( 8th ), one or more door contact sensors ( 9 ), one or more in each case a seat integrated pressure sensors ( 7 ), one or more operation buttons ( 10 ), Signals, wherein the plurality of signals are combined to determine whether an occupant in the vehicle ( 1 ), and in particular whether there are several occupants in the vehicle ( 1 ) and / or where in the vehicle ( 1 ) are located. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that certain sensors ( 3 . 7 . 8th . 9 . 24 ), such. As an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor or a radar sensor, are driven only in predetermined states, for. B. if at least one of the door contact sensors ( 9 ) reflects an open state and / or within a predetermined time interval after at least one of the door contact sensors ( 9 ) has shown an open or closed state, and / or prior to locking or securing vehicle doors. Method for automatically actuating door locks of a vehicle ( 1 ), whereby before locking or securing of the door locks is automatically checked whether no occupant in the vehicle ( 1 ) and only if there is no occupant in the vehicle ( 1 ), then the locking of the doors is carried out. Method for automatically actuating door locks of a vehicle ( 1 ), in particular according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein a transmitter / receiver ( 17 ), the at least one antenna ( 18 . 19 ) for transmitting and receiving radio signals to and from a radio key ( 20 ), with the radio key ( 20 ) and the location of the radio key ( 20 ) with respect to the at least one antenna ( 18 . 19 ), and depending on a predetermined local change the door locks ( 16 ). A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the predetermined local change comprises a movement with a predetermined directional range and preferably a minimum speed and / or a specific acceleration or deceleration range or a specific sequence of locations of the radio key ( 20 ) with respect to the at least one antenna ( 18 . 19 ).

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