DE102023208311A1 - Method and device for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method (100) for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle is proposed, wherein the method (100) comprises communication (101) of the vehicle with the access gate via a radio connection.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle according to the independent claims.

Automated procedures for opening garage doors, for example, are basically known from the state of the art.

For example, the DE 10 2005 033 405 A1 a system and a method for automatically opening gates. The CN 104 992 485 A concerns an automated method for controlling a barrier, while the US 2019/0048643 A1 discloses a system and method for automated control of the movement of a barrier, wherein different zones associated with the barrier are defined.

However, the current state of the art does not fundamentally solve the problem that garage doors in particular are typically opened by hand or manually using a mechanical key, a connected button or a radio remote control. This is fundamentally impractical and takes a lot of time, as the radio remote control is not easy to find or may not be found quickly. The same problem also occurs when driving out of a garage in the opposite direction.

The above-mentioned task is solved by a method for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle, which involves communication between the vehicle and the access gate via a radio connection, especially Car2X. "For a vehicle" means that a vehicle is to pass through the access gate. The vehicle can communicate directly with the access gate and thus trigger the automatic opening. The access gate is to be understood in particular as a garage door. The access gate primarily allows access to a room, e.g. a garage.

Any radio connection is possible. Car2X is equivalent to VehicleV2X. Communication is wireless. Communication can take place via WLAN or mobile communications, for example. Advantageously, an opening instruction can be created when the vehicle approaches the access gate, closer than a previously defined distance. Furthermore, an opening request can be made to a driver of the vehicle beforehand, asking whether the access gate should be opened. In this case, an opening instruction can only be created when the request is confirmed.

A request can be made, for example, via a pop-up window that is displayed to the driver. The driver can confirm the request directly on a screen in the vehicle, for example. This means that an opening instruction can be created either immediately after the vehicle has approached or after the opening request has been confirmed.

The access gate primarily includes a control unit. If there is a corresponding opening instruction, this can be sent directly to the access gate or its control unit via a radio connection, such as Car2X. As a result, the access gate can be opened automatically. Furthermore, if there is an opening instruction, a test can first be carried out, whereby, depending on the test, the opening instruction is sent to the access gate or the opening instruction is rejected. In particular, if the test is completed positively, it is sent, whereas if the test is completed negatively, it is rejected.

The test can, for example, take into account the current time. It can be checked whether the current time is within a previously defined time window. If this is the case, the test can be completed positively. For example, the time window can be defined so that the access gate should only be opened after a certain time or only before a certain time. This enables a time-based, automatic opening of the access gate.

The test can also take into account the identification of the vehicle. For example, a vehicle identification key can be taken into account. In particular, the vehicle can be linked to the garage door once, primarily via an identification key. If a recognised identification key matches an identification key known from the link, the test can be concluded positively. The linking of the access gate and the vehicle is carried out in an encrypted manner, particularly via the identification key, so that there is appropriate security as to which vehicle is granted access using the access gate.

The test can also take into account the availability of parking spaces within a room accessible through the access gate, preferably a garage. For example, the test can be completed positively if at least one parking space is available. Thus, the access gate or its control unit can be designed to count the vehicles already let in and let out, with a maximum number of parking spaces and thus determine the number of parking spaces still available.

The procedure is also equally applicable in the exit direction through the access gate. If the vehicle is within the area accessible through the access gate, an opening instruction can be created and sent or rejected using the above procedure.

Once the vehicle has driven through the access gate, the vehicle preferably communicates this again to the access gate via a radio connection, e.g. Car2X, so that it closes automatically again. The vehicle's sensors can also be used. Sensors include in particular a radar and/or a LIDAR and/or a camera and/or an ultrasonic sensor (e.g. as part of an electronic parking aid) and/or a wheel speed sensor. The sensors can be used to ensure that the vehicle has passed through the access gate, whereby a corresponding confirmation can then be sent to the access gate so that it can close automatically.

In addition to automating the opening of the access gate, it is also intended that the access gate can be controlled independently via a control menu in the vehicle. The access gate can therefore be controlled in the vehicle menu independently of the automated opening.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a device for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle, wherein the device comprises a communication unit of the vehicle and a communication unit of the access gate. The communication unit of the vehicle is designed to communicate with the communication unit of the access gate via a radio connection, e.g. Car2X. In particular, the device is designed to carry out a method described above.

The present invention increases the level of automation in opening an access gate and thus reduces the workload for the driver. The driver does not have to get out of the vehicle to open the garage door or manually trigger an opening instruction to the access gate. A radio remote control is no longer necessary, which in particular must first be found. Furthermore, the method enables the use of existing sensors in the vehicle, while a corresponding communication unit for communication with the access gate can be integrated directly into the vehicle or access gate.

• 1: ein Verfahren zur automatisierten Öffnung eines Zugangstors für ein Fahrzeug; und
• 2: eine Vorrichtung zur automatisierten Öffnung eines Zugangstors für ein Fahrzeug.

They show in purely schematic representation

• 1 : a method for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle; and
• 2 : a device for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle.

1 shows a process flow of a method 100 for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle, which comprises a communication 101 of the vehicle with the access gate via a radio connection, e.g. Car2X.

As soon as the vehicle approaches the access gate 102, an opening request 103 can be made to a driver of the vehicle. If this is confirmed 104, an opening instruction can be created 105. Furthermore, an opening instruction can be created 105 directly upon approach 102.

The opening instruction can be sent directly to the access gate 106 and the access gate can be opened automatically 107. Alternatively, a check 108 can be carried out first. As part of the check 108, a current time can be taken into account 109, an identification of the vehicle can be taken into account 110 and/or the availability of parking spaces within a space accessible through the access gate can be taken into account 111. If the check is positive, the opening instruction is sent to the access gate 112, which then opens automatically 107, while if the check is negative, the opening instruction is rejected 113.

2 shows a device 10 for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a communication unit 11 for communication via a radio connection, e.g. Car2X, with a communication unit 12 of the access gate. Furthermore, the device 10 can comprise a vehicle sensor system 13, by means of which it can be checked, for example, whether the vehicle has passed the access gate. If this is the case, a confirmation can be sent to the access gate.

list of reference symbols

100

Method for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle

101

Communication of the vehicle with the access gate via a radio connection

102

Approaching the vehicle to the access gate

103

Submitting an opening request to a driver of the vehicle

104

confirmation from the driver

105

Creating an opening instruction

106

Sending the opening instruction to the access gate

107

Automatic opening of the access gate

108

Test

109

taking the current time into account

110

Consideration of vehicle identification

111

Consideration of the availability of parking spaces within a space accessible through the access gate

112

Sending the opening instruction to the access gate if the test is positive

113

Rejection of the opening instruction if the test is negative

10

Device for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle

11

communication unit of the vehicle

12

communication unit of the access gate

13

vehicle sensors

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10 2005 033 405 A1 [0003]
• CN 104 992 485 A [0003]
• US 2019/0048643 A1 [0003]

Claims (15)

Method (100) for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle, characterized in that the method (100) comprises communication (101) of the vehicle with the access gate via radio connection. Procedure (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that when the vehicle approaches (102) the access gate closer than a previously defined distance, an opening instruction is issued (105). Procedure (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that when the vehicle approaches the access gate (102) closer than a previously defined distance, an opening request is made to a driver of the vehicle (103) as to whether the access gate should be opened. Procedure (100) according to claim 3 , characterized in that upon confirmation (104) of the request, an opening instruction is created (105). Procedure (100) according to claim 2 or 4 , characterized in that the opening instruction is sent to the access gate (106) and the access gate is opened automatically (107). Procedure (100) according to claim 2 or 4 , characterized in that if an opening instruction is present, a check (108) is carried out, wherein the opening instruction is sent to the access gate depending on the check (108). Procedure (100) according to claim 6 , characterized in that if the test is completed positively, the opening instruction is sent to the access gate (112), and if the test is completed negatively, the opening instruction is discarded (113). Procedure (100) according to claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that a current time is taken into account (109) within the scope of the test (108). Procedure (100) according to claim 8 , characterized in that the test (108) is completed positively if the current time is within a previously defined time window. Method (100) according to one of the Claims 6 until 9 , characterized in that an identification of the vehicle is taken into account (110) within the scope of the test (108). Procedure (100) according to claim 10 , characterized in that an identification key of the vehicle is taken into account during the test (108). Procedure (100) according to claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the test (108) is completed positively if the recognition key matches a known recognition key. Method (100) according to one of the Claims 6 until 12 , characterized in that the availability of parking spaces within a space accessible through the access gate is taken into account during the test (108) (111). Procedure (100) according to claim 13 , characterized in that the test (108) is completed positively if at least one parking space is available. Device (10) for the automated opening of an access gate for a vehicle, characterized in that the device (10) comprises a communication unit (11) of the vehicle and a communication unit (12) of the access gate, wherein the communication unit (11) of the vehicle is designed to communicate with the communication unit (12) of the access gate via a radio connection.

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