DE10340184A1 - Method for setting driver-specific parameters in a motor vehicle and correspondingly equipped motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Within a motor vehicle (1), numerous parameters are driver-specific, such as the setting of the driver's seat and the rear view mirror. To increase the ease of use for a driver, the invention provides that a key (2) assigned to the motor vehicle (1) determines a biological characteristic, in particular a fingerprint, of the driver and, depending on this, personalization information to a control unit (8) of the motor vehicle (1) sends. On the basis of this personalization information, the control unit (8) can make the driver-specific settings within the motor vehicle (1) before the driver gets into the motor vehicle (1). Furthermore, the personal wishes of an almost unlimited number of drivers can be taken into account with just a single key (2), as long as the information required for recognizing the different drivers is stored in the key (2) and the settings desired by individual drivers.

Description

The present invention relates to a method or one set up to carry out the method Motor vehicle for setting at least one driver-specific Parameters of a motor vehicle.

The key of a motor vehicle is used today not just to unlock the door or to operate the ignition lock, but usually serves additionally for wireless activation or deactivation of an immobilizer and / or to open or close a central locking system of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the key the only part of a motor vehicle that a driver after parking or parking the motor vehicle and carries it with the motor vehicle combines.

For example, by DE 195 13 498 C1 a motor vehicle with a key is known, which offers expanded communication options with the motor vehicle. For example, the key can receive radio messages from the motor vehicle and communicate them to the driver. Furthermore, by the US 6,386,007 B1 a key unit is known, by means of which the driver can determine the direction in which the motor vehicle is seen from the key, in order to be able to find his vehicle more easily after parking.

Through the DE 190 47 967 A1 furthermore, a vehicle key system with a key is known, which has a fingerprint sensor in order to enable the key to be used only by authorized persons. To increase security, an attachment unit is further provided within the motor vehicle, in which the key is arranged in the attachment unit, in order to prevent the motor vehicle from being able to be used without a key by transmitting suitable data, for example by intercepting a proper data transmission between the key and Motor vehicle were won.

In the aforementioned systems disadvantageously only the commissioning of the motor vehicle without allows additional settings for individual people. Another one There is no response to the respective driver.

The present invention lies hence the task, a method for setting driver-specific Parameters of a motor vehicle and a correspondingly set up To create a motor vehicle, with increased driver comfort for the driver sets or if possible little operator intervention is required to the motor vehicle according to his wishes adapt.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a Method with the features of claim 1 or by a motor vehicle solved with the features of claim 12. The subclaims define each preferred and advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

According to the invention, the key of the motor vehicle is determined a biological characteristic of the driver sends personalization information the driver to the motor vehicle or to a control unit in the motor vehicle, depending on what the personalization information driver-specific parameters of the Motor vehicle be set.

This has the advantage that for driver-specific setting of parameters of the motor vehicle not different keys with different encodings are required, but also with a single key any number of different drivers with different preferences or setting preferences considered can be.

As biological characteristics come for example the driver's fingerprint, a visual feature of the iris of the driver or a speech pattern of the driver in question. Preferably the driver’s fingerprint is used as it is without impairment can be determined by optical or acoustic environmental influences.

Preferably the biological Characteristic of the driver determined if this with the help of the key Open motor vehicle and / or wants to put into operation. On this occasion, in all Rule data from the key anyway sent to the motor vehicle, so that the personalization information is additionally transmitted can be. Furthermore, it usually only exists from this point in time the need to make driver-specific settings.

In particular, it can be provided that the key has a locking actuating element with which the driver opens or closes the central locking and / or activates or deactivates an immobilizer. If the driver wants to use the vehicle, he will generally use the locking actuating element anyway, so that the driver's biological characteristic can be determined on this occasion. The locking actuation element advantageously comprises a fingerprint sensor. As soon as the driver puts his finger on the locking actuating element as usual in order to open the motor vehicle or to deactivate the immobilizer, the fingerprint can be determined automatically in this way and personalization information can be obtained for the driver who next wants to use the motor vehicle. Before the driver gets in, driver-specific parameters of the motor vehicle can be entered as a function of the driver be put.

These parameters can be settings, for example inside the motor vehicle depending on the dimensions of the Driver, such as seat settings, settings the mirror, the steering wheel, etc. Furthermore, these settings can also one stored in a radio receiver Include selection of channels. The parameters can also be the Allocation of station presets for a radio receiver.

With a music player can the parameters concern the acoustic settings. Likewise it is conceivable that the parameters are person-specific settings a communication system, such as an address book or a phone number list.

In a further development of the present Invention can different security levels can be provided, according to which an operator performing of operating actions is made possible. The different security levels are particularly adjustable, being both about the key yourself as well Controls in the motor vehicle can be adjustable. For example A security level can be provided at which all operating actions every operator without verification of the biological characteristic be made possible. If the detection of the biological feature fails to take place Of course also no adjustment of the parameters to the driver instead. A such security level can also be referred to as guest mode, if, for example, the use of the motor vehicle by a stranger temporarily temporarily allows should be done without extensive settings. With such a guest mode, it can also be advantageous it should be provided that all user-specific parameters that are in the Keys and / or stored in the motor vehicle, not accessible to the guest or are not available from this. Furthermore, the parameters are advantageously in the guest mode set up for an average operator, especially without previous knowledge of the Operation of the motor vehicle are suitable. So in particular the driver's seat, the steering wheel and the mirrors as well as others on the Size and shape the operator to adjust items to an average large and shaped operator set. The same applies if necessary existing setting options at the reaction to operator actions on the part of the operator, for example by means of an electronic accelerator pedal, etc. An optional one Address book or other collection of personal data from an authorized User is preferably locked in guest mode so that it is not is visible to the operator who only temporarily uses the Motor vehicle should be allowed.

In contrast to the guest mode a user mode can be provided in which at least some or all operating functions are only made possible for one registered user, who cares about that has successfully identified biological trait. Once the user has identified, the identity of the user is known and it can user-specific settings can be made in the motor vehicle. For example, this security level can also provide that commissioning the motor vehicle only after successful Identification of the biological characteristic is possible. In a variation However, the guest mode can also be provided for the motor vehicle also for not registered user remains usable, being in this case No user-specific settings due to the missing identification of the user can be made, with unidentified users as well how settings can be made in guest mode for one average users. The choice of settings, which are only possible in user mode after successful identification arbitrarily chosen become. You can several user modes can also be provided, in each of which one different selection of functions a successful identification of the user.

Switching between the individual Security levels are also advantageous to a successful one Identification of a registered user coupled to prevent that unauthorized persons have a security level with lower security can adjust. The security mechanisms when switching the security level can independent of the security level set in each case, so that both in guest mode as well as in a user mode always the same secured Procedure is required to switch the security level. Alternatively, it can also be provided that, for example, in guest mode the security level in particular to a security level of higher security can be changed by any operator without prior identification can. So that could for example, that an operator who only temporarily the use of the motor vehicle should be permitted according to the Use increases the security level and therefore from this point in time use of the motor vehicle by unauthorized persons, that cannot be successfully identified.

In a preferred embodiment, an operator must successfully identify himself before changing the security level by recognizing the biological feature. After the operator is granted access after, for example, the recognition of a fingerprint, the key should be set up in such a way that the operator can perform the least possible number of operations can change the security level as quickly as possible. This can do justice to the situation that an operator hands over the key to an unregistered person so that the latter can use the vehicle at short notice without the person having access to the user-specific data in the motor vehicle.

In an advantageous further training includes the key furthermore a device for determining the location of the motor vehicle. The direction in which the key is located is determined seen the motor vehicle is located. Preferably as a reference direction the direction chosen in which the beard of the key extends. The result of the direction determination can be from the Key like that be displayed that an optical display can vary in its intensity up to a maximum value depending of which increases how much the reference direction of the key the direction matches in which is from the key seen from the motor vehicle. This pointing direction or Reference direction is on the key Outside marked and corresponds in particular with the direction, in which the beard of the key extends. The visual display can be, for example in intensity increasing light element, an increasing in the flashing frequency Flashing element or an alphanumeric display. In the event of a flashing indicator can turn the flashing into a steady light, once the pointing direction of the key with sufficient accuracy matches the direction of the vehicle, in the key seen from the vehicle.

The vehicle direction can continue also by means of a movable pointer or a ring of several Illuminated elements are displayed.

An acoustic is also conceivable Notification of a tone increasing in pitch or intensity can or an acoustic impulse with decreasing intervals the pulse train can change to a continuous tone, once the pointing direction of the key with sufficient accuracy matches the direction of the vehicle.

Such a key can additionally advantageously also a display for status data of the vehicle include. The status display can also be designed very simply so that they show only a few, and in particular, two different states can and the driver only a message about it allows whether everything is OK with the motor vehicle. For example a two-color light-emitting diode can be provided which lights up green, as long as everything is OK with the motor vehicle and lights up red, as soon as a disturbance occurs. A disturbance For example, an attempt to break open, towing, generally Change of location of the motor vehicle or damage to the windows, for example his.

It is also conceivable for the display to find the motor vehicle with the status display of the motor vehicle to connect by a light element indicates whether in the motor vehicle everything is in order, and when actuating a specific motor vehicle find actuation element, the Display of the vehicle direction takes over.

The display of the Motor vehicle status does not take place continuously, but in temporal intervals, to a battery of the key preferably little to unload. In general, it can be provided for the power supply to the key that a rechargeable battery is placed inside the key is and is loaded as soon as the key in the motor vehicle is plugged in. For charging the rechargeable battery inside of the key can Contacts or an inductive coupling provided by coils his.

The status data can, for example, be the Tire pressure, the mileage, the switching status of the parking lights and / or other lights, the condition of the handbrake, the fuel level or Fill levels of others Operating materials or the state of charge of the battery.

The status data can also be shown on a display are displayed or output as a voice message.

Furthermore, the status data can at least partially transferred to the key at the time of leaving the vehicle become. This leaves can be realized in a technically simple manner. For example can in this case, status data is transmitted to the key as long as it is still in the ignition lock is stuck or is still in its vicinity. The transfer can be done via contacts, induction coils or light signals.

In the present invention the key in conventional Way to get on and off. Furthermore is also a biometric authorization to access the vehicle and also conceivable for personalizing the vehicle.

In terms of localization of the Vehicle is also conceivable as a further invention that either the key or the vehicle itself determines the vehicle position and the Position data transmitted to a mobile navigation system that the user of the vehicle can take with you. This can be a well-known GPS system for navigation also a portable computer, such as a PDA can be used. The transfer of the vehicle position can be when parking the motor vehicle, when leaving the motor vehicle or later at the request of the driver, for example if the driver wants to find his way back to the vehicle from his current location.

If the key has an interface, data can be read from the key as well as transmitted to it. When reading out data, for example, vehicle data can be transferred from the key to a personal organizer, a portable computer or a PDA. This is useful, for example, when visiting a workshop so that data can already be read in without access to the motor vehicle. For example, data could already be transmitted wirelessly when the workshop premises or the workshop building were being driven, so that information about the motor vehicle and possibly also about the owner or the users is already available in the workshop.

In another embodiment can be the possibility be given about to load the interface data into the key from where the key be transmitted to the motor vehicle. This can, for example, facilitate the process that a new user in the database of the motor vehicle with its settings added shall be. For example, an operator who specific settings are stored in a first motor vehicle has transferred this information to a second vehicle, in which the user-specific information from the key of the first vehicle to the key of the second vehicle become. This can happen, for example, if there is a Operator buys a new motor vehicle and that in the old vehicle gladly take over stored information with little effort would. Furthermore, this procedure is also suitable for car rental companies, being the information of a particular user when renting a car are stored, and when renting a motor vehicle before Rental from the car rental company can be transferred in the key so that the Customer already rented his personal information when renting Motor vehicle found stored.

If the key is both a flat display or a display as well as a flat sensor, for example has a fingerprint sensor, the key can at least essentially flat be configured, the display being arranged on one side is and the flat Sensor is arranged on the other side. This is possible because when actuated the sensor for determining the biological characteristic usually not the display must be used at the same time, since when the The only expected feedback from the operator is whether the identification was successful or not, which also with a small optical element, for example an LED, is possible. By arranging the display on one and the sensor on the other side can be the key can be made smaller or the surface of the key can be better be exploited to the extent possible large display even on a small key to be able to accommodate.

The invention is described below of a preferred embodiment with reference to the attached Drawings closer explained. Show in it

1 a schematic representation of a motor vehicle with an assigned key according to the embodiment of the present invention and

2 the relative arrangement between the key and the vehicle to determine the location of the vehicle.

In 1 is a motor vehicle 1 with an internal control unit 8th shown. Next to it is in 1 an associated key 2 pictured, with both the key 2 as well as the control unit 8th Have radio transmission means by means of which wireless data transmission between the key 2 and the control unit 8th is made possible.

The key 2 has a locking actuator 3 on, which is actuated by finger pressure and for locking or unlocking an immobilizer of the motor vehicle 1 and for opening or closing a central locking system of the motor vehicle 1 serves.

The locking actuator 3 further comprises a fingerprint sensor, so that at the same time when the locking actuating element is actuated 3 a fingerprint or at least fingerprint information can be determined with a finger. As soon as the driver with the key 2 the locking actuator 3 actuated to lock or unlock the car are within the key 2 automatically provide fingerprint information.

The determined fingerprint information is in the key 2 converted into personalization information that represents an identifier for the driver. This is in the key 2 Different fingerprints or fingerprint information of different drivers are stored together with assigned personalization information, so that the individual drivers can be distinguished from one another on the basis of their fingerprints or fingerprint information. Once a certain driver drives the motor vehicle 1 wants to open by using the locking actuator 3 presses, the driver is released from the key 2 on the basis of his fingerprint and personalization information corresponding to the driver is sent to the control unit 8 in the motor vehicle 1 transfer.

In the control unit 8th is therefore before the motor vehicle is put into operation 1 the information about which driver the motor vehicle 1 will use. The control unit uses this information 8th driver-specific parameters as they are for the corresponding driver in the control unit 8th are saved. These parameters include, in particular, settings of the driver's seat, the rearview gel, transmitters stored in a radio receiver, data from a communication directory, telephone numbers from a telephone number list or settings of an automatic climate control system. Because the control unit 8th the personalization information from the key required for setting driver-specific parameters 2 receives before the driver gets into the motor vehicle 1 enough time remains to make mechanical adjustments that take a certain amount of time, such as adjusting the driver's seat. This has the advantage that the driver's seat is already adjusted before the driver enters the motor vehicle 1 enter.

The key 2 further includes a vehicle discovery actuator 4 on with which a special function of the key 2 can be activated, according to which a vehicle direction can be determined, in the key 2 seen from the motor vehicle 1 located. Doing so will be within the key 2 determines the extent to which a pointing direction is related to the housing of the key 2 is fixed, coincides with the vehicle direction in which the key 2 seen the motor vehicle 1 located. The pointing direction of the key 2 is preferably the direction in which a beard is 7 of the key 2 extends. The degree of correspondence between the pointing direction and the vehicle direction is determined by a vehicle direction display element 5 displayed. The vehicle direction indicator 5 is a light emitting diode that emits or flashes light signals at intervals. The better the pointing direction and the vehicle direction match, the faster the blinking frequency of the vehicle direction display element 5 , whereby the flashing changes to a steady light if the pointing direction and the vehicle direction agree within a certain accuracy.

If the driver of the motor vehicle 1 This turns off and moves away from it, by pressing the vehicle location control 4 on the key 2 at least determine the direction in which the motor vehicle is 1 from the key 2 seen from. The driver only needs the key 2 with the vehicle finder actuator depressed 4 pivot until the light signals of the vehicle direction indicator 5 go into a steady light. As soon as this is the case, the beard shows 7 in the direction in which the motor vehicle is 1 located.

The key 2 still has a status indicator 6 on, which is also a light emitting diode and indicates whether the motor vehicle 1 everything is fine. To do this, the control unit 8th monitors various possible malfunctions, such as damage to the motor vehicle 1 , an attempted departure, a change of location of the motor vehicle 1 or whether the motor vehicle 1 is towed. The control unit detects as soon as one of the monitored faults occurs 8th to an accident. The control unit 8th distinguishes between a proper condition and an accident and shows this with the key 2 by means of the status display 6 on. It can be provided that the control unit 8th to the key 2 Sends signals as long as the motor vehicle 1 is in the proper state, so the key 2 if these signals are absent, indicates the fault. This has the advantage that if the radio link between the key is interrupted 2 and the control unit 8th the correct condition is not displayed in error.

Conversely, the control unit 8th however, only the key accident 2 display, so that in the absence of such information from the key 2 the correct condition is displayed. In addition, there is also the possibility that the control unit 8th both the correct condition and the malfunction of the key 2 indicates so that it can safely indicate both states and as a third state an interruption of the radio connection.

To display the various states using the status display 6 there are different options. For example, the status display 6 be a two-color light-emitting diode, one color being assigned to the correct condition or one malfunction. In order to use as little energy as possible, the status display 6 display the respective status with the help of short flashes of light. An interruption in the radio connection can be indicated, for example, by a faster flashing frequency or alternating flashing of the two colors. Likewise, from the status display 6 the various states of proper condition, malfunction and interruption of the radio connection are indicated by different flashing frequencies.

There is also the option of displaying the status 6 and the vehicle direction indicator 6 to combine in a single display element which is held down while holding the vehicle locating actuator 4 indicates the vehicle direction and when the vehicle finder actuator is not depressed 4 the status display takes over.

In 2 is the relative arrangement of the key 2 and the motor vehicle 1 displayed when determining the vehicle direction. The pointing direction of the key 2 is shown by means of a chain line and the direction of the vehicle by means of a dashed line. The vehicle direction and the pointing direction together form the angle α, that of the key 2 is determined. The vehicle direction display element is activated as a function of the determined angle α 5 instead of. The angle α has a value range from 0 to 180 °, so that based on the vehicle direction display 5 cannot be distinguished can, whether at a non-zero angle α, the pointing direction to the left or right of the motor vehicle 1 runs past.

1

motor vehicle

2

key

3

Locking actuator

4

Motor vehicle locating actuator

5

direction indicator

6

Vehicle status display

7

bit

8th

control unit

α

angle

Claims (17)

Method for setting at least one driver-specific parameter of a motor vehicle ( 1 ) depending on a driver, characterized in that a key ( 2 ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) a biological characteristic of the driver is determined, depending on the determined biological characteristic, personalization information to a control device ( 8th ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) sends wirelessly, and the control unit ( 8th ) depending on the personalization information received, the at least one parameter of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) sets. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the driver's biological characteristic is a fingerprint and / or an acoustic characteristic of the driver's language and / or an optical characteristic is the driver's iris. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the set parameter of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) the setting of a seat, in particular the driver's seat, and / or the setting of a mirror and / or a selection of transmitters stored in a radio receiver and / or acoustic settings of a music playback device and / or parameters which are the response behavior of the engine to driver intervention influence. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the key ( 2 ) a locking actuator ( 3 ) for wireless locking or unlocking of a central locking system and / or for activating or deactivating an immobilizer and the biological characteristic of the driver when the locking actuating element is actuated ( 3 ) determined. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one driver-specific parameter of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) is only set if the locking actuator ( 3 ) the central locking system is unlocked and / or the immobilizer is deactivated. A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the locking actuating element ( 3 ) comprises a fingerprint sensor and upon actuation of the locking actuating element ( 3 ) the driver's fingerprint is determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the key ( 2 ) a measure of the direction in which the key ( 2 ) seen the motor vehicle ( 1 ) is located, and displays the determined directional dimension. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the reference direction of the key ( 2 ) the alignment of a beard ( 9 ) of the key is used. A method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the key ( 2 ) the measure of the direction in which the key ( 2 ) from the motor vehicle ( 1 ), only when actuating a motor vehicle locating actuation element ( 4 ) determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the motor vehicle ( 1 ) Status data of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) to the key ( 2 ) wirelessly, via contact connection, via inductive coupling or via light signals and the key ( 2 ) displays the received status data. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the status data the mileage of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) and / or the fill level of the fuel tank of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) and / or a measure of whether unauthorized persons are driving the motor vehicle ( 1 ) enter and / or put into operation and / or include a measure of whether the motor vehicle is being moved or towed. A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the status data is transmitted wirelessly at intervals become. A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the status data is transferred at the time of decommissioning or disembarking become. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the key ( 2 ) different security levels can be set, which determine the dependency Operating actions can be carried out from a determined biological characteristic of the driver. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the key ( 2 ) has an interface by means of which personalization information about the key can be transmitted. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) with an assigned key ( 2 ), the motor vehicle ( 1 ) and the key ( 2 ) Have transmitting or receiving means for wireless data transmission and are set up such that the key ( 2 ) a biological characteristic of a driver is determined, depending on the determined biological characteristic, personalization information to a control device ( 8th ) of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) sends wirelessly, and the control unit ( 8th ) depending on the personalization information received, at least one driver-specific parameter of the motor vehicle ( 1 ) sets. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) according to claim 16, characterized in that the motor vehicle ( 1 ) is set up to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 13.