Method for operating at least one function of a motor vehicle by means of a portable key device and key device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10696273-B2
Application number	US-201716322684-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2017
Priority date	Aug 3, 2016
Publication date	Jun 30, 2020
Grant date	Jun 30, 2020

Abstract

A method for operating a motor vehicle. A user of the motor vehicle is authorized to trigger at least one function by a portable key device. For this purpose, the key device has an identification code that uniquely identifies the key device, and an authorization data set that describes the at least one function for which the user is authorized by the key device identified by the identification code. A control device of the motor vehicle carries out the receiving of the authorization data set and the identification code from the key device. In addition, based on an identification code stored in the control device and an authorization data set stored in the control device, it is determined whether the received authorization data set and the received identification code correspond to a predetermined combination. If they correspond to the predetermined combination, an enabling of the at least one function occurs.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method for operating a motor vehicle, wherein a user of the motor vehicle is authorized to trigger at least one function by a portable key device, and wherein the key device has an identification code that uniquely identifies the key device, and an authorization data set that describes the at least one authorized function, and the authorization data set is associated with the identification code, wherein for the at least one authorized function, the user is authorized by means of the key device identified by the identification code, comprising the steps carried out by the control device of the motor vehicle:
receiving of the authorization data set and the identification code from the key device;
based on an identification code of the key device, which is stored in the control device and an authorization data set stored in the control device, which is associated with the identification code, determination as to whether the received authorization data set and the received identification code correspond to a predetermined combination; and,
if the received authorization data set and the received identification code correspond to the predetermined combination, enabling of the at least one authorized function so that the identified key device triggers the at least one authorized function of the motor vehicle, and
the method for operating the motor vehicle further comprising steps carried out by a data processing device external to the motor vehicle:
association of the identification code with the key device;
preparation of the authorization data set and establishment of an association of the authorization data set with the identification code; and
transfer of the authorization data set, of the identification code and of the established association between the authorization data set and the identification code to the key device and to the control device,
wherein a mobile terminal communicates with the data processing device, and the preparation of the authorization data set and the establishment of the association of the authorization data set with the identification code are instructed by the mobile terminal via at least one authorization protocol, and
wherein each of the authorization data privileges a different function set, and each privilege of the different function set is associated with each of the identification code, and

the method for operating a motor vehicle further comprising the steps carried out by a communication unit of the control device:
providing information that an operating state of the motor vehicle and/or of a device of the motor vehicle; and
transfer of the information to the data processing device external to the motor vehicle and/or to the mobile terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps carried out by a communication unit of the control device:
receiving of image and/or text and/or voice information from the key device, and
transfer of the received image and/or text and/or voice information to the data processing unit external to the motor vehicle and/or to the mobile terminal.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the receiving of the image and/or text and/or voice information occurs in response to a query signal sent by the communication unit of the control device of the motor vehicle to the key device, wherein the query signal comes from the data processing unit external to the motor vehicle and/or from the mobile terminal.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one function includes opening and/or closing a motor vehicle door and/or providing an Internet connection between the control device and the data processing device external to the motor vehicle and/or providing a predetermined motor power and/or providing a telephone connection between the control device and the data processing device external to the motor vehicle and/or providing an emergency call function of the motor vehicle.

5. A portable key device comprising a communication unit configured to perform the steps of:
receiving and storing an identification code and an authorization data set,
providing a data communication connection to a communication unit of a control device of the motor vehicle, wherein the communication unit of the key device is set up to transfer the identification code and/or the authorization data set,
an operating element for receiving an operating action of a user, wherein the operating element comprises a touch-sensitive operating area and/or a touch-sensitive screen, and
a control unit which is set up to generate, depending on the received operating action, digital image and/or text and/or voice information, wherein the communication unit is set up to transfer the digital image and/or text and/or voice information,
wherein the portable key device is identified by the identification code, the authorization data set that describes the at least one authorized function, and the authorization data set is associated with the identification code so that the identified portable key device triggers the at least one authorized function of the motor vehicle,
wherein the identification code and the portable key device are associated by a data processing device external to the motor vehicle,
wherein the data processing device prepares the authorization data set and establishment of an association of the authorization data set with the identification code,
wherein the data processing device transfers the authorization data set, the identification code and the established association between the authorization data set and the identification code to the portable key device and to the control device of the motor vehicle,
wherein a mobile terminal communicates with the data processing device, and the preparation of the authorization data set and the establishment of the association of the authorization data set with the identification code are instructed by the mobile terminal via at least one authorization protocol,
wherein each of the authorization data privileges a different function set, and each privilege of the different function set is associated with each of the identification code,
wherein the control device of the motor vehicle includes a communication unit, the communication unit provides information that an operating state of the motor vehicle and/or of a device of the motor vehicle,
wherein the communication unit transfer the information to the data processing device external to the motor vehicle and/or to the mobile terminal, and
wherein the information provided by the communication unit of the control device is selected by the mobile terminal via at least one status protocol.

Assignees

• Audi Ag

Inventors

• Wilding Werner

Classifications

• B60R25/24 Primary

  using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user · CPC title

• B60R2325/205

  Mobile phones · CPC title

• B60R25/241 Primary

  whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers · CPC title

• B60R25/34

  of conditions of vehicle components, e.g. of windows, door locks or gear selectors · CPC title

• B60R25/2018

  Central base unlocks or authorises unlocking · CPC title