EP0728896A1 - Transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic waves as well as vehicle provided with such a transmitter - Google Patents

Abstract

The transmitting system includes a transmitter (12) which is fitted to a motor vehicle and sends electromagnetic waves (20) to an associated receiver (28) fitted to e.g. a door operating drive (26). The transmitter has an actuator (16) which is integrated into the vehicle (10) and which is operated by the driver. The actuator for the transmitter comprises a switch (18) which is fitted within reach of the driver and may be integrated with the opening switch for the headlights (30). The transmitter is not conductively coupled with the actuator, and may be radio operated.

Description

The invention relates to a transmitter emitting electromagnetic waves for starting a device equipped with a receiver receiving the waves, in particular a door drive, the transmitter being provided with an actuating element which is installed in a vehicle.

The invention further relates to vehicles which are equipped with such a transmitter.

Such a transmitter or a vehicle equipped with such a transmitter is known from US-A 2,534,789.

This document from 1951 describes how to permanently install a transmitter in a vehicle. The transmitter is used to activate a receiver, which in turn is connected to a garage door operator. A push button switch is preferably provided on the dashboard of the vehicle to actuate the transmitter.

This technology has the disadvantage that when the driver approaches a gate, the transmitter can be activated by pressing the switch and the gate can be opened. However, if the vehicle has entered the garage and the driver has got out, he no longer has the option of operating the garage door via the transmitter that is permanently installed in the vehicle, i.e. closing the garage door. In addition, another disadvantage is that you cannot open the garage door with this transmitter if the vehicle is parked in it and the garage door is locked, i.e. if the driver wants to drive his vehicle out of the garage and to do so wants to open the gate beforehand.

Therefore, the technology of the so-called handheld transmitter has prevailed.

These transmitters are designed as separate components approximately the size of a cigarette packet, which are provided with an actuating element, usually in the form of an actuating button. When the transmitter is actuated via the actuating element, it emits electromagnetic waves from the receiver of the corresponding Device, such as a door operator, can be received and detected. If the signals were sent by the relevant transmitter, the drive is actuated and, for example, the corresponding gate is opened so that a vehicle can enter a garage.

If a vehicle has entered a garage, the handheld transmitter is taken with you when you leave the vehicle. After leaving the garage, the gate can be closed using the hand transmitter, the hand transmitter then remains with the operator. If the gate is to be opened again, the person approaches the gate, puts the hand transmitter into operation and then opens the gate again.

During operation, the handheld transmitters are usually stored in the vehicle by the operator of the vehicle, for example in corresponding console troughs between the seats, in consoles on the dashboard or in a glove compartment. Some operators also stow the handheld transmitter in a piece of clothing or in a bag.

A disadvantage of the known hand-held transmitters is that they have to be gripped with one hand for actuation, so that the vehicle can then only be operated with one hand. After gripping the hand transmitter, the actuating element, usually in the form of a push button, must be sought, for which purpose the hand transmitter, which is about the size of a cigarette box, is rotated accordingly in the hand.

This process alone takes a certain amount of time and increased attention.

The operator can therefore not only operate the vehicle with one hand for a certain time, but must one A significant part of his attention is focused on bringing the hand transmitter into the correct position in order to be able to actuate the actuating element at all.

Another disadvantage is that the actual gripping of the handheld transmitter is often associated with a preceding search or scanning of the corresponding console troughs or items of clothing for the handheld transmitter.

Also during this period, which can be relatively long, depending on whether the operator can find the transmitter immediately or must search for a correspondingly long time, either because he no longer knows exactly where he put it, or whether it is due to The driver can only operate the vehicle with one hand when vibrations have moved away from the position in which it was originally deposited.

If the driver does not find the transmitter immediately, the vehicle moves ever closer to the destination, so that more attention is paid to the transmitter after the search than to the actual driving operation. It is just a convenience of such hand-held transmitters that you can operate them a certain time before you reach the device to be operated, e.g. a door to be opened, so that you can slowly move towards the door to be opened, if possible without this Vehicle must be stopped.

The disadvantages described above involve a considerable traffic risk due to the distraction of the driver by searching for the handheld transmitter and after locating the same, by the attention which is required to bring it into the correct operating position.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to remedy this situation and to provide a transmitter or a vehicle equipped with such a transmitter which can be operated without increased attention, so that the driver's full concentration on the driving operation can remain.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that the actuating element can be actuated by the driver without releasing the steering wheel.

This measure now has the advantage that both hands can remain on the steering wheel to actuate the transmitter, so that control of the vehicle is fully maintained. In addition, the driver's attention is not distracted by the fact that he now has to detach one hand from the steering wheel and then use this hand to search, touch or position a hand transmitter.

This means if you want to maintain the advantages of a portable hand-held transmitter that this hand-held transmitter is now stowed in the vehicle so that its actuating element can be operated by the driver without having to let go of the steering wheel. The maintenance of the comfort and advantages of a handheld transmitter can also be achieved in that, in addition to the handheld transmitter, a permanently installed transmitter is provided in the vehicle, which can be actuated via elements, without the operator having to let go of the steering wheel. This can be carried out by means of various advantageous embodiments of the invention which are explained below.

A first possibility is to design the actuating element as a voice switch.

This measure now has the advantage that a sound event emitted by the operator, for example the words "gate open", activate the actuation process via the voice switch. This now has the considerable advantage that in this case the hand position on the steering wheel must be changed at all, e.g. to actuate an actuating element in a mechanical manner, but only a certain code word ("gate open") has to be spoken in order to actuate the transmitter.

In a special embodiment of this alternative, the transmitter is designed as a hand-held transmitter that contains a voice switch.

With this particularly advantageous embodiment, both the features of driving safety and the ease of actuation and simple construction are now realized in one component. Through the appropriate setting of the sensitivity of the voice switch, it is now possible, regardless of whether it is located at a specific location in a specific console or not, to actuate the transmitter using the human voice. It is only important that the voice switch is arranged in the detectable sound cone area of the sound event output by the operator, or in other words that he can, for example, detect the spoken code word ("gate open"), regardless of whether the Transmitter is now in a console, on a secondary seat, in a garment or the like.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there is a voice switch installed in the vehicle, structurally separate from the transmitter, which is connected on the output side to the transmitter.

This measure now has the advantage that the voice switch, which is structurally separate from the transmitter, can be attached to any point in the vehicle that is favorable for the detection of the sound event. This can now be done from anywhere on the dashboard, on the rear view mirror, on the window roof console or the like. The transmitter can be provided as a transmitter permanently installed in the vehicle, so that a transmission and actuation operation is possible completely independently of a hand transmitter. However, the voice switch can also be connected to the hand transmitter, for which purpose the hand transmitter can be inserted, for example, into a corresponding holder or into a console which is connected to a connection to the voice switch. In this variant, the hand-held transmitter can be seen in this state as a "quasi" permanently installed transmitter, which is actuated via the structurally separate voice switch.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the voice switch is provided with a voice recognition circuit with teach-in.

This measure, which is known per se, has the advantage that the transmitter is set (taught) to a very specific sound event of the operator, usually a special code word (for example "gate open"), so that only the transmitter with this code word can be activated.

Although the mode of operation has previously been described using the example of a garage door drive, the devices which are actuated by the transmitter can be any type of devices which can be operated from a vehicle. For example, parking locks, immobilizers, barriers or the like can also be operated. It is also possible to operate signal, light or alarm systems according to the invention, for example around emergency vehicles from To enable the police, fire brigade and ambulance to travel freely as quickly and easily as possible, for example by switching traffic lights to "green".

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the actuating element that is used to actuate the headlight flasher is used as the actuating element.

This measure now has the considerable practical advantage that you only have to briefly operate the headlight flasher once when approaching the door to be opened, and that at the same time the transmitter is actuated which emits the corresponding electromagnetic waves.

Since the flasher switches in vehicles are located directly on the steering wheel, be it as a lever or as a switch integrated in the steering wheel baffle, the flasher can be operated without releasing the steering wheel to activate the transmitter. The flasher designed as a tip switch is typically only operated briefly anyway, so that this switch is particularly advantageously suitable to be used as an actuating element for the transmitter. This operation is also possible without impairing the attention of the driving operation in any way, so that the safety aspect is fully taken into account.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of this alternative of the invention, the transmitter is galvanically decoupled, in particular inductively connected to the current-carrying line of the headlight flasher lever of the vehicle.

This measure has the advantage over the classic galvanically coupled connections that it is not active intervention in the existing wiring of the vehicle is required, which some manufacturers do not like. The inductive detection of the current flow can take place without the need for galvanic coupling, such as, for example, soldering, crimping or clamping. An inductive detection can be used, for example, to detect a current surge in a line, such as occurs when the headlight flasher is pressed briefly, and this signal can be used to activate the transmitter.

These transmitters still need a reference potential for the power supply, which can be created, for example, by means of a ground connection on the body, so that no further interventions in the existing car electronics are necessary here either. Therefore, such transmitters can also be easily retrofitted into existing vehicles.

It is also possible to detect the effect caused by an actuating element of the vehicle in some other way than electrically, for example the light emitted when the flashing light is briefly actuated, and this signal can then be converted into a signal for actuating the transmitter.

In one embodiment of the two alternative embodiments of the invention, the transmitter is designed as a permanently installed radio transmitter.

This measure has the advantage that the transmitter can be installed at any point in the vehicle, since radio transmitters usually emit radiation in all spatial directions and therefore do not have to be particularly specifically aimed at the receiver on the device to be actuated. Protected and nevertheless easily accessible places such as the engine compartment, the trunk, the roof area, in particular the water tank in the sliding roof area, are particularly suitable for this purpose.

Infrared, ultrasonic transmitters or the like can also be used, but care must then be taken to ensure that the transmitter radiates in the direction of the receiver on the door drive.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combinations but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer ersten Alternative, bei der das Betätigungselement über einen Lichthupenhebel betätigt wird, und

Fig. 2

schematisiert ein Schaltbild einer besonders vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der anderen Alternative mit einem Voice-Schalter.

The invention is described below with reference to a few selected exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Show it

Fig. 1

an embodiment of a first alternative, in which the actuating element is actuated via a light horn lever, and

Fig. 2

schematized a circuit diagram of a particularly advantageous embodiment of the other alternative with a voice switch.

1, a vehicle is provided with the reference number 10.

A transmitter 12, which is designed as a radio transmitter, is arranged in the vehicle 10. The transmitter 12 is constructed like a transmitter which is customary in the field of transmitters for opening gates, so when actuated it transmits certain coded signals which - as will be explained below - are correspondingly detected by a receiver 28. Which is preferably mounted in the front area of the vehicle 10 under the body, for example under the bonnet or under the fenders in the area of the headlights Transmitter 12 is electrically connected to an actuating element 16 via a line 14. The actuating element 16 is in turn part of the light horn lever 18 of the vehicle 10, which is arranged directly on the steering wheel 11.

The line 14 is galvanically connected to the switch of the light horn lever 18, which releases a current flow to the headlights of the vehicle 10 when actuated. If the vehicle manufacturer does not allow mechanical intervention in the existing wiring when installing such a transmitter, the current flow to the headlights of the headlight flasher is detected inductively and used as a trigger signal for the transmitter 12.

The transmitter 12 works together with a receiver 28, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is part of a door drive 26, via which a door 24 of a garage 22 is opened.

1 shows a situation in which the vehicle 10 is just approaching the gate 24 to be opened and the driver (not shown here) is currently actuating the headlight flasher lever 18 on the steering wheel 11, the headlight flasher 30 being briefly actuated. In this case, the transmitter 12 is activated, which emits electromagnetic waves 20, for example radio signals that can be in the ultrasound range, which are then detected by the receiver 28. For this purpose, the electromagnetic waves 20 are encoded accordingly, as is customary in this field. If the receiver 28 determines that the signals have been sent by the appropriate transmitter 12, the door drive 26 is activated and the door 24 is opened so that the vehicle 10 can then retract.

In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided that the transmitter 12 is permanently installed in the vehicle and also there remains so that the gate 24 is closed by a switch or mechanism which is usually present in the garage or outside the garage and can be actuated by a key, if necessary.

If the door drive 26 is designed in such a way that it is also closed by a transmitter, either a portable hand transmitter that is already in use can be additionally provided, or the transmitter 12 installed in the vehicle is designed such that it can be removed. This depends on the design of the door opening system.

In the variant shown in FIG. 2, a transmitter 32 is designed as a hand-held transmitter, which has a mechanical actuating element, in the form of a push button 34.

In addition, the transmitter 32 is provided with a sound wave detector 36, which is connected inside the receiver to a speech recognition circuit (not shown here), which in turn is connected to an electronic switch, as will be explained in more detail below.

Furthermore, the transmitter 32 is also provided with a so-called teach-in switch 38, via which the transmitter 32 is set (taught) to a very specific sound event of the operator, for example to the words "gate open" of the operator.

The transmitter 32 can now be operated in such a way that, after it has been set to a certain sound event (“gate open”), it is activated by the operator saying the words “gate open”.

In operation, this handheld transmitter 32 can be placed in a vehicle in the center console, in the front passenger seat or anywhere else and when approaching the device, which can be operated by the transmitter 32, this is activated by the driver of the vehicle using the code Words "gate open" speaks.

If one falls back on the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the driver speaks the words “gate open” when approaching the garage 22, these words are detected by the sound wave detector 36 and converted into a transmission signal. After parking the vehicle, the hand transmitter can be taken out of the vehicle and then the gate can be closed or opened again using the hand transmitter. This is alternatively possible both mechanically via the actuating element 34 and again acoustically via the words "gate open" or "gate closed".

2 schematically shows a circuit diagram of a voice switch 40 at the upper end, which is designed as a component separate from the transmitter 32.

The voice switch 40 has a sound wave detector 42, which detects sound waves 44 and converts them into a signal. The sound wave detector 42 is connected to a speech recognition circuit 46 via a line 45. The speech recognition circuit is supplied with voltage (grounding, voltage source Vcc). The speech recognition circuit 46, which is known per se, is used to recognize a specific sound event of an operator, for example the words “door open” and possibly also the words “door closed”.

For this purpose, the speech recognition circuit 46 is additionally connected to a teach-in switch 48, via which the speech recognition circuit 46 detects the operator-specific sound event is "taught". For this purpose, the operator exerts the corresponding sound result several times, by actuating the teach-in switch 48, so that the speech recognition circuit 46 is coded for this special sound event and then only emits a signal on the output side for this sound event.

For this purpose, the speech recognition circuit 46 is connected on the output side via a line 49 to an electronic switch 50, the output 52 of which then emits the corresponding output signal.

As described above, such a voice switch 40 is also also integrated in the transmitter 32.

Of course, it is also possible to provide a transmitter 32 without a voice switch 40, in particular if the structurally separate voice switch 40 is provided in the vehicle. In this case, the transmitter is then designed such that it has an input 56 which can be connected to the voice switch 40 via a line 54 and can be actuated by the output signal of the voice switch 40.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (regardless of whether the transmitter 32 is equipped with its own voice switch or not), the voice switch 40 can be installed at any suitable location in the vehicle, for example on the dashboard, in the area the sun visors, in the area of the rear-view mirror or in the area of the water box of the sunroof, all areas that can be easily sounded by a driver of a vehicle. The output signal is fed to a transmitter which is either permanently installed in the vehicle, such as the transmitter 12 shown in connection with FIG. 1 under the hood.

However, this signal can also be fed to a removable hand-held transmitter which is inserted at any point in the vehicle into a console which is connected to the voice switch 40 via the line 54. The console is then switched so that when the hand-held transmitter is inserted, its output 56 is connected via line 54 to the voice switch.

If the driver of the vehicle now approaches the device that is to be activated via the transmitter, be it a door operator or a parking lock or another device, he speaks the code words and the transmitter is activated.

If the transmitter 32 is designed as a hand-held transmitter, it can be taken along when leaving the vehicle and used for closing or later for reopening the gate.

Claims (9)

Transmitter (12, 32) emitting electromagnetic waves for starting a device equipped with a receiver (28) receiving the shafts (20), in particular a door drive (26), the transmitter (12, 32) having an actuating element (16, 18, 40) is provided, which is installed in a vehicle (10), characterized in that the actuating element (16, 18, 40) can be actuated by the driver without releasing the steering wheel of the vehicle. Transmitter according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element is designed as a voice switch (40). Transmitter according to Claim 2, characterized in that it is designed as a hand-held transmitter (32) which contains an integrated voice switch. Transmitter according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that there is a voice switch (40) installed in the vehicle (10) and structurally separate from the transmitter (32), which is connected on the output side (52) to the transmitter (32). Transmitter according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the voice switch (40) is provided with a speech recognition circuit (46) with teach-in (48). Transmitter according to Claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element is the actuating element which serves to actuate the headlight flasher (30). Transmitter according to Claim 6, characterized in that the transmitter (12) is galvanically decoupled, in particular inductively, connected to the current-carrying line of the light horn lever (16) of the vehicle (10). Transmitter according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the transmitter (12, 32) is designed as a permanently installed radio transmitter. Vehicle equipped with a transmitter (12, 32) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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