Communication device for vehicles

0001The present invention relates to a communication device for vehicles according to the preamble of claim 1.

0002Such communication device is from "auto motor - sport ", No. 6 from 07.03.2001 known. It describes that a built-in a car tire microchip Tire air pressure and the temperature of the tire by radio to a Mobile phone are transmitted. When an abnormal change the tire air pressure or the tire temperature generates the Mobile phone, an audible and / or visual warning signal.

0003Trucks are known from anmelderinternem prior art, the equipped with an electronic air suspension are, which enables a level adjustment of the vehicle body, For example, for outdoor works, for loading and unloading and for coupling and uncoupling a trailer. To control the Niveauverstelllungseinrichtung is there a handset provided, connected by a spiral cable with the of Vehicle is. In utility vehicles, in which the towing vehicle or on the trailer An electronic air suspension with height adjustment is installed, is known, these by a second remote control or alternatively by moving the remote control of Tractor to operate on the trailer. For commercial trailers, which often to different tractors are coupled, it is necessary, the number of kilometers the trailer and any error messages display. These are the Trailers special mileage counter or fault indicating devices provided.

0004From anmelderinternem prior art are also "wired Remote controls "are known in which data about a transmitted separate or common transmit / receive line will. done The reporting errors a control unit either at the dashboard of the vehicle or by means of a optical display, for example a LED, which in the remote control is available. When using an "intelligent" Amaturenfeldes is the error output by text or graphic display in Plaintext communicated to the driver. It is also known, by means of a diagnostic device that of a diagnostic connector Vehicle is connected, in the workshop a detailed Failure diagnosis of various control units of the vehicle output.

0005Object of the invention is, more communication options between a mobile phone and a vehicle to create.

0006This object is achieved by the features of claim 1 dissolved. Advantageous refinements and developments of Invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

0007The basic principle of the invention is to provide a mobile phone to use for the communication with a vehicle and that for a two-way "data exchange", in particular for Controlling a vehicle is arranged in the electronic Control unit. the mobile phone is as simple terms "Remote control" for controlling a vehicle is arranged in the mechanical actuator used. Here, there are many Applications.

0008According to the invention, for example, the Niveauverstelleinrichtung a commercial vehicle on the mobile phone controlled namely "wireless", which ease the, in particular the Fflexibilität substantially improved.

0009In contrast to the above mentioned applicant's internal state of the art, is a control unit for an electrical level adjustment instead of the previously-known wired remote control commercial cellphone.

0010For this purpose, the mobile phone is an additional program for an "operating mode" stored, with the simple, comfortable menu-driven operation of a arranged in the vehicle controller is possible.

0011The existing in modern mobile phones with graphics capability, high-resolution displays allow convenient menu design and a simple menu. Due to the excellent Transmission / reception characteristics of modern mobile devices and its long range, they have ideal conditions for use as a universally usable radio remote control.

0012When a mobile phone to control a Fahrzeugniveauverstellvorrichtung is used, in the "remote control", ie stored various functions in mobile phone be such as pre-stored Verstellniveaus for loading and Discharge of the vehicle etc.

0013Through a menu selection on the mobile phone can be between a remote control chosen for the tractor and the trailer will. For protection against "unauthorized" control by foreign mobile phone users, the mobile telephones provided standard transfer the mobile phone number to vehicle-mounted receivers are used.

0014Furthermore, the provided in the vehicle transmitting / receiving device be used to various vehicle data via radio via a relay station and a telephone network or the Internet to any device, such as phones or computers to transfer. For example, diagnostic values ​​or other Data of a control unit of an electronic air suspension or other control devices or sensors are transmitted.

0015As an interface between the various control units and the control unit for the electronic air-suspension or its Send / receive module, a diagnostic line or a CAN interface be used.

0016Next, the invention of an exemplary embodiment explained in more detail in connection with the drawing.

0017The only Fig. 1 schematically shows the basic principle of the invention.

0018To a data bus 1 (eg CAN bus) of a vehicle are more Automotive ECUs 2-4 of a vehicle connected. The Control unit 4 can for example for controlling an electronic Air suspension or for controlling a Niveauverstelleinrichtung be the vehicle provided. The control unit 4 is via an electrical line 5 with a warning or indicator light and through a line 7 with a transmitting / receiving module 8 connected, which via a pipe 9 is also connected to the CAN bus 1 connected.

0019The control unit 4 and the transmitting / receiving module 8 can in a common electronics housing to be integrated, which schematically here is indicated by the dashed block 10th

0020The transmit / receive module 8 includes a transmitter and a receiver to which an exchange of data via radio with a mobile phone allow 11 what indicated here by the arrow 12 is.

0021Further, a fixed telephone network 13 is provided to the phones or computer a forwarding 14 or a repair shop can be connected 15th Further, there is a connection between the fixed telephone network 13 and a mobile network, which is only schematically indicated here by a relay station 16th About the relay station 16 is a data exchange between the Send / receive module 8 to landline devices or other mobile devices 17 possible, which is indicated by the arrows 18 and 19 is.

0022Essential "safety criteria" when using a wireless Remote control in the automotive sector are a reliable data connection, excluding from interference or unauthorized Operation by foreign mobile phone users and the Risk of losing the remote part.

0023Mobile phones transmit the call setup by default its own Phone number to the called device. This enables the vehicle-mounted receiver 8 a caller or a make call screening. In particular, one or more Mobile Phones 11 released as "acceptable" communication devices be or preconfigured. At the same time, an undesired Use third party can not be exceeded.

0024Mobile phone users usually go very carefully with her mobile phone in a way, that when using a mobile phone as remote control for a vehicle, the risk of Losing the remote control is low. In addition, however, be provided that the transmission / reception module 8 constantly monitored, whether a radio link to the mobile phone 11 is. Becomes the mobile phone 11 outside the vehicle are allowed, ie breaking the direct radio link 12 between the Mobile phone 11 and the transmission / reception module 8 from, this can are displayed on the warning light. 6 This is possible because the Send / receive module 8 non-relay stations 16, but directly communicating with the mobile phone 11th

0025Each of the ECUs 2-4 can be assigned its own PIN code be. In the "Sign in" a new mobile phone with a 11 Control unit 2-4 of the vehicle will be supplied to the remote control software the display of the mobile phone 11 of the PIN code of Controller 2-4 queried and the phone number in the vehicle, that is stored in the control unit 2-4 and the transmitting / receiving module eighth Instead of a PIN-code can also the number of the Transmitting / receiving module are used.

0026During the first call, the mobile phone 11 is the Possibility, the operating software required for the data exchange for the mobile phone 11 from the control unit 8 of the electronic air suspension on the transmitter / receiver module 8 in the mobile phone 11 to download. Alternatively, to be provided that the operating software via the relay station 16 is downloaded from the Internet.

0027The number of T / R module 8 can after downloading the operating software in mobile phone 11 saved will. In a later call a menu for controlling the electronic air suspension on the mobile phone is 11 automatically dial the number of the T / R module 8 and the connection is maintained until you leave the menu, wherein in contrast to a conventional telephone conversation no phone charges apply. The automatic dialing is a rapid build-up of the remote control function on the Mobile phone 11 possible.

0028Optionally, several mobile phones as "Remote Control Devices" pre-configured for a particular vehicle or be established. It can be provided that only a mobile telephone 11 and be not more the same "active" can, that exchange data with the transmitter / receiver module 8 can. This can be an already when control unit 4 or the Send / receive module be 8 registered mobile telephone 11, after the vehicle is started as the first shared "phone" menu calls for electronic air suspension.

0029While invoking the menus for the electronic air suspension can, for example in an input menu of the handset 11 once a PIN code, the license plate number, etc. be interrogated to the accidental operation of a "wrong" vehicle to prevent. Thus, the risk of incorrect operation at to prevent a more frequent car changes. Which thereto subsequent activation of the mobile phone is for the duration of vehicle operation, that is, until shutdown maintaining ignition and at the same time causes a blockage all other registered mobile phones. A mobile phone 11 can thus be used to control multiple vehicles. At the same time, however, it is ensured that only one Mobile phone 11 is allowed per transmitter / receiver module. 8

0030The possibility of using a vehicle-specific PIN code or the use of the number of T / R module 8 as a secret number and the transfer of the telephone number the mobile phone 11 at connection permit Variety customer- and security-related applications.

0031As already explained, the transmitting / receiving module 8 may be in a its control unit 4 integrated. To get a good input / Abstrahleigenschaft, ie, to achieve a good signal transmission, If the transmission / reception module 8 and the control unit 4 in a separate housing at a location of the CAN bus 1 be arranged at the good reception is present. about the display of the mobile telephone 11, the operating state, ie Faults or errors of the control 4 monitors and displays will. For example, a commercial vehicle during retraction in a shipping area, the mileage performance, a system failure or impending maintenance information wirelessly to a competent workshop 15 and the forwarding management 14 together with various other vehicle data, such as Vehicle owners, tenants, freight etc., report.

0032The transmitter / receiver module 8 can in addition to direct communication 12 with a Mobilitelefon 11, compounds 18 via the allow landline. 13 A mobile phone 11 may therefore represent a Remote errors or other data from any Location are used. In addition, other Tasks are performed, such as a service control center, Traffic logistics control between 14 and forwarding the vehicle failure diagnosis monitoring, monitoring of Repair and service appointments and updates of software Control units 2-4 and the transmit / receive module 8. Thus, Changes in one example, the controller manufacturer, performed and expensive recalls are avoided.

0033In summary, the following important with the invention Benefits achieved:<ul><li>Cost-system solution, as no additional remote control unit is necessary and mobile phones Value are.</li><li>With a single mobile phone can switch driven both the tractor and the trailer will.</li><li>The transmitter / receiver module 8 enables both compound the fixed telephone network 13 and to various mobile networks.</li><li>High reliability, as mobile systems already many years are tested.</li><li>Long range radio link, since the transmitting / receiving performance of mobile phones for several kilometers to is adapted to the next relay station.</li><li>High security against interference or foreign manipulation by co-transmit and check the phone number of the Mobile telephone by the vehicle-side control unit.</li><li>The operator can use his own mobile phone; thus there is little danger that the "remote control" is lost or forgotten.</li><li>If the wireless connection is lost to the vehicle, is a generates warning signal.</li><li>The connection to the vehicle by simply downloading operating software made in the mobile phone.</li><li>An update of vehicle software, such as software individual ECUs, is via the cellular connection possible, thereby avoiding vehicle recalls can be.</li></ul>