US 11,749,036 B2
System and method for determining a time at which a vehicle function of a vehicle is brought into use
Markus Ruf, Waldstetten (DE); and Hannah Staub, Karlsdorf-Neuthard (DE)
Assigned to AUDI AG, Ingolstadt (DE)
Appl. No. 17/779,348
Filed by AUDI AG, Ingolstadt (DE)
PCT Filed Jan. 19, 2021, PCT No. PCT/EP2021/050987
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date May 24, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/164968, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 26, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 104 590.5 (DE), filed on Feb. 21, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0406108 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. G07C 9/00 (2020.01)
CPC G07C 9/00309 (2013.01) [G07C 2009/00317 (2013.01); G07C 2009/00769 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for determining a time at which a vehicle function of a vehicle is brought into use, comprising:
at least one vehicle;
at least one key element associated with the at least one vehicle and configured to exchange data therewith; and
at least one processor configured to
determine a vehicle position of a respective vehicle and a key position of a corresponding key element;
place the respective vehicle in a driving operating mode when the vehicle position and the key position are within a minimum distance; and
automatically switch on at least one vehicle function activatable when the respective vehicle is stationary, depending on the key position changing relative to the vehicle position, the at least one vehicle function being location-dependent on the vehicle position and the key position being separated by at least ten meters, and the key position of an associated key element of the respective vehicle used most recently to bring the vehicle into use is prioritized over any other key element associated with the respective vehicle.