Detection method for operating gestures
A method for operating a function in a motor vehicle employs a sensor arrangement with at least two spaced sensors for detecting operations caused by a user. Signals of a first sensor are monitored until a first characteristic signal answer is detected. A user-carried identification device is queried to verify authorization to access the requested function. Signals of a second sensor are monitored to determine an operation caused by approaching the second sensor. Signals from the first and second sensors are monitored for a predetermined time period t1. If the signals indicate a continued operation of the two sensors during t1, an expiration of t1 is signaled to the user. Signals of the first sensor are monitored for a predetermined time period t2. If the signal of the first sensor indicates a cancellation of the operation within t2, the function of the motor vehicle is triggered.
1. A method for operating a function in a motor vehicle, including a sensor arrangement which has at least two spaced sensor devices for detecting the respective operations caused by the approach of a body part of a user, including the steps,
monitoring the signals of a first sensor device until a first characteristic signal answer is detected by the first sensor device,
querying a user-carried identification device to verify authorization to access the requested function,
querying of signals of a second sensor device and evaluating an associated second signal answer to determine an operation caused by approaching the second sensor device,
if the second signal answer indicates an operation caused by an approach towards the second sensor device, monitoring signals from the first and second sensor devices for a first predetermined time duration,
if the signals indicate a continued operation of the two sensor devices during the first predetermined time period, signaling the expiration of the first predetermined time period to the user,
monitoring the signals of the first sensor device for a second predetermined time period,
if the signal of the first sensor device indicates a discontinuation of the operation within the second predetermined time period, triggering the function of the motor vehicle.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sensor devices is formed as a capacitive sensor device.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sensor devices is formed as an optical sensor device.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the function to be triggered results in the opening of the tailgate of the motor vehicle.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the sensor devices are arranged at the rear of the motor vehicle and the first sensor device comprises a first detection area below the vehicle and the second sensor device comprises a second detecting portion which is offset from the first detection area to the rear in vehicle direction.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the end of the first predetermined time period is optically or acoustically signaled.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second predetermined time period is smaller than the first predetermined time period.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined time period is less than five second.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein an acoustic or visual signal is provided to the user immediately before the initiation of the function of the vehicle.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a detection range of at least one sensor device is marked by a lighting device arranged on the vehicle.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the lighting device is activated after the query of the user-carried ID transmitter has acquired authorization.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined time period is less than three seconds.