Granted Patent B2

US 12,673,638 · App. 18/774,035 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Inventors: Christian Buchner (Poing, DE); Kai Hoesl (Iffeldorf, DE); Alexander Maier (Langenbach, DE)

Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft

B60R25/24B60R2325/20

Abstract

Claims (19)

1 . An apparatus for actuating a function of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a first transmission/reception device arranged at a first location of the motor vehicle and configured to receive a functional signal for actuating a function of the motor vehicle from a functional device different from the motor vehicle;

a central transmission/reception device arranged at a central location of the motor vehicle and configured to receive the functional signal from the first transmission/reception device; and

a control device in communication with the first transmission/reception device and the central transmission/reception device, wherein the control device is configured to:

measure and compare a propagation time of the functional signal from the functional device to the first transmission/reception device and a propagation time of the functional signal from the first transmission/reception device to the central transmission/reception device, and

actuate or disable the function based on the comparison.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the function comprises unlocking of the motor vehicle.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the function comprises ignition of the motor vehicle.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the central transmission/reception device is connected to a motor vehicle device in a manner that cannot be non-destructively released.

5 . A method for actuating a function of a motor vehicle, comprising:

receiving a functional signal for actuating a function of the motor vehicle at a first transmission/reception device arranged at a first location of the motor vehicle and from a functional device different from the motor vehicle;

receiving the functional signal at a central transmission/reception device arranged at a central location of the motor vehicle and from the first transmission/reception device;

measuring a propagation time of the functional signal from the functional device to the first transmission/reception device;

measuring a propagation time of the functional signal from the first transmission/reception device to the central transmission/reception device;

comparing the propagation times; and

based on the comparison, actuating or disabling the function by way of a control device in communication with the first transmission/reception device and the central transmission/reception device.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the function comprises unlocking of the motor vehicle.

7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the function comprises ignition of the motor vehicle.

8 . A motor vehicle comprising the apparatus of claim 1 .

Assignments (1)

Priority Claims (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (12)