DE102020104494A1 - Method for providing digital services in vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for providing digital services in vehicles. The method comprises assigning at least one vehicle-related digital service to an authorized user; providing the at least one vehicle-related digital service for the authorized user in a first vehicle; and providing the at least one vehicle-related digital service for the authorized user in a second vehicle that is different from the first vehicle.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a method for providing digital services in vehicles and a storage medium for carrying out the method. The present disclosure particularly relates to sharing, sharing, and relaying digital services related to vehicles.

State of the art

Nowadays, digital services are available in most vehicles. For example, a vehicle can be equipped with a large number of digital services, such as entertainment functions, driver assistance functions and communication functions. These digital services are implemented in the vehicle and can generally be used by all users of the vehicle.

Recently, there has been a trend towards vehicle sharing, such as car sharing. The vehicles of the car sharing fleet are usually equipped with a number of specific digital services, such as a navigation function. The user of a car sharing vehicle is therefore limited to the digital services available in the vehicle.

Disclosure of the invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to specify a method for providing digital services in vehicles and a storage medium for carrying out the method which enable flexible use of digital services in vehicles, in particular motor vehicles.

This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements are given in the subclaims.

According to an independent aspect of the present disclosure, a method for providing digital services in vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, is specified. The method comprises assigning at least one vehicle-related digital service to an authorized user; providing the at least one vehicle-related digital service for the authorized user (and / or at least one further user and / or a group of people who have been authorized by the authorized user to use the at least one vehicle-related digital service) in a first vehicle; and providing the (same) at least one vehicle-related digital service for the authorized user (and / or the at least one further user and / or the group of people who were authorized by the authorized user to use the at least one vehicle-related digital service) in a second vehicle that is different from the first vehicle.

According to the invention, vehicle-related digital services are provided independently of a specific vehicle and can be flexibly implemented in a large number of vehicles depending on the request of the authorized user. It should be noted here that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned first vehicle and the second vehicle, but that the vehicle-related digital services of the authorized user can be implemented in more than two vehicles at the same time or one after the other. The vehicles can be any vehicles in which the vehicle-related digital services can be implemented.

This means that the vehicle-related digital services are not linked to a specific vehicle, but to the authorized user. In other words, the vehicle-related digital services are personal and can therefore be shared, used jointly and / or passed on temporarily. This enables flexible use of digital services in vehicles.

The expression “vehicle-related digital service” as used in the context of the present disclosure relates in particular to a function that can be used in the vehicle. The function can be a digital function such as an app or platform. In addition or as an alternative, the function can relate to or be a vehicle function, such as permanent or temporary activation of an available function in the vehicle (e.g. seat heating, power / speed activation, entertainment functions, simultaneous coupling of several smartphones, media playback, etc.). In addition or as an alternative, the function can relate to or be a (reloadable) software extension, such as, for example, new designs for a digital instrument display and / or an infotainment system.

The term “authorized user” as used in the context of the present disclosure relates to an owner of the digital services, that is to say a person who has bought or booked a digital service. This can be done, for example, as part of a subscription, a temporary activation, or with regard to a limited number of activations.

The authorized user is preferably with the provider of the at least one vehicle-related one registered digital service. The provider of the at least one vehicle-related digital service can be, for example, a vehicle manufacturer or a service provider of the vehicle manufacturer. Management of the at least one vehicle-related digital service on the part of the provider can take place, for example, by means of a backend in which the user is registered and with which the user can communicate by means of corresponding software. In particular, the authorized user can use the software to manage, configure, delete and add new services.

The software can be implemented by an app on a mobile device of the authorized user.

A mobile terminal device is a device that is able to operate in a mobile network via local networks or Local Area Networks (LANs), such as wireless LAN (WiFi / WLAN), or via wide area networks (WANs) such as Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), General Package Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed Downlink / Uplink Packet Access (HSDPA, HSUPA), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), or World Wide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) to communicate wirelessly. Communication via other current or future communication technologies, e.g. 5G mobile radio systems, is possible.

The term mobile device includes in particular smartphones, but also other mobile phones or cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet PCs, notebooks, smart watches and all current and future electronic devices that are equipped with a technology for loading and running apps are.

The method preferably comprises an authorization, by the authorized user, of a use of the at least one vehicle-related digital service by at least one further user and / or at least one user group or group of people; and providing the at least one vehicle-related digital service for the at least one further user and / or the at least one user group or group of people in a vehicle. This allows the authorized owner to pass on available digital services to specific people or defined user groups.

The authorized owner can specify the at least one further user and / or the at least one user group in advance. This can be done, for example, using the app on the authorized user's mobile device. This allows the authorized owner to authorize individual or specific persons, or general groups of persons (e.g. "all inmates", "children", "adults", "family", etc.)

The at least one vehicle-related digital service is preferably provided automatically or in response to a request in a vehicle, such as, for example, in a vehicle in which the authorized user is an occupant. The request can take place in the vehicle, for example, and in particular by means of an optical output unit and / or an acoustic output unit. For example, an infotainment system can display a request for selecting and / or confirming the at least one vehicle-related digital service that can be operated / selected by an occupant of the vehicle.

The method preferably includes an identification of the authorized user, the provision of the at least one vehicle-related digital service in the first vehicle and / or second vehicle only taking place if the authorized user has been positively identified. If the authorized user has been positively identified, his digital services can be automatically provided in the vehicle, for example.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one further user and / or the user group or group of people can be identified that the authorized user has authorized. In this case, it is not necessary for the authorized user to be present in the vehicle. If the at least one further user and / or the user group or group of people has been positively identified, the digital services released by the authorized user can be provided in the vehicle.

The authorized user and / or the at least one further user and / or the user group or group of people can be identified by means of at least one biometric characteristic. The at least one biometric characteristic can be selected from the group comprising or consisting of a fingerprint, facial features and a voice. The at least one biometric characteristic can be recorded by suitable sensors, such as a fingerprint sensor, a camera (face or facial features) and / or a microphone (e.g. voice). These sensors can be present in the vehicle and / or in the mobile terminal of the corresponding user.

The at least one vehicle-related digital service or information relating to the at least one vehicle-related digital service are preferably in the first vehicle and / or second vehicle deposited. In particular, the at least one vehicle-related digital service can already be implemented in the vehicle but not yet activated. Such services can be, for example, a vehicle performance, a maximum vehicle speed or seat heating, but are not limited to these.

In addition or as an alternative, the at least one vehicle-related digital service or information relating to the at least one vehicle-related digital service is received by a central unit in the first vehicle and / or the second vehicle. The central unit can, for example, be the vehicle manufacturer's backend that manages the digital services or an account of the authorized user. Such services can relate, for example, to an entertainment function or a design of an instrument display, which can be implemented, for example, by means of a software update in the vehicle.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one vehicle-related digital service is implemented using a mobile device of the user in the first vehicle and / or second vehicle. For example, the user (e.g. the authorized user, the at least one other user or a person from the group of people) can carry a vehicle key that contains or “brings along” the corresponding authorization to use the at least one vehicle-related digital service. In some embodiments, the user can additionally be identified in order to ensure that the user is actually the authorized user.

At least one activation condition for the at least one vehicle-related digital service is preferably present or defined. The at least one activation condition can be a type of vehicle, for example. The vehicle type can, for example, indicate whether it is a fleet vehicle (e.g. car sharing, VAF fleet), a taxi, a ride-hailing vehicle, etc.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one activation condition can relate to a role of the authorized user as an occupant of the vehicle, and in particular whether the authorized user is a driver or a passenger. For example, certain services or functions can only be released if the authorized user is the driver. Examples of such a service or such a function include, but are not limited to, a mileage and a maximum vehicle speed. These services can be blocked for other authorized users or user groups (e.g. children).

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one activation condition can relate to an effect of the at least one vehicle-related digital service on the driving properties of the vehicle, such as a chassis setting, a sport mode, direct steering, etc. For example, the sport mode cannot be activated on black ice. In a further example, certain services that have an effect on the driving characteristics can only be activated if the authorized user is the driver.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one activation condition can relate to the simultaneous use of two or more vehicle-related digital services. For example, certain services that interfere with one another or cannot be used at the same time cannot be activated at the same time in the same vehicle.

The method preferably includes determining a vehicle in which the at least one vehicle-related digital service and / or a prioritized vehicle-related digital service determined by the user can be activated. In car sharing, for example, a search for a vehicle can be restricted according to the user's prioritization. Certain services can be treated as mandatory and other services as optional.

For example, a navigation function can be specified as mandatory. Only vehicles that have a navigation function can then be proposed to the user.

According to a further independent aspect, a software (SW) program is specified. The SW program can be set up to be executed on one or more processors, and thereby to execute the process described in this document for the provision of digital services in vehicles.

According to a further independent aspect, a storage medium is specified. The storage medium can comprise a SW program which is set up to be executed on one or more processors and thereby to carry out the process described in this document for providing digital services in vehicles.

The term vehicle includes cars, trucks, buses, mobile homes, motorcycles, etc., which are used to transport people, goods, etc. In particular, the term includes motor vehicles for passenger transport.

Figure list

• 1 ein Flussdiagram eines Verfahrens zum Bereitstellen von digitalen Diensten in Fahrzeugen gemäß Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung.

Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown in the figures and are described in more detail below. Show it:

• 1 a flow diagram of a method for providing digital services in vehicles according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the disclosure

Unless otherwise noted, the same reference symbols are used below for elements that are the same and have the same effect.

1 shows a flow diagram of a method 100 for providing digital services in vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The procedure includes in the block 110 assigning at least one vehicle-related digital service to an authorized user; in the block 120 providing the at least one vehicle-related digital service for the authorized user (and / or at least one further user and / or a group of people who have been authorized by the authorized user to use the at least one vehicle-related digital service) in a first vehicle; and in the block 130 providing the (same) at least one vehicle-related digital service for the authorized user (and / or the at least one further user and / or the group of people who have been authorized by the authorized user to use the at least one vehicle-related digital service) in a second vehicle, that is different from the first vehicle. The digital services are therefore not vehicle-related and can, for example, be transferred to a new model when the vehicle is sold.

The basic idea of the invention, namely that vehicle-related digital services can be provided independently of a specific vehicle and can be flexibly implemented in a large number of vehicles depending on the request of the authorized user, enables a large number of possible applications.

In a first example, the digital services available in the vehicle for all passengers can be used if they are / are released by the respective authorized user or owner.

In a second example, authorized users or owners can pass on their available digital services to specific people and / or defined user groups.

In a third example, when using fleet vehicles (e.g. car sharing, VAF fleet), taxis or ride-hailing, authorized users or owners can search for vehicles that allow a certain service to be used.

The above examples are explained in detail below. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples and that other applications and implementations are possible.

According to the first example, the available digital services can be used by all passengers in the vehicle.

If a service owner has a personal digital service, the service owner can define whether the digital service is automatically, only on demand, or never used in vehicles in which he is the driver or a passenger (separately configurable). Furthermore, the behavior can be defined for different vehicle types, such as private vehicles, company vehicles, taxis, car sharing vehicles or fleet vehicles (e.g. no activation of the private video streaming service in company vehicles).

The driver and the occupants can be recognized by identifying the people in the vehicle using smart devices and / or biometric characteristics using sensors built into the vehicle or connected to the vehicle, and by explicitly logging in to the vehicle. The services assigned to a service provider can either already be known in the vehicle, synchronized from a backend system, or "brought" by the user through a corresponding certificate-based smart device infrastructure (e.g. in connection with a digital vehicle key that already has an authorization system ).

As soon as an occupant in the vehicle has been identified as the owner of services, depending on the selection made, the services are automatically available when approaching (e.g. if the proximity light staging has been booked), or the occupant can use a human-machine interface (touch display, voice , Gestures, etc.) or activate them using a smart device assigned to the occupant (e.g. smartphone or smartwatch).

If several services of the same category are released in the vehicle, either the higher-quality service can be activated or the options for selection (e.g. with different possible lighting scenarios) can be made available for selection.

Services that influence the driving task (for example sport mode, direct steering, or cancellation of a maximum speed) can only be activated automatically in some embodiments if the service owner is the driver. In other cases, explicit activation may be required.

The services may also be subject to a restriction with regard to simultaneous use in the vehicle (e.g. streaming only at two places when the vehicle is released or seat massage only for one place). For such seat-related services (e.g. seat massage, seat ventilation, seat-related entertainment functions, etc.) that are limited in simultaneous use, the service can in some embodiments only be activated at the seat of the service provider. In some embodiments, the service owner can also share the services with other people in the vehicle, if multiple use is permitted in the vehicle, or temporarily transfer them to another person (e.g. seat massage for a seat is booked on duty).

According to the second example, services are (temporarily) passed on to specific persons and / or user groups. This enables shared use of purchased services, for example.

For this purpose, the service owner can pass on authorization to use a service to a third person (e.g. temporarily) or define a group that can use certain services released by the service owner that allow group use.

For each service, the provider can define whether forwarding and / or group use is allowed. In the case of group use, you can also define how many simultaneous users there can be.

According to the third example, when using fleet vehicles (e.g. car sharing, VAF fleet), taxis or ride-hailing, the service owner can search for vehicles that allow a certain service to be used.

For example, regardless of whether the service owner wants to drive himself or should be driven, an algorithm can be used, for example, to check which personally activated services can be used in a particular vehicle (due to hardware capability / corresponding software status in the vehicle) or also additionally could be booked.

Additionally or alternatively, the algorithm can be used to limit the selection of vehicles to those vehicles that make one or a combination of certain services available. For example, a restriction can be imposed to the effect that a user absolutely wants to have the "Steering wheel heating" service booked in winter.

An exemplary implementation of the inventive idea is explained below.

The implementation in the vehicle can take place, for example, by means of a service coordinator on a central control device that is already active when the customer approaches and also has a backend connection. The service coordinator either receives the global user ID of the identified approaching persons with vehicle access authorization and all persons in the vehicle who can be identified (e.g. via an occupant model), or receives digitally signed service authorization packages. These service authorization packages can, for example, be brought securely to the vehicle using digital keys without being linked to a user ID.

For user IDs received, the available services are managed in a backend system (in particular own purchases and bookings or forwarded services) and can be called up by the vehicles. An algorithm then evaluates the services available per seat and for the vehicle as a whole and, depending on the user settings, decides whether a service is activated directly, the occupant is asked explicitly, or a service is not made available. The service coordinator then sends corresponding messages to the function masters required for a service in order to activate the services.

If a service is temporarily made available to another user, this is noted in the backend in order to prevent multiple use.

According to the invention, vehicle-related digital services are provided independently of a specific vehicle and can be implemented flexibly in a large number of vehicles depending on the request of the authorized user. It should be noted here that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned first vehicle and the second vehicle, but that the vehicle-related digital services of the authorized user can be implemented in more than two vehicles. The vehicles can be any vehicles in which the vehicle-related digital services can be implemented.

This means that the vehicle-related digital services are not linked to a specific vehicle, but to the authorized user. In other words, the vehicle-related digital services are personal and can therefore be shared, used jointly and / or passed on temporarily. This enables flexible use of digital services in vehicles.

Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in more detail by preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. It is therefore clear that there is a multitude of possible variations. It is also clear that embodiments cited by way of example really only represent examples that are not to be interpreted in any way as a limitation, for example, of the scope of protection, the possible applications or the configuration of the invention. Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without the To leave the scope of protection that is defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

Claims (10)

A method (100) for providing digital services in vehicles, comprising: Assigning (110) at least one vehicle-related digital service to an authorized user; Providing (120) the at least one vehicle-related digital service for the authorized user in a first vehicle; and Providing (130) the at least one vehicle-related digital service for the authorized user in a second vehicle that is different from the first vehicle. The method (100) according to Claim 1 , further comprising: authorizing, by the authorized user, a use of the at least one vehicle-related digital service by at least one further user and / or at least one user group; and providing the at least one vehicle-related digital service for the at least one further user and / or the at least one user group in a vehicle. The method (100) according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the at least one vehicle-related digital service is provided automatically or on demand in a vehicle. The method (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , further comprising: identifying the authorized user, the provision of the at least one vehicle-related digital service in the first vehicle and / or second vehicle only taking place if the authorized user has been positively identified. The method (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th wherein the at least one vehicle-related digital service or information relating to the at least one vehicle-related digital service is stored in the first vehicle and / or the second vehicle; and / or - received by a central unit in the first vehicle and / or second vehicle, and / or - implemented using a mobile device of the user in the first vehicle and / or second vehicle. The method (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , wherein at least one activation condition for the at least one vehicle-related digital service is present. The method (100) according to Claim 6 , wherein the at least one activation condition relates to at least one of the following aspects: a type of vehicle; and / or - a role of the authorized user as an occupant of the vehicle, in particular whether the authorized user is a driver or a passenger; and / or an effect of the at least one vehicle-related digital service on driving characteristics of the vehicle; and / or - a simultaneous use of two or more vehicle-related digital services. The method (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th , further comprising: determining a vehicle in which the at least one vehicle-related digital service or a prioritized vehicle-related digital service specified by the user can be activated. The method (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , wherein the at least one vehicle-related digital service relates to a vehicle function and / or a media function. Storage medium, comprising a software program which is set up to be executed on one or more processors, and to thereby the method (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 to execute.

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