WO2021148186A1

WO2021148186A1 - Providing a function relating to a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2021148186A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/084942
Authority: WO
Inventors: Felix Klanner; Horst Kloeden
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2020-01-23
Filing date: 2020-12-07
Publication date: 2021-07-29
Also published as: DE102020101510A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method comprising the steps of: collecting user data of users of a plurality of motor vehicles; determining a function relating to a motor vehicle, wherein the function can be provided on the basis of collected user data; determining user data to be used to provide the function; determining consent of users of the motor vehicles to use the respective collected user data associated with the users; and providing the function only on the basis of the collected user data for which the respective associated user gave consent to use in order to provide the function.

Description

Providing a function related to a motor vehicle

The invention relates to the provision of a function related to a motor vehicle. In particular, the invention relates to the provision of a new function on the basis of user data of a user of a motor vehicle.

A motor vehicle can comprise one or more functions that can be provided on the basis of user data. For example, the user data of many users can be collected and statistically evaluated. For example, avoiding a traffic jam can be determined in an improved manner for a user of a motor vehicle if it is known which other road users are trying to avoid the traffic jam. It is therefore common for a motor vehicle to record a large number of user data from its user and to forward it to an external location for evaluation.

With the collection of user data there is a risk of the data being used for a function for which the user does not want to release his user data. In some countries there are legal requirements to inform a user about the type and purpose of a possible use before using his user data and to obtain his consent for this. As a result, however, this often means that only a few users agree to the use of their user data to create a new function, so that the function can be designed or implemented less well or not at all.

An object on which the present invention is based therefore consists in specifying an improved technology for managing user data in order to be able to provide a function on the basis thereof. The invention solves this problem by means of the subjects of the independent claims. Subclaims reproduce preferred embodiments.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method comprises steps of collecting user data from users of a plurality of motor vehicles; of determining a function related to a motor vehicle, wherein the function is based on captured user data can be provided; determining user data to be used to provide the function; determining the consent of users of the motor vehicles to the use of the specific user data assigned to the users in each case; and the provision of the function on the basis of only such recorded user data, the use of which for the provision of the function has been given consent by the respectively assigned user.

In contrast to known technologies, the consent of a user can only be obtained after the function has been determined. Before the user has given his consent, his user data cannot be used. The user can have the sovereignty over his user data and in particular freely decide at any time which function he would like to release it for and, if necessary, which user data he would like to provide. Collected user data can be subject to the same restrictions on use as user data that is to be collected first.

The user data of a user can in particular include data about the use of a motor vehicle by the user. The use of a motor vehicle can further preferably include movement or operating information such as a driving state, a route taken or a service measure applied to the motor vehicle. In addition, the use of a function or a service by the user in connection with the motor vehicle can be affected. Such a function can include practically any intended function of the motor vehicle, for example air conditioning, route guidance or an entertainment system. Settings or preferences of the user when using the motor vehicle can also be viewed as user data.

In a further embodiment, virtually any other data that a user provides can be viewed as user data. For example, a user himself can provide image or video material that can be related to a use of the motor vehicle. Communication data such as e-mails, data exchanged via a social network or call information from a mobile telephone can also be provided by the user. The aim is to give the user the full Has control over the data assigned to him and can make fine-grained decisions about their use, so that an incentive to save his user data in a central, trustworthy place is increased.

In another embodiment, a user's user data includes personal information about the user. The personal information can relate, for example, to a name, an age, a gender, a body size, income situation, a political attitude or any other information. In addition, such information can be counted as user data that is generated by a combination of data relating to the user and to the motor vehicle. For example, a common commute to work, a common time at which the commute is conquered, a vacation trip with or without family and similar data can be included.

Recorded user data can be saved and the consent can relate to user data that was saved before the time the function was determined. Of course, consent to the use of user data is also possible after the function has been determined. The consent to the use of the user data by the user can also relate to a predetermined period of time, the limits of which can be in the past, present or future. For example, a function can be provided that allows the user data to be used retrospectively. For example, an insurance company, such as a car insurance company, can base its premiums on the driving style of a user. The user can allow the user data stored about him to determine his driving style and only allow the insurance company to use his user data if he is satisfied with the resulting premiums for the insurance company.

In a first phase, the function can only be made available to users who have consented to the use of the user data assigned to them to make the function available. For example, a relatively small group of users can be used as beta testers for a function. By providing their user data, the users can benefit from an early provision of the function. At the same time, a developer of the function can employ an advantageous number of users as testers. Other users who do not want to release their user data for the provision of the function cannot use the function or can only use it to a limited extent in this embodiment.

In a further embodiment, the function can also be made available to these users in a second phase. The quality of the function often depends on how many users have consented to their user data being used to provide the function. In the second phase, the function to be provided can already be fully developed. An incentive for a user to release his user data for the provision of the function can be increased.

One of the motor vehicles can be controlled to provide the function by means of an already existing device. In other words, the function can be controlled by a program that runs on an existing device on board the motor vehicle. The program can be provided on board the motor vehicle in that it is transmitted to the motor vehicle, for example, by means of a wireless communication link. Such a technique is known as “remote update”. The consent of the user, another person on board the motor vehicle or a keeper of the motor vehicle can be obtained for uploading and / or installing the program.

It is also preferred that the consent is given as specifically as possible in order to avoid excessive use of user data. For example, it is preferred that the consent relates to a description of the function. This enables the user to better assess what benefits he or other users can have by providing his user data.

In a further embodiment, the consent relates to processing of the user data to provide the function. As a result, the user can better assess the way in which his user data flow into the provision of the functional result. A type of processing of the user data, the intention in the processing or a depersonalization of user data can be important information for a Be a user to make a decision about giving consent.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a device on board a motor vehicle comprises a scanning device for acquiring user data of a user of the motor vehicle; an interaction device for determining a consent of a user of the motor vehicle to the use of predetermined user data assigned to the user, wherein the predetermined user data are to be used for providing a predetermined function that can be provided on the basis of captured user data; and a control device for providing the predetermined function on the basis of the user data for the use of which consent has been given.

The device can comprise a processing device which is set up to carry out a method described herein in whole or in part. For this purpose, the processing device can comprise a programmable microcomputer or microcontroller and the method can be in the form of a computer program product with program code means. The computer program product can be stored on a computer-readable data carrier. Features or advantages of the method can be transferred to the device or vice versa.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a motor vehicle comprises a device described herein. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a system comprises a motor vehicle described herein and an external location which is set up to record user data from users of a plurality of motor vehicles and to provide the function on the basis of a plurality of user data. The system can implement a method described herein in whole or in part. Features or advantages of the system can be transferred to the method or the device or vice versa.

In a further embodiment, the interaction device is attached outside of the motor vehicle. It is particularly preferred that several interaction devices are provided, each with which user data of a user can be managed. In particular, it should be possible to give consent to the use of predetermined user data to provide a predetermined function by the user from a large number of different interaction devices. The external point can in particular be implemented as a server or service, preferably in a cloud.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a system;

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a method; and

Figure 3 illustrates exemplary user data.

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 which comprises a motor vehicle 105 with a device 110 and a point 115 external to this. Outside the motor vehicle 105, one or more interaction devices 120 can be provided. The motor vehicle 105 can be used by a user 125, who represents a human person, who can for example include an owner, an owner, a keeper, a driver or a passenger of the motor vehicle 105. Use generally includes any type of use of the motor vehicle 105, in particular the transport of the user 125, or the use of a function or a service using the motor vehicle 105.

The device 110 preferably comprises a processing device 130 which can be connected to an information source on board the motor vehicle 105 by means of an interface 135. The processing device 130 can also be connected to an actuator or a control device on board the motor vehicle 105 via the same interface 135 or another interface. The information source can provide information about the motor vehicle 105, its user 125 or an environment. The actuator or the Control devices can be set up to control a function on board the motor vehicle 105. The function can be controlled by the processing device 130 on the basis of a computer program.

The external location 115 generally comprises a data memory 145, which can be connected directly or by means of a processing device 150 to a communication device 155 which is set up to communicate with the motor vehicle 105, in particular using the communication device 140 there. The data memory 145 is set up to store any information, in particular that which is assigned to the user 125. Such data are referred to below as user data and can include the person of the user 125, the motor vehicle 105, their use or the use of a function or a service using the motor vehicle 105. The interaction devices 120 are each set up to communicate with the external point 115 and in particular to manage the user data. This can include uploading (uploading), downloading (downloading) and granting or withdrawing access rights to predetermined user data. One of the interaction devices 120 can also be mounted on board the motor vehicle 105. In one embodiment, an interaction device 120 is part of the device 110 on board the motor vehicle 105.

The external location 115 is preferably set up to store user data of a multiplicity of users 125, it being possible for each user 125 to be assigned to a motor vehicle 105. A plurality of users 125 can also be assigned to a motor vehicle 105, or a user 125 can be assigned to a plurality of motor vehicles 105.

It is proposed that user data of a user 125 be kept in the data memory 145 and managed there as completely as possible by the user 125. In particular, the user 125 should be able to give consent to the use of predetermined parts of his user data to provide a predetermined function. For this purpose, it is further preferred that the function, its purpose, which is used to provide the Function required user data and / or scope or use of the user data of the user 125 of the consent are based. In other words, before using his user data to provide a predetermined function, the user 125 should have the opportunity to assess the implications associated therewith and to consent to or reject the use of the user data.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a method 200. The steps of method 200 described below do not necessarily have to be carried out in the selected order. Individual steps can be carried out by the device 110 on board the motor vehicle 105, the external point 115 or an interaction device 120. The entire method 200 relates to user data of a user 125, the user data usually being held in a data memory 145. The data memory 145 is therefore shown purely symbolically as a central element for referring to all steps of the method 200 in FIG.

In a step 205, user data of a user 125 of a motor vehicle 105 are recorded. The acquisition is usually carried out by means of the device 110 on board the motor vehicle 105, where preprocessing of the user data can also take place.

In a step 210, the recorded user data are stored. For this purpose, the captured user data can be transmitted from the device 110 on board the motor vehicle 105 to the external point 115. Predetermined information can be assigned to the user data, for example a reference to the user 125, the motor vehicle 105 or the circumstances under which the user data was collected. The circumstances can in particular include a location, a time and / or an operating state of the motor vehicle 105.

Steps 205 and 210 can be carried out continuously with respect to a multiplicity of users 125 and motor vehicles 105 assigned to them in each case. As a result, user data can be aggregated at the data memory 145. A user 125 can also store further data in the data memory 145, for example image or sound data and communication data. The one of one Data provided to user 125 can subsequently be managed in the same way as the collected user data. It should be noted that user data can be recorded or stored on the basis of a setting which the user 125 can specify. In particular, the recording of certain user data can be actively selected (opt-in) or actively deselected (opt-out).

In a step 215, which can in particular be carried out some time after one of the steps 205 and 210 has been carried out for the first time, a function is determined which relates to a motor vehicle 105. This function can in particular increase a utility value of motor vehicle 105. For example, an existing function can be improved or a new function can be provided, which, in particular, did not have to be known in steps 205 and 210, in particular at the time of the acquisition and storage of user data. Accordingly, the user data present in the data memory 145 are usually not selected as a function of the specific function. An exemplary function could relate to an exchange between users 125 of motor vehicles 105 which have a predetermined model or a predetermined year of construction when the motor vehicles 105 drive one behind the other on a driveway.

The user data recorded in the data memory 145 can be managed in a step 220 from any interaction device 120. In particular, user data can be added or deleted, user data can be assigned to one another or grouped, processing of user data can be enabled and access rights to predetermined user data can be granted or withdrawn by the user 120. This step can preferably be carried out at any point in time.

In a step 225, user data can be determined which are to be used for the provision of the function. This can be required user data and optionally additionally desired user data. In the above example, the required user data can in particular include a position of a motor vehicle 105 used by a user 125 as well as its type or year of construction. Additionally Desired user information can relate to an age or a gender of the user 125, for example.

In a step 230, consent from a user 125 to the use of the user data assigned to him to provide the function can be obtained. For this purpose, it is preferred that the user 125 is shown exactly which of his user data is required and which is desired, over which period of time it is to be collected, how it is to be incorporated into the provision of the new function and what purpose or use the function is to have. The user 125 can give his consent for the use of the desired user data in full or in part. For example, a user 125 can choose to provide the required user data only for a point in time after giving his consent.

The function can be provided in a step 235. For this purpose, user data from a large number of users 125 from the data memory 145 can be linked to one another or processed. In some embodiments, the user data can also be used to design the function. In the example mentioned, it can be determined, for example, how often motor vehicles 105 of predetermined types or years of construction drive one behind the other on a route.

The function can be implemented in a step 240. The implementation can in particular include the provision of a computer program or a setting that can be transmitted to a motor vehicle 105 and executed there. In one embodiment, the function is only provided in those motor vehicles 105 whose users 125 consent to the execution or installation. In a further embodiment, at least in a first phase, only those users 125 who have released their user data to provide the function can use the function. In a later, second phase, other users 125 can also benefit from the new function.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of exemplary user data of an exemplary user 125. The data memory 145 is present only user data 305 of user 125 is shown. User data 305, which the user 125 allows to be used, are shown in light color; However, the user 125 does not want to release user data 305 shown darkly in order to provide a predetermined function.

Purely by way of example, the displayed user data 305 are arranged chronologically from left to right. Reference times of the user data 305 can in particular reflect a creation or access time. A broken vertical line shows an example of a point in time at which the user 125 is requested to provide his user data. First user data 310 are before this point in time, second user data 315 after. The displayed user data 305 are additionally categorized. A first category 320 relates to user data 305 that was recorded when using a function or a service on board the motor vehicle 105.

A second category 325 relates to user data which is based on a movement state of a motor vehicle 105 used by the user 125. A third category 330 relates to user data related to the individual user 125. This can also include data that the user 125 himself has placed in the data memory 145. Of course, user data 305 of a user 125 can also be subdivided or categorized differently than shown here.

The present invention enables a user 125 to manage practically any data flexibly and precisely and to consent to its use for providing a new function in an informed and responsible manner. A function can be designed or provided in an improved manner by finding users 125 who support the provision of the function by sharing their user data. Data sovereignty over user data can always remain with the assigned user 125. User data 305 provided by a user 125 may optionally go beyond the data that can be automatically collected. Reference number

100 system

105 motor vehicle

110 device

115 external body

120 interaction device

125 users

130 processing facility

135 interface

140 Communication facility

145 data storage

150 processing facility

155 Communication facility

200 procedures

205 Collecting User Data

210 Saving user data

215 Determine a function

220 Managing user data

225 Determining user data

230 Obtaining Consent

235 Providing a function

240 Implementing a function

305 user data

310 first user data (past)

315 second user data (future)

320 first category (use of a service / a function)

325 second category (state of motion of the motor vehicle)

330 third category (personal data of the user)

Claims

Expectations

1. Method (200) with the following steps:

Acquiring (205) user data (305) from users (125) of a plurality of motor vehicles (105);

Determining (215) a function related to a motor vehicle (105), wherein the function can be provided on the basis of captured user data (305);

Determining (220) user data (305) to be used for providing the function;

Determination (230) of consents from users (125) of the motor vehicles (105) to the use of the specific user data (305) assigned to the users (125) in each case;

Providing (235) the function on the basis of only those captured user data (305) for whose use to provide the function there is consent from the respectively assigned user (125).

2. The method (200) according to claim 1, wherein the user data (305) of a user (125) include data about the use of a motor vehicle (105) by the user (125).

3. The method (200) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the user data (305) of a user (125) includes personal information about the user (125).

4. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein captured user data (305) are stored (210) and the consent relates to user data (305) that were stored before the time of determining the function.

5. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the function is only provided in a first phase to users (125) who are in have consented to the use of the user data (305) assigned to them to provide the function.

6. The method (200) according to claim 5, wherein the function is also provided in a second phase to users (125) who have not consented to the use of user data (305) assigned to them.

7. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the motor vehicles (105) is controlled (240) to provide the function by means of an already existing device.

8. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consent is based on a description of the function.

9. The method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consent is related to a processing of the user data (305) to provide the function.

10. Device (110) on board a motor vehicle (105), comprising a scanning device (135) for capturing user data (305) of a user (125) of the motor vehicle (105); an interaction device (120) for determining a consent of a user (125) of the motor vehicle (105) to the use of predetermined user data (305) assigned to the user (125), the predetermined user data (305) being used to provide a predetermined function which can be provided on the basis of captured user data (305); and a control device (130) for providing the predetermined function on the basis of the user data (305) for the use of which consent has been given.

11. Motor vehicle (105) comprising a device (110) according to claim 10.

12. System (100) comprising a motor vehicle (105) according to claim 11 and an external location (115) which is set up to record user data (305) from users (125) of a plurality of motor vehicles (105) and to function the base of a plurality of user data (305).