WO2023006340A1

WO2023006340A1 - Method and computer programme for extending the service life of a motor vehicle, and control unit of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2023006340A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/068381
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alma Pröbstl; Jens Kastens; Nicolas Blum
Original assignee: Zf Friedrichshafen Ag
Priority date: 2021-07-26
Filing date: 2022-07-04
Publication date: 2023-02-02
Also published as: DE102021208003A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for extending a service life of a motor vehicle (12), in particular a battery of the motor vehicle (12), with a system (10) which comprises a control device (14) of the motor vehicle (12), a mobile device (16) of a user of the motor vehicle (12), and a server (18) on which health information regarding the user is stored. The method comprises: determining a vehicle position (20) of the motor vehicle (12) by means of the control device (14) of the motor vehicle (12) and transmitting corresponding motor vehicle position data to the server (18); using the mobile device (16) of the user to determine a destination (22) that the user wishes to reach with the motor vehicle (12) and a user position (24) of the user, and transmitting corresponding destination data and corresponding user position data to the server (18); using the server (18) to determine a positive user behaviour of the user based on the motor vehicle position data, the destination location data, the user position data, and the health information; and using the server (18) to generate a message to the user that notifies the user of the determined positive user behaviour, and transmitting the message to the mobile device (16) of the user.

Description

Method and computer program for extending the service life of a motor vehicle and control unit of a motor vehicle

The invention relates to a method and a computer program for extending the service life of a motor vehicle, in particular a battery of the motor vehicle, a control unit of the motor vehicle that is designed to process the method, and a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored .

Today, motor vehicles are often used to cover short distances that could be covered just as well, and sometimes better, by human power, for example on foot, by bicycle, in-line skates, a skateboard or a scooter. This situation is further aggravated by the fact that more and more means of transportation are being equipped with motors, in particular electric motors, and are thus becoming motor vehicles. For example, more and more electric bicycles, electric scooters and electrically operated skateboards and even completely new types of vehicles such as hoverboards or the one-person single-axle vehicle from Segway are appearing on the market. It is precisely these motor vehicles that encourage their users to use them as a means of transport, even for the shortest distances.

The problem with the frequent use of a motor vehicle for short to very short distances, for example to the next bus stop or the next mailbox, is that wear and tear on the corresponding motor vehicle is particularly high during start-stop operation, especially when the engine is cold. In particular, motor vehicles are usually designed for long journeys with a warm engine. This has a particularly strong effect in motor vehicles powered by fuel, but is also a factor in motor vehicles powered by electric motors, which can reduce the service life of the corresponding motor vehicle. In addition, the regular use of motor vehicles, even for the shortest distances, means that the problem of lack of exercise in our society and the associated potential health impairments continue to increase. This contributes to a burden on the health insurance companies and/or the corresponding health and social systems.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a computer program for extending the service life of a motor vehicle, in particular a battery of the motor vehicle, which can be carried out easily and inexpensively and/or which promotes the health of a user of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a control device for the motor vehicle that processes the method. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored.

These objects are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and from the following description.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for extending the service life of a motor vehicle, in particular a battery of the motor vehicle, with a system that includes a control unit of the motor vehicle, a mobile device of a user of the motor vehicle and a server on which health information relating to the user is stored are stored includes. The method includes: determining a vehicle position of the motor vehicle using the control unit of the motor vehicle and sending corresponding vehicle position data to the server; determining a destination that the user wants to reach with the motor vehicle and a current user position of the user using the user's mobile device and sending corresponding destination data and corresponding user position data to the server; determining a positive user behavior of the user by means of the server based on the vehicle position data, the destination data, the user position data and the health information; and generating a message to the user with the server, with which the user is informed of the determined positive user behavior, and sending the message to the mobile device of the user. The method enables the service life of the motor vehicle, in particular the battery of the motor vehicle, and the health of the user to be taken into account when the user uses the motor vehicle. For example, it can be advantageous for the user and the motor vehicle if the user covers a route to be covered or at least part of the route to be covered without the motor vehicle, for example if the route or the partial route is so short that it can easily be done by the user can be put back by muscle power and that putting them back by means of the motor vehicle would bring about increased wear and tear. In contrast, it can be advantageous for the user and the motor vehicle if the user covers a route to be covered or at least part of the route to be covered with the motor vehicle, for example if the area around the route or part of the route is unattractive and/or covering the route or section would be unhealthy for the user, for example due to high exhaust emissions along the route or section.

The method thus enables the service life of the motor vehicle, in particular the battery of the motor vehicle, to be lengthened in a simple and inexpensive manner and in ways and/or promotes the health of the user of the motor vehicle.

So far, the automotive and healthcare sectors have been considered largely separately from each other. In the field of health, it is well known that a minimum amount of daily exercise is conducive to maintaining both physical and mental health. The consumer electronics sector has already addressed this with fitness trackers and/or fitness bracelets that are able to measure a user's movement history, for example a number of steps that the user has taken in a given period of time. However, with the advancing digitalization and automated driving, there are new points of contact, as described here.

According to one embodiment, the positive user behavior includes covering at least part of a route from the current user position to the destination using muscle power. The method thus contributes in a simple manner Contributes to the fact that short distances, in particular very short distances, in particular distances that are so short that they can also be covered using muscle power, are covered less frequently, ideally not at all, by motor vehicle. The effect of this is that precisely these short distances, which would result in relatively rapid and/or high wear and tear on the motor vehicle, are avoided as far as possible. This contributes to extending the life of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, this method can be carried out easily and inexpensively. In the case of electrically operated motor vehicles, a co-optimization with a charging plan for charging the corresponding electric vehicles can optionally be carried out, which can contribute to reducing battery aging and thus to a further extension of the service life of the corresponding motor vehicle, in particular the battery of the corresponding motor vehicle . In particular, the time slot available through the distance covered by muscle power, in which the motor vehicle is not needed, can be used to improve, ideally to optimize, the vehicle battery charge. Furthermore, the method can be used by a car-sharing operator to motivate the user to choose a motor vehicle that is located at a distance, which means that more vehicles are available to the user and utilization of the corresponding vehicle fleet can be improved and ideally optimized . In particular, the time slot available due to the distance covered by muscle power, in which the motor vehicle is not required, can be used to improve, ideally to optimize, the provision of the vehicle within a rental car fleet or a car sharing fleet. Furthermore, the corresponding data can be used to prioritize users with a limited contingent within a vehicle fleet, for example by prioritizing the users for whom it is less or not reasonable to cover the route with muscle power.

Muscle strength refers to the muscular strength of the user. The user can cover the route or at least part of the route by muscle power on foot, by bicycle, with a kick scooter, inline skates, a skateboard or any other vehicle that is powered by muscle power. The message can, for example, be a push message generated by an app on a mobile device or an email. According to one specific embodiment, the method further includes: determining whether the user behaved in accordance with the positive user behavior, depending on current motor vehicle position data and current user position data using the server, the control device and the mobile device; and assigning, via the server, bonus points to the user corresponding to the positive user behavior if the user behaved in accordance with the positive user behavior. So the user who shows the positive user behavior gets many points compared to the user who does not show the positive user behavior. For example, the user who drives little and moves a lot gets many points compared to the user who drives a lot and moves little. The user's total number of bonus points may be included in the health information.

Determining whether the user has behaved in accordance with the positive user behavior can be carried out, for example, by monitoring the vehicle position and the user position. If, for example, the positive user behavior is that the user should cover at least part of the route using muscle power, determining whether the user has covered at least part of the route using muscle power can be carried out, for example, by checking whether the User has covered the route or at least part of the route without the motor vehicle, for example by comparing the user position of the user with the vehicle position of the motor vehicle. The generation of bonus points corresponding to the part of the distance that the user has covered by muscle power can be carried out, for example, by means of a look-up table generated in advance and stored on a computer-readable storage medium of the server. In such a look-up table, route lengths of the route or route section covered or route durations required to cover the route or route section can be assigned bonus points, with the number of bonus points increasing as the route length or route duration increases. For example, the system can be operated by an institution that has the health information. The institution can be, for example, a private or state health insurance company, a state social institution, or the like. For example, the bonus points can be used to connect to a health account, for example according to the “Social Scoring System” in China. In the Chinese/Asian market in particular, point systems have already been implemented in the social sector, which is why it is easy to integrate the bonus points explained above. Alternatively or additionally, the bonus points for existing bonus point programs of health insurance companies can be used, for example in the European context. For example, in return for the bonus points, insurance advantages or repayments can be granted, such as are regularly offered by western, in particular European, in particular German health insurance companies.

According to one embodiment, the method further includes: determining the health information using the server and/or the mobile device before determining the positive user behavior and storing the health information on the server. The health information or at least part of the health information can be determined, for example, by being retrieved from a storage medium on the server, the mobile device and/or the control device. Alternatively or additionally, the health information or at least part of the health information can be determined, for example, using the mobile device by being generated using the mobile device. For example, the mobile device can be used to determine movement information that is representative of the user's extent of movement. The extent of movement can relate, for example, to a number of steps taken by the user or a number of revolutions of the pedals of a bicycle belonging to the user.

According to one embodiment, the health information includes a specified movement target and/or movement information of the user. The movement goal can include, for example, 10,000 steps per day. Today's fitness trackers and/or bracelets can already count steps. A guideline is the mentioned 10,000 steps per day. According to one embodiment, the method further comprises: determining whether the user has already reached the predetermined movement goal depending on the movement information of the user, the message to the user being generated only if the user has not yet reached the predetermined movement goal. For example, it may be that the determination of whether at least part of the route from the current user position of the motor vehicle to the destination can be covered by the user using muscle power is only carried out if the movement destination has not yet been reached. If the user is below the value defined by the movement goal, routes planned for this day can be analyzed and routes or partial routes can be identified that can also be covered without a motor vehicle, so that it can be ensured that the user reaches his movement goal. Furthermore, there can be a connection to fitness tracker apps and/or the users can be motivated to move with muscle power through comparison, gamification and/or a competition with other users.

According to one embodiment, the method, if the motor vehicle can drive autonomously, further on: determining a boarding location in such a way that the user, when he moves from the user position to the boarding location using muscle power, achieves his movement goal, and providing the motor vehicle for the Users at the determined boarding location. The boarding location can be determined, for example, in such a way that the user reaches the movement destination all at once or that the user reaches his movement destination overall over several sections and/or in several stages, e.g. distributed over the day. Such a determination can be made, for example, based on a monitored and stored previous usage behavior. In vehicles that offer autonomous driving, it can thus be implemented that the motor vehicle only picks up the user when he has reached his daily goal of steps or other corresponding health parameters.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the method further includes: generating a signal that is representative of the fact that the use of the motor vehicle is prevented for so long that the user reaches his movement goal. The signal can be generated, for example, by the control unit of the motor vehicle be sent to this. The signal can, for example, lock a door and/or a steering wheel of the motor vehicle and/or deactivate an ignition or an electric motor. In other words, the motor vehicle can prevent use in response to the signal. For example, the user can set a door of the motor vehicle to remain locked until the daily limit of steps has been reached.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the destination is determined by receiving destination information from the user, which the user transmits to the server in the form of destination data using the mobile device. For example, the user can be informed early on when planning the route, for example via a corresponding navigation system that uses the method, that he should not use his motor vehicle for the route to be covered or at least part of the route to be covered. Alternatively, if the motor vehicle belongs to a motor vehicle fleet of an operator of the motor vehicle fleet, for example a car rental company or a car sharing operator, the user can send a request to the operator which has the destination information. The request can be sent via SMS, app or email, for example. Alternatively, the destination information may be taken by an employee of the operator of the vehicle fleet, entered into an operator's computer system, and thus received by the computer system.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the destination is determined by means of a route prediction, which determines the destination depending on at least one of the previous behavior of the user, the current user position, a current day of the week and a current time of day. The route prediction can be used to identify those routes that can also be covered using health-promoting alternatives using muscle power, for example on foot or by bike. With the route prediction of the next routes, short routes or partial routes with a sufficient time window can also be filtered and the Users can be encouraged to run, ride a bike, etc., for example via a push message. The route prediction can be further improved by Vehicle data of the motor vehicle is accessed directly, for example for ge accurate calculation of route length and / or for accurate determination of the current vehicle position, a starting point and / or a destination, for example using appropriate GPS data.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the determination of whether at least part of the route from the user position to the destination can be covered by the user using muscle power is dependent on at least one of a route length of the route to be covered, a route length of the partial route to be covered and a track environment. For example, a maximum route length of the route or partial route to be covered, which the user can reasonably be expected to cover using muscle power, can be specified or specified by the user. Alternatively or additionally, it can be specified or specified by the user which route environment is reasonable for the user to cover using muscle power and which is not. For example, unattractive route environments such as motorways, dual carriageways, busy city streets and/or tunnels can be classified as unattractive and therefore unacceptable, while routes on or through forests or parks and/or along extensive green verges are classified as attractive and therefore as be reasonably classified. In other words, the user may only be suggested to cover the route or part of the route using muscle power if it leads through or along an attractive route environment, such as a forest or a park.

One aspect of the invention relates to the system for extending the life of the motor vehicle, in particular the life of the battery of the motor vehicle. The system has: the control unit of the motor vehicle, the mobile device of the user of the motor vehicle, and the server on which the health information relating to the user is stored and which communicates with the control unit and the mobile device in order to process the method explained above. The system can have different modules for carrying out the method, where one, two or more of the modules can be integrated in the control device, the mobile device or in the server. For example, the system may include a first Module for determining the current user position, a second module for determining the destination, a third module for determining the positive user behavior, a fourth module for generating the message to the user, a fifth module for determining whether the user agrees with the positive user behavior behaved accordingly, a sixth module for generating the bonus points, a seventh module for sending the bonus points to the institution, an eighth module for determining whether the user has already reached the specified movement goal, a ninth module for determining the boarding location, a tenth module Module for making the motor vehicle available to the user at the determined boarding location, and/or an eleventh module for generating the signal that is representative of the fact that the use of the motor vehicle is prevented for so long that the user reaches his movement goal.

One aspect of the invention relates to a computer program for extending the durability of a motor vehicle which, when run from a processor of a computer, causes the method according to any one of the preceding claims to be carried out. The computer can be the control unit of the motor vehicle, for example. The computer program can be stored on a computer-readable medium.

One aspect of the invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program is stored, which is executable by the computer's processor. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, a hard disk, a USB memory device, a RAM, a ROM, an EPROM or a FLASH memory. The computer-readable medium may also be a data communication network, such as the Internet, that allows downloading of program code.

It is to be understood that features, embodiments and advantages of the method as described above and below can also be features of embodiments or advantages of the control device, the computer program and/or the computer-readable storage medium and vice versa.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system for extending the service life of a motor vehicle, in particular a battery of the motor vehicle.

2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first user-motor vehicle route constellation.

3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a second user-motor vehicle route constellation.

4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a third user-motor vehicle route constellation.

5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fourth user-motor vehicle route constellation.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for extending the service life of a motor vehicle.

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for extending the service life of a motor vehicle.

FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for extending the service life of a motor vehicle.

The reference symbols used in the figures and their meaning are summarized in the list of reference symbols. In principle, identical or similar parts are provided with the same reference symbols.

In this application, a “walking path” describes a route that can be covered by a user using muscle power. The route can be taken by the user covered on foot or by any human-powered vehicle. A route taken by the user to get from their user position to a destination may correspond to an entire route from the user position to the destination, or may correspond to only part of the route from the user position to the destination. Thus, the route from the user position to the destination can correspond to the walking route or have one, two or more partial routes and/or walking routes in addition to the walking route. In this context, the route can also be referred to as a leg of the route from the user position to the destination. A muscle-powered vehicle can be, for example, a bicycle, scooter, inline skates or a skateboard. In this application, a “motor vehicle” describes a vehicle that is operated with a motor, for example an internal combustion engine and/or an electric motor.

1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 10 for extending the service life of a motor vehicle 12, in particular a battery of the motor vehicle 12. The system 10 has a control unit 14 of the motor vehicle 12, a mobile device 16, for example a cell phone or a tablet computer, ei nes user of the motor vehicle 12 and a server 18 on. The control device 14, the mobile device 16 and the server 18 are coupled to one another in such a way that they can exchange data with one another. The server 18 can be connected to the controller 14 and the mobile device 16 via the Internet and a mobile data communication network.

For example, motor vehicle position data representative of a position of motor vehicle 12 may be generated by controller 14 , such as using GPS, and sent to server 18 . In addition, for example, a tank filling level or a state of charge of a battery of the motor vehicle 12 can be sent from the control unit 14 to the server 18 . Furthermore, user position data, which is representative of a position of the user, in particular of the mobile device 16, can be generated by the mobile device 16, for example by means of GPS, and sent to the server 18. In addition, for example, a destination that the user would like to reach can be sent from mobile device 16 to server 18 be sent. For example, the server 18 can send messages to the user on the mobile device 16 . Furthermore, if the motor vehicle 12 can drive autonomously, the user can use the mobile device 16 to send position data of an access point at which the motor vehicle 12 is to pick up the user to the control unit 14 .

2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first user-motor vehicle route constellation. In the first user-motor vehicle route constellation, the motor vehicle (not shown in FIG. 2) is at a vehicle position 20. The user (not shown) of the motor vehicle 12 is at a user position 24 and wants to go to a destination 22. The vehicle position 20 is located at a start-finish distance 30 from the destination 22. The vehicle position 20 is located a first walking distance away from the user position 24 . The user position 24 is located a second walking distance 34 away from the destination 22 .

It is reasonable for the user to cover the first and second path 32, 34 by muscular strength. For example, the first and second path 32, 34 are each so short that the user can reasonably be expected to cover the first and second path 32, 34 with muscle power. Up to which route length or route duration, i.e. the duration that is required to cover the corresponding route, a route can be reasonably expected of the user can be specified or specified by the user. A route length of a running path that the user can reasonably be expected to cover using muscle power can be, for example, 50 m to 2 km, for example 100 m to 1 km, for example 200 m to 500 m. The duration of a run that the user can be expected to cover using muscle power can be, for example, 5 minutes to 30 minutes, for example 10 minutes to 20 minutes, for example approximately 15 minutes. Alternatively or additionally, covering a route can be classified as reasonable for the user if the area around the corresponding route is comfortable for covering it with muscle power. For example, walking routes along freeways, expressways or busy city streets or walking routes through city tunnels can be classified as unacceptable, whereas walking routes along extensive ones Green strips or through forests, parks or traffic-calmed areas are classified as reasonable. With regard to the reasonableness of covering a route or part of a route using muscle power, the criteria described above can be applied in the following, in particular in the following exemplary embodiments.

The user can cover the distance from his user position 24 to the destination 22 by covering the first path 32 using muscle power and by using the motor vehicle from the vehicle position 20 to the destination 22 . However, since the second route 34, which runs directly from the user position 24 to the destination 22, is so short that it is reasonable for the user to cover the second route 34 using muscle power, the user can cover the route from his user position 24 to the Destination 22 to cover directly by muscle power along the second path 34. This avoids unnecessary and disadvantageous brief use of the motor vehicle 12 and promotes the health of the user.

In this context, it should be noted that the route from the user position 24 to the destination 22 can basically be covered via different routes, for example different walking routes, start-destination routes and/or one or more partial routes. It should also be noted that the second route 34 in FIG. 1 is shown as separate from the start/finish route 30 for reasons of better illustration and simple explanation. In fact, however, the start-finish route 30 and the second route 34 can overlap completely or partially. If, for example, the user position 24 is at the vehicle position 20, the start-finish route 30 and the second route 34 can completely overlap. Otherwise, for example, a part of the second route 34, for example near the destination 22, can run along the start-destination route 30.

3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a second user-motor vehicle route constellation. In the second user-vehicle-route constellation, the user cannot reasonably be expected to cover the route from user position 24 to destination 22 using muscle power, for example because the route is too long, too long and/or the surroundings of the route are uncomfortable. However, covering at least part of the distance from the user position 24 to the destination 22 using muscle power is entirely reasonable for the user. For example, it is reasonable for the user to cover a third walking distance 36 from the user position to a first boarding location 26 using muscle power. The boarding point 26 is located along the start-destination route 30 between the vehicle position 20 and the destination 22. The third route 36 is, for example, longer than the first route 32.

Since covering the third route 36 is reasonable for the user and the third route 36 is longer than the first route 32, it is better for the user to cover the third route 36 using muscle power and to use a motor vehicle from the boarding point 26, to get to the destination 22, to use the first route 32 and to use the motor vehicle 12 from the vehicle position 20 to the destination 22.

If motor vehicle 12, which is located at vehicle position 20, can drive autonomously, the user can cause, for example by means of an app that runs on his mobile device 16 and communicates with motor vehicle 12, for motor vehicle 12 to drive autonomously to the boarding location 26 drives and the user climbs on at the boarding location 26.

If motor vehicle 12, which is located at vehicle position 20, belongs to a vehicle fleet that has several motor vehicles that are located at different locations, boarding location 26 can be selected so that it is at the location of another motor vehicle vehicle fleet is located. The user can then use this other motor vehicle at the boarding location 26 to get to the destination 22 . The vehicle fleet can be, for example, a company vehicle fleet of company cars or a rental car fleet from a car rental company or a car sharing operator. In the case of the vehicle fleet, the user can be offered a motor vehicle that is not the closest to the user position 24, but is within a route or partial route that the user can reasonably be expected to cover using muscle power.

The motor vehicle located at vehicle position 20 can then be used by another user. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a third user-motor vehicle route constellation. In the third user-motor vehicle route constellation, there is an exit point 28 along the start-destination route 30 in front of the destination 22. A fourth route 38 extends from the exit point 28 to the destination 22. The user is able to cover the fourth Walkway 38 reasonable by muscle power. The user can thus get out of the motor vehicle 12 at the exit location 28 and cover the rest of the route to be covered, in other words the last leg, in particular the fourth route 38, using muscle power. In the case of the vehicle fleet, the exit location 28 can be selected, for example, so that it is at a location of the corresponding fleet operator. This location does not have to be the location closest to the destination 22 . In contrast to this, the location of the fleet operator can be selected as the exit location 28, where the fourth route 38 is particularly long, without the reasonable speed of covering the fourth route 38 by muscle power being impaired.

This leads to a particularly high level of movement on the part of the user and thus contributes particularly effectively to the health of the user.

5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a fourth user-motor vehicle route constellation. In the fourth user-motor vehicle route constellation, the exit point 28 and a second boarding point 40 are located along the start-destination route 30 user is reasonable. There is a first leg 42 between the vehicle position 20 and the alighting location 28 . There is a second leg between the second boarding location 40 and the destination 22 . In this context, the fifth run path 44 can also be designated as a leg of the route from the user position 24 to the destination 22 . The user can thus get out of the motor vehicle 12 at the exit location 28 , cover the fifth route 44 using muscle power and get back into a motor vehicle at the second entry location 40 . For example, it may be that the fifth running path 44 has such an attractive route environment that it is particularly pleasant for the user to cover the fifth running path 44 using muscle power. If motor vehicle 12, which the user uses from vehicle position 20 to exit location 28, can drive autonomously, the user can use mobile device 16 and send corresponding instructions to control unit 14 to instruct motor vehicle 12 to autonomously drive from exit location 28 to to drive to the second access point 40. The user can then get back into the same motor vehicle 12 at the second boarding location 40 .

If the motor vehicle 12, which the user uses from the vehicle position 20 to the exit location 28, belongs to a vehicle fleet, the user can park the motor vehicle 12 at the exit location 28 and board a motor vehicle of a vehicle fleet at the second boarding location 40. The fleet of vehicles to which the motor vehicle 12 provided at the vehicle position 20 belongs may be the same fleet of vehicles as or a different fleet of vehicles than that to which the motor vehicle provided at the second boarding location 40 belongs.

6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for extending the service life of a motor vehicle, for example motor vehicle 12, in particular the service life of a battery in motor vehicle 12. The method can be processed using system 10. The method can be processed, for example, using an app installed on mobile device 16 by the user, using a computer system that includes server 18, a vehicle fleet operator, or using control unit 14 of motor vehicle 12.

The method can be started in a step S2, for example when starting the app, the computer system or the control unit 14 or when receiving destination data, in which destination information containing the destination is encoded, from the user. The user can enter the destination information into the app, for example, and/or send the destination data to the computer system, in particular the server 18, or the control unit 14. If necessary, variables can be initialized in step S2. In a step S4, a vehicle position is determined at which the motor vehicle 12 is located, for example the vehicle position 20. The vehicle position 20 can be determined, for example, by means of the control unit 14. The control unit 14 can determine the vehicle position 20, for example by means of GPS, with the control unit 14 having a GPS receiver of the motor vehicle 12 or being able to communicate with it. The vehicle position 20 can then be sent to the server 18 in the form of corresponding vehicle position data.

In a step S6, a destination is determined that the user would like to reach, for example destination 22. Destination 22 can be determined, for example, using the destination information. The destination 22 can be determined, for example, by means of a route prediction that determines the destination depending on at least one of the previous behavior of the user, the user's position 24, a current weekday and a current time of day. The destination information can be transmitted to the server 18 in the form of corresponding destination data generated by the mobile device 16, for example.

In a step S8, a current position of the user, for example the user position 24, is determined. The user position 24 can be determined, for example, using user position information that is representative of a current user position of the user. The user can enter the user position information in the app, for example, and/or the mobile device 16 can send corresponding user position data to the computer system, in particular the server 18, or the control unit 14. Alternatively, the user position data can be generated by the user's mobile device 16 using GPS, for example by the mobile device 16 on which the app is running, and if necessary sent to the computer system, in particular the server 18, or the control device 14. Optionally, step S6 can be performed before step S4.

In a step S10, a positive user behavior of the user is determined depending on the vehicle position data, the Zielortda th and the user position data, for example by means of the server 18 or by means of the computer system that the Server includes. The positive user behavior refers to a behavior of the user that has a positive effect on the service life of the motor vehicle 12, in particular a battery of the motor vehicle 12, and/or on the health of the user.

If, for example, the determined positive user behavior refers to the fact that at least part of the route from user position 24 to destination 22 can be covered by the user using muscle power, then in step S10, for example, a route from user position 24 to destination 22 who are determined, it being checked whether at least a part of the route that corresponds to the route can be covered by the user using muscle power. Determining whether at least part of the route from user position 24 to destination 22 can be covered by the user using muscle power can, for example, depend on at least one of the route length of the route to be covered, the route length of the partial route to be covered and a route environment be performed. If the check shows that at least part of the route from user position 24 to destination 22 can be covered by the user using muscle power, a corresponding message can be sent to the user in step S12. If the check reveals that not even part of the route from the user position 24 to the destination 22 can be covered by the user using muscle power, the method can be ended in a step S14.

In step S12 the user is informed of the positive user behavior by means of a corresponding message. The message can be sent from the server 18 to the mobile device 16, for example. If the determined positive user behavior is that the user can cover at least part of the route using muscle power, the message can be generated in step S12, which is representative of the fact that covering at least part of the route using muscle power user is reasonable. In addition, the message can contain detailed information about the part of the route that the user can reasonably be expected to cover using muscle power. The detailed information can, for example, one, two or more of the first boarding location 26, the disembarking location 28, the second route 34, the third route 36, the fourth route 38 and the second access point 40. The route that the user can reasonably be expected to cover using muscle power can be the second running path 34, for example. The part of the route that the user can reasonably be expected to cover using muscle power can be the third route 36, the fourth route 38 or the fifth route 44, for example. However, the part of the route that the user can reasonably be expected to cover using muscle power can also consist of a combination of the third, fourth and/or fifth path 36, 38, 44. For example, the user can reach the destination 22 using muscle power via the third and fourth route 36 , 38 , via the third and fifth route 36 , 44 or via the fourth and fifth route 38 , 44 .

The method can be ended in step S14. Alternatively, the method can be started again in step S2, for example when new destination information is received.

7 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for extending the service life of a motor vehicle, for example motor vehicle 12, in particular the service life of a battery in motor vehicle 12. The method can be processed using system 10. The method can be processed, for example, using the user's app installed on mobile device 16 , using the computer system that includes server 18 , the vehicle fleet operator, or using control unit 14 of motor vehicle 12 .

Steps S20 to S24 can, for example, be processed corresponding to steps S2 to S8 explained above.

In a step S26, the positive user behavior can be determined, for example by determining the route from the user position 24 to the destination 22, it being checked whether at least a part of the route that corresponds to the route can be traveled by the user using muscle power can be returned. The determination of whether at least part of the route from the user position 24 to the destination 22 can be covered by the user using muscle power can, for example, depend on at least one of the route length of the route to be covered, the route length of the partial route to be covered and a route environment. If the condition of step S26 is met, processing can be continued in step S28. If the condition of step S26 is not met, processing can be ended in step S36 or the method can be restarted in step S20 if new destination information is received.

In step S28, for example, corresponding to step S12, the message can be generated and sent to the user.

In step S30 it can be determined whether the user has covered at least part of the route using muscle power. For example, based on the position data of the user and based on position data of the motor vehicle(s), it can be checked whether or not the user used the motor vehicle to cover the route or part of the route. If the condition of step S30 is met, processing continues in step S32. If step S30 has not been processed, the method can be ended in step S36 or the method can be restarted in step S20, for example when new destination information is received.

In step S32, bonus points are generated corresponding to the route or part of the route that the user has covered using muscle power. The bonus points can be generated, for example, using a look-up table in which different numbers of bonus points are assigned to route lengths and/or route durations, with the longer the route lengths or route durations, the more bonus points are generally assigned to the route lengths or route durations. The lookup table can be stored, for example, on a computer-readable storage medium of a mobile device of the user on which the app is running, the control device or the computer system.

In a step S34, the bonus points can be sent to an institution that credits the user with the bonus points. In doing so, the user can depend on the total number of bonus points registered at the institution for the user receive discounts and/or additional services. The institution can be, for example, a private or statutory health insurance company or, if it exists, a state social security system.

The method can be ended in step S36. Alternatively, the method can be started again in step S20, for example when new destination information is received.

8 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for extending the service life of a motor vehicle, for example motor vehicle 12, in particular the service life of a battery in motor vehicle 12. The method can be processed using system 10. The method can be processed, for example, using the user's app installed on mobile device 16 , using the computer system that includes server 18 , the vehicle fleet operator, or using control unit 14 of motor vehicle 12 .

Steps S40 to S44 of the method can be processed corresponding to the steps S2 to S8 explained above.

In a step S46 it is checked whether the user has reached a specified movement goal. The predefined movement goal can be a daily, a weekly, a monthly or an annual movement goal, for example. For example, a daily exercise goal may include 10,000 steps or the equivalent number of revolutions on a bicycle. The movement target can be fixed or specified by the user. In this context, the app, the computer system or the control device can communicate with a fitness tracker or a fitness bracelet of the user, for example, in order to determine how much movement is still necessary to achieve the movement goal. If the condition of step S46 is met, the method can be ended in step S52 or restarted in step S40, for example when new destination information is received. If the condition of step S46 is not met, processing continues in step S48. Step S48 can be carried out at least largely in a manner corresponding to step S8 explained above. Optionally, step S48 can also be processed before step S46. In addition, the route or part of the route that the user can reasonably be expected to cover using muscle power can be determined in such a way that the user achieves his movement goal when he reaches the destination 22 . For example, the boarding location 26, 40 can be selected in such a way that the user, when he moves to the boarding location 26, 40 by muscle power, reaches his movement goal within the corresponding period of time. The motor vehicle 12 for the user can then be made available for him at the determined boarding location 26, 40. Alternatively, the route or part of the route that the user can reasonably be expected to cover using muscle power can be determined in such a way that the user reaches his or her movement target at least after the period of time to which the movement target relates. In this case, it can be estimated, for example based on previous behavior of the user, for example as part of a route prediction, how likely it is that the user will visit other destinations within the period to which the movement destination relates. If it is very likely that the user will visit other destinations in the course of the period, the route or part of the route that the user can reasonably be expected to cover using muscle power, i.e. the determined route(s). (e), not necessarily suitable for fulfilling the entire movement goal. Rather, appropriate walking paths can be determined over the period of time and several distances to be covered, which together contribute to achieving the movement goal and/or after which the movement goal is achieved using muscle power.

If the user has not yet reached his movement goal, a signal can optionally be generated which is representative of the fact that the use of the motor vehicle is prevented for so long that the user reaches his movement goal. The signal can for example be generated by the control unit 14 or to the Steuerge advises 14 are sent. Control unit 14 can, for example, cause a door of motor vehicle 12 or a steering wheel of motor vehicle 12 to be locked and/or ignition or switching on of motor vehicle 12 can be prevented until a signal that cancels the locking is generated or transmitted. Will be received. The signal that cancels the locking can be generated or sent, for example, when the movement target has been reached.

Steps S50 and S52 of the method can be processed correspondingly to the steps S12 and S14 explained above.

The method can be written, for example, as an algorithm of a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor of a computer, for example the server 18, it causes the method to be executed. The computer program can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium of the server 18, for example.

It should also be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. For example, the user-vehicle route constellations shown can each have more partial routes and corresponding routes. There may also be other user-vehicle route constellations (not shown) for which the aforementioned methods can be used. Furthermore, the method explained with reference to FIG. 7 and the method explained with reference to FIG. 8 can be combined with one another, for example in such a way that both the bonus points are determined according to FIG. 7 and it is checked according to FIG. 8 whether the movement goal has been reached. Any reference sign in the claims shall not be construed as a limitation. reference sign

10 systems

12 motor vehicle

14 control unit

16 mobile device

18 server 0 vehicle position 2 destination

24 user position

26 first boarding point

28 exit point

30 start-finish route

32 first runway

34 second runway

36 third runway

38 fourth runway

40 second boarding point

42 first leg

44 fifth runway

46 second leg

S2-S52 steps two through fifty-two

Claims

patent claims

1. A method for extending the service life of a motor vehicle (12), in particular a battery of the motor vehicle (12), with a system (10) which has a control unit (14) of the motor vehicle (12), a mobile device (16) of a user of the Motor vehicle (12) and a server (18) on which health information relating to the user is stored, the method having:

Determining a vehicle position (20) of the motor vehicle (12) by means of the control unit (14) of the motor vehicle (12) and sending corresponding motor vehicle position data to the server (18);

Determining a destination (22) that the user would like to reach with the motor vehicle (12) and a current user position (24) of the user using the mobile device (16) of the user and sending corresponding destination data and corresponding to the user position data to the server ( 18);

Determining a positive user behavior of the user by means of the server (18) based on the motor vehicle position data, the destination data, the user position data and the health information; and

Generating a message to the user with the server (18), with which the user is informed of the determined positive user behavior, and sending the message to the mobile device (16) of the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positive user behavior comprises covering at least part of a distance from the current user position (24) to the destination (22) using muscle power.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, the method further comprising:

Determining whether the user behaved in accordance with the positive user behavior, depending on current vehicle position data and current user position data by means of the server (18), the control device (14) and the mobile device (16); Assigning bonus points to the user corresponding to the positive user behavior by means of the server (18) if the user has behaved in accordance with the positive user behavior.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, the method further comprising:

Determining the health information using the server (18) and/or the mobile device (16) before determining the positive user behavior and storing the health information on the server (18).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the health information includes a predetermined movement target and / or movement information of the user.

6. The method of claim 5, the method further comprising:

Determining whether the user has already reached the predetermined movement goal depending on the movement information of the user, the message to the user being generated only if the user has not yet reached the predetermined movement goal.

7. The method according to claims 2 and 5 or 6, which, if the motor vehicle (12) can drive autonomously, further comprises:

Determining a boarding location (26, 40) in such a way that the user reaches his movement goal when he moves to the boarding location (26, 40) by muscle power, and

Providing the motor vehicle (12) for the user at the determined access point (26, 40).

8. The method according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the method comprises: generating a signal that is representative of the fact that the use of the

Motor vehicle (12) is prevented for so long that the user reaches his movement goal.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the destination (22) is determined using destination information from the user, which the user transmits by means of the mobile device (16) in the form of destination data to the server (18).

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the destination (22) is determined by means of a route prediction, which determines the destination (22) depending on at least one of the previous behavior of the user, the current user position (24), a current day of the week and a current time of day.

11. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein determining whether at least part of the route from the user position (24) to the destination (22) can be covered by the user using muscle power, depending on at least one of a route length route to be covered, a route length of the partial route to be covered and a route environment.

12. System (10) for extending the life of a motor vehicle (12), in particular a life of a battery of the motor vehicle (12), the system (10) comprising: a control unit (14) of the motor vehicle (12), a mobile device (16 ) a user of the motor vehicle (12), and a server (18) on which health information relating to the user is stored and which communicates with the control unit (14) and the mobile device (16) in order to process the method according to one of the preceding claims .

A computer program for extending the durability of a motor vehicle (12) which when executed by a processor of the server (18) of the system according to claim 12 causes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 to be executed.

14. Computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program according to claim 13 is stored, which is executable by a processor of the server (18) of the system according to claim 12.