Method for a data processing system for maintaining the operating state of a vehicle

Abstract

Method (100) for a data processing system for maintaining an operational state of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle is equipped to move autonomously in public road traffic, the method comprising: Determine (102) an instantaneous vehicle state from a sensor reading; and if the current vehicle state deviates from a target state, sending (104) a message to at least one of a plurality of service personnel stored in a database, wherein the message contains a request to the service personnel to bring the motor vehicle into the target state, wherein, upon receiving a message from one service employee that they have put the vehicle into the target state, information on opening the vehicle is sent to a mobile communication device of that service employee, and the procedure includes sending a command to the motor vehicle to move to the location of the service employee stored in the database, the current location of the service employee, or a location specified by the service employee.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to maintaining the operating state of a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for a data processing system for maintaining the operating state of a vehicle.

[0002] Publication DE 10 2011 088 809 A1 proposes a method for requesting guidance information to direct a vehicle to a parking position.

[0003] Document DE 10 2013 201 169 A1 proposes a remote control system for vehicles that can be activated on demand.

[0004] Publication DE 10 2004 048 346 B4 proposes a method for influencing driver assistance devices in a vehicle.

[0005] Vehicles in a sharing network are used by different users. A vehicle is a mobile means of transport for people or goods. A vehicle is a motor vehicle. Therefore, a motor vehicle can be either a passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle. For example, a motor vehicle can be a car, a truck, a motorcycle, or a tractor. Generally, a motor vehicle can be understood as a device that includes an engine, a drivetrain system, and wheels. After use, a vehicle in a sharing network is parked in a public space and is then available to other users.

[0006] As autonomous driving progresses, i.e., the motor vehicle moves autonomously in public road traffic, driverless taxis or rental vehicles will also participate in public road traffic in the future.

[0007] It can happen that vehicles become dirty or damaged, or that individual components wear out. This can go so far that the vehicle no longer meets the quality standards of the vehicle provider. Previously, taxis were cleaned and maintained by the driver, and rental vehicles by service personnel at rental stations. However, with autonomous vehicles or vehicles in a sharing network, there are no taxi drivers or very few rental stations with service personnel. A provider's service stations can therefore be relatively far from the vehicle's current location, resulting in long travel distances and times to a service station. During these times, the vehicle cannot be used by customers.

[0008] Document US 2014 / 0129379 A1 proposes a method for location-dependent fuel procurement, taking into account the current vehicle position.

[0009] Document US 6 339 736 B1 proposes a procedure for obtaining vehicle services in which a parameter of a vehicle is monitored and, if necessary, a corresponding vehicle service is requested from a service provider.

[0010] Document US 2008 / 0071470A1 proposes an administrative procedure whereby, depending on the position of a commercial vehicle and the positions of repair vehicles, one or more of the repair vehicles are identified and requested.

[0011] The German patent application DE 10 2008 005 327 A1 proposes a route planning method in which a route from a starting point to a filling station is calculated, taking into account the available fuel supply and further considering the services offered by the filling station. However, the German patent application DE 10 2008 005 327 A1 does not provide a solution for the efficient maintenance of a vehicle's operating condition.

[0012] Document US 2008 / 0091341 A1 proposes a method for calculating a route between two locations, taking into account potential compensation for the driver. However, document US 2008 / 0091341 A1 does not provide a solution for efficiently maintaining a vehicle's operational condition.

[0013] German patent application DE 10 2007 009 895 A1 proposes a vehicle control unit that adapts a model for controlling a vehicle unit based on a detected situation. However, German patent application DE 10 2007 009 895 A1 does not provide a solution for efficiently maintaining a vehicle's operating state.

[0014] There is therefore a need to provide a way to maintain a vehicle's operating state as efficiently as possible, i.e., in a time- and cost-effective manner.

[0015] The present invention enables this through a method for a data processing system for maintaining the operating state of a vehicle. The vehicle is a motor vehicle designed to move autonomously in public road traffic. In other words, the vehicle is an autonomously driving motor vehicle. The method comprises determining the current state of the vehicle from a sensor reading. For example, the sensor reading could be a camera image. If the vehicle is a motor vehicle, the camera could be, for example, mounted in or on the vehicle (for recording still or moving images). This allows for recordings of the vehicle interior and / or exterior. An instantaneous state of the vehicle can be determined by means of automated (i.e., computer-aided) evaluation of the recording.The sensor reading can be automatically recorded and analyzed after each use of the vehicle or at specific time intervals. This allows, for example, the determination of whether a vehicle is dirty inside or out. Damage to the vehicle (e.g., a crack in the windshield, a torn seat) can also be detected in this way. Alternatively, the sensor could be a camera mounted outside the vehicle. For example, it could be a camera monitoring a parking space where the vehicle is parked. However, the measurement is not limited to camera footage. Rather, it can be the value of any quantity provided by a measuring device or instrument. If the sensor is a pressure sensor, for example, the measurement could be the tire pressure of a vehicle.In particular, the current vehicle status can be determined from a measurement taken by a sensor already located in or on the vehicle.

[0016] The current vehicle status is thus determined by evaluating the sensor reading. This current vehicle status can indicate a condition that permits or prohibits further operation of the vehicle. In other words, the current vehicle status indicates whether the vehicle is in an operating state or not. If the current vehicle status deviates from a target state, the procedure involves sending a message to at least one of several service personnel stored in a database. This message contains a request to the service personnel to restore the vehicle to the target state. The target state indicates a condition that permits further operation of the vehicle or meets the quality requirements of a vehicle provider. In other words, the vehicle is in an operating state when its current state corresponds to the target state.If the current vehicle condition deviates from this, for example, because the vehicle is excessively dirty or a component is worn or defective, this can be rectified immediately by sending a message to the service technician. The technician can accept the request and promptly restore the vehicle to its correct condition. This minimizes lengthy vehicle downtime, such as that caused by long travel distances or times to a service station.

[0017] Upon receiving a message from a service technician indicating that they have brought the vehicle into the required state, information to unlock the vehicle is sent to that technician's mobile device. This allows the technician to unlock the vehicle so that the necessary work to bring it into the required state can be carried out. Information can be sent to the technician's mobile device, enabling it to communicate directly with the vehicle (e.g., via a Wireless Local Area Network, WLAN, Bluetooth, or Near Field Communication, NFC). For example, authentication information can be sent to the technician's mobile device, which can then be transmitted to the vehicle to unlock it.Alternatively, information can be sent to the mobile communication device of a service technician, allowing the device to indirectly unlock the vehicle via a server. Once the technician arrives at the vehicle, they can request unlocking, for example, using an application installed on their mobile device. The device can then send the received information (which might include authorization to unlock the vehicle based on the accepted request) to the server, which can evaluate the information and, upon verification, send a signal containing an unlock command to the vehicle. In all of the aforementioned cases, the technician can easily gain access to the vehicle. Conversely, the vehicle is protected against unauthorized access.

[0018] The procedure further includes sending a command to the vehicle to move to the service technician's location stored in the database, the technician's current location, or a location specified by the service technician. This allows the vehicle's ability to move autonomously in public traffic to bring the vehicle and service technician together as quickly as possible. The service technician's current location can, for example, be updated multiple times, enabling the vehicle and service technician to move towards each other. This further reduces the vehicle's downtime. The location specified by the service technician could be, for example, a workshop or other location where the service technician intends to restore the vehicle to its intended state.For example, the location designated by the service employee could be a place where the service employee stores tools, cleaning supplies, or spare parts.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the method further comprises determining the vehicle's location (e.g., using the Global Positioning System, GPS, or Galileo). The message is only sent to the service technician if the technician's location stored in the database, or their current location, is within a maximum distance of the vehicle's location. This ensures that the technician is already near the vehicle, thus avoiding long distances between the vehicle and the technician. Consequently, the technician can begin working on the vehicle within a short time. The maximum distance can be selected according to the specific application—for example, depending on the size of the city in which the vehicle is located. The maximum radius can be, for example, 250 meters (m), 500 m, 750 m, 1 kilometer (1 km), 2 km, or 5 km.The location of a service employee stored in the database could, for example, be a location specified during the employee's registration. The employee's current location can be determined, for example, via positioning (e.g., using GPS, Galileo, or cell tower triangulation) of a mobile communication device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, or laptop). For instance, an application for receiving messages and / or registering can be installed on the mobile communication device. If a message is to be sent requesting that a vehicle be brought into its target state, the application can trigger a location check for all potentially relevant service employees (e.g., because a location stored in the database is less than the maximum distance to the vehicle).Accordingly, one or more service personnel can be designated who are located close to the vehicle and can therefore begin working on the vehicle immediately.

[0020] In some implementations, if no message indicating that a service technician has restored the vehicle to its target state is received within a predetermined time period (e.g., 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes) after sending a message to at least one service technician, the message is sent to at least one additional service technician stored in the database. The location of this additional service technician, either stored in the database or their current location, is greater than the maximum distance from the vehicle's location. This allows the search radius around the vehicle to be expanded if no service technician accepts the request to restore the vehicle to its target state, thereby increasing the potential pool of available service technicians.For example, the request can be sent to at least one other service personnel stored in the database whose location, either as recorded in the database or as currently stored, is greater than the maximum distance to the vehicle's location but less than a maximum second distance to the vehicle's location. This allows, for instance, the maximum distance for searching for available service personnel to be iteratively increased by the vehicle's location.

[0021] According to some embodiments, upon receiving a message from the service technician indicating that they are to restore the vehicle to its target state, the method also includes the transmission of information to the technician regarding any deviations of the current vehicle state from the target state. If the deviation from the target state is, for example, due to soiling of the vehicle, the information could include specific details about the soiled areas of the vehicle or areas that need cleaning. The transmission could be, for example, via an application installed on the technician's mobile communication device, via voice output in the vehicle, via a vehicle display, or via light signals from the vehicle's lighting equipment. If the deviation from the target state is, for example, due to a defective or worn component (e.g., a faulty or worn part), the transmission could also include specific details about the soiled areas or areas that need cleaning.For example, the information (e.g., for safety purposes) can include specific details about the type of defect, replacement instructions, a list of compatible and approved replacement parts, a list of suppliers for the part, or information about replacement parts already in the vehicle. This way, the service technician can be provided with all the necessary information to restore the vehicle to its intended condition.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving a message from the service technician indicating that the vehicle has been restored to its target state. This message can be sent, for example, via an application installed on the technician's mobile communication device, via an input device in the vehicle (e.g., infotainment system), or via voice input into a corresponding receiving device on the vehicle (e.g., microphone). This allows the technician to determine that the service work is complete and the vehicle is now available for further use by users. A vehicle provider can thus be immediately informed of the end of the vehicle's downtime due to the technician's work. The provider can therefore immediately offer the vehicle for use again.This can reduce vehicle downtime.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the method further includes determining an updated vehicle state from another sensor reading, taken after receiving the service technician's message that the vehicle has been returned to its target state. From this updated vehicle state, it can then be determined whether the service technician's work was successful, i.e., whether the vehicle has been returned to its operating state. In other words, it can be verified that the vehicle's state now corresponds to its target state.

[0024] In some embodiments, the method alternatively or additionally includes receiving a message from the vehicle's user. This message contains information about the vehicle's state after receiving the service technician's message that the vehicle has been restored to its target state. The user's message can then be used to determine whether the service technician's work was successful, i.e., whether the vehicle has been restored to its operating state. In other words, it can be verified that the vehicle's state now corresponds to its target state.

[0025] It goes without saying that embodiments of the present invention also include a program with program code for carrying out one of the methods described herein, if the program code runs or is executed on a data processing system (e.g. a computer, a processor or a programmable hardware component).

[0026] An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the attached Fig. 1, explained in more detail. Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of method 100 for a data processing system for maintaining the operating state of a vehicle. Method 100 is described in more detail in the context of detecting and removing contamination from a motor vehicle.

[0027] Method 100 comprises determining 102 a current vehicle state from a sensor measurement. For example, dirt and / or debris in or on the vehicle can be detected via automatic, camera-based detection of the interior and / or exterior of the vehicle.

[0028] If the current vehicle condition deviates from a target condition, the procedure further includes sending a message to at least one of several service personnel stored in a database. The message contains a request to the service personnel to restore the vehicle to the target condition. This may be necessary, for example, if the vehicle's (self-)cleaning capabilities are insufficient. The database contains a list of personnel (service personnel) who are generally available to clean the vehicle. Registration or inclusion in the database can be done, for example, via an internet or smartphone application. If it is then detected, for example, that the vehicle cannot be cleaned using the automatic cleaning system, the message is sent (e.g., via the application or the internet).For example, the message can also include a time window available for working on the vehicle (e.g., a specific time or a certain period after the request is sent). As mentioned above, the message can be sent to all registered service personnel within a certain radius of the vehicle (e.g., a radius of 500 m). Upon acceptance of the request (or order), the service personnel can, for example, move to the vehicle, the vehicle can move to the service personnel, or both the vehicle and the cleaning personnel can move towards each other. As mentioned above, the radius around the vehicle's location can be expanded if none of the service personnel in the database initially accept the request.

[0029] If a service technician accepts the request, they can be granted access to the vehicle, for example, via their smartphone (see above). The technician can then be instructed what needs cleaning, for instance, via smartphone, voice output, light signals, or vehicle displays. The cleaning can then be carried out using cleaning supplies carried by the technician or those already in the vehicle. The vehicle's existing mopping and vacuuming systems can also be used.

[0030] Once the cleaning is complete, the service technician locks the vehicle and confirms that the cleaning has been carried out, meaning the vehicle has been returned to its intended condition. This can be done, for example, via smartphone, voice command, or tactile input on the vehicle. The vehicle is now available for use by other users.

[0031] To verify the cleaning staff's work, the cleanliness can be reassessed, for example, through automatic, camera-based recognition (i.e., an updated vehicle status is determined from a sensor reading). Alternatively, the assessment can also be carried out by a subsequent user of the vehicle. This user can, for example, send a message via a smartphone app or tactile input on the vehicle, containing information about the vehicle's condition after receiving the service staff's notification that the vehicle has been restored to the required state.

[0032] According to the above procedure, the vehicle's utilization can be increased, as the downtime for cleaning the vehicle can be minimized.

[0033] However, this process is by no means limited to motor vehicles, but can be applied to all conceivable vehicles. For example, it can be used for the repair or cleaning of rental bicycles. This allows, for instance, the correct tire pressure, the replacement or maintenance of lights, the cleaning of bicycles, or the drying of wet saddles. Reference symbol list 100 methods for a data processing system for maintaining the operating state of a vehicle 102 Determining a current vehicle state 104 Sending a message

Claims

[1] Method (100) for a data processing system for maintaining an operational state of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle is equipped to move autonomously in public road traffic, the method comprising: Determine (102) an instantaneous vehicle state from a sensor reading; and if the current vehicle state deviates from a target state, sending (104) a message to at least one of a plurality of service personnel stored in a database, wherein the message contains a request to the service personnel to bring the motor vehicle into the target state, wherein, upon receiving a message from one service employee that they have put the vehicle into the target state, information on opening the vehicle is sent to a mobile communication device of that service employee, and the procedure includes sending a command to the motor vehicle to move to the location of the service employee stored in the database, the current location of the service employee, or a location specified by the service employee. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises determining the location of the motor vehicle, and wherein the message is only sent to the service employee if a location of the service employee stored in the database or a current location of the service employee is within a maximum distance of the location of the motor vehicle. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein the message is sent to at least one further service personnel stored in the database, whose location stored in the database or current location is more than the maximum distance to the location of the motor vehicle, if within a predetermined period after sending the message to the at least one service personnel no message is received that a service personnel has brought the motor vehicle into the desired state. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method, upon receiving a message from the service employee that she is putting the motor vehicle into the target state, further comprises issuing information to the service employee about deviations of the current vehicle state from the target state. [5] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises receiving a message from the service personnel that the motor vehicle has been brought into the target state. [6] Method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises determining an updated vehicle state from a further measured value of the sensor, which is measured after receiving the message from the service person that the motor vehicle has been brought into the target state. [7] Method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises receiving a message from a user of the motor vehicle, wherein the message includes information about a state of the motor vehicle after receiving the message from the service force that the motor vehicle has been brought into the target state. [8] Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor measurement is a recording from a camera.

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