Methods for providing digital services in vehicles

Abstract

Method (100) for providing digital services in vehicles, comprising: assigning (110) at least one vehicle-related digital service to an authorized user; providing (120) the at least one vehicle-related digital service to the authorized user in a first vehicle; and providing (130) the at least one vehicle-related digital service to the authorized user in a second vehicle different from the first vehicle, wherein the at least one vehicle-related digital service relates to a vehicle function implemented in the vehicle but not yet activated, which can be temporarily activated in a multitude of vehicles due to the assignment to the authorized user.

Description

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for providing digital services in vehicles and a storage medium for executing the method. In particular, this disclosure relates to the sharing, distribution, and transfer of digital services in relation to vehicles. State of the art

[0002] Nowadays, digital services are available in most vehicles. For example, a vehicle can be equipped with a variety of digital services, such as entertainment functions, driver assistance features, and communication functions. These digital services are implemented in the vehicle and are generally usable by all vehicle occupants.

[0003] Recently, a trend towards shared vehicle use, such as carsharing, has emerged. Carsharing fleet vehicles are typically equipped with a number of specific digital services, such as a navigation system. Users of carsharing vehicles are therefore limited to the digital services available in the vehicle. Disclosure of the invention

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to specify a method for providing digital services in vehicles and a storage medium for carrying out the method, enabling flexible use of digital services in vehicles, in particular motor vehicles.

[0005] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] According to an independent aspect of the present disclosure, a method for providing digital services in vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, is specified. The method comprises assigning at least one vehicle-related digital service to an authorized user; providing the at least one vehicle-related digital service to the authorized user (and / or at least one other user and / or a group of persons authorized by the authorized user to use the at least one vehicle-related digital service) in a first vehicle; and providing the same at least one vehicle-related digital service to the authorized user (and / or the at least one other user and / or the group of persons authorized by the authorized user to use the at least one vehicle-related digital service) in a second vehicle, which is different from the first vehicle.

[0007] According to the invention, vehicle-related digital services are provided independently of a specific vehicle and can be flexibly implemented in a variety of vehicles according to the wishes of the authorized user. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the first and second vehicles mentioned above, but rather that the vehicle-related digital services of the authorized user can be implemented simultaneously or sequentially in more than two vehicles. These vehicles can be any vehicles in which the vehicle-related digital services can be implemented.

[0008] This means that vehicle-related digital services are not linked to a specific vehicle, but to the authorized user. In other words, vehicle-related digital services are personalized and can therefore be shared, used jointly, and / or temporarily transferred. This enables flexible use of digital services in vehicles.

[0009] The term "vehicle-related digital service," as used in this disclosure, refers in particular to a function usable in the vehicle. This function may be a digital function, such as an app or platform. Additionally or alternatively, the function may relate to or be a vehicle function, such as the permanent or temporary activation of an available function in the vehicle (e.g., seat heating, power / speed unlocking, entertainment functions, simultaneous pairing of multiple smartphones, media playback, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the function may relate to or be a (downloadable) software extension, such as new designs for a digital instrument display and / or an infotainment system.

[0010] The term “authorised user”, as used in this disclosure, refers to a holder of the digital services, i.e., a person who has purchased or subscribed to a digital service. This may occur, for example, through a subscription, a temporary activation, or with regard to a limited number of activations.

[0011] Preferably, the authorized user is registered with the provider of at least one vehicle-related digital service. The provider of this service could be, for example, a vehicle manufacturer or a service provider of the vehicle manufacturer. The provider can manage this service, for instance, via a backend system where the user is registered and with which they can communicate using appropriate software. Specifically, the authorized user can use this software to manage, configure, delete, and add new services.

[0012] The software can be implemented via an app on a mobile device of the authorized user.

[0013] A mobile device is a device capable of wireless communication within a mobile network via local area networks (LANs), such as wireless LAN (WiFi / WLAN), or via wide area networks (WANs), such as the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Package Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed ​​Downlink / Uplink Packet Access (HSDPA, HSUPA), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), or World Wide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). Communication via other current or future communication technologies, such as 5G mobile systems, is also possible.

[0014] The term mobile device includes in particular smartphones, but also other mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet PCs, notebooks, smartwatches and all current and future electronic devices that are equipped with a technology for loading and running apps.

[0015] Preferably, the method comprises authorization by the authorized user for the use of the at least one vehicle-related digital service by at least one other user and / or at least one user group or group of persons; and the provision of the at least one vehicle-related digital service to the at least one other user and / or the at least one user group or group of persons in a vehicle. This allows the authorized owner to distribute available digital services to specific persons or defined user groups.

[0016] The authorized user can predefine at least one additional user and / or at least one user group. This can be done, for example, via the app on the authorized user's mobile device. This allows the authorized user to authorize individual or specific persons, or entire groups of people (e.g., "all occupants," "children," "adults," "family," etc.).

[0017] Preferably, the at least one vehicle-related digital service is provided automatically or upon request in a vehicle, such as a vehicle in which the authorized user is an occupant. The request can be made, for example, in the vehicle, and in particular via a visual and / or acoustic output unit. For instance, an infotainment system can display a request on a screen to select and / or confirm the at least one vehicle-related digital service, which can be operated / selected by a vehicle occupant.

[0018] Preferably, the procedure includes identifying the authorized user, whereby the provision of at least one vehicle-related digital service in the first and / or second vehicle only occurs if the authorized user has been positively identified. If the authorized user has been positively identified, their digital services can, for example, be automatically provided in the vehicle.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, at least one other user and / or the user group or group of people authorized by the authorized user can be identified. In this case, the authorized user's presence in the vehicle is not required. If at least one other user and / or the user group or group of people has been positively identified, the digital services released by the authorized user can be made available in the vehicle.

[0020] The identification of the authorized user and / or at least one other user and / or the user group or group of persons can be achieved using at least one biometric characteristic. This at least one biometric characteristic can be selected from, or consist of, a fingerprint, facial features, and voice. The at least one biometric characteristic can be captured by suitable sensors, such as a fingerprint sensor, a camera (for face or facial features), and / or a microphone (e.g., for voice). These sensors can be located in the vehicle and / or in the mobile device of the respective user.

[0021] Preferably, the at least one vehicle-related digital service or information relating to the at least one vehicle-related digital service is stored in the first vehicle and / or second vehicle. In particular, the at least one vehicle-related digital service may already be implemented in the vehicle but not yet activated. Such services could be, for example, vehicle performance, maximum vehicle speed, or seat heating, but are not limited to these.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, at least one vehicle-related digital service or information relating to at least one vehicle-related digital service is received by a central unit in the first and / or second vehicle. This central unit could, for example, be the vehicle manufacturer's backend system, which manages the digital services or an account of the authorized user. Such services could, for example, relate to an entertainment function or the design of an instrument display, which could be implemented, for example, via a software update in the vehicle.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively, the at least one vehicle-related digital service is implemented using a mobile device belonging to the user in the first and / or second vehicle. For example, the user (e.g., the authorized user, at least one other user, or a person from the group of persons) can carry a vehicle key that contains or "carries" the corresponding authorization to use the at least one vehicle-related digital service. In some embodiments, user identification may also be performed to ensure that the user is indeed the authorized user.

[0024] Preferably, at least one activation condition is present or defined for the at least one vehicle-related digital service. This at least one activation condition could, for example, be a vehicle type. The vehicle type could specify, for instance, whether it is a fleet vehicle (e.g., car sharing, VAF fleet), a taxi, a ride-hailing vehicle, etc.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, at least one activation condition may relate to the authorized user's role as a vehicle occupant, and in particular whether the authorized user is the driver or a passenger. For example, certain services or functions may only be enabled if the authorized user is the driver. Examples of such a service or function include, but are not limited to, driving performance and maximum vehicle speed. These services may be blocked for other authorized users or user groups (e.g., children).

[0026] Additionally or alternatively, at least one activation condition can relate to an effect of at least one vehicle-related digital service on the vehicle's driving characteristics, such as a chassis setting, a sport mode, direct steering, etc. For example, activation of sport mode may not be possible on black ice. In another example, certain services that affect driving characteristics can only be activated if the authorized user is the driver.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, at least one activation condition may concern the simultaneous use of two or more vehicle-related digital services. For example, certain services that interfere with each other or cannot be used simultaneously may not be activatable at the same time in the same vehicle.

[0028] Preferably, the method comprises identifying a vehicle in which at least one vehicle-related digital service and / or a user-defined prioritized vehicle-related digital service can be activated. For example, in car sharing, a search for a vehicle can be restricted according to the user's prioritization. In this way, certain services can be treated as mandatory and others as optional.

[0029] For example, a navigation function can be set as mandatory. Then, only vehicles with a navigation function can be suggested to the user.

[0030] According to another independent aspect, a software (SW) program is specified. The SW program can be configured to run on one or more processors and thereby perform the function described in this document for providing digital services in vehicles.

[0031] According to another independent aspect, a storage medium is specified. The storage medium may include a software program configured to run on one or more processors and thereby perform the function described in this document for providing digital services in vehicles.

[0032] The term "vehicle" includes cars, trucks, buses, motorhomes, motorcycles, etc., used for the transport of people, goods, etc. In particular, the term includes motor vehicles for passenger transport. List of characters

[0033] Examples of the manifestation of the revelation are shown in the figures and are described in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 a flowchart of a method for providing digital services in vehicles according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Implementations of the revelation

[0034] Unless otherwise noted, the same reference symbols are used for identical and equivalent elements in the following.

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a process 100 for providing digital services in vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] The procedure includes, in block 110 an assignment of at least one vehicle-related digital service to an authorized user; in block 120 a provision of at least one vehicle-related digital service to the authorized user (and / or at least one other user and / or a group of persons authorized by the authorized user to use the at least one vehicle-related digital service) in a first vehicle; and in the block 130Providing the same at least one vehicle-related digital service to the authorized user (and / or at least one other user and / or the group of people authorized by the authorized user to use the at least one vehicle-related digital service) in a second vehicle that is different from the first vehicle. This means the digital services are not vehicle-specific and can, for example, be transferred to a new model if the vehicle is sold.

[0037] The basic idea of ​​the invention, namely that vehicle-related digital services can be provided independently of a specific vehicle and flexibly implemented in a variety of vehicles according to the wishes of the authorized user, enables a wide range of applications.

[0038] In a first example, the digital services available in the vehicle can be used by all passengers if they are / are enabled by the respective authorized user or owner.

[0039] In a second example, authorized users or owners can share their available digital services with specific individuals and / or defined user groups.

[0040] In a third example, authorized users or owners can search for vehicles that allow the use of a specific service when using fleet vehicles (e.g., car sharing, VAF fleet), taxis or ride-hailing.

[0041] The examples mentioned above are explained in detail below. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples and that other applications or implementations are possible.

[0042] According to the first example, the available digital services of all passengers in the vehicle can be used.

[0043] If a service provider has a personalized digital service, they can define whether the digital service is automatically, only upon request, or never accessed in vehicles where they are the driver or a passenger (configurable separately). Furthermore, the behavior can be defined for different vehicle types, such as private vehicles, company vehicles, taxis, car-sharing vehicles, or fleet vehicles (e.g., disabling private video streaming services in company vehicles).

[0044] Driver and passenger identification can be achieved through the identification of individuals in the vehicle using smart devices and / or biometric characteristics via sensors installed in or connected to the vehicle, as well as through explicit vehicle login. The services assigned to a service holder can either already be known to the vehicle, synchronized from a backend system, or "brought along" by the user via a corresponding certificate-based smart device infrastructure (e.g., in conjunction with a digital vehicle key that already incorporates an authorization system).

[0045] Once an occupant in the vehicle has been identified as a service holder, the services are automatically available upon approach (e.g., with booked approach light sequence), depending on the selection made, or the occupant can activate them using a human-machine interface accessible to them (touchscreen, voice, gestures, etc.) or by means of a smart device assigned to the occupant (e.g., smartphone or smartwatch).

[0046] If multiple services of the same category are enabled in the vehicle, either the highest-quality service can be activated or the options for selection (e.g., for different possible lighting scenarios) can be made available.

[0047] Services that influence the driving task (e.g., sport mode, direct steering, or removal of a maximum speed) can, in some implementations, only be activated automatically if the service owner is the driver. In other cases, explicit activation may be required.

[0048] The services may also be subject to restrictions regarding simultaneous use in the vehicle (e.g., streaming only in two seats when the vehicle is unlocked, or seat massage only for one seat). For such seat-specific services (e.g., seat massage, seat ventilation, seat-specific entertainment function, etc.) that are limited in simultaneous use, the service may, in some configurations, only be activated at the service holder's seat. In some configurations, the service holder may also share the services with other people in the vehicle if multiple users are permitted, or temporarily transfer them to another person (e.g., seat massage for one seat is booked in the service).

[0049] According to the second example, services are (temporarily) transferred to specific individuals and / or user groups. This enables shared use, for example, of purchased services.

[0050] For this purpose, the service owner can transfer a right to use a service to a third party (e.g. temporarily), or define a group that can use certain services released by the service owner that allow group use.

[0051] For each service, the provider can define whether sharing and / or group use is permitted. In the case of group use, the number of simultaneous users can also be defined.

[0052] According to the third example, when using fleet vehicles (e.g., car sharing, VAF fleet), taxis or ride-hailing, the service owner can search for vehicles that allow the use of a specific service.

[0053] For example, regardless of whether the service owner wants to drive themselves or be driven, an algorithm can be used to check which personally activated services can be used in a particular vehicle (due to HW capability / corresponding SW status in the vehicle) or could also be booked additionally.

[0054] Additionally or alternatively, the algorithm can be used to restrict the selection of vehicles to those that offer one or a combination of certain services. For example, a restriction could be imposed so that a user absolutely requires the booked "steering wheel heating" service in winter.

[0055] The following is an exemplary implementation of the inventive concept.

[0056] Implementation in the vehicle can be achieved, for example, via a service coordinator on a central control unit. This unit is active as soon as a customer approaches and also has a backend connection. The service coordinator receives either the global user ID of the detected approaching individuals with vehicle access authorization and all identifiable persons in the vehicle (e.g., via an occupant model), or it receives digitally signed service usage authorization packages. These service usage authorization packages can be securely transferred to the vehicle, for example, using digital keys without being linked to a user ID.

[0057] For each user ID received, the available services are managed in a backend system (especially user purchases and bookings, as well as services shared with other users) and can be accessed by the vehicles. An algorithm then evaluates the available services per seat and for the vehicle as a whole and decides, based on user settings, whether a service is activated automatically, the occupant is explicitly asked, or a service is not made available. The service coordinator then sends the necessary messages to the relevant function masters to activate the services.

[0058] If a service is temporarily made available to another user, this is noted in the backend to prevent multiple use.

[0059] According to the invention, vehicle-related digital services are provided independently of a specific vehicle and can be flexibly implemented in a variety of vehicles according to the wishes of the authorized user. It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the first and second vehicles mentioned above, but rather that the vehicle-related digital services of the authorized user can be implemented in more than two vehicles. These vehicles can be any vehicles in which the vehicle-related digital services can be implemented.

[0060] This means that vehicle-related digital services are not linked to a specific vehicle, but to the authorized user. In other words, vehicle-related digital services are personalized and can therefore be shared, used jointly, and / or temporarily transferred. This enables flexible use of digital services in vehicles.

[0061] Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned as examples are truly only examples and are not to be understood in any way as limiting, for example, the scope of protection, the possible applications, or the configuration of the invention.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

Claims

[1] Method (100) for providing digital services in vehicles, comprising: Assign (110) at least one vehicle-related digital service to an authorized user; Providing (120) at least one vehicle-related digital service to the authorized user in a first vehicle; and Providing (130) at least one vehicle-related digital service to the authorized user in a second vehicle that is different from the first vehicle. [2] The method (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: Authorizing, by the authorized user, the use of at least one other user and / or at least one user group of the at least one vehicle-related digital service; and Providing at least one vehicle-related digital service to at least one other user and / or at least one user group in a vehicle. [3] The method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one vehicle-related digital service is provided automatically or on demand in a vehicle. [4] The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: Identifying the authorized user, whereby the provision of at least one vehicle-related digital service in the first vehicle and / or second vehicle only occurs if the authorized user has been positively identified. [5] The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one vehicle-related digital service or information relating to the at least one vehicle-related digital service - are stored in the first vehicle and / or second vehicle; and / or - are received from a central unit in the first and / or second vehicle, and / or - implemented using a mobile device of the user in the first vehicle and / or second vehicle. [6] The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one activation condition is provided for the at least one vehicle-related digital service. [7] The method (100) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one activation condition relates to at least one of the following aspects: - a vehicle type; and / or - the role of the authorized user as an occupant of the vehicle, in particular whether the authorized user is the driver or passenger; and / or - an impact of at least one vehicle-related digital service on the vehicle's driving characteristics; and / or - simultaneous use of two or more vehicle-related digital services. [8] The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: Identifying a vehicle in which at least one vehicle-related digital service or a user-defined prioritized vehicle-related digital service can be activated. [9] The method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one vehicle-related digital service relates to a vehicle function and / or a media function. [10] Storage medium comprising a software program configured to run on one or more processors and thereby to execute the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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