Method for controlling a motor vehicle using a vehicle control element

Abstract

Method for controlling a motor vehicle (1) in which a vehicle control element (3), which is equipped for data exchange with the motor vehicle (1), wherein the data exchange can trigger the starting of the motor vehicle (1) and the setting of stored, user-specific vehicle settings in the motor vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle control element (3) has the form of a user-specific three-dimensional identification figure, is connected to the motor vehicle (1) and data is exchanged between the vehicle control element (3) and the motor vehicle (1) via the connection, wherein the user-specific vehicle settings stored in the vehicle control element (3) are transferred from the vehicle control element (3) to the motor vehicle (1) and thereby the motor vehicle (1) is started and / or the setting of stored, user-specific vehicle settings in the motor vehicle (1) is triggered.wherein, as part of setting the user-specific vehicle settings, an individual name is assigned to the vehicle's voice control system (1), which is stored in the user-specific vehicle settings and assigned to the vehicle control element (3), and wherein the vehicle's voice control system (1) is triggered when this name is mentioned.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to two methods for controlling a motor vehicle.

[0002] When a customer gets into a vehicle that someone else has driven previously, they have to adjust all their personal settings, such as seat position or radio station, before starting the journey. This problem is particularly common with car-sharing fleets.

[0003] US Patent 7,545,260 B2 discloses a modular vehicle key device system for controlling vehicle access and operation. This device is formed by assembling at least two separable modules: a key device module and a memory module for storing personal settings and / or other data outside the vehicle. The key device module includes elements for authorizing vehicle access and / or operation, such as a keyless entry transmitter and / or an ignition key. Each time the device is used, the data from the memory module is transferred to the vehicle to ensure that the operator's settings and information are available.

[0004] Furthermore, US Patent 7,548,491 B2 discloses a wireless key system for a vehicle, comprising a key fob. The key fob includes a control unit, a microphone, a memory unit operationally connected to the control unit, and a telematics unit operationally connected to a vehicle communication bus. Verbal commands received via the microphone cause the control unit to send a function message, in accordance with the instructions stored in the memory, to the telematics unit, which activates a function via the vehicle communication bus.

[0005] Furthermore, a method for configuring vehicle parameters is known from DE 10 2016 014 546 A1. DE 10 2010 038 813 A1 discloses a method for dynamically generating a speed warning based on driver status. DE 10 2017 010 110 A1 discloses a method for setting at least one vehicle setting. DE 10 2019 207 600 A1 discloses a storage compartment for a mobile device in a motor vehicle. CN 1 03 051 790 A further discloses a method for voice interaction using a mobile phone.

[0006] The purpose of the invention is to create a solution that makes it possible to simplify user-specific use of a motor vehicle.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the description and the figures.

[0008] The invention relates to a method for controlling a motor vehicle in which a vehicle control element is connected to the vehicle. Data is exchanged between the vehicle control element and the vehicle via this connection, thereby starting the vehicle and / or triggering the setting of stored, user-specific vehicle settings in the vehicle. For this purpose, the user-specific vehicle settings can be stored in the vehicle control element, or the vehicle control element can transmit an authorization key to the vehicle via the connection, by means of which the vehicle can query the user-specific vehicle settings from a higher-level computing device, such as a cloud.The vehicle control unit can therefore have a particularly large number of functions, such as triggering the starting of the vehicle and triggering the setting of user-specific vehicle settings, so that the user only needs to carry a single vehicle control unit for these functions.

[0009] The system envisions assigning a unique name to each vehicle control element, and triggering voice control when this name is detected. This means the user can activate the vehicle's voice control by speaking the name of the control element. For example, an electronic computing unit, particularly within the vehicle, can be used to detect when the name is spoken and to control the voice control function. The user can freely assign a unique name to the control element. This means the user can select and assign a name to the control element. Therefore, by speaking the selected name, the user can activate the vehicle's voice control.For example, the user can assign a different name to the vehicle control element than to other devices operable via voice control, thus preventing unintentional, accidental operation of one of the devices via voice control. This enables targeted and particularly error-free operation of the vehicle via voice control.

[0010] In a specific example, the process begins with the establishment of a data connection between the vehicle and the vehicle control unit. In the second step, data is exchanged between the vehicle control unit and the vehicle via this connection. This exchange allows, in particular, the transfer of user-specific vehicle settings stored in the vehicle control unit to the vehicle. The third step involves the vehicle being started and / or the activation of the stored user-specific vehicle settings as a result of the data exchange between the vehicle control unit and the vehicle.

[0011] As part of configuring user-specific vehicle settings, a unique name can be assigned to the vehicle's voice control system. This name is stored in the user-specific vehicle settings and assigned to the vehicle's control element. The vehicle's voice control system can be activated or controlled by speaking this name. This allows the vehicle's voice control system to be personalized via the user-defined name.

[0012] The invention further relates to a method for controlling a motor vehicle, in which an application on a mobile electronic device, for example a smartphone, is paired with the motor vehicle, and data is exchanged between the application and the motor vehicle via this connection, thereby triggering the adjustment of stored, user-specific vehicle settings in the motor vehicle. The application can also be configured to trigger the unlocking of the motor vehicle's locking system and / or the starting of the motor vehicle. Thus, particularly comprehensive control of the motor vehicle is possible via the application. Furthermore, adjusting the user-specific vehicle settings using the application is particularly convenient and straightforward for the user in the motor vehicle.Users often carry their mobile electronic device, such as a smartphone, with them at all times, eliminating the need to carry an additional item to access and adjust vehicle settings. The user simply needs their mobile device, which they already carry with them, and the application installed on the device is used to access and adjust the vehicle settings.

[0013] The system envisions an application with an avatar assigned a unique name. When this name is spoken, the vehicle's voice control is activated. The name can be detected by an electronic processing unit within the vehicle's controls or the vehicle itself, thereby triggering the voice control. The avatar is an artificial persona or graphic character. This avatar can represent a user-defined character, such as a comic book character, an animal, a superhero, or a famous person.By assigning an individual name to the avatar, the risk of confusion between multiple voice control functions is significantly reduced. Unintentionally activating two different voice control functions by saying the same word, in this case the name, is thus avoided. This ensures particularly precise voice control of different voice control functions in the vehicle.

[0014] In a concrete example of this method for controlling a motor vehicle, the first step involves an application on a mobile electronic device establishing a data connection with the vehicle. In the second step, data is exchanged between the vehicle and the application on the mobile electronic device via this connection. In the third step, the vehicle receives the user-specific vehicle settings and adjusts them accordingly, particularly using the vehicle's control unit. For setting the vehicle's voice control, the application may contain an avatar with a unique name. If this unique name is detected, the vehicle's voice control is activated and / or activated.The voice control of the vehicle can thus be customized via the avatar's name as a vehicle setting.

[0015] The vehicle control unit is intended for use in a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger car, and is equipped for data exchange with the vehicle. This data exchange allows the vehicle to be started and user-specific vehicle settings to be applied. In other words, the vehicle control unit is designed to trigger the ignition of the vehicle. By establishing a data connection for data exchange between the vehicle control unit and the vehicle, the user can easily and conveniently adjust their vehicle settings. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual adjustments of all desired vehicle settings.

[0016] Furthermore, the vehicle control element is designed to take the form of a user-specific, three-dimensional identification figure. This identification figure thus has a unique visual design. Vehicle control elements for different users will have different visual designs. This three-dimensional identification figure is, in particular, an artistic representation of a human, animal, or abstract form. The vehicle control element can, for example, take the form of a comic book character, an animal figure, a superhero, or a famous person. This allows the user to easily identify the vehicle control element among several other vehicle control elements. Additionally, the vehicle control element can serve as an accessory.The user-specific three-dimensional design of the identification figure thus enables the presentation of the vehicle control element in a way that takes into account the physical conditions of human perception and information reception, allowing the user to recognize their vehicle control element particularly easily and quickly among several vehicle control elements.

[0017] The vehicle control unit may be designed to have a mechanical interface for data transmission between the control unit and the vehicle. This mechanical interface could, for example, be a USB interface, thus establishing a USB connection between the control unit and the vehicle. A data connection established via the mechanical interface between the control unit and the vehicle is particularly stable, minimizing the risk of interruption. Alternatively or additionally to the mechanical interface, the control unit may have a wireless interface, enabling a wireless connection for data transmission between the control unit and the vehicle.The wireless connection for data exchange eliminates the need for precise positioning of the vehicle control unit relative to the vehicle when establishing the data connection. This allows for a particularly high degree of flexibility in positioning the vehicle control unit relative to the vehicle during the data connection process.

[0018] The vehicle control unit may include a storage device in which the user-specific vehicle settings are stored. This storage device ensures that the user-specific vehicle settings are always available for data exchange with the vehicle. Alternatively, instead of a storage device, the user-specific vehicle settings can be stored in a higher-level computing system, such as a cloud. This means that the vehicle can retrieve the user-specific vehicle settings from the higher-level computing system. In this case, the vehicle control unit can serve to identify the user or to verify authorization for retrieving the user-specific vehicle settings.This means that only the vehicle connected to the assigned vehicle control unit via the data link can retrieve the user-specific vehicle settings from the central processing unit. This effectively prevents unauthorized access to the user-specific vehicle settings. Furthermore, storing the user-specific vehicle settings in the central processing unit allows for a particularly large number of user-specific settings to be stored due to the central electronic processing unit's large storage capacity.

[0019] The vehicle control element may include a mounting device by which it can be magnetically and / or mechanically attached to the vehicle. This mounting device ensures particularly secure attachment of the control element to the vehicle when it is located inside the vehicle. This prevents the control element from flying around the vehicle's interior, for example, during acceleration, and potentially injuring vehicle occupants. Magnetic attachment of the control element within the vehicle allows for particularly easy and reversible installation and removal.For mechanical fastening, the fastening device can, for example, be designed to create a locking mechanism between the vehicle control element and the vehicle. By mechanically fastening the vehicle control element to the vehicle, the control element can form a positive and / or frictional connection with the vehicle, thus ensuring a particularly secure hold. It is especially advantageous if the vehicle control element is reversibly connected to the vehicle, allowing it to be used in different vehicles, for example, in car sharing. This way, when the user gets into a new vehicle, they can mechanically and / or magnetically connect their control element to it.Subsequently, the data connection for data exchange between the vehicle control unit and the vehicle can be established, triggering the setting of the stored, user-specific vehicle settings in the vehicle.

[0020] It may be possible for the user-specific vehicle settings to include adjustable seat position, steering wheel position, radio station, and / or music genre. Thus, the user can specify how a vehicle seat, particularly the driver's seat, should be adjusted, how the steering wheel should be positioned, which radio station should be selected, and which music genre should be played. This allows the user to start the vehicle particularly quickly and ensures a comfortable driving experience.

[0021] The vehicle control element may be configured to trigger the unlocking of the vehicle. This means that the vehicle control element can operate a locking mechanism of the vehicle, thereby enabling the vehicle control element to unlock the vehicle. For example, the vehicle may unlock when the control element is moved closer than a predetermined maximum distance to the vehicle. The vehicle control element can thus serve as a vehicle key.

[0022] Further features of the invention may become apparent from the following description of the figures and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures themselves, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0023] The drawing shows in: Fig. 1. A schematic interior view of a motor vehicle with a vehicle control element arranged on the dashboard of the motor vehicle, which has the form of a user-specific three-dimensional identification figure and is magnetically held on the dashboard of the motor vehicle; and Fig. 2 a procedure scheme for a method for controlling the motor vehicle in which a data connection is established between the vehicle control element and the motor vehicle, through which data is exchanged between the vehicle control element and the motor vehicle, thereby triggering the starting of the motor vehicle and the setting of user-specific vehicle settings of the motor vehicle.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows the interior of a motor vehicle 1 from a perspective of the driver's area of ​​the motor vehicle 1, looking across a windshield into the surroundings of the motor vehicle 1. Thus, in Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of the cockpit of a motor vehicle 1. A vehicle control element 3 in the form of a user-specific three-dimensional identification figure is arranged on the upper side of an instrument panel 2 of the motor vehicle 1. The vehicle control element 3 is, in particular, formed in one piece. For this purpose, the vehicle control element 3 can be manufactured as a single unit. This vehicle control element 3 is held on the upper side of the instrument panel 2 by means of a fastening device 4 using magnetic force. The vehicle control element 3 includes a storage device 5 on which user-specific vehicle settings are stored. Via a Fig. A mechanical interface (not shown) and / or a radio interface establishes a data connection between the vehicle control element 3 and the motor vehicle 1. This data connection enables data exchange between the vehicle control element 3 and the motor vehicle 1. In particular, the user-specific vehicle settings stored in the memory device 5 can be made available to the motor vehicle 1 via this data connection.

[0025] As a result of the vehicle 1 receiving the user-specific vehicle settings stored in the memory device 5, the vehicle 1 can trigger the adjustment of these vehicle settings within the vehicle 1. For this purpose, the vehicle 1 may have a control unit configured to adjust the received user-specific vehicle settings within the vehicle 1. The user-specific vehicle settings may characterize a seat position to be adjusted for at least one vehicle seat, in particular the driver's seat of the vehicle 1, and / or a steering wheel position to be adjusted for a steering wheel of the vehicle 1, and / or a radio station to be selected in an infotainment system of the vehicle 1, and / or a music genre to be selected in the infotainment system.Thus, vehicle control element 3 is configured to trigger the setting of the stored, user-specific vehicle settings in vehicle 1. Additionally, vehicle control element 3 is configured to trigger the starting of vehicle 1. Consequently, vehicle control element 3 serves as the ignition key for vehicle 1. Furthermore, vehicle control element 3 can be configured to trigger the opening of a locking system of vehicle 1. This means that vehicle control element 3 can be used to lock and unlock vehicle 1.

[0026] To attach the vehicle control element 3 to the dashboard 2 of the motor vehicle 1, the dashboard 2 can have a receptacle which corresponds to an outer contour of a fastening element of the mounting device 4 of the vehicle control element 3. The fastening element can thus be inserted into the receptacle, thereby holding the vehicle control element 3 to the dashboard 2 by means of a positive fit between the fastening element and a wall of the dashboard 2 that defines the receptacle. This allows the vehicle control element 3 to be attached to the motor vehicle 1 particularly securely.

[0027] In Fig.Figure 2 shows a process diagram for a procedure for controlling motor vehicle 1. In the first process step V1, the data connection between motor vehicle 1 and vehicle control unit 3 is established. In a second process step V2, data is exchanged between vehicle control unit 3 and motor vehicle 1 via this data connection. In particular, the user-specific vehicle settings stored in vehicle control unit 3 can be transferred from the vehicle control unit 3 to motor vehicle 1. In a third process step V3, the data exchange between vehicle control unit 3 and motor vehicle 1 is intended to start motor vehicle 1 and / or trigger the setting of the stored user-specific vehicle settings in motor vehicle 1.

[0028] As part of configuring the user-specific vehicle settings, a unique name can be assigned to the voice control system of vehicle 1. This name is stored in the user-specific vehicle settings and assigned to the vehicle control element 3. The voice control system of vehicle 1 can be activated or controlled by speaking this name. This allows the voice control system of vehicle 1 to be personalized via the predefined user-specific name.

[0029] In another alternative method for controlling motor vehicle 1, in the first process step V1, an application on a mobile electronic device establishes a data connection with motor vehicle 1. In the second process step V2, data is exchanged between motor vehicle 1 and the application on the mobile electronic device via this data connection. In the third process step V3, following the receipt of the user-specific vehicle settings, the received user-specific vehicle settings are configured in motor vehicle 1, in particular by means of a control unit of motor vehicle 1. For configuring the voice control of motor vehicle 1, an avatar with a unique name can be stored in the application.If it is detected that this individual avatar name has been spoken, then the voice control of vehicle 1 will be activated and / or controlled accordingly. The voice control of vehicle 1 can thus be personalized via the avatar name as a vehicle setting.

[0030] The driver, or all persons authorized to drive vehicle 1, can each receive an identification figure, which can be referred to as "ID me," short for "identify me." This identification figure serves as a vehicle key and can be placed on the instrument panel of vehicle 1, where it is magnetically or mechanically attached. The vehicle control element 3, in the form of the identification figure, is designed to unlock vehicle 1 and save user-specific vehicle settings such as seat and steering wheel position, preferred radio stations, or music genres. As soon as the vehicle control element 3 is placed on the instrument panel, the saved vehicle settings are automatically applied. Each user can choose their own identification figure, be it a cowboy, Elvis, or Cinderella. Furthermore, the user can assign a name to their vehicle control element 3.In vehicle 1, the vehicle control unit 3 can serve as an avatar and personal assistant. The user simply speaks the assigned name of their avatar to activate the vehicle's voice control. Changes made to the vehicle settings in vehicle 1 can then be saved in the vehicle control unit 3. A major advantage of this vehicle control unit 3 is its playful transformation from a simple key to a stylish accessory. The vehicle control unit 3 is sized to easily fit in a trouser pocket or handbag. However, care should be taken to ensure that the vehicle control unit 3 is not too small, so that the avatar remains visible on the instrument panel.

[0031] Alternatively, the "ID me" could be the application on the mobile electronic device. Using an RFID chip, the user can identify themselves to vehicle 1 via the application, unlock vehicle 1, and start vehicle 1. Furthermore, all user-specific vehicle settings can be saved in the application. These user-specific vehicle settings can be stored on the mobile electronic device and / or in a higher-level computing facility such as a cloud.

[0032] Overall, the invention demonstrates how an avatar “ID me” can be used as a key replacement and to save personal vehicle settings. Reference symbol list 1 motor vehicle 2 Dashboard 3 Vehicle control element 4 Fastening device 5 Storage setup V1 to V3 respective process steps

Claims

[1] Method for controlling a motor vehicle (1), in which a vehicle control element (3) which is configured for data exchange with the motor vehicle (1), wherein starting of the motor vehicle (1) and setting of stored, user-specific vehicle settings in the motor vehicle (1) can be triggered via the data exchange, wherein the vehicle control element (3) has the form of a user-specific three-dimensional identification figure, is connected to the motor vehicle (1), and data is exchanged between the vehicle control element (3) and the motor vehicle (1) via the connection, wherein the user-specific vehicle settings stored in the vehicle control element (3) are transmitted from the vehicle control element (3) to the motor vehicle (1), whereby the motor vehicle (1) is started and / or whereby setting of stored, user-specific vehicle settings in the motor vehicle (1) is triggered,wherein, in the context of setting the user-specific vehicle settings, a voice control of the motor vehicle (1) is assigned an individual name which is stored in the user-specific vehicle settings and is assigned to the vehicle control element (3), wherein the voice control of the motor vehicle (1) is triggered upon detection of a mention of this name. [2] Method for controlling a motor vehicle (1), in which an application on a mobile electronic terminal is coupled to the motor vehicle (1) and data is exchanged between the application and the motor vehicle (1) via this connection, whereby a setting of stored, user-specific vehicle settings in the motor vehicle (1) is triggered as a result of receiving the user-specific vehicle settings in the motor vehicle (1), wherein an avatar is stored in the application, to which an individual name is assigned as a user-specific vehicle setting, wherein a voice control of the motor vehicle (1) is triggered when this name is detected.

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