Method for activating a vehicle function and information technology system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for enabling a vehicle function, wherein the vehicle function can be provided via the hardware of a vehicle (1), the hardware is configured by software, and wherein the vehicle function is provided by the hardware when the hardware is configured according to an enabling configuration. The method according to the invention is characterized in that - a user (2) of the vehicle (1) logs into a central computing device (3) with a user account; - the user (2) links his wallet (4) to the user account; - the central computing device (3) initiates the minting of an NFT, whereby the release configuration is assigned to the NFT as a digital asset; - the central computing device (3) ensures that when an event occurs, the NFT is assigned to the wallet (4) of the user (2); - the central computing device (3) reads the NFTs stored in the wallet (4); and - the central computing device (3) obtains the respective release configurations for NFTs stored in the wallet (4) and transmits them to the vehicle (1)

Description

The invention relates to a method for enabling a vehicle function according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1, and to an information technology system comprising a central computing device and a vehicle.The degree of digitalization of vehicles is constantly increasing. For example, the mechanical steering system or the actuation of the brake system and of the fuel pump are replaced by electronic control systems as a function of a pedal position. This is also referred to as a drive-by-wire. In addition, new assistance functions for increasing safety and comfort are provided, such as a lane keeping assistant, an adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, or the possibility of watching movies on a display device in the vehicle, performing video telephony, streaming hearing books and the like.Different vehicle functions require the installation of specific hardware components in the vehicle. In this case, a vehicle can be configured in the ordering process such that specific hardware components are installed, which generally allow the provision of a plurality of functions, wherein, however, only some of these functions are actually purchased by a customer. The remaining functions, i.e. the functions not purchased, are then blocked by a software configuration for use in the vehicle produced for the customer. However, since the required hardware is already installed, this makes it possible to enable the functions subsequently by software. Thus, for example, by reconfiguring the software of the vehicle, an increased engine power could be temporarily or permanently enabled, a seat heating function could be subscribed to, for example, for the winter months, or the like.For managing vehicle functions used in the vehicle, the user interacts with the vehicle manufacturer, for example, via a central portal, for example, a server operated by the vehicle manufacturer, which forms an interface between a user account and his vehicle. Thus, the user can connect his vehicle to his user account and book vehicle functions individually. However, the highs over the booked functions remain at the vehicle manufacturer, which can have a disadvantageous effect on the decision process of a user for booking separate functions. Thus, it would be desirable to deliver the highs over bookable vehicle functions to the customer.Certain digital currency, also referred to as cryptocurrencies, or the respective underlying blockchain, for example the Ethereum blockchain, the Binance Smart Chain or Solana, allow the generation of so-called non-fungal tokens (NFT). The production of NFTs is also referred to as embossing, or "mint.". In particular, the embossing and / or initiation of transactions of a respective NFT takes place under the control of a so-called smart contract. A smart contract is program code written into the blockchain and can be automatically executed on the blockchain by the crypto network managing the blockchain as a function of the information written into the blockchain. While the units of a respective cryptocurrency are divisible, i.e. "fungible", each NFT is unique, i.e. "non-fungible". In this case, an NFT represents a specific item, in particular a digital item such as an image file, video file, sound file, text file or the like. A NFT may also be associated with physical goods as "ownership evidence", such as homes, vehicles, sneakers, or the like. The information describing or referencing the crop associated with an NFT is typically written into the metadata of the NFT. The metadata can be stored in the blocks of the blockchain itself, or preferably on a blockchain-external storage location. A blockchain can be managed centrally or decentrally. A so-called non-fungal token standard, for example ERC 721 or ERC 1155, defines the manner in which respective metadata is to be configured and processed.Furthermore, so-called hybrid smart contracts are known, which link program code running on the blockchain to information and calculations present externally to the blockchain. As an interface, so-called blockchain oracles are used. Such a service for linking a blockchain to external systems, which enables the execution of smart contracts depending on inputs and outputs of the real world, is provided, for example, by the company Chainlink.DE 10 2022 000 646 A1 discloses a method for embossing and using vehicle-related none-fungible tokens. The document describes providing vehicle functions based on NFTs. For this purpose, vehicle data are collected during the operation of a vehicle and these are used for embossing NFTs. Thus, the vehicle participates in the embossing process of the NFTs themselves. For example, NFTs may be stamped when the vehicle is manufactured, repaired, or maintenance is performed, the vehicle is sold, or the like. This makes it possible to track a state or degree of wear of the vehicle on the basis of NFTs. Vehicle-related NFTs can also be imprinted if specific milestones are reached with the vehicle, such as reaching a specified operating duration, distance traveled, a stay at a specific location, or the like. Thus, so-called "oscillations" can be achieved with the vehicle, whereby the use of the vehicle can be made even more appealing to a user by providing gamification-based functions. Using the NFTs stamped in achieving such an adaptation, the user can track his personal services and present them to other persons as evidence.Furthermore, US 2022 / 0383295 A1 discloses a so-called collecting container for NFT goods. The document addresses the problem that digital goods, also referred to as "digital asset", with which cannot be interacted in the real world are usually linked to an NFT. The collection container represents an electronic device in the form of a computing device which is capable of downloading digital goods linked to an NFT via the Internet and of discharging said digital goods via output means included in the collection container. Thus, for example, digital works of art can be displayed on a display device or audio contents can be reproduced via integrated loudspeakers. The collecting container has its own wallet, so that respective NFTs or digital goods can be unambiguously assigned to a specific collecting container. Owners of such collecting containers may trade the own NFTs together with corresponding digital goods with one another, for example by replacing the collecting containers themselves, or by carrying out corresponding transactions of the NFTs on the respective underlying blockchain.Furthermore, US 2023 / 0071093 A1 describes a system and method for uniformly setting and transferring NFT goods across a plurality of platforms based on the use of smart contracts. The publication describes a mediator for utilizing various NFT market places. The smart contract comprises processable conditions for embossing an NFT from a plurality of different NFT market places. In addition, the publication describes a translation module which is capable of defining conditions for smart contracts in natural language and of translating them into machine-readable code. This increases user-friendliness in formulating the smart contracts for users with little or no programming skills.The present invention is based on the object of specifying methods and means by means of which the interaction of a user with his vehicle can be improved.According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for enabling a vehicle function having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and refinements and an information technology system for executing the method are evident from the claims dependent thereon.A method of the generic type for enabling a vehicle function, wherein the vehicle function can be provided via the hardware of a vehicle, the hardware is configured by software, and wherein the vehicle function is provided by the hardware when the hardware is configured according to an enable configuration, is further developed according to the invention in thata user of the vehicle logs on to a central computing device with a user account;the user links his wallet to the user account;the central computing device causes the stamping of an NFT, wherein the NFT is assigned the release configuration as a digital good;the central computing device causes, when an event occurs, the NFT to be assigned to the wallet of the user;the central computing device reads out the NFTs stored in the wallet; andthe central computing device for NFTs stored in the wallet acquires respective enabling configurations and transmits them to the vehicle.The method according to the invention provides that vehicle functions are acquired as a function of the arrival of an event and are transmitted for use in vehicles. This thus represents an alternative to commercially obtaining vehicle functions. In this case, the users can actively participate in the arrival of corresponding events in order to acquire desired vehicle functions in a targeted manner. This approach allows the acquisition of vehicle functions to be "gamified.".A wide variety of events come into consideration here when respective NFTs are stamped and corresponding vehicle functions are distributed to vehicles. The term "event" explicitly excludes the commercial purchase of NFTs or vehicle functions. In addition to events that can be influenced by users, these can also be events that cannot be influenced, such as, for example, the arrival of particular environmental influences or the jubile of the vehicle manufacturer. Thus, for example, the method can be 100 or more. The date of birth of the vehicle manufacturer can be used to mark an NFT and a vehicle function of a jubile can be distributed to vehicles of the vehicle manufacturer or user participating in the method.In this case, there are various possibilities as to how the central computing device can have the effect that, after corresponding events have occurred, respective NFTs are distributed to the wallets of the users. This will be discussed in more detail later. In general, it is possible here for NFTs to be assigned first to a manufacturer's wallet and then to be transferred from the vehicle manufacturer to the wallet of the user, or for the respective NFTs to be assigned directly to the wallet of the user during stamping.All conceivable functions can be considered as the vehicle function, which can be executed by software-side adaptations on the hardware installed in the vehicle anyway. These may be, for example, special graphical elements of a graphical user interface, for example a special tacho design of a combination instrument designed as a display device, a special artificial engine noise for an electric motor, which is output via loudspeakers external to the vehicle, an increased engine power, a comfort function such as a seat heater, a massage function, an illumination function, for example a special light pattern for ambient illumination or the like.The central computing device is a cloud server or server group, in particular managed by the vehicle manufacturer. The user has an individual user account, unambiguously referenced by an individual user name and secured by a personal password. In this case, the user's vehicle is linked to his user account, so that the central computing device can unambiguously carry out an assignment between users and respective vehicles. For this purpose, the vehicle is linked to the user account via a unique identifier such as a serial number, vehicle identification number or the like. The user also has a wallet for cryptocurrencies or NFTs. The user then links this wallet to his user account, so that the central computing device can check the content of the wallet. In the simplest case, this merely means that the user stores a public address of his wallet, for example the so-called "public key", at the central computing device. The infrastructure operated by the vehicle manufacturer, i.e. a platform provided on the central computing device, can likewise have an integrated wallet functionality. Thus, not only can the vehicle manufacturer have his own manufacturer wallet, but the vehicle manufacturer can also assign his own wallet to each user account itself. This reduces the burden on technically unfriended users for using the method according to the invention, since the users therefore do not have to create a wallet themselves.To enable respective vehicle configurations, the vehicle manufacturer develops corresponding enabling configurations. An enable configuration is corresponding program code, after implementation of which on a computing unit in the vehicle, the respective computing unit or hardware is adapted such that the vehicle function that can be provided via the respective hardware can also be used. In the simplest case, a flag is changed, for example from 0 to 1 or negative to positive. In this case, the vehicle manufacturer can provide correspondingly configured clearance configurations for the most varied hardware combinations. For each enabling configuration, the central computing device effects a corresponding embossing or mining of respective NFTs. For example, the time for stamping an NFT can be selected such that the NFT is stamped exactly when the user acquires the respective release configuration from the vehicle manufacturer by the arrival of the event. There are various possibilities in this case for how the central computing device can bring about the assignment of respective NFTs to the wallets of the users. Either the central computing device or the vehicle manufacturer can have its own manufacturer wallet to which the NFTs are allocated during stamping. Subsequently, the NFTs are transferred from the manufacturer's wallet to the user's wallet. However, it is also possible that during the embossing process the address or public key of the wallet of the user is directly specified, so that initially the freshly embossed NFTs appear in the wallet of the user.After the vehicle function is acquired, the user can activate the vehicle function in his vehicle. This can take place automatically with the acquisition of the vehicle function or else be initiated manually by the user. For this purpose, the user can use various human-machine interfaces, such as, for example, an operating interface in the vehicle itself, for example embodied as a touch-sensitive display device, a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone, coupled to the vehicle, in particular via the user account, or else using a browser-based access interface, for example using a desktop computer connected to the Internet. Thus, the user can log on to the central computing device via his user account and select his vehicle in a corresponding input mask and activate a specific vehicle function, for example, by setting a check. The computing unit used for this purpose, i.e., for example, an in-vehicle computing unit, the user's smartphone or even the desktop computer, sends information to the central computing device via a corresponding application programming interface (API), which information indicates that the respective vehicle function is to be activated.At various times, for example when the user opens his user account via a corresponding portal or also upon each start of the vehicle, the central computing device can read out the wallet of the user and thus record the NFTs stored therein. Accordingly, the central computing device adjusts an output mask to represent currently available vehicle functions. This allows the user to turn vehicle functions purchased on and off as needed. After the user has activated a respective vehicle function, the central computing device sends a corresponding signal to the vehicle for activating the vehicle function. For this purpose, for example, the central computing device can transmit the program code of the enabling configuration itself to the respective computing unit of the vehicle, with the command that the respective program code is executed.To provide the method according to the invention, all current blockchain technologies or even blockchain technologies to be developed in the future and the cryptocurrencies which can be provided in each case as a result can be used. The blockchain can be managed centrally or decentrally.In the simplest case, the NFT comprises only one unique identifier, such as a unique token ID. The central computing device can reserve a file in which a relationship between the NFTs and respective vehicle functions is stored. The central computing device can thus read out the wallet of the user, obtain the unique token ID and look up in the file which vehicle function is thus usable by the user. Subsequently, the central computing device brings about the enabling of the corresponding vehicle function in the user's vehicle. In this case, it is not even necessary to assign a reference to the digital good to the NFT, since the central computing device already has this information.The method according to the invention can provide thatthe NFT comprising the digital asset; orthe digital good is stored in a central or decentralized network memory, wherein the NFT comprises a reference to the digital good.It is thus possible to link respective vehicle functions to NFTs in different ways. A corresponding program code can thus be written either directly into a respective block of the blockchain used, which block represents the NFT. However, it is also possible instead to keep the corresponding program code and any required media files available on the central or decentralized network memory and to integrate only a reference to the corresponding memory location into the blockchain. Such a reference is also referred to as URI. For example, it may be a URL. The digital good can thus be stored both "on-chain" and "off-chain".The central network memory can be, in particular, the server used as a central computing device or a server of the server group.The distributed or decentralized network memory can be, for example, the so-called "InterPlane File System" (IPFS). This is a protocol and a network for forming a peer-to-peer memory for files, such as, for example, so-called hypermedia. The advantage of using decentralized network memories compared to central network memories is that decentralized network memories are distinguished by a lower probability of failure. Thus, the risk is high that a central node at least temporarily fails, for example due to a cyber attack, maintenance work, environmental influences such as a power failure, or flooding or the like. In this time period, no digital goods can then be called up from the central network memory. In the case of a decentralized network memory, however, respective information is stored on a plurality of nodes, with the result that, in the event of failure of one or a few nodes, the information can be obtained from another node.The fact that the release configuration is "assigned" to an NFT is to be understood in an abstract manner. Thus, a wide variety of different assignment modalities are possible. As already mentioned, the corresponding program code can be written directly into the blockchain or else held on the corresponding network memory and referenced by the reference. It is also possible for the vehicle manufacturer to identify different vehicle functions or release configurations by an individual and unique identifier. For example, it may be an ID. This identifier can then be written, for example, as plain text into the blockchain itself or else into the metadata in the network memory. The actual program code can then be kept inaccessible to the public in a protected memory of the central computing device. If the central computing device then reads out the NFT in the wallet of the user, the central computing device also reads out the unique identifier of the release configuration and can read out the digital data required for activating the vehicle function in the vehicle, that is to say in particular said program code, from the protected memory.The method according to the invention can furthermore provide that the release configuration is assigned to the NFT in cryptographically encrypted form, the central computing device decrypts the release configuration after reading out the wallet of the user and obtaining the release configuration, and transmits the decrypted release configuration to the vehicle. This further improves the integrity of the program code on which the release configuration is based and any media files, as well as the cybersecurity when performing the method according to the invention. Here, proven cryptographic encryption techniques can be used, such as signature-based encryption using asymmetric key pairs. Thus, in particular, the program code of the release configuration can be written directly into the blockchain in a cryptographically encrypted manner, into which metadata of the NFT are written or else are stored on a corresponding central or decentralized network memory referenced by the metadata. Thus, a "theft" of the program code by third parties is also counteracted. To decrypt the encrypted release configuration, the central computing device requires a corresponding private key which it already has as an encrypting element of the program code of the release configuration. In this case, the communication between the central computing device and the vehicle can likewise be effected in encrypted form, with the result that, in the extended sense, the decrypted release configuration is re-encrypted and then decrypted in the vehicle. This also prevents the data from being picked up during the data exchange between the central computing device and the vehicle.An advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides that it is a vehicle-related event. The events can thus be considered as so-called "iterations". Thus, specific powers can be provided with the vehicle, such as, for example, reaching a specific operating duration, covering a specific total route, being located with the vehicle at a specific location, in particular within a specific time window, a specific amount of electrical energy being obtained from a specific charging station operator and the like.In this case, respective events can occur at least once in each vehicle of the vehicle fleet of the vehicle manufacturer. However, it would also be conceivable for certain events to occur only once, so that competition occurs between the users of the vehicles of the vehicle manufacturer. An incentive can thus be created to reach the respective event first, so that the respective user exclusively acquires the NFT and the vehicle function assigned to the NFT. It is also conceivable for such one-time events to be defined for specific vehicle groups, for example for a specific model series. For example, a new vehicle model can be placed on the market, so that the user is assigned a specific NFT with a specific vehicle function that was first driven 100,000 kilometers using this vehicle model.The respective events when NFTs are stamped and vehicle functions can be distributed can be presented transparently to the public by the vehicle manufacturer in a publicly visible manner. Certain of these "interventions" can also be hidden, so that vehicle functions are also surprisingly distributed. This represents an even greater incentive for participation in the method according to the invention and thus further improves the interaction of the users with their vehicles.In particular, NFTs may be distributed or stamped and distributed when the vehicle is operated in a particularly gentle manner, such that, for example, wear of the vehicle is reduced and / or a particularly detensive driving behavior is exhibited. This increases the service life of the vehicle and protects the environment on account of reduced resource utilization.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the central computing device initiates the embossing of the NFT at a first point in time before the arrival of the event and brings about the assignment of the NFT to the wallet of the user at a later second point in time after the arrival of the event. In other words, NFTs can thus be imprinted independently of the arrival of respective events. This makes it possible to carry out the distribution of vehicle functions and corresponding NFTs depending on the season. A season may have any duration of time, such as a year, quartal, month, or even fractions or multiples thereof. Moreover, seasons of different time duration may be introduced for different NFTs and respective vehicle functions. In particular, for seasonally distributed NFTs, the respective conditions for the occurrence of the event and the associated vehicle function are made publicly known by the vehicle manufacturer before or during the start of the season. Since the respective NFTs can then only be acquired for a limited time, an even greater incentive is created for the users of the vehicles to try to bring about the arrival of the respective events. This also further improves the user interaction with the vehicle. It is also possible for the vehicle manufacturer to only publicly know the conditions for the arrival of a respective event, but not the vehicle function that can be acquired thereby, or vice versa. Thus, mysterium arises, which further increases the incentive for acquiring the respective NFTs due to the human neugia.In general, it is also possible for some NFTs and respective vehicle functions to be simultaneously imprinted in a season-dependent manner and for other NFTs to be imprinted simultaneously upon the arrival of a respective event. Thus, a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the central computing device initiates the embossing of the NFT and the assignment of the NFT to the wallet of the user when the event arrives. However, it must be decided in advance whether a specific NFT should be imprinted due to season or upon the occurrence of the event.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle acquires vehicle information and transmits it to the central computing device, whereupon the central computing device compares the vehicle information with at least one condition, whereupon the central computing device in turn recognizes the arrival of the event as soon as at least one vehicle information meets the condition. In other words, the central computing device functions here as a central element for checking that respective conditions are fulfilled and corresponding to the arrival of respective events. This variant of the procedure is distinguished by a simple and central implementation, but has the disadvantage that the high power is delivered to the central computing device and thus to the vehicle manufacturer via checking whether events arrive.To gather vehicle information, the vehicles can acquire sensor data from in-vehicle sensors and read information from control units. The vehicles can also obtain information from an external source, for example from the Internet. For this purpose, the vehicles can have corresponding telecommunication units which allow a respective vehicle to be connected to the Internet by mobile radio. In such a manner, the vehicles may acquire the information relevant to satisfying the condition, such as detecting the operation time of the vehicle, odometry parameters of the vehicle, for example, the total distance traveled by the vehicle, timely performing a certain number of maintenance works, such as timely performing ten services, and the like.As soon as the central computing device recognizes that a specific vehicle or a specific user satisfies a specific condition and thus triggers the event for stamping or rejecting the NFT, the central computing device either effects the stamping and rejecting the NFT or, if the NFT has already been stamped, the NFT is caused to reject the NFT from the manufacturer's wall to the wall of the user. For this purpose, the central computing device initiates corresponding transactions on the crypto network on which the NFTs are based.A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that at least the assignment of the NFT to a wallet, in particular the embossing and assignment of the NFT, is triggered by a hybrid smart contract, wherein the vehicle and / or a service provider collects vehicle information and transmits it to a blockchain oracle, wherein the blockchain oracle transfers the vehicle information to the hybrid smart contract, and wherein the hybrid smart contract comprises at least one condition which describes when the event arrives as a function of the vehicle information.It is thus possible to issue the high level concerning checking that respective conditions for triggering respective events have been fulfilled by the central computing device and thus by the vehicle manufacturer. In other words, the respective hybrid smart contracts check whether or not respective conditions for the occurrence of an event are fulfilled, whereby the transmission or stamping and transmission of corresponding NFTs is automatically initiated. For this purpose, a corresponding hybrid smart contract can be assigned to the wallet of a user, which hybrid smart contract automatically initiates the embossing process or transfer process after the occurrence of the event. The blockchain oracle thereby serves as a link between the respective entities that gather the vehicle information and the hybrid smart contracts. Thus, the vehicles themselves can transmit collected vehicle information via said telecommunication unit using a corresponding application programming interface (API) to the blockchain oracle, which in turn forwards the relevant information to the hybrid smart contracts (or the blockchain), so that they can check whether the underlying conditions are fulfilled or not fulfilled. However, vehicle information may also be collected by a service provider. Such a service provider is, for example, a charging station operator. Thus, the charging station operator can grasp which user is getting as much electric energy over a period of time and thus, for example, inform the blockchain oracle that a specific user has charged a specific amount of electric energy that causes the triggering of an event. It could also be, for example, a gas station operator or washer operator, which transmits the number of uses carried out by a washer or the refueling operations.Real world information gathered from the blockchain oracle may be incorporated into the embossing process of an NFT. For example, in the case of rain weather, a digital image of a bary having a rain jacket and a umbrella may be assigned to an NFT as a digital good instead of a scroll having a sun hat as a background image for a vehicle menu.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, a vehicle information-specific evaluation condition is assigned to the NFT during stamping, in particular via a hybrid smart contract, after the arrival of which the hardware of the vehicle is reconfigured from the release configuration into a configuration which differs therefrom, in particular into a standard configuration. In other words, the vehicle functions obtained by the arrival of specific events can be provided with a sequence criterion. Thus, the respective vehicle functions underlying the NFTs can be automatically withdrawn from the users again after a further event has occurred. Thus, the vehicle function provided by configuring the hardware of the vehicle by the enable configuration is automatically not made usable by reconfiguring the hardware.The respective evaluation conditions can be assigned to NFTs, for example, in this case to the metadata. The central computing device can read out this metadata and thus cause the fulfilment of the evaluation conditions to be checked or also check this evaluation condition itself. In this case, either the vehicles can transmit vehicle information to the central computing device, whereupon the central computing device checks that the evaluation conditions have been fulfilled, whereupon, if an evaluation condition has been fulfilled, the central computing device transmits a corresponding reconfiguration signal to the vehicle. It would also be possible for the respective vehicles themselves to check the fulfilment of respective evaluation conditions. For this purpose, the central computing device can transmit the evaluation condition to the respective vehicles. In general, it is also possible for the vehicles themselves to read out the metadata of the NFT and thus to obtain respective evaluation conditions. Whether or not a respective evaluation condition is fulfilled then check the vehicles, or a respective in-vehicle computing unit, themselves. The reconfiguration of the hardware can also be triggered very simply by removing the NFT required for enabling the vehicle configuration from the wallet of the user (in particular automatically triggered by the hybrid smart contract), which is illuminated in more detail below.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle and / or a service provider collects vehicle information and transmits it to a blockchain oracle, wherein the blockchain oracle transfers the vehicle information to the hybrid smart contract of the respective NFT, wherein the invalidation condition additionally specifies that the NFT is invalidated after the invalidation condition arrives. Thus, not only is the hardware of the respective vehicle reconfigured, but also the access of the user to the release configuration underlying the vehicle function is blocked. Since a respective user therefore no longer "owns" the respective NFT of the vehicle function, the respective release configuration cannot also be transmitted again for application to the vehicle. For the evaluation of the NFTs, these can be burnt. The "burning" of NFTs means assigning the respective NFT to a wallet without access. Namely, information cannot be deleted from a blockchain as a rule, so that it is necessary to assign respective NFTs to a wallet, via which the user or the vehicle, in particular no one, has access permission. The NFTs can therefore also no longer be used. It is also possible for the digital good itself or the respective metadata of the NFT to contain program code which can be read by the central computing device or a respective vehicle which allows the hardware of the vehicle to be reconfigured not only but also to initiate the clearing of the enabling configuration after reconfiguration.According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the central computing device stores a database with at least two digital goods and decides which of the digital goods is assigned to the NFT as a function of a boundary condition. This makes it possible to assign different vehicle functions to a user and his vehicle for satisfying one and the same boundary condition or arrival of a specific event. This further improves the user interaction, since it is thus not possible to unambiguously determine beforehand which vehicle function the user is obtained by the arrival of the event. This can be an incentive for the respective user to use the own vehicle even more intensively in order to still be able to obtain the respective other vehicle function, for example by the arrival of another event or the renewed arrival of the same event. For example, a specific NFT can be imprinted for every 10,000 kilometers traveled by the vehicle, to which a vehicle function from a group of 10 vehicle functions is then assigned. Thus, the user would have to drive 100,000 km in order to enable all vehicle functions of this group. It is also conceivable that vehicle functions, randomly, are "lost" multiple times, so that even more kilometers have to be driven.At least one of the boundary conditions is preferably:a vehicle equipment; and / orthe current value of at least one piece of vehicle information.Different vehicles may have different equipment variants. Certain vehicle functions are more or less suitable for output in a certain vehicle. If, for example, a specific vehicle has a Dolby Atmos sound system, vehicle functions which use Dolby Atmos are suitable here. The central computing device thus preferably has the effect that vehicle functions which use Dolby Atmos are then assigned to the respective vehicle. This can be correspondingly transferred to further equipment variants, such as an installed massage function, the provision of a specific high-quality display with a particularly high resolution, the provision of specific optional lighting devices, the provision of a specific motor output and the like.Likewise, the central computing device can decide, depending on a current value of a respective piece of vehicle information, which of the vehicle functions should be assigned to an NFT as digital good. For example, vehicle information can be formed from the current vehicle occupant count. If five vehicle occupants are then located in the vehicle interior for example for the arrival of the event, a different vehicle function can be assigned to the NFT than if, for example, only one vehicle occupant is located in the vehicle interior. For this purpose, the current value of each conceivable vehicle information or of a plurality of vehicle information items can be queried, such as, for example, a driving speed, an external temperature, the current weather, a frequency of use of a specific vehicle function and the like. For example, an NFT for the vehicle may be imprinted as soon as the user has traveled 100,000 kilometers with his vehicle, the vehicle checking whether radio is heard more frequently in the vehicle or music is played via a device coupled via Bluetooth. Depending on which statement applies, a vehicle function other than digital good is then assigned to the NFT.Preferably, digital goods are assigned an exclusivity level and digital goods are grouped according to their exclusivity level. The exclusivity level is a fictitious numerical value, for example in the range between 0 and 1000. The higher the fictitious numerical value, the more exclusive the respective digital good is. Exclusivity can then be linked to the simplicity or severity of the arrival of a specific event, so that digital goods with a higher exclusivity level are assigned for events which are particularly difficult to achieve. For example, a digital good with a low exclusivity level can be assigned to an NFT for the "10,000 kilometers driven" event and a digital good with a high exclusivity level can be assigned to an NFT for the "500,000 kilometers driven" event.Dividing digital goods by exclusivity levels or corresponding groups has two advantages. On the one hand, the assignment of vehicle functions is thus effected randomly by the fulfilment of specific events, so that there is an even greater incentive to use the host vehicle intensively in order also to obtain the further vehicle functions of a specific exclusivity group. On the other hand, an incentive is created to want to acquire digital goods with a particularly high level of exclusivity. As it is more difficult to purchase such digital goods, ownership of a corresponding NFT and underlying vehicle function is also associated with a higher hypothesis, which further increases the incentive for purchase to a user. Thus, a user may be particularly concerned with mentioning a rare NFT with a rare vehicle function. The user interaction is also further improved as a result.Due to the assignment of vehicle functions and corresponding release configurations to NFTs and the general commercialability of NFTs via corresponding crypto-market spaces, the users of the vehicles are also given the possibility of deducting money. For example, the users of the vehicles can work to acquire particularly rare NFTs in order to then make a winning further sale thereof. This represents an entirely new function which has not been present up to now.In an information technology system comprising a central computing device and a vehicle, according to the invention the central computing device and the vehicle are configured to execute a method described above. The vehicle can be any road vehicle such as a car, truck, transporter, bus or the like. In general, it can also be a rail vehicle, watercraft or aircraft. Communication between the vehicle and the central computing device can be effected in particular wirelessly. For this purpose, the central computing device can be connected to a network, in particular the Internet. The vehicle may have a telecommunication unit, usually referred to as telematics unit. Such a telematics unit makes it possible to connect the vehicle's onboard electronics to the Internet by mobile radio. The user can likewise have a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop, wearable or the like, which can be coupled to the vehicle in a wired or wireless manner and / or is likewise connected indirectly to the central computing device via the user account of the user.The central computing device is further connected to a cryptocurrency network, which is capable of imprinting and sending corresponding NFTs. Thus, the central computing device can form a computing node of this cryptocurrency network or be in communication connection with such a node. These can be all conceivable already known cryptocurrency networks or cryptocurrencies. These can also be previously unknown and not yet programmed types of cryptocurrencies. In particular, smart contract standards or non-fungal token standards that are specifically customized to the performance of the method according to the invention can thus be newly defined and defined.Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention for enabling vehicle functions are also evident from the exemplary embodiments which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of the actors involved in the execution of a method according to the invention for enabling a vehicle function; and FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the actor shown in FIG. 1 in detail.With the aid of a method according to the invention, it is possible to enable vehicle functions when certain events arrive for use in vehicles 1 of a vehicle manufacturer. Thus, respective vehicle functions can be provided by the hardware of the vehicle 1 as soon as the respective hardware is configured with an enable configuration. The enabling configuration is provided by a central computing device 3 and transmitted in particular wirelessly to the respective vehicle 1. The invention is based here on the fact that vehicle functions or release configurations are assigned to NFTs as digital crop. A user 2 of the respective vehicle 1 has a wallet 4 of a cryptocurrency used for managing the NFTs. The respective cryptocurrency is based on a blockchain 6. The user 2 registers with a personal user account at the central computing device 3 and links his wallet 4 to the user account. This enables the central computing device 3 to check which NFTs are contained by the wallet 4. For this purpose, in the simplest case, the user 2 transmits the address of his wallet 4, for example in the form of the public key, also referred to as a public key, to the central computing device 3. In this case, the central computing device 3 is linked to the blockchain 6, for example via a node, not shown in more detail, of the underlying blockchain network or cryptocurrency network. In general, the central computing device 3 can also form such a node.To manage its user account, the user 2 can use a wide variety of devices, such as a mobile terminal 7.As soon as the central computing device 3 establishes the arrival of a specific event, the central computing device 3 has the effect that a respective NFT is assigned to the wallet 4 of the user 2. Now, the vehicle function on which the NFT is based must be enabled or activated in the vehicle 1. For this purpose, the central computing device 3 reads out the NFTs stored in the wallet 4. Thus, the central computing device 3 knows which vehicle functions are to be transmitted to the vehicle 1 for application and executes this. By configuring the hardware of the vehicle 1 according to the enabling configuration, the vehicle function is deemed enabled in the vehicle 1. The vehicle function can now be activated, for example manually by the user 2 or automatically by the central computing device 3 or also an in-vehicle computing unit 8 illustrated in FIG. 2.There are several possibilities for how the central computing device 3 can check whether or not respective events are fulfilled. Thus, the vehicles 1 can gather vehicle information and transmit it further to the central computing device 3. For this purpose, in particular the central computing device 3 and the respective vehicles 1 are communicatively connected to one another via the Internet. For this purpose, the respective vehicles 1 can have a telecommunication unit 9 illustrated in FIG. 2. Such a telecommunication unit 9 enables the vehicles 1 to be connected to the Internet by mobile radio. In the central computing device 3, different boundary conditions can be stored when respective NFTs are to be embossed. As soon as a vehicle function satisfies such a boundary condition, the central computing device 3 brings about the embossing of the respective NFT comprising the respective vehicle function as digital good. Since the central computing device 3 has information about which vehicle 1 is connected to which user account and thus to which wallet 4, the central computing device 3 can perform the assignment of the NFT to be imprinted to the wallet 4.It is also possible for the NFTs to be imprinted seasonal before the arrival of respective events. For this purpose, the central computing device 3 prints NFTs and assigns them to a manufacturer's wall 10. In this case, the NFTs are imprinted by means of a so-called hybrid smart contract, which makes it possible to enable the transmission of NFTs to wallets 4 as a function of boundary conditions present outside the blockchain 6. Thus, the respective vehicles 1 or service providers acquire vehicle information and transmit it to a blockchain oracle 5. The blockchain oracle 5 in turn supplies the vehicle information to the blockchain 6, which allows checking of the respective boundary conditions by the hybrid smart contracts. As soon as a specific piece of vehicle information of a specific vehicle 1 meets a respective boundary condition, the respective hybrid smart contract automatically brings about the transfer of the underlying NFT to the wallet 4 of the user 2. for example, the user 2 can reach a specific score in a video game playable in the vehicle 1, such that an NFT is imprinted as a "reward" and the user receives a new vehicle function.To acquire the vehicle information, the vehicles 1 or a respective computing unit 8 can read sensor data via a fieldbus 11, likewise illustrated in FIG. 2, for example a CAN bus or an Ethernet data line or the like. The arithmetic unit 8 can also read out information from other control units 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. FIG. 1 also shows a charging station 17. The service provider can record the amount of electrical energy drawn from the respective vehicle 1 or user 2 at the charging station 17 and store the amount of this amount of energy. As a result, the service provider can determine when the respective user 2 has obtained a certain amount of energy that causes the stamping of an NFT. This information can also be made available to the service provider in the form of the vehicle information to the blockchain oracle 5 and / or to the central computing device 3. In the extended sense, the central computing device 3 thus brings about the assignment of the NFTs to the wallets 4 of users 2 by the shaping of the smart contracts or hybrid smart contracts, even if the information triggering the embossing or transfer is provided by another source.FIG. 2 once again shows the actors involved in the method according to the invention in detail. Thus, the blockchain oracle 5, the central computing device 3 and the wallet 4 of the user 2 and the manufacturer wallet 10 are linked to the blockchain 6. The central computing device 3 in turn has access to a first and second database 18.1, 18.2. Vehicle functions or the respective enabling configurations can be held in the first database 18.1 grouped according to exclusivity levels. Respective release configurations may include program code and / or media files such as digital images, videos, sound files, texts, and the like. A translation matrix can be stored in the second database 18.2. Such a translation matrix defines the vehicle functions and respective boundary conditions for events. The information contained from the translation matrix can then be used by the central computing device 3 for formulating smart contracts. These smart contracts can then be used to automatically generate NFTs and assign wallets 4, 10.In this case, the user 2 has complete control over the execution of the method according to the invention. Thus, the user 2 can define for which events or vehicle information vehicle functions are to be obtained. Thus, the central computing device 3 subscribes exclusively for the selected vehicle functions or vehicle information that the relevant vehicle information is to be collected and acquired by the vehicle 1. Thus, data is collected only when it is also needed.The respective vehicle information can be collected by corresponding vehicle sensors and read out by the control units 12- 16. The vehicle information can be transmitted via the telecommunication unit 9 to the central computing device 3 or the blockchain oracle 5. In general, a direct connection of the telecommunication unit 9 to the blockchain oracle 5 (not shown) would also be possible. The user 2 can also interact with the infotainment system of the vehicle 1 and its user account or a portal provided by the vehicle manufacturer via the central computing device 3 for managing the user account or the vehicle 1 via a human-machine interface HIM.The control device 12 serves, for example, to control the total intention of the vehicle 1. the control device 13 serves, for example, to control the interior intention. The control device 14 serves, for example, to control the exterior sentinel. The control device 15 serves, for example, for controlling the artificial engine noises to be emitted via loudspeakers external to the vehicle. The control device 16 is used, for example, for charging communication with the charging station 17.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2022 000 646 A1

[0007] US 2022 / 0383295 A1

[0008] US 2023 / 0071093 A1

[0009]

Claims

Method for enabling a vehicle function, wherein the vehicle function can be provided via the hardware of a vehicle (1), the hardware is configured by software, and wherein the vehicle function is provided by the hardware if the hardware is configured according to a release configuration, characterized in that - a user (2) of the vehicle (1) logs on to a central computing device (3) with a user account; - the user (2) links his wallet (4) to the user account; - the central computing device (3) causes an NFT to be imprinted, wherein the NFT is assigned the release configuration as digital good; - the central computing device (3) causes the NFT to be assigned to the wallet (4) of the user (2) when an event arrives; the central computing device (3) reads out the NFTs stored in the wallet (4); and the central computing device (3) obtains respective release configurations for NFTs stored in the wallet (4) and transmits them to the vehicle (1).Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle-related event.Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central computing device (3) initiates the embossing of the NFT at a first point in time before the occurrence of the event and brings about the assignment of the NFT to the wallet (4) of the user (2) at a later second point in time after the occurrence of the event.Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central computing device (3) initiates the embossing of the NFT and the assignment of the NFT to the wallet (4) of the user (2) when the event arrives.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the vehicle (1) acquires vehicle information and transmits it to the central computing device (3), the central computing device (3) compares the vehicle information with at least one condition, whereupon the central computing device (3) recognizes the arrival of the event as soon as at least one vehicle information meets the condition.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least the assignment of the NFT to a wallet (4), in particular the embossing and assignment of the NFT, is triggered by a hybrid smart contract, wherein the vehicle (1) and / or a service provider collects vehicle information and transmits it to a blockchain oracle (5), wherein the blockchain oracle (5) transfers the vehicle information to the hybrid smart contract, and wherein the hybrid smart contract comprises at least one condition which describes when the event arrives as a function of the vehicle information.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, during embossing, in particular via a hybrid smart contract, the NFT is assigned a vehicle information-specific evaluation condition, after the arrival of which the hardware of the vehicle (1) is reconfigured from the release configuration into a configuration which differs therefrom, in particular into a standard configuration.Method according to Claim 7, characterized in that the vehicle (1) and / or a service provider collects vehicle information and transmits it to a blockchain oracle (5), the blockchain oracle (5) passing the vehicle information to the hybrid smart contract, the cancellation condition additionally defining that the NFT is cancelled after the cancellation condition arrives.Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the central computing device (3) maintains a database having at least two digital goods and decides, as a function of a boundary condition, which of the digital goods is assigned to the NFT.Method according to Claim 9, characterized byone of the following boundary conditions: - vehicle equipment; and / or - the current value of at least one piece of vehicle information.Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that digital goods are assigned an exclusivity level and digital goods are grouped according to their exclusivity level.Information technology system, comprising a central computing device (3) and a vehicle (1), characterized in that the central computing device (3) and the vehicle (1) are configured to carry out a method according to one of Claims 1 to 11.

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