Method and device for checking the validity of a locally limited function of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Abstract

Method for checking the validity of a localized function of a motor vehicle (1), comprising: - Recording a usage request for a locally limited function in a motor vehicle (1); - Detecting whether the motor vehicle (1) is connected to a remote computing unit (3); - Determine whether a location of the motor vehicle (1) can be detected; and - if the location cannot be recorded: retrieving a previously recorded location from a memory of the motor vehicle (1); and - enabling or restricting the localized function based on the previously detected location and based on whether the motor vehicle (1) is connected to the remote computing unit (3), wherein the localized function is a detection function of the exterior of the motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for checking the validity of a locally limited function of a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle with such a device.

[0002] The functions of a motor vehicle may be limited in their scope of use.

[0003] Document DE 10 2013 225 035 A1 discloses a method for temporarily removing an existing or temporarily preventing a planned limitation of the performance or functionality of a device or vehicle. Document DE 10 2021 108 815 A1 discloses a method for executing a functionality in a vehicle. Document DE 10 2022 103 971 A1 describes a method for controlling at least one vehicle function in selected motor vehicles.

[0004] It is therefore an object to provide an improved method and an improved device for checking the validity of a locally limited function of a motor vehicle.

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

[0006] According to a first aspect, a method for checking the validity of a locally limited function of a motor vehicle is provided.

[0007] The method comprises the steps of detecting a usage request for a localized function in a motor vehicle, detecting a location of the motor vehicle and enabling or restricting the localized function based on the location.

[0008] The method according to the invention serves, in particular, to check whether certain functions of a motor vehicle that have a locally restricted or limited functional scope can or may still be used or operated, or whether the restriction or limitation has occurred. For example, certain functions cannot be performed near a special area, such as a military restricted zone. Likewise, for example, certain functions are prohibited in some cities, regions, or countries, particularly because no permit for their use exists.

[0009] In a first step, a usage request for such a locally limited function in a motor vehicle is recorded.

[0010] A usage request is a request from the motor vehicle to be able or permitted to use or perform a specific, locally limited function. The usage request can be triggered, in particular, by a user or driver of the motor vehicle, for example, by pressing a touchscreen and / or a specific button in the motor vehicle to select or activate the specific function.

[0011] However, the usage request can also be triggered without user intervention, for example, because it is a function that is triggered by another function and / or that is used regularly or periodically. In particular, the locally limited function can be a function that is used permanently or continuously during the operation of the motor vehicle, but which, as described above, is subject to local limitations.

[0012] In a further step, the location of the motor vehicle is recorded.

[0013] Capturing a location involves determining a sufficiently precise position of the motor vehicle, particularly at the time of the usage request. A location can include an address, one or more coordinates, an area, a region, a federal state, or a country.

[0014] The location can be recorded using one or more position detection units, such as a global positioning system, in particular GPS, GLONASS and / or Galileo, which operates in particular on a satellite basis.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the location can also be determined using mobile radio and / or triangulation, for example via the radio cell or cells in which the motor vehicle is currently logged in.

[0016] In a further step, the localized function is enabled or restricted based on the detected location.

[0017] For example, if the function is permitted at the location where the vehicle is currently located, the function can then be enabled or executed accordingly.

[0018] Likewise, if, for example, the function is not permitted at the location where the vehicle is currently located, the function can be restricted accordingly or not performed at all.

[0019] In particular, the scope of use of the locally limited function is restricted or reduced. This can be a restriction of 25%, 50%, or 75%. In particular, the function remains usable or operable, but with a particularly severely restricted scope of use.

[0020] Alternatively, the restriction may also include a complete shutdown or a reduction of the range of functions to 0%, so that the function can no longer be used or operated from the time of the restriction.

[0021] The type and level of restriction or release can be stored in a memory of the motor vehicle and / or retrieved by a remote computing unit, for example via wireless communication technology, as will be described later.

[0022] In particular, this locally limited function may be a function of the motor vehicle for which a user or driver must pay. This function can also be referred to as a function on demand and is booked by a user either once or on a recurring basis and then activated.

[0023] The locally limited function can, for example, be a comfort function such as a massage function, lumbar support, seat heating and / or air conditioning.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the locally limited function may be an aesthetic or design function, such as a specific light, in particular dipped headlights, daytime running lights and / or cornering lights.

[0025] Likewise alternatively or additionally, the locally limited function may be a drive or power function, such as a specific drive power, in particular an all-wheel drive, a power level and / or a steering system, in particular a steering rear axle.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, the locally limited function may be an assistance function, in particular a driving assistance function, such as a lane keeping assistant, a distance keeping assistant, a curve following assistant, a speed detection assistant and / or an autonomous driving mode, in particular level L2, L3, L4 or L5.

[0027] Further examples of such a locally restricted function will be described later.

[0028] In particular, the steps of recording the location and enabling or restricting the function can be repeated regularly or periodically, in particular as long as the function is active or is being executed.

[0029] In particular, along with the restriction, a notice may be provided to the user indicating the restriction. This may, for example, be provided on the touchscreen.

[0030] The method according to the invention makes it possible to check in a simple manner whether certain functions of a motor vehicle which have a locally restricted or limited functional scope can or may be used or operated at the current location, or whether the restriction or limitation has occurred.

[0031] According to the invention, the method further comprises the steps of detecting whether a location of the motor vehicle can be detected and, if the location cannot be detected, retrieving a previously detected location from a memory of the motor vehicle, wherein the enabling or restricting of the locally limited function is carried out based on the previously detected location.

[0032] If it turns out that a current location of the motor vehicle cannot be determined, for example because it is located in an underground car park or in a forest where no contact with a navigation satellite and / or a mobile network is possible, a previously recorded location can be retrieved from a memory where it was stored at an earlier time.

[0033] In particular, the current location of the vehicle can be recorded permanently, periodically, or continuously and stored in memory, even without an active usage request. If the location cannot be recorded or cannot be recorded accurately enough at the time of the usage request, the last recorded or last accurately recorded location can be retrieved from the memory, and the enabling or restriction of the locally limited function can be carried out based on the previously recorded location.

[0034] This makes it possible to enable or restrict a function based on the location of the motor vehicle, even if the location cannot currently be determined or cannot be determined accurately enough.

[0035] According to a further development, the method further comprises the step of detecting a time, wherein the enabling or restricting of the locally limited function takes place based on the time.

[0036] The time can, in particular, be a current time and / or date, particularly one valid at the time of the usage request. The time can be retrieved either from an internal, particularly tamper-proof, clock or from a remote location, such as a computing unit such as a time and / or date server, for example, via a wireless communication technology, as will be described below.

[0037] In particular, the locally limited function may also be a time-limited function that can or may only be performed within a certain period of time and / or only for a certain number of hours, days, weeks or months.

[0038] This training makes it possible to enable or restrict functions that are limited in time.

[0039] According to the invention, the method further comprises the step of detecting whether the motor vehicle is connected to a remote computing unit, wherein the enabling or restricting of the locally limited function is carried out based on whether the motor vehicle is connected to the remote computing unit.

[0040] The remote computing unit, which can also be referred to as the backend, is separate from the motor vehicle and located at a distance from it. In particular, the remote computing unit is one or more servers and / or a data center, particularly a central one, to which the motor vehicle is regularly connected. In particular, the remote computing unit can also be an at least partially or entirely cloud-based service.

[0041] In particular, the remote processing unit also fulfils the function of checking the validity of a function that is limited in space and / or time.

[0042] For this purpose, the remote processing unit also has rights management means which are designed to check whether the requested function is still valid, i.e. whether it may still be used or operated in the motor vehicle, or whether it is no longer valid, i.e. has expired, and may no longer be used or operated in the motor vehicle.

[0043] For this purpose, the motor vehicle is regularly, periodically, and, in particular, normally permanently connected to the remote computing unit. "Connected" in this case means that a communication connection and / or a data connection can be established between the remote computing unit and the motor vehicle or whether such a connection exists.

[0044] The motor vehicle and the remote computing unit can communicate with each other wirelessly, for example via known mobile communications technologies such as 3G, 4G, 5G, Bluetooth, WiFi and / or Car2X, in particular Car2Infrastructure.

[0045] This checks whether the motor vehicle is currently connected and / or connectable to this remote processing unit. In other words, it checks whether the motor vehicle can establish a communication or data connection, specifically with the remote processing unit. It thus tests whether the motor vehicle is online or not, i.e., offline.

[0046] Thus, according to this embodiment, a function is enabled or restricted not only based on a location and / or a time, but also based on whether the motor vehicle is connected to the remote computing unit, i.e., is online or accessible.

[0047] This makes it possible to restrict or enable functions that require the vehicle to be online.

[0048] According to a further development, the method further comprises the steps of providing the usage request and the location to the remote computing unit and receiving a usage authorization from the remote computing unit, wherein the locally limited function is enabled or restricted based on the usage authorization.

[0049] According to this further development, a query is made online at the remote location as to whether the locally restricted function is enabled or restricted. This can only occur if or after the motor vehicle is connected to a remote processing unit.

[0050] The location provided to the remote computing unit can be either the currently recorded location or the previously recorded location.

[0051] The usage authorization from the remote computing unit is granted or not granted in response to the sent user request, whereupon the locally limited function is then enabled or restricted.

[0052] This training makes it possible to call up a possible restriction or release of the function in a particularly timely manner and thus to react to changes.

[0053] According to a further development, the method further comprises the step of detecting a property of the motor vehicle, wherein the enabling or restricting of the locally limited function takes place based on the property.

[0054] In the present case, a property of the motor vehicle is in particular a size and / or a dimension, such as a length, width and / or height of the motor vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the property includes a make, a manufacturer, a model, a type and / or an engine of the motor vehicle. Also additionally or alternatively, the property includes an attachment device on the motor vehicle, such as a trailer, in particular a single- or two-axle trailer, and / or a roof box, which can be arranged on the motor vehicle. Likewise additionally or alternatively, the property includes equipment, such as the presence or absence of a detection function for the exterior of the motor vehicle, as will be described below.

[0055] This property is then additionally used as a basis for the authorization or restriction. In particular, the property can also be transferred to the remote computing device, and the authorization for use can be granted or denied based on this property.

[0056] This further training also makes it possible to allow a restriction or approval based on the characteristics of the motor vehicle.

[0057] According to further training, the locally limited function is a navigation function.

[0058] In particular, according to this further development, a specific route and / or routing is restricted based on the location of the motor vehicle.

[0059] For example, a route is not routed along a restricted military area even though it is the fastest and / or shortest route from the current location of the motor vehicle.

[0060] This training makes it possible to exclude specific areas from navigation.

[0061] According to the invention, the locally limited function is a detection function of the exterior of the motor vehicle.

[0062] In particular, according to the invention, a detection function is restricted based on the location of the motor vehicle. For example, a detection function is not performed along a restricted military area, even though this would be desirable and / or advantageous for driving operations.

[0063] The detection function is a device of the motor vehicle that is designed to at least partially detect the exterior space or items and / or objects therein.

[0064] For example, the detection function involves one or more cameras that regularly or continuously capture one or more images of the exterior. Likewise, the detection function involves one or more lidar and / or radar devices on the motor vehicle that are designed to detect objects in the vehicle's surroundings.

[0065] This makes it possible to still allow passage through sensitive areas that are subject to special restrictions.

[0066] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and / or a request to enter user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0067] According to a further aspect, a device is provided. The device may comprise a data processing device or a processor device configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0068] In particular, the device is configured to communicate and / or cooperate with the remote computing unit, as described above, to carry out or at least effect the above-described embodiments of the method. In particular, the device can also comprise the remote computing unit, thereby forming a system for carrying out embodiments of the method according to the invention.

[0069] For this purpose, the processor device can have at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In particular, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor device can have program code which, when executed by the processor device, is configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The processor device can, for example, be based on at least one circuit board and / or on at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0070] According to a further aspect, a motor vehicle is provided which comprises such a device.

[0071] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0072] As a further solution, the invention also encompasses a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or computer network, causes the computer to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data memory (e.g. as a flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data memory (e.g. as a RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be arranged in the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated on the Internet, for example, as a so-called app store server and / or cloud server. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code may be provided as binary code and / or as assembly code and / or as source code of a programming language (e.g. C) and / or as a program script (e.g. Python).

[0073] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each have a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0074] With regard to the embodiments of the device, the motor vehicle and the storage medium as well as the associated advantages, reference is made to the previously described embodiments of the method and the associated advantages.

[0075] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each have a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0076] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. Shown are: Fig. 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of a method and a device for checking a validity of a localized function of a motor vehicle.

[0077] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another, each of which also develops the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0078] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote elements with the same function.

[0079] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a method and a device 10 for checking the validity of a locally limited function of a motor vehicle 1.

[0080] The device 10 is encompassed by the motor vehicle 1 and is designed to carry out the method steps described below.

[0081] In a first step, a usage request for a locally limited function in the motor vehicle 1 is recorded.

[0082] In response to this usage request, a location of the motor vehicle 1 is recorded, for example by a global positioning system 2.

[0083] In response to the detected location, the localized function is enabled or restricted based on the location.

[0084] It is also detected whether a location of the motor vehicle 1 can currently be detected and, if the location cannot be detected, a previously detected location is retrieved from a memory of the motor vehicle 1 (not shown).

[0085] The locally limited function is enabled or restricted based on the previously recorded location.

[0086] A current time is also recorded and the localized function is restricted or enabled based on the time.

[0087] It is also detected whether the motor vehicle 1 is currently connected to a remote computing unit 3, which is shown here as a cloud by way of example, and the locally limited function is enabled or restricted based on whether the motor vehicle 1 is connected to the remote computing unit 3.

[0088] When the motor vehicle 1 is connected to the remote processing unit, a usage request along with the current or previously detected location is sent to the remote processing unit 3, and a usage authorization is received from the remote processing unit 3 in response. The locally limited function is also enabled or restricted based on the usage authorization.

[0089] A property of motor vehicle 1 is also recorded and the locally limited function is enabled or restricted based on the property.

[0090] The locally limited function also includes an optional navigation function. A planned route from the current location of the motor vehicle 1 to a destination is not routed along a restricted military area 4, but along an alternative route 5.

[0091] The localized function is a detection function for the exterior of the vehicle. The detection function, such as a camera, can be deactivated when passing through the military restricted area 4.

[0092] Overall, the examples show how a procedure for the use of geographically restricted usage rights for customer-experienced functions in the vehicle can be provided.

[0093] In particular, the described embodiments will enable or restrict a new type of use of functions through so-called geofencing, whereby motor vehicles can also be made suitable for more sensitive areas, such as military restricted areas, or their corresponding use can be permitted there.

Claims

[1] Method for checking the validity of a localized function of a motor vehicle (1), comprising: - Recording a usage request for a locally limited function in a motor vehicle (1); - Detecting whether the motor vehicle (1) is connected to a remote computing unit (3); - Determine whether a location of the motor vehicle (1) can be detected; and - if the location cannot be recorded: retrieving a previously recorded location from a memory of the motor vehicle (1); and - enabling or restricting the localized function based on the previously detected location and based on whether the motor vehicle (1) is connected to the remote computing unit (3), wherein the localized function is a detection function of the exterior of the motor vehicle. [2] Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprehensive: - Recording a time; where the enabling or restricting of the localized function is based on time. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprehensive: - Providing the usage request and the location to the remote computing unit (3); and - receiving a usage authorization from the remote computing unit (3); whereby the release or restriction of the localized function is based on the usage release. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprehensive: - recording a property of the motor vehicle (1); where the enabling or restricting of the localized function is based on the property. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locally limited function is a navigation function. [6] Device (10) for checking the validity of a locally limited function of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the device (10) is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. [7] Motor vehicle (1) comprising a device (10) according to claim 6.

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