Method for providing information about a vehicle to a breakdown service, motor vehicle and vehicle breakdown service device

Abstract

A method for providing information about a vehicle (1) to a breakdown service comprises: establishing a telephone connection via a telecommunications channel between the vehicle (1) and the breakdown service; transmitting a request to change the privacy settings using the telecommunications channel, preferably with SIP-INFO, while the connection is active from the breakdown service to the vehicle (1); automatically causing a change to its privacy settings from the vehicle based on the received request; and transmitting the information to the breakdown service.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for providing information about a vehicle to a breakdown service. It also relates to a motor vehicle and a method for operating a motor vehicle, as well as a vehicle breakdown service device and a method for operating such a device.

[0002] In the event of a vehicle emergency (especially an accident), it is common knowledge that vehicle data is transmitted to an emergency service. German patent DE 10 2021 201 552 A1 discloses a method and an emergency call device for transmitting emergency data, whereby the emergency data is transmitted from a motor vehicle to an emergency control center using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol). Data protection guidelines are observed, if applicable, by an OEM-side server.

[0003] DE 20 2021 105 162 U1 concerns a system for transmitting location-based emergency calls from vehicles to a control center. In this system, an emergency call data record is transmitted between the vehicles and the control center using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).

[0004] German patent DE 10 2010 030 794 A1 describes a method for processing data from a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. A data protection mode can be activated for the vehicle's electronic control unit(s) by the user. In this data protection mode, the transmission of predetermined data, to which the control unit(s) have access during vehicle use, is prevented from the vehicle or is only permitted after the user has provided confirmation. Alternatively or additionally, the data protection mode also deletes predetermined data stored in the control unit(s) during vehicle use after a predetermined period.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2023 136 739 A1 describes a remote diagnostic system for a vehicle that may include a power source configured to supply power to the vehicle's electronic control units (ECUs); an in-vehicle network to collect data from the ECUs; a modem configured to receive the collected data from the ECUs and transmit the data to a remote database; a processor configured to analyze the collected data stored in the remote database; to determine the vehicle's condition based on the analysis of the collected data; and to transmit a measure to at least one breakdown assistance partner based on the determined vehicle condition.

[0006] German patent DE 10 2016 119 723 A1 describes a system comprising a vehicle communications platform (VCP) operationally housed in a vehicle, and a control unit. The control unit selects a data protection ON or data protection OFF mode. The data protection ON mode allows the VCP to synchronize a mobile communication device's data protection setting with a vehicle notification setting and is triggered when the device's data protection setting is ON and either at least one passenger is present in the vehicle, or a user indicates that the VCP should synchronize the data protection setting with the vehicle notification setting.The privacy OFF mode prevents the VCP from synchronizing the privacy setting with the vehicle notification setting and is triggered when the device's privacy setting is OFF, or there are no passengers in the vehicle, or the user indicates that the VCP should not synchronize the privacy setting with the vehicle notification setting.

[0007] From WO 2015 / 136 059 A1, a method, a device, and a system for controlling a motor vehicle are known. The device comprises a communication unit that receives a vehicle control signal from a remote computer, and a control unit that activates and deactivates the fuel pump, so that the movement of the vehicle is controlled in response to the vehicle control signal received from the communication unit, and the vehicle can be brought to a safe and gradual stop by gradually interrupting the fuel supply to the vehicle pump. Furthermore, a function for deactivating the remote control by interrupting the power supply to the vehicle ignition and a vehicle tracking function are described.

[0008] AU 2021103412 A4 relates to a push-button breakdown assistance communication system comprising a small form factor device containing a microprocessor, a storage device in operational connection with the microprocessor (the storage device containing digital data including computer program code and instruction controllers), a GSM module with an installed SIM card, a GPS receiver in operational connection with the microprocessor, and an I / O interface in operational connection with the microprocessor (the I / O interface connecting a microphone, a speaker, and a push button). The controllers detect the activation of the push button and cause the GSM module to transmit location data via a data channel received from the GPS receiver and to establish a voice call via a voice channel using a telephone number stored in the digital data.

[0009] US 2024 / 0153321A1 concerns an incident management system for managing an incident response. The incident management system may include an incident management computer (IM) and a vehicle. The IM may include a processor and memory. The processor may be programmed to receive a notification that an incident has occurred. The notification includes sensor and subsystem data. The processor may analyze the data to determine a response to the incident. This determination includes categorizing the incident based on the damage determined from the data. The processor may also identify a responding party based on the response and the incident category. The processor may further analyze the data to generate a set of critical data. The critical data may be based on the responding party.The processor can transmit a message containing the critical data and the vehicle's location to the responding party.

[0010] The situation is different for breakdown calls. Here, the potentially activated privacy mode in the vehicle cannot simply be overridden. In this context, privacy settings mean that privacy mode is either activated or deactivated.

[0011] In the event of a breakdown, the driver is usually still able to make a phone call and can, for example, contact roadside assistance, especially using the vehicle's built-in modem. The driver can provide the roadside assistance service with some information over the phone, such as the vehicle's license plate number (and possibly at least a rough idea of ​​the make and model and paint color). However, to be better prepared for a breakdown, it can be helpful to provide the roadside assistance service with additional vehicle information that the driver cannot provide, or cannot provide without difficulty. Such information is often stored on a backend server, with which the vehicle communicates continuously, at least when privacy mode is disabled.In addition to technical specifications of the vehicle itself, the backend server often contains error messages generated by the vehicle's control unit and transmitted to the backend server. This information can be very helpful for the breakdown service.

[0012] Especially when the vehicle is a rental car or used in another large pool, vehicle information is not always immediately available, and privacy mode may be activated within the privacy settings. In this case, it is very time-consuming for the driver to navigate through a potentially complicated menu on a screen (human-machine interface) to find where to deactivate privacy mode.

[0013] The purpose of the invention is to facilitate the provision of information about a vehicle, especially in the event of a breakdown.

[0014] The problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 1, a motor vehicle with the features of claim 5, a method for operating a motor vehicle with the features of claim 6, a vehicle breakdown service device with the features of claim 7 and a method for operating a vehicle breakdown service device with the features of claim 9.

[0015] The inventive method for providing information about a vehicle to a breakdown service thus comprises: - Establishing a telephone connection via a telecommunications channel between the vehicle and the breakdown service; - Transmitting a request to change privacy settings (these changes in particular with the aim of deactivating a previously activated privacy mode) using the telecommunications channel during an ongoing connection from the breakdown service to the vehicle; - automatically changing its privacy settings from the vehicle based on the received request; - Transmitting the information to the breakdown service.

[0016] The invention thus automates a process that would otherwise be too complex, in which a suitable request is transmitted via the active connection and automatically processed. This allows for significantly faster provision of information to the breakdown service in the event of a malfunction.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the privacy settings determine access to and preferably all communication between the vehicle and a backend server, and after the privacy settings are changed, the information is transmitted from the backend server to the breakdown service.

[0018] In this case, the change is automatically transmitted from the vehicle to the backend server, meaning the privacy settings are stored on the backend server. This allows a third party, particularly a breakdown service, to obtain the information from the backend server after privacy mode has been deactivated.

[0019] According to another preferred embodiment, when using a packet-oriented transmission protocol, the request is transmitted by means of at least one data packet. Preferably, the packet-oriented transmission protocol is the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and the request is a SIP INFO request that does not directly affect the SIP session.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment, a prerequisite for changing the privacy settings is that a consent process has been carried out by a person associated with the vehicle (in particular, a person located in the vehicle). This consent process can involve verbal confirmation to the service representative at the breakdown service, who then triggers the transmission of the request. Alternatively, the person in the vehicle can press an activation button or similar device, either dedicated to the vehicle or displayed on the human-machine interface. In principle, the display on the human-machine interface where the confirmation is to take place can also be triggered by a data packet transmitted from the breakdown service to the vehicle.The consent process should preferably take place during an active connection via the telecommunications channel before the request to change the privacy settings is transmitted to the vehicle. As part of the consent process, when using the packet-oriented transmission protocol, a data packet can be transmitted from the vehicle to the breakdown service via the telecommunications channel. This allows the breakdown service to automate the process by sending its request for confirmation from the driver that the privacy settings may be changed.

[0021] The motor vehicle according to the invention comprises a modem for providing a communication connection and a data processing unit designed to selectively grant or deny access to data on a storage device of the motor vehicle or on a storage device accessible via a telecommunications connection within the framework of privacy settings. The data processing unit is further designed to change the privacy settings based on a data packet received via the modem.

[0022] The motor vehicle according to the invention enables the implementation of the previously described method for providing information.

[0023] The procedure for operating a motor vehicle preferably relates to the aforementioned motor vehicle and comprises the following steps: - Establishing a telephone connection via the vehicle's modem to an external location; - Receiving a predetermined request from the external party via telephone connection; - Automatic processing of the request to unlock previously blocked data access to a storage device.

[0024] This procedure is part of the above procedure for providing information about a vehicle to a breakdown service and describes the steps or contributions to be made by the motor vehicle.

[0025] The vehicle breakdown service device according to the invention comprises a data processing unit and a communication unit for establishing a data communication connection with a vehicle. According to the invention, the data processing unit is designed, after establishing the data communication connection with a vehicle, to check whether a data query (regarding information) about this vehicle, the vehicle, or another unit is possible, and if not, to transmit a request to the vehicle via the data communication connection in order to enable the data query.

[0026] Preferably, in this context, it is provided that a packet-oriented transmission protocol is used for the data communication connection and that the data processing device is designed to transmit the request by means of a data packet, wherein the packet-oriented transmission protocol is preferably the Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, and the request is a SIP INFO request that does not directly concern the SIP session.

[0027] The inventive method for operating a vehicle breakdown service device, in particular the aforementioned one, comprises the following steps: - Receiving a request to establish a data communication connection with a vehicle's modem; - Check if data access to the vehicle is enabled on a backend server, and if so, - a) immediate receipt of the requested data or b) sending a data request to the backend server and receiving the requested data, and if no, - Sending a request to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to unlock previously blocked data access; and either: c) Receiving the requested data from the backend server or d) Receiving a message from the vehicle that data access is enabled, sending a data query to the backend server and receiving the requested data.

[0028] Preferably, in this context, it is also provided that a packet-oriented transmission protocol is used for the data communication connection and that the request is transmitted by means of a data packet, wherein the packet-oriented transmission protocol is preferably the Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, and the request is a SIP INFO request that does not directly concern the SIP session.

[0029] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the procedure and are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, according to the procedure, an error message and / or a request for user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0030] The invention also includes the control device for the motor vehicle. The control device can comprise a data processing device or a processor circuit configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor circuit can comprise 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 (Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) can be used as the microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor circuit can comprise program code configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor circuit.The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device. The processor device can be based, for example, on at least one circuit board and / or on at least one SoC (System on Chip).

[0031] What has been stated above regarding one or more of the claim categories also applies accordingly to at least some of the other claim categories and will not be described again here.

[0032] 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.

[0033] As a further solution, the invention also includes a computer-readable storage medium comprising program code which, when executed by a computer or a computer network, causes it to execute an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can be provided at least partially as a non-volatile data storage medium (e.g., as flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data storage medium (e.g., as RAM - random access memory). The storage medium can be located within the computer or computer network. However, the storage medium can also be operated, for example, as an app store server and / or cloud server on the internet. The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with, for example, at least one microprocessor.The program code can be provided as binary code, assembly code, source code in a programming language (e.g., C), or a program script (e.g., Python). Alternatively, the computer-readable storage medium can be implemented as a signal containing computer-readable data, such as a time-varying voltage signal or a radio signal.

[0034] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also includes realizations that each exhibit a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, provided that the embodiments have not been described as mutually exclusive.

[0035] The following are exemplary embodiments of the invention, wherein: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the components used in a method for providing information about a vehicle to a breakdown service according to one embodiment, as well as data flows between these components; Fig. 2. A flowchart illustrating the steps traditionally taken to provide information to a breakdown service when privacy mode is not enabled; and Fig. Figure 3 is an arrow diagram illustrating the steps taken in an embodiment of the inventive method for providing information about a vehicle to a breakdown service when privacy mode is activated.

[0036] The exemplary embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In these exemplary embodiments, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which can be considered independently and each further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to include combinations of features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0037] In the figures, identical reference symbols denote functionally equivalent elements.

[0038] In Fig. Figure 1 depicts a vehicle 1, which has a central data processing unit 10 (control unit and the like) and a telecommunications modem 12, by means of which it can communicate wirelessly with other devices. A backend server, designated 3 in its entirety, comprises a data processing unit 30 and a telecommunications interface 32 for wireless communication with the vehicle 1 and other participants. It also includes a memory 34 in which data on a plurality of vehicles is stored, which is generally continuously retransmitted by the vehicles.

[0039] In the event of a vehicle breakdown or emergency where the vehicle occupant is still able to summon a service team, a call center at a breakdown service is activated. The breakdown service device 2 comprises a data processing unit 20 and a telecommunications interface 22 for communication with the vehicle 1 via its modem 12 and also for communication via the telecommunications interface 32 with the backend server 3.

[0040] As part of the procedure, the vehicle occupant can first initiate a voice call in step S10, for example, selecting the breakdown service from a list of telephone numbers and calling it. In step S12, the vehicle occupant gives permission to provide data to the call center. However, since privacy settings currently prohibit data transfer, a change must also be made in vehicle 1. For this purpose, the breakdown service sends an action command to vehicle 1, activated in particular by the service employee, if present, or by an artificial intelligence device of the breakdown service device 2 that replaces them.The vehicle 1 receives this action command and changes the privacy settings in step S15, informs the backend server 3 about this change in step S16, so that the backend server 3 is prompted to transmit the vehicle data necessary for breakdown assistance to the breakdown service device 2 in step S18.

[0041] This will be discussed in detail with each participant again using the following examples: Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shown.

[0042] In example 2 of the Fig. 2. Privacy mode is disabled.

[0043] Due to the data transfer authorization, continuous backend communication takes place between vehicle 1 and backend server 3, as described in step S20. In the event of a breakdown, step S22 triggers a breakdown call, which in turn initiates a direct voice call to the breakdown service, as described in step S24. Optionally, the breakdown service can request information from backend server 3, as described in step S25a, to determine if vehicle data is available. This request can then be forwarded to the vehicle, as described in step S25b.This is followed by step S26, which can also be triggered directly by the vehicle itself after step S24: The vehicle data is currently transmitted again to the backend server 3, and in step S28 the vehicle data is forwarded to the vehicle breakdown service device 2, possibly also including additional vehicle data stored in memory 34 of the backend server 3 for this vehicle, in addition to the vehicle data transmitted in step S26.

[0044] If the privacy settings of vehicle 1 prevent data from being transmitted to backend server 3, the process begins with the breakdown call initiation in step S32, followed by the direct voice call initiation according to step S34, using the session initiation protocol. Optionally, the breakdown service can communicate between backend 3 and the vehicle breakdown service device 2 according to step S35 to determine if the vehicle data is available. In any case, in step S36, particularly if the query in step S35 was unsuccessful, an action command is transmitted via SIP INFO. This is a protocol format used within the session initiation protocol when the data does not directly pertain to the current session.The existing telecommunications connection is therefore preferably used in step S36. In step S38, the privacy settings in the vehicle are changed, whereby backend communication (analogous to step S20 above) then takes place between vehicle 1 and backend server 3, as per step S40. The data is thus made available to backend server 3; in particular, current vehicle data, which can be helpful for the breakdown service, is made available in step S42. Backend server 3 forwards this vehicle data in step S44, possibly also in conjunction with data that was stored in memory 34 in step S40 or at some point before the privacy mode was set.

[0045] Overall, the examples demonstrate how the use of the SIP-INFO protocol can be provided for temporarily disabling privacy settings (especially disabling privacy mode) in vehicles. Reference symbol list 1 vehicle 2 Vehicle breakdown service equipment 3 Backend 10 Data processing equipment 12 Telecommunications modem 20 Data processing equipment 22 Telecommunications interface 30 Data processing equipment 32 Telecommunications interface 34 storage S10, S12, S15 S16, S18 steps

Claims

[1] Method for providing information about a vehicle (1) to a breakdown service, comprising: - Establishing a telephone connection via a telecommunications channel between the vehicle (1) and the breakdown service; - Transmitting a request to change privacy settings using the telecommunications channel while connected from the breakdown service to the vehicle (1); - automatically changing its privacy settings from the vehicle (1) based on the received request; - Transmitting the information to the breakdown service. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the privacy settings determine access to and preferably all communication of the vehicle (1) with a backend server (3), and wherein, after the change of the privacy settings, the information is transmitted from the backend server (3) to the breakdown service. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the request is transmitted using at least one data packet when using a packet-oriented transmission protocol, wherein the packet-oriented transmission protocol is preferably the Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, and the request is a SIP INFO request that does not directly concern the SIP session. [4] A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a prerequisite for changing the privacy settings is that an approval process has been carried out by a person associated with the vehicle, wherein the approval process preferably takes place during an ongoing connection via the telecommunications channel before the request to change the privacy settings is transmitted to the vehicle within the framework of the method and a data packet is transmitted from the vehicle to the breakdown service via the telecommunications channel. [5] Motor vehicle (1) with a modem (12) for providing a telecommunications connection and with a data processing device (10) designed to selectively enable or block data access to data on a storage device of the motor vehicle or a storage device accessible via a telecommunications connection (34) in accordance with privacy settings, and wherein the data processing device (10) is further designed to change the privacy settings based on a data packet received via the modem (12). [6] Method of operating a motor vehicle, comprising the steps: - Establishing a telephone connection via a modem (12) of the motor vehicle (1) to an external location (2); - Receiving a predetermined request from the external entity (2) via the telephone connection; - automatic processing of the request to release previously blocked data access to a storage (34). [7] Vehicle breakdown service device (2) with a Data processing device (20) and a communication device (22) for establishing a data communication connection with a vehicle (1), characterized by , that the data processing unit (20) is designed, after establishing the data communication connection with a vehicle (1), to check whether a data query for this vehicle is possible at the vehicle or another unit (3), and if not, to transmit a request to the vehicle (1) via the data communication connection in order to make the data query possible after all. [8] Vehicle breakdown service device (2) according to claim 7, wherein a packet-oriented transmission protocol is used in the data communication connection and the data processing device is designed to transmit the request by means of a data packet, wherein the packet-oriented transmission protocol is preferably the Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, and the request is a SIP INFO request that does not directly concern the SIP session. [9] Method for operating a vehicle breakdown service device (2), comprising the steps: - Receiving a request to establish a data communication connection with a modem (12) of a vehicle; - Check if data access to the vehicle is enabled on a backend server, and if so, - a) receiving the requested data immediately or b) sending a data request to the backend server (3) and receiving the requested data, and if not, - Sending a request to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to unlock previously blocked data access; and either: c) immediate receipt of the requested data from the backend server or d) Receiving a message from the vehicle that data access is enabled, sending a data query to the backend server and receiving the requested data. [10] Method according to claim 9, wherein the request to the vehicle is transmitted by means of at least one data packet when using a packet-oriented transmission protocol, wherein the packet-oriented transmission protocol is preferably the Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, and the request is a SIP INFO request that does not directly concern the SIP session.

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