Procedures for operating a motor vehicle

Abstract

Method (200) for operating a motor vehicle (100), wherein the method (200) comprises the following steps: Providing (210) a usage profile (215) that assigns to a user type of motor vehicle (100) an undesirable use of the motor vehicle (100) for that user type; Activating (220) the usage profile (215) for a user of the motor vehicle (100) if the user corresponds to the user type defined by the usage profile (215); Determine (230) if the user for whom the usage profile (215) has been activated is using or intends to use the motor vehicle (100) in the undesirable manner; and Initiating (240) a measure upon the finding (230) that the user is using or intends to use the motor vehicle (100) in the undesirable manner, wherein the determination (230) that the user is using or intends to use the motor vehicle (100) in the undesirable manner is based on a non-optical detection of quantities using sensors (111-116), wherein the vehicle (100) is operable using a non-essential vehicle function, and where the usage profile (215) defines the use of the non-essential vehicle function as the undesirable mode of use.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, a corresponding motor vehicle, as well as a computing unit and a computer program for carrying out the proposed method. Background of the invention

[0002] Managing vehicle fleets requires a high degree of coordination and planning to ensure all vehicles are used optimally and maintenance intervals are adhered to. Fleet drivers should be monitored to ensure they drive safely and efficiently. Furthermore, the administrative burden can be considerable due to the need to manage a large number of vehicles and drivers. These factors make fleet management complex and challenging.

[0003] In developing countries like India, many vehicle owners prefer to hire a personal chauffeur to navigate the dense urban traffic. Often, a single chauffeur is employed for the entire family, transporting family members in one or more vehicles. The problems that arise in this context are similar to those encountered in commercial fleet management. In particular, when employing a chauffeur, it is essential to ensure that they operate the vehicle efficiently and safely, in the manner desired by the vehicle owner.

[0004] EP 1 660 354 B1 proposes a driver warning device designed to alert the driver when a safety-critical condition of the vehicle is reached. However, a warning is only issued if it is configured according to a user profile. This prevents unnecessary warnings from being issued to the driver, which could reduce the driver's acceptance of the warning system.

[0005] There remains a need for improvements in the operation of motor vehicles operated by certain users. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] Against this background, a method for operating a motor vehicle, a corresponding motor vehicle, as well as a computing unit and a computer program for carrying out the proposed method, with the respective features of the independent claims, are proposed. Embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] The proposed procedure includes providing a usage profile that assigns an undesirable use of the vehicle to a user type of the motor vehicle, activating the usage profile for a user of the motor vehicle if the user corresponds to the user type defined by the usage profile, determining if the user for whom the usage profile has been activated is using or attempting to use the motor vehicle in the undesirable manner, and initiating a measure upon such a determination.

[0008] In the proposed procedure, the determination that the user is using or intends to use the motor vehicle in an undesirable manner is based on non-optical measurement of parameters using sensors. The sensors may, in particular, be designed as non-optical sensors.

[0009] This method offers significant advantages for fleet operators and vehicle owners with employed chauffeurs, particularly in terms of safety, efficiency, and cost management. By providing a usage profile that identifies undesirable usage patterns for specific user types, it allows for a particularly good alignment with the individual needs and behaviors of drivers, especially those driving vehicles in a fleet or employed chauffeurs.

[0010] The process improves vehicle utilization by preventing undesirable behavior. This can lead, for example, to reduced fuel consumption, extended vehicle lifespan, and reduced maintenance requirements. This results in lower operating costs and increased fleet reliability.

[0011] In particular, the process also contributes to environmental friendliness by, for example, promoting a fuel-efficient and environmentally conscious driving style and corresponding vehicle use. This leads to lower fuel consumption and a reduction in emissions, which offers both economic and ecological advantages.

[0012] For fleet management or in connection with the employment of chauffeurs, this procedure offers an effective way to monitor driver behavior and ensure that vehicles are used in accordance with predefined guidelines. This leads to more efficient vehicle utilization and improved compliance with safety regulations. Furthermore, the proposed procedure also protects against misuse by detecting undesirable usage patterns and taking appropriate action. This is particularly important for fleet operators who must ensure that their vehicles are used only for authorized purposes and in an efficient and safe manner.

[0013] Further advantages include personalization and increased driver comfort. The system allows for individual customization of vehicles to suit different driver types, leading to improved driver satisfaction and performance. A key benefit lies in enhanced safety, as the system can detect potentially dangerous driving behavior and take immediate action to prevent accidents. This not only results in safer fleet operation but also reduces the risk of incidents and associated costs.

[0014] Overall, the proposed method makes it possible to operate vehicles more safely, efficiently and environmentally friendly in the scenarios described by creating and monitoring individual usage profiles.

[0015] The method according to the invention provides that the vehicle can be operated using a non-essential vehicle function, and that the usage profile defines the use of the non-essential vehicle function as the undesirable mode of operation. In particular, advantages can be gained if, in this context, the non-essential vehicle function is an energy-consuming vehicle function, especially an energy-intensive one, the non-use of which can lead to a reduction in the fuel or energy requirement for operating the motor vehicle. If such a vehicle function is defined as undesirable and, if necessary, prevented, energy consumption can be reduced.

[0016] In some versions of the proposed procedure, the non-essential vehicle function may include vehicle air conditioning. Vehicle air conditioning, in particular, has a significant impact on fuel or energy consumption, so its non-use has a particularly beneficial effect.

[0017] In various embodiments of the proposed method, the use of the vehicle's air conditioning system can be detected using one or more temperature sensors. For example, a comparison between the interior and exterior temperatures can reveal whether the vehicle's air conditioning is in use. The use of such sensors can be particularly tamper-proof compared to other detection methods, such as tapping into a switching signal. The same applies to other sensory detection methods in the embodiments proposed here. Non-optical detection offers advantages in terms of cost-efficiency and data privacy. The sensors are specifically designed as non-optical sensors.

[0018] In some versions of the proposed procedure, the undesirable use may be selected from passenger transport, freight transport, travel delays, and route extensions. Defining such uses as undesirable can be used, in particular, to prevent undesirable secondary use by a driver, especially a chauffeur, for example, for an unauthorized taxi service.

[0019] In some versions of the proposed procedure, the user may be assigned to a user type based on personal identification and / or a portable computing unit provided in the vehicle and / or worn by the vehicle's user. Such procedures can ensure that a driver or chauffeur cannot circumvent, or can only circumvent with difficulty, the usage restrictions stipulated in the proposed procedure.

[0020] In some versions of the proposed procedure, measures may be selected from both preventing and reporting the undesirable use. For example, a fleet operator or a chauffeur's employer could, based on relevant information, take employment-related or contractual measures and thus react to the undesirable use.

[0021] The proposed motor vehicle is equipped for operation using a procedure that includes providing a usage profile that assigns an undesirable use of the motor vehicle to a user type of the motor vehicle, activating the usage profile for a user of the motor vehicle if the user corresponds to the user type defined by the usage profile, detecting if the user for whom the usage profile has been activated is using or attempting to use the motor vehicle in the undesirable manner, and initiating a measure upon such detection.

[0022] Determining whether the user is using, or intends to use, the motor vehicle in an undesirable manner is based on non-optical detection of parameters using sensors. These sensors can, in particular, be designed as non-optical sensors. According to the invention, the vehicle can be operated using a non-essential vehicle function, and the usage profile defines the use of this non-essential vehicle function as the undesirable mode of use.

[0023] For further features and advantages of the proposed motor vehicle and its various configurations, reference is made to the above explanations concerning the proposed method and its configurations, as these apply equally. The same applies to a corresponding motor vehicle that may be equipped to carry out a method according to any configuration described herein.

[0024] A proposed computing unit, e.g. a control unit of a motor vehicle, is, in particular in terms of programming, equipped to carry out a method according to the invention.

[0025] Implementing a proposed method as a computer program or computer program product with program code to execute all process steps is also advantageous, as this incurs particularly low costs, especially if an executing control unit is already used for other tasks and is therefore already available. Finally, a machine-readable storage medium is provided with a computer program stored on it as described above.

[0026] Suitable storage media or data carriers for providing the computer program include, in particular, magnetic, optical, and electrical storage devices, such as hard drives, flash memory, EEPROMs, DVDs, etc. Downloading a program via computer networks (Internet, intranet, etc.) is also possible. Such a download can be wired or wireless (e.g., via a WLAN network, a 3G, 4G, 5G, or 6G connection, etc.). Brief description of the drawings

[0027] The embodiments are described below purely as examples with reference to the attached drawing, whereby Fig. 1. Aspects of proposed designs illustrated; and Fig. 2 illustrates a procedure according to one embodiment. embodiment(s) of the invention

[0028] The embodiments described below are provided solely to assist the reader in understanding the claimed and previously explained features. They represent only representative examples and are not intended to be considered exhaustive or limiting with regard to the features of the embodiments described herein.

[0029] It is understood that the advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures and / or other aspects described above and below are not to be considered as limitations of the scope of the invention as defined in the claims or as limitations of equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be used and modifications made without deviating from the scope of the claimed invention.

[0030] Different embodiments may include, feature, consist of, or essentially consist of further advantageous combinations of the described elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., even if such combinations are not specifically described herein. Furthermore, the disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future, particularly if they are within the scope of the independent claims.

[0031] Explanations relating to devices, apparatus, arrangements, systems, etc., according to the embodiments proposed herein may also apply to procedures, processes, methods, etc., according to other embodiments, and vice versa. Identical, functionally equivalent, structurally identical or comparable elements, process steps, etc., may be indicated with identical reference numerals.

[0032] The following explanations and definitions, which concern some of the fundamentals of the designs proposed here, may apply to all or part of the designs presented here, and the explanation of certain aspects in connection with only one part or one of the designs should not be understood to mean that these aspects cannot also be implemented with other or all designs, insofar as technically possible and sensible.

[0033] The conjunction "and / or," when used before the last item in a list, should be understood in this context to mean that all previously mentioned items in the list can be combined with each other in any way. In other words, "A, B and / or C" means "A and / or B and / or C" or "at least one of the elements A, B, and C in any combination."

[0034] The following solutions are proposed to improve the operation of motor vehicles using chauffeurs or the operation of a vehicle fleet. The mention of one of these alternatives below should explicitly not be interpreted as excluding the other.

[0035] The proposed method and its various configurations may, in particular, involve the use of a hardware device in conjunction with a software solution for monitoring the driver and related applications. The hardware device may incorporate sensors based on a wide range of sensor technologies, such as various microphones, satellite tracking systems, smoke and / or odor detection sensors, thermostats, inertial measurement units, humidity sensors, air quality sensors, and the like. The sensors are primarily designed as non-optical sensors. The hardware device may be mounted in a suitable location within the vehicle, such as in the rear seat row, on the cabin roof, on the windshield and / or rear window, in the interior rearview mirror, etc., depending on the intended applications.The current state of the art in camera-based solutions can be problematic in terms of data protection and costs compared to the use of corresponding sensors, which avoids such designs.

[0036] The market in developing countries, such as India, is very cost-conscious and requires cost-effective solutions, which the proposed method and its configurations offer. Depending on the application, data obtained using the aforementioned and other sensors can be analyzed to provide the desired insights. The configurations proposed here can be implemented as part of a customized solution, depending on the requirements of fleet management or logistics companies, individual vehicle owners, or groups of owners.

[0037] In Fig. 1. Aspects of the proposed procedure are illustrated schematically, whereby the components shown are neither to scale nor in the correct position.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, a mobile device 10, for example a smartphone, is used to identify a vehicle user. Suitable software, for example a vehicle user application, can be installed on the mobile device 10.

[0039] The vehicle user may be presented with a user interface 11, in particular a graphical user interface, on the mobile device 10 for adjusting predetermined control elements and / or for retrieving or entering certain information, for example authorization or authentication information.

[0040] A motor vehicle 100 comprises a hardware device 110, which is installed in the motor vehicle 100 and configured to communicate with the mobile device 10 of the vehicle user or the software running on it via a suitable communication channel 1. The hardware device 110 can be connected via a further communication channel 2, for example, to a cloud 4 or a central server 5, to which a computer 6 belonging to a vehicle owner or fleet operator can also be connected via a further communication channel 3. The computer 6 can also be a mobile device, for example, a smartphone, and have a corresponding application.

[0041] A vehicle user can be identified using the mobile device 10 and assigned to a user type based on this identification. If a user of a specific user type attempts to use the vehicle 100 in a manner undesirable for that user type, this can be detected by means of hardware device 110, for example, also through communication with the mobile device 10, the cloud 4, or the server 5, and appropriate action can be initiated, which may, for example, consist of issuing a message on the computer 6.

[0042] A number of vehicle-internal sensors 111 to 113 and vehicle-external sensors 114 to 116 can be connected to the hardware device 110 in order to perform the sensing operations described above and below, for example, to detect air conditioning usage. Further functions and evaluations are explained below. With appropriate sensing, the hardware device 110 can operate essentially independently of components such as an air conditioning system 120, an infotainment system 130, and any comfort and / or safety functions 140 of the vehicle. However, a communication connection can also be provided.

[0043] All communication channels 1, 2, 3, as well as the connection of sensors 111 to 116, can be implemented via known vehicle-mounted wired interfaces or communication devices, but also wirelessly. In particular, the mobile device 10, the cloud 4, or the server 5 can be connected wirelessly, especially via mobile networks. Evaluation of a position signal from a satellite 7 is also possible.

[0044] In the motor vehicle 100 according to Fig. 1. Various functions can be implemented, some of which have already been explained and are summarized below. As mentioned, these configurations primarily concern the limitation of desired uses. The term "chauffeur mode" will be used below for this purpose, without any intended restriction.

[0045] One embodiment includes a notification when the vehicle air conditioning 120 is used in chauffeur mode, including wireless transmission of relevant information to a vehicle owner or fleet operator or a corresponding computer 6.

[0046] In developing countries, the mobility sector is very cost-sensitive, and profit margins are particularly low. If a chauffeur drives the vehicle alone and without the owner present to get from point A to point B, it is undesirable for the owner to switch on the vehicle's air conditioning (120), as this increases the vehicle's fuel and / or energy consumption (100). This could also be the case if the vehicle (100) is parked and waiting for the owner or a request to drive someone. The proposed solutions here specifically suggest using the hardware device (110) together with a corresponding software solution in the vehicle (100) that informs the owner and / or fleet manager about the vehicle's air conditioning (120), which may be switched on in chauffeur mode.The chauffeur mode can be activated via a mobile application on the mobile device 10 or another mobile unit that communicates directly with the hardware device 110 installed in the vehicle.

[0047] The activation of the vehicle's climate control system 120 can be detected by sensors 111 to 116, or a subset thereof, such as smoke, air quality, humidity, thermostat, and / or temperature sensors. A thermostat and / or temperature sensor, or the connected hardware device 110, can compare the temperature inside a vehicle cabin 150 with the temperature of the surrounding environment 160. The notification mechanism can be activated in chauffeur mode, particularly when the vehicle is stationary (awaiting instructions from the owner or fleet manager) or being driven by the chauffeur alone.

[0048] In the case of a taxi company, the investment in the vehicle (100) often comes from a third party who employs a driver for a fixed salary to drive the vehicle. The revenue is intended to go to the person who owns the vehicle (100) (private taxi model). Even in such cases, the proposed procedure is advantageous for monitoring, for example, the use of the vehicle's air conditioning (120) in chauffeur mode. In this case, chauffeur mode can be automatically deactivated via a taxi application when a ride request is fulfilled; that is, chauffeur mode is active when a passenger is being picked up. After picking up the passenger, chauffeur mode is automatically deactivated via the ride or taxi application, manually by the taxi company, or similar means, until the job is completed.

[0049] If a family or group of owners shares a chauffeur, the activation and / or deactivation of chauffeur mode and the mobile device to be notified, or the transfer of information to a computer, can be transferred from one person to another by transferring wireless or application-based chauffeur monitoring to a dashboard.

[0050] Another advantageous application of the proposed method is the detection of additional passengers in chauffeur mode. For example, a series of microphones, which can be part of sensors 111 to 116, can be used to detect various sounds and noises from the vehicle cabin 150. Analysis of the recorded data can be performed using artificial intelligence, for example, by training algorithms using natural language processing and common methods to distinguish between music, conversations via the vehicle's speakers and / or Bluetooth system, and conversations between more than one person (other than the chauffeur) in the cabin. This can also be linked to the opening and closing of the vehicle doors between journeys in chauffeur mode.

[0051] Further applications include the detection of thefts and damage to parked vehicles (especially lower-priced vehicles). Particularly in developing countries, there is a significant risk that vehicle subsystems 120 to 140 will be removed and stolen from parked vehicles 100. The hardware device 110 can monitor the parked vehicle 100 using microphones, inertial measurement devices, or accelerometers, etc.—that is, any of the sensors 111 to 116—and inform the owner and / or user of the potential risk of theft by sending either a mobile notification or an alarm, or by reporting it to an authority.

[0052] Furthermore, the proposed configurations allow for notification if the expected arrival time is exceeded, after cross-validation with data from a suitable real-time navigation service provider. For this purpose, the hardware device can, as mentioned, also employ a position sensor using a satellite position signal. In chauffeur mode, the device can communicate with the mobile application of the chauffeur and the owner, family member, fleet owner, etc. Based on the travel and / or logistics order or request, the arrival location for which the travel and / or logistics request was issued is determined. The estimated travel time from the current location to the newly specified arrival location is calculated according to the navigation system and the real-time situation. This can be determined via the map interface of the proposed device.Interfaces for mobile applications on the hardware device 110 with known online cards may be provided.

[0053] Upon arrival at the desired location, the chauffeur can enter the information either via the mobile application or a suitable human-machine interface. The hardware device 110 compares the current location with the requested arrival point. If the estimated arrival time is exceeded, a notification is sent to the person responsible for the ride request. In this way, losses incurred by fleet companies and private owners of chauffeured vehicles 100 due to disloyalty or fraud by chauffeurs or drivers, for example, when they secretly accept additional ride requests to transport passengers or freight.

[0054] Since tracking a live location can pose a security risk in some regions, it may be possible to refrain from actively saving and tracking location information. Only notifications regarding a potential exceedance of the arrival time threshold may be sent.

[0055] The proposed method using hardware device 110 can also include the use of sensors 111 to 116 for monitoring blood alcohol levels or the smell of alcohol in order to notify the vehicle and / or fleet owner if the motor vehicle 100 is being driven by a person who has consumed alcohol. The sensor signal processing can be intelligent to classify, based on the values ​​from different sensors, whether it is the driver or the passengers who have consumed alcohol.

[0056] In further configurations, the safety of women and children can be increased by means of an intelligent emergency release button. Based on various tones, noises, and / or keywords from the vehicle cabin 150, the provided hardware device 110, equipped with an array of microphones as sensors 111 to 116, can also be configured to trigger an emergency response, particularly in cases involving the safety of women or children. In conjunction with other sensors 111 to 116, such as inertial and / or acceleration sensors, the hardware device 110 can also be trained to send an emergency signal to an emergency call center in the event of a serious accident.

[0057] Configurations can also include data acquisition for onboard diagnostics in combination with the hardware device 110. A small test device (data logger) 180 can be used with the hardware device 110, which evaluates signals from sensors 111 to 116. This test device can communicate wirelessly with the hardware device 110 using a suitable technology. The test device 180 can retrieve the necessary data via a suitable diagnostic interface of the vehicle 100, such as mileage, engine speed, state of charge, etc.

[0058] Data acquisition via the vehicle's diagnostic interface (VDI) allows for the collection and / or querying of data that can be combined with the sensors (111 to 116) of the hardware device (110) to derive new functions, data analyses, and services. Since the hardware device (110) has the necessary connectivity, it can provide various functions and / or services for fleet management, logistics and / or taxi companies, or individual owners of the vehicle (VDI).

[0059] The framework for retrieving raw data from the sensors or a diagnostic interface of the vehicle 100 can be standardized, as can the interfaces to the operating system running on the hardware device 110. The framework can also provide standard services such as establishing communication with a mobile application or a connection to an operator. Third-party companies can develop different approaches, analyses, and / or functions for the end user based on the use case of the vehicle owner and / or fleet operator. This can be viewed as analogous to mobile applications developed on common smartphone operating systems and using the same hardware to run (a common operating environment that implements different functions and / or services).

[0060] Further aspects include integration into a security architecture according to known automotive industry standards, integration of third-party applications depending on the use case, use of intelligent sensors, modular communication devices, connection of radio test equipment, application updates via network retrieval, and the use of third-party applications.

[0061] Further advantageous applications can be derived from real-time data from the various sensors 111 to 116 and the hardware device 110, which can be accessed via a diagnostic interface. Some examples are listed below.

[0062] One initial use case involves detecting fuel and / or energy theft by the driver. One of the biggest problems in developing countries is the sale of fuel from the vehicle by the driver to third parties to earn a small income. In the case of electric vehicles, this could also mean selling electrical charge to users of other vehicles in the future, provided the vehicle has bidirectional charging capabilities.

[0063] Using the test device 180, which can be connected to a diagnostic interface and is used in one embodiment, the mileage and fuel level or state of charge can be wirelessly transmitted to the hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150. The hardware device 110 derives the direct relationship between the mileage (in terms of kilometers driven) and the decreasing fuel level. Since this data is constantly processed, a sudden drop in the fuel level or charge without a subsequent increase in the mileage would indicate fuel or energy theft. A simple extrapolation algorithm is sufficient to detect such a situation, for example, by querying the diagnostic data at a suitable interval, e.g., every 5 to 10 seconds. In such situations, the owner or fleet management company can be notified via a mobile application, etc.

[0064] Another use case involves the automatic updating of the start and end mileage in a cloud logbook with additional data for company vehicles. For company-owned vehicles (100), employees often have to manually enter the mileage recorded at the beginning and end of each trip into a logbook. Using hardware device 110, a test device 180 can query data at the beginning and end of each trip upon request from hardware device 110 installed in the vehicle's cabin (150). Hardware device 110 installed in the vehicle's cabin can initiate the request based on a user instruction. This cabin-installed hardware device 110 can also directly, and in particular securely against manipulation, store this data in a cloud logbook along with additional information such as speeding, hard braking, smoking in the vehicle cabin, etc.

[0065] Detecting leaks of operating fluids, such as fuel, coolant, and / or oil, using diagnostic data from the test device 180 and / or sensors 111 to 116 in combination with the hardware device 110, is also possible. In the event of a potential leak of these operating fluids, information about fluid levels or pressure loss could be available via the diagnostic interface and the test device 180. A likely leak can be detected using air quality sensors 111 to 116 inside and outside the vehicle cabin 150. The owner or fleet operator can be informed of the possibility of a leak using the diagnostic data and / or sensor data.

[0066] In some configurations, the status of the fault indicator can be transmitted to fleet management centers for critical vehicles such as ambulances, wildlife safari vehicles, etc. In developing countries, drivers are often hesitant to report potential warnings from the vehicle's diagnostic interface (DPI) because they are unfamiliar with the system or do not understand the criticality of the situation in emergencies. The data from the diagnostic interfaces can be used to query the status of critical warnings from the vehicle's diagnostic interface (DPI), such as the fault indicator. This information can be forwarded to the hardware device (HQD), which can then notify the owner and / or fleet operator of the warning. This is particularly relevant for vehicles whose availability is critical, such as ambulances, safari vehicles, fire engines, etc., information about the warnings issued by the various control units in the vehicle could be helpful in ensuring timely maintenance and / or servicing.

[0067] Further configurations could include, for example, using the hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150 to perform sound and / or odor analysis in an outdoor environment such as a jungle, savannah, or similar, in order to locate various animals and thus enhance the wildlife safari experience. Use in agriculture, for example, to locate livestock in a pasture, is also possible.

[0068] With the hardware unit 110 in the vehicle cabin 150 and the various sensors 111 to 116, such as microphones, air quality sensors, and odor sensors, it is possible to track the activities of various animals and predict their movements based on tracks, sounds, and other indicators. Because the device can detect sounds and / or odors inaudible to the human ear or undetectable by the human sense of smell, it can track the movements of animals or birds more accurately than safari experts or guides. A microphone and / or an air quality sensor can be used for this purpose. Air quality-based data can also be collected. The device can also be used to support local guides or safari experts, thus enhancing the overall wildlife experience for tourists.

[0069] In critical vehicles such as ambulances, monitoring the air quality in the vehicle cabin is crucial for patient health. With the proposed hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150, various sensors 111 to 116 can be used to generate air quality statistics in the vehicle cabin 150. With additional data, such as diagnostic data from a test device 180, general health monitoring of the vehicle cabin 150 is also possible.

[0070] In developing countries like India, where traffic laws are not yet very strict, ambulance and fire engine drivers often misuse the siren even in situations that do not require urgency. The Hardware Device 110, located in the vehicle cab, can detect siren activation via microphones. This device can communicate with the ambulance's fleet management center to verify whether an emergency run has been requested for the vehicle. If not, it can inform the fleet management center about the driver's misuse of the siren.

[0071] The same principle can also be used to check whether the driver is engaged in long conversations while at work, as this can lead to reduced concentration while driving and affect overall safety.

[0072] In certain configurations, the illegal transport of passengers / goods in private vehicles, school buses, or logistics vehicles can also be detected. Since drivers' salaries in developing countries are not very high, they often look for other sources of income. One such channel is picking up passengers or goods along the route without informing the owner or fleet company. The hardware device 110, installed in the vehicle cabin 150, can detect the picking up of additional passengers or goods via the microphones, either through passenger conversations or through the sounds generated by opening and closing doors and trunk lids at various points along the route.

[0073] The hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150 can be configured to filter out noise generated during phone calls via the speakerphone or Bluetooth, as well as during ongoing conversations with multiple passengers. Fleet companies can set a threshold for the number of stops per trip. Based on the collected and processed data, and if the threshold for picking up and dropping off goods or passengers is exceeded, the owner and / or the fleet company can be notified of a driver violation.

[0074] The conversion of rides contracted by taxi or rental car companies into private bookings to generate higher profits can also be prevented through various legal frameworks. One of the biggest problems currently facing taxi companies is that drivers reach the designated pick-up point (as specified by the taxi company) and ask the passenger to cancel the ride. These fraudulent drivers then take the passenger to their desired destination at a lower cost, but with a higher personal profit margin. This creates a win-win situation for both the driver and the passenger, but results in a loss for the taxi company or mobility service provider.

[0075] The hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150 can record the passenger's location, including pick-up and drop-off points, using satellite navigation data. If the pick-up and drop-off locations are more or less the same as the original canceled taxi or mobility service provider assignment, this indicates that the driver is converting the assigned trip into a private one to maximize profit. If this occurs frequently with a particular driver, they may be blacklisted by the taxi dispatch center and / or mobility service provider and would be denied a license from either. Using a microphone and natural language processing, it would also be possible to detect keywords such as "cancel trip," "drop-off location," "lower price," etc.to record, in order to confirm that the driver has converted a trip issued by the taxi company into a private trip in order to generate higher profits.

[0076] Another problem that can be solved by the design proposed here is the transfer of goods from one commercial vehicle to another while it is en route. A common practice in the commercial vehicle industry is to transfer some goods to another vehicle while it is traveling at a slower speed. Transport companies that carry water, natural gas, fuels, industrial gases, etc., are frequently victims of theft of small, undetected quantities of cargo. The driver of the transport vehicle travels alongside another vehicle, in which the goods being transported are transferred in smaller quantities. The quantities are so small that they go unnoticed at the delivery location, and the driver illegally makes a profit.Transferring goods to another vehicle while en route is intended to circumvent the logistics company's satellite tracking system, preventing it from making unintended stops for transshipment and / or unloading. Even if the traffic situation does not require slowing down, the vehicle travels at a low average speed in such cases while the goods are being transferred to another vehicle.

[0077] With the hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150, it is possible to monitor a slow-moving vehicle 100 (below the average speed) and validate the slow movement based on the real-time traffic situation on the route from server 5 and / or cloud 4. If the vehicle is moving much slower than the traffic situation requires for no apparent reason, this can be reported to the owner and / or fleet company to detect the possibility of theft or a delay in the transport of goods.

[0078] A corresponding hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150 can also assist in locating an ambulance and / or police vehicle and its direction of travel. Often, the siren of an ambulance or police vehicle can be heard, but not seen by the driver. In such situations, it can be difficult to clear the way for the vehicle 100. The hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150 can use its microphones to locate the position of the ambulance's or police vehicle's siren and estimate the intended direction of travel for the driver, for example, by calculating whether the siren tone increases or decreases along the direction of travel compared to the driver's own vehicle. This can help to quickly make way for the ambulance or police vehicle if necessary.

[0079] The hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150 can also offer the possibility of transmitting the localized position and direction of travel of the siren vehicle to the driver via a voice command, so that he can immediately react to the situation and take the appropriate measures.

[0080] In certain configurations, a relationship between engine speed and vehicle tilt can be established to estimate the load condition. A test device 180 can query the engine speed, current gear, and other such parameters and transmit them to the hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150. The hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150, using its integrated acceleration sensors (part of sensors 111 to 116), can measure the rearward tilt of the vehicle 100 during acceleration or when starting from a standstill.

[0081] Several analyses can be derived from this information, such as estimating the vehicle load based on the relationship between the incline and the engine speed. The higher the engine speed required to get the vehicle moving at 100 km / h, the higher the vehicle load. Similarly, the greater the vehicle's incline when starting from a standstill and the higher the engine speed, the greater the vehicle load.

[0082] A system for detecting young children left alone in a vehicle can be implemented to prevent suffocation. Using microphones and machine learning algorithms, it would be possible to distinguish between infants and adults / children. If a young child is left alone in the vehicle, a notification can be sent to the vehicle owners about the situation. If necessary, an emergency signal can also be automatically sent within a short time if the owners do not respond.

[0083] Fig.Figure 2 illustrates a procedure 200 according to one of the configurations proposed here. This procedure comprises, as already explained several times previously in other words, providing 210 a usage profile 215 that assigns an undesirable usage pattern of the motor vehicle 100 to a user type of the motor vehicle 100, activating 220 the usage profile 215 for a user of the motor vehicle 100 if the user corresponds to the user type defined by the usage profile 215, detecting 230 if the user for whom the usage profile 215 has been activated uses or attempts to use the motor vehicle 100 in the undesirable usage pattern, and initiating 240 a measure upon detection 230 that the user uses or attempts to use the motor vehicle 100 in the undesirable usage pattern.

[0084] As mentioned several times, the detection 230, if the user for whom the usage profile 215 has been activated uses or attempts to use the motor vehicle 100 in the undesirable manner, is based on a non-optical detection of quantities using sensors 111 to 116, in particular the hardware device 110 in the vehicle cabin 150 explained several times. The initiation 240 of a measure may, in particular, include the output of information via a cloud C.

[0085] Activating the user profile (215) can be done wirelessly or via an application or software to the relevant person. This can be particularly relevant if a chauffeur is employed by several people and the chauffeur mode can or should be communicated to other people. This helps avoid conflicts, and when multiple people are involved, targeted or simultaneous activation or deactivation is possible, or information and notifications can be transmitted only to specific individuals as needed.

Claims

[1] Method (200) for operating a motor vehicle (100), wherein the method (200) comprises the following steps: Providing (210) a usage profile (215) that assigns to a user type of motor vehicle (100) an undesirable use of the motor vehicle (100) for that user type; Activating (220) the usage profile (215) for a user of the motor vehicle (100) if the user corresponds to the user type defined by the usage profile (215); Determine (230) if the user for whom the usage profile (215) has been activated is using or intends to use the motor vehicle (100) in the undesirable manner; and Initiating (240) a measure upon the finding (230) that the user is using or intends to use the motor vehicle (100) in the undesirable manner, wherein the determination (230) that the user is using or intends to use the motor vehicle (100) in the undesirable manner is based on a non-optical detection of quantities using sensors (111-116), wherein the vehicle (100) is operable using a non-essential vehicle function, and where the usage profile (215) defines the use of the non-essential vehicle function as the undesirable mode of use. [2] Method (200) according to claim 1, wherein the non-essential vehicle function comprises vehicle air conditioning. [3] Method (200) according to claim 2, wherein the use of the vehicle air conditioning is detected using one or more sensors. [4] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the undesired use is selected from passenger transport, freight transport, travel delay and travel distance extension. [5] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the user is assigned to the user type on the basis of person identification and / or under a portable computing unit (110) provided in the motor vehicle (100) and / or carried by the user of the motor vehicle (100). [6] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the measures are selected from preventing and reporting the undesirable use. [7] Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensors are designed as non-optical sensors. [8] Motor vehicle (100) equipped for operation using a procedure (200) comprising the following steps: Providing (210) a usage profile (215) that assigns to a user type of motor vehicle (100) an undesirable use of the motor vehicle (100) for that user type; Activating (220) the usage profile (215) for a user of the motor vehicle (100) if the user corresponds to the user type defined by the usage profile (215); Determine (230) if the user for whom the usage profile (215) has been activated is using or intends to use the motor vehicle (100) in the undesirable manner; and Initiating (240) a measure upon the finding (230) that the user is using or intends to use the motor vehicle (100) in the undesirable manner, wherein the determination (230) that the user is using or intends to use the motor vehicle (100) in the undesirable manner is based on a non-optical detection of quantities using sensors (111-116), wherein the vehicle (100) is operated using a non-essential vehicle function, and where the usage profile (215) defines the use of the non-essential vehicle function as the undesirable mode of use. [9] Motor vehicle (100) according to claim 8, wherein the sensors are designed as non-optical sensors. [10] Computing unit configured to perform all process steps of a process according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [11] Computer program that causes a computing unit to perform all the process steps of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when executed on the computing unit. [12] Machine-readable storage medium with a computer program stored thereon according to claim 11.

Images