Method for providing a communication channel between at least two vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing a communication channel between at least two vehicles (1). The method according to the invention is characterised by the following method steps: - generating an identification token (2) by a computing unit in at least a first (1.1) and a second vehicle (1.2); - placing a telecommunication module in a transmitting / receiving mode, wherein the telecommunication module in the transmitting / receiving mode continuously transmits the identification token (2) held on the computing unit by radio and receives identification tokens (2) transmitted by radio; - displaying the identification tokens (2) at least currently received by the transmitting / receiving module on a display device (3); - selecting an identification token (2) displayed on the display device (3); - sending a communication channel opening request; - confirming the communication channel opening request; and - opening a communication channel between the two telecommunication modules in the first (1.1) and second vehicle (1.2).

Description

[0001] Mercedes-Benz Group AG

[0002] Method for providing a communication channel between at least two vehicles

[0003] The invention relates to a method for providing a communication channel between at least two vehicles.

[0004] Road users, with the exception of very small vehicles such as e-scooters, are not easily able to communicate directly with each other while using their vehicles. While it is possible to indicate information through certain gestures or facial expressions by looking at each other, extensive verbal communication or exchanging text messages is not possible. For this, road users would have to get out of the vehicle or at least open a window to speak to each other or exchange other contact information, such as a cell phone number or email address. However, this is time-consuming and can be distracting from driving.

[0005] However, it would be desirable to be able to provide a direct communication channel between multiple road users, allowing vehicle occupants to communicate with each other in traffic jams or at a standstill, thus avoiding boredom. This could also warn other road users of hazards, such as potholes, icy road sections, obstacles in the roadway, and the like. Damage or defects could also be reported, for example, if the low beam emitted by the right headlight of a neighboring vehicle is not working. To protect data privacy, such communication should preferably be anonymous or at least pseudonymized.

[0006] It is generally known that vehicles can wirelessly exchange information with each other or with infrastructure. Various vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-X communication interfaces are known for this purpose. Modern vehicles also usually have a so-called telecommunications unit, which allows data to be transmitted via mobile communications to a server accessible via the internet.

[0007] The creation of so-called ad-hoc networks is also known. An ad-hoc network is a wireless network that is provided without the participation of central network nodes or stationary infrastructure. The network is created and configured independently, i.e. by the participating network nodes. Data exchanged over the wireless network is forwarded via one or more network nodes to reach its recipient. Ad-hoc networks can be used for data exchange between mobile devices such as smartphones. To create such an ad-hoc network, for example, the Apple AirDrop service from Apple INC. or the Google Nearby Share service from Google LLC can be used. The respective mobile devices establish a WLAN- and Bluetooth-based communication system to exchange data such as photos, videos, contacts or MP3 files.

[0008] Various so-called Corona warning apps, also known as Covid-19 apps, have been developed to warn and track potential infections with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Such an app allows contact tracing in order to uncover and trace chains of infection. For this purpose, the "Risk Determination" function can be activated in the app, which causes the corresponding smartphone to send a token-based identifier via Bluetooth Low Energy at regular intervals. The token-based identifier can be regenerated at regular intervals, for example, every 10 to 20 minutes, from a key that is valid daily. This means that the token-based identifier changes regularly for each user, making it difficult or even impossible to clearly assign the respective identifiers to individuals and thus to draw conclusions about the user's identity.The app also checks at regular intervals whether corresponding token-based identifiers are being sent from other nearby smartphones and saves them upon receipt. After a certain period of time, for example, 14 days, the identifiers received from other devices can be deleted. If a user becomes infected, they report this to a central server. The central server then makes the token-based identifiers assigned to the infected user available for download to other app users. This allows the app running on a given smartphone to determine whether or not there has been contact with an infected person.

[0009] The functional principle of such a Covid-19 app is described in patent form by US 2022 / 0051808 A1, which discloses a system for anonymous and distributed contact tracing and verification.

[0010] Furthermore, WO 2013 / 126747 A2 discloses a platform for wireless identity transmitters and a system for utilizing wireless short-range transmissions. The system is based on the use of so-called wireless identity transmitters and short-range transmission receivers. The wireless identity transmitters continuously transmit a token-based identifier that can be received by the short-range transmission receivers. The respective tokens are stored on a central server and can be queried by a short-range transmission receiver upon receipt. This allows the server to detect a meeting between the respective wireless identity transmitters and short-range transmission receivers. The short-range transmission receivers can retain information about their location. By evaluating this information, it is possible to at least roughly deduce the location of a respective wireless identity transmitter.A short-range transmitter can be attached to a vehicle such as a taxi. If a contact is detected, a notification can be sent to a registered user, for example, via SMS or email, that a wireless identity transmitter assigned to a user has contacted the corresponding short-range transmitter.

[0011] The present invention is based on the object of specifying a method for providing a communication channel between at least two vehicles, by the use of which it is possible to open a communication channel between at least two vehicles quickly, easily and reliably while maintaining traffic safety.

[0012] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for providing a communication channel between at least two vehicles having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims. A generic method for providing a communication channel between at least two vehicles is further developed according to the invention by the following method steps:

[0013] - generating an identification token by a computing unit in at least one first and one second vehicle;

[0014] - Moving a device that is communicatively connected to the processing unit

[0015] Telecommunications module, comprising means for establishing a radio-based data transmission, in a transmit / receive mode, wherein the telecommunications module in the transmit / receive mode continuously transmits the identification token held on the computing unit by radio and receives identification tokens transmitted by radio, respectively by the first and second vehicle;

[0016] - displaying the identification tokens at least currently received by the transmitting / receiving module on a display device to a user, in each case in the first and second vehicle;

[0017] - receiving an operating action by the user in the first vehicle, wherein the operating action comprises a selection of an identification token displayed on the display device;

[0018] - Sending a communication channel opening request from the telecommunications module in the first vehicle to the telecommunications module in the second vehicle depending on the selected identification token;

[0019] - receiving an operating action by the user in the second vehicle, wherein the operating action comprises a confirmation of the communication channel opening request; and

[0020] - Opening a communication channel between the two

[0021] Telecommunication modules in the first and second vehicle, wherein communication information generated at least in the first vehicle can be sent via the communication channel for output in the second vehicle.

[0022] The method according to the invention enables vehicles or their respective vehicle occupants to establish a communication channel with each other while participating in traffic and to exchange messages via this communication channel. This enables communication between vehicle occupants. This can be used, for example, for conversation in traffic jams or to warn vehicle occupants of dangerous traffic areas or to inform them about a defect in the vehicle or a vehicle function.

[0023] The identification token is essentially a code, for example in the form of a character string. The character string can contain any number of digits, letters, and / or special characters. For example, it is a number. Proven procedures for generating identification tokens can be applied. This makes it possible to reliably generate unique and unambiguous identification tokens, preventing multiple vehicles or multiple computing units integrated into vehicles from simultaneously using the same code as an identification token. Mathematical rules, particularly those known from cryptography, are used to generate the identification token. In particular, an identification token comprises a header and a payload attached to the header.The header can contain the corresponding encoding, while the payload can store additional information, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0024] The telecommunications module includes means for establishing radio-based data transmission. All common radio-based data transmission technologies can be used for this purpose. For example, information can be sent and received via Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, or even via mobile communications, particularly using 5G. Accordingly, the telecommunications module is capable of processing a wide variety of communication protocols. MQTT, for example, can also be used as a network protocol. For the initial exchange of identification tokens between vehicles within radio range of each other, the vehicles establish a local ad-hoc network via the telecommunications modules. For subsequent exchanges, identification tokens can also be transmitted over an additional transmission channel, which will be discussed further below.

[0025] The identification token generated and held by a respective processing unit is continuously transmitted wirelessly. All telecommunications modules within radio range can then receive the respective identification token. A respective identification token can be transmitted continuously or discretely, for example, at regular intervals. The corresponding transmission / reception range depends on the radio standard used and the underlying communication protocol and can range from a few meters to hundreds or thousands of meters. The radio standard used can be fixed or can be selected differently depending on various boundary conditions. For example, the radio standard and thus the range can depend on the vehicle's driving speed and / or the type of road traveled.When driving slowly, for example in a traffic jam or stopped traffic, a wireless standard with a reduced range can be selected, such as Bluetooth, especially Bluetooth Low Energy, or Wi-Fi. When driving at high speeds, for example, at speeds above 70 km / h, a wireless standard with a longer transmission range, such as 5G, can be activated. This allows for the increased distance between the vehicles as the vehicle speed increases.

[0026] Vehicles currently within range can be selected for communication by the occupant of the first vehicle. This is possible by receiving and displaying the identification tokens received from the respective vehicles on the display device. For example, the identification tokens or the respective codings, such as said character strings, can be displayed in the form of a list. Taking distance information into account, this list can be sorted according to the distance of the respective vehicles from the first vehicle. Such distance information can be determined, for example, by a propagation time signal measurement or by triangulation. Other methods are possible, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0027] Since only identification tokens or the respective underlying codes are displayed, it is possible to establish communication anonymously or pseudonymously.

[0028] To input operating actions, proven control elements in the vehicle can be used, such as buttons, keys, dials, sliders, etc. In particular, the display device is designed as a touch-sensitive display, allowing the selection of the respective identification tokens via touch input.

[0029] To prevent a user from transmitting communication information to another vehicle even though this is not desired by the vehicle's occupants, the respective vehicle occupants must first confirm a corresponding communication channel opening request in order for the said communication channel to be established. Various transmission paths can be used to output the communication information, including acoustic, visual, and / or haptic transmission paths.

[0030] An advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides that the communication information comprises at least one of the following contents:

[0031] - Send text messages, in particular a pre-written text message;

[0032] - voice messages recorded using a microphone; and / or

[0033] - a video stream generated by a camera.

[0034] This makes it possible for vehicle occupants to communicate with one another using a wide variety of input and output devices. Text messages can be entered using a keyboard and exchanged between vehicles. A text message can also be dictated by a user and converted into a character string by a computer. At a minimum, a text message is transmitted from the first vehicle to the second vehicle. A text message can be freely composed by a user, or simply pre-written text messages can be sent. Such a pre-written text message could, for example, read: "Headlight defective." In particular, pre-written text messages can be sorted into groups, for example, by the topics: "Report dangerous location," "Report vehicle defect," "Transport service," and the like.

[0035] Voice messages can also be recorded in the vehicles using a microphone, allowing them to be transmitted. Live communication, such as a phone call, can also be conducted. A corresponding voice message can advantageously be supplemented by a video stream recorded in the vehicle. This allows short video messages to be sent between vehicles, or video telephony to be provided.

[0036] In general, a distinction can be made between new communication partners and known communication partners. Users or vehicles with whom communication has already taken place can be stored in a respective vehicle or a corresponding processing unit. For this purpose, identification tokens of vehicles with which communication has taken place are stored for an extended period of time in a respective processing unit, for example, in an address book. More extensive communication can be enabled, especially for known contacts. For example, only pre-written text messages can be exchanged with unknown contacts, while freely entered text messages, as well as the aforementioned voice messages and / or video messages, can be exchanged with known contacts.

[0037] Preferably, communication between the vehicles is cryptographically secured, at the latest after the telecommunications channel is opened. Proven cryptographic encryption technologies can be used for this purpose.

[0038] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, a computing unit in a third vehicle maintains override information, which is appended to the communication channel opening request when the telecommunications module in the third vehicle sends a communication channel opening request. A telecommunications module receiving the communication channel opening request from the third vehicle opens the communication channel to the telecommunications module in the third vehicle, interpreting the override information as confirmation of the communication channel opening request. This enables authorized vehicles or users to force the establishment of a communication channel. This is particularly important for special devices orInstitutions such as emergency responders such as the police, fire department, or paramedics benefit from this feature for transmitting information to the occupants of nearby vehicles in an emergency. This allows emergency responders to display appropriate warning messages in nearby vehicles and / or initiate verbal communication without the respective vehicle occupants first having to manually confirm the communication channel opening request. This prevents vehicle occupants from blocking such a communication channel opening request, even though an emergency situation may require the output of appropriate communication information. For example, emergency responders can request a vehicle user to clear an emergency lane.

[0039] According to a first embodiment of the method according to the invention, the communication information can be exchanged directly between the two telecommunications modules of the first and second vehicles. Thus, the data transmission of corresponding communication information is also based on sending information via a corresponding ad-hoc network. For example, respective vehicles can exchange corresponding information directly with each other via Wi-Fi. This has the advantage that no other actors are involved in the communication, which improves data protection. However, the disadvantage is that communication breaks down when the vehicles leave each other's radio range.

[0040] According to an alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention, however, it is provided that the communication information is exchanged indirectly via a central computing device between the two telecommunications modules of the first and second vehicle. To establish the communication channel via the central computing device, the first and second vehicles transmit the identification tokens they each generate and the identification tokens they each receive to the central computing device. The first vehicle transmits the communication channel opening request to the central computing device, which forwards it to the vehicle defined by the identification token contained in the communication channel opening request. In other words, in this case, communication takes place indirectly via the central computing device and not via said ad-hoc network.In particular, the central computing device is a server or server network connected to the internet. The vehicles can transmit data to the internet via mobile communications and thus exchange information with the central computing device. This also allows communication to be maintained even if the first and second vehicles move out of their respective radio range. Since the central computing device only receives coded information in the form of identification tokens, it is not possible for the central computing device to determine corresponding user identities. In particular, this also prevents user movement profiles from being created and tracked.

[0041] Preferably, the central computing device forwards the communication channel opening request to the second vehicle only if the central computing device receives the first vehicle's identification token from the second vehicle. In other words, this means that the second vehicle informs the central computing device that the first vehicle is within communication range of the second vehicle. This prevents misuse in which a user of the first vehicle attempts to send communication information to a second vehicle, even if the second vehicle is not within communication range of the first vehicle at all.

[0042] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is further provided that the central computing device at least temporarily stores the identification tokens generated by the first vehicle itself and those received by the first vehicle from other vehicles at any given time, and opens a communication channel between the first and a fourth vehicle, wherein the first vehicle receives the identification token from the fourth vehicle at an earlier time, but not currently. In other words, it is thus possible to establish a communication channel with a known communication partner, even if the respective communication partner is not currently within communication range of the first vehicle.In general, it is also conceivable for the users of the first and fourth vehicles to exchange their respective identification tokens with each other via a separate communication channel, for example, via SMS, email, short message service, or the like. Both internal and external communication means can be used to transmit identification tokens. In the respective vehicles, the identification token received in this way, or the underlying coding, can then be read automatically, for example, from the aforementioned email, or manually entered by a user and thus stored in the respective processing unit. In other words, the respective vehicle users can exchange contact information to open the aforementioned communication channel.This allows vehicle users located far apart to communicate with each other, for example, a first vehicle user currently in Berlin and a fourth vehicle user currently in Stuttgart. In this case, the communication information is transmitted indirectly between the vehicles via the central computing device.

[0043] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that a respective computing unit appends further information to the identification token when generating or before sending an identification token, in particular a current location of the vehicle comprising the computing unit and / or an alias name. This makes it possible to provide new functionalities. As already mentioned, said further information can be included as a payload in a respective identification token. It is also conceivable to append further information in the form of computer-readable information or files to an identification token. With the help of an alias name, respective vehicle users can more intuitively understand who wants to communicate with whom. Such an alias name can, for example, be a pseudonym, for example in the form of a so-called nickname such as "RasendeMaus".If desired, users can also use their real name as an alias. In particular, real names can be displayed for known contacts, while pseudonymized names can be displayed to unknown contacts.

[0044] Respective vehicles can determine their current location, for example, using a global navigation satellite system such as GPS. For this purpose, respective vehicles can include a corresponding receiver for receiving GPS signals, for example in the form of a navigation system. For example, the central computing device can compare the locations attached to a respective identification token to verify whether the respective vehicles are actually within communication range of each other. As already mentioned, the central computing device can then only forward communication information if the respective vehicles are actually within communication range of each other.

[0045] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the current location is transmitted exclusively directly between different telecommunications modules. This means that the location is not transmitted to the central computing device. This further increases data protection, since the central computing device cannot establish a link between identification tokens and locations. Thus, no movement profiles can be reconstructed. The method according to the invention requires the direct exchange of identification tokens between the telecommunications modules within communication range via the ad hoc network. The exchange of information describing the location can then take place together with the identification tokens via the ad hoc network.

[0046] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that the computing unit in the first vehicle compares the location of the first vehicle with the locations of other vehicles, determines a relative position for each vehicle relative to the first vehicle, and displays the other vehicles in a representation of the environment displayed on the display device in the first vehicle according to their respective relative position relative to the first vehicle. This can make it easier for the vehicle occupants in the first vehicle to select a vehicle or respective vehicle occupants to establish the communication channel. For example, the vehicle occupants in the first vehicle can determine a defect in a vehicle or a vehicle function of a neighboring vehicle or vehicle traveling ahead. For example, the right tail light of the vehicle in front is broken.The question now arises for the occupants of the first vehicle as to which identification token displayed on the display device they need to select in order to send the corresponding information to the vehicle in front with the broken taillight. The local representation on the display device makes this particularly intuitive and easy. For example, the display device can show a road with the driver's own vehicle driving in the center. Neighboring vehicles are displayed according to their determined relative position to the ego vehicle shown on the display device. This allows the occupants of the first vehicle to select the corresponding neighboring vehicle using touch input and thus establish a communication channel with precisely this vehicle.

[0047] A respective communication channel opening request may already contain a message, such as "Communication channel opening request from a neighboring vehicle. Subject: Report of a defect." This can increase the willingness of vehicle occupants to confirm a corresponding communication channel opening request, especially from an unknown contact.

[0048] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, a respective identification token is regenerated after a specified period of time has elapsed or after a criterion has been met. This allows data protection to be maintained even more reliably. Since the respective identification tokens assigned to a user are constantly changing, recognizing patterns of a specific user or assigning information to corresponding users is made difficult or even impossible. Different specified time periods can be used, such as a few minutes or even hours, days, weeks, or months. The identification token assigned to a user or vehicle can also be regenerated after a criterion has been met.A wide variety of criteria can be considered, such as the occurrence of a specific time or calendar date, restarting the vehicle's engine, unlocking the vehicle doors, driving the vehicle a specified distance, performing routine maintenance, or the like.

[0049] Preferably, once a communication channel has been opened between the first and second vehicles at least once, the central computing device forwards a newly generated identification token in the second vehicle to the first vehicle, even if the first and second vehicles are not within radio range of each other. This makes it possible to maintain contact with known communication partners if identification tokens change. If an identification token were to change without this being communicated to the first vehicle, the first vehicle would no longer be able to send communication information to the corresponding vehicle, for example, the said second vehicle, and vice versa. The respective vehicles send the identification tokens generated by the computing unit to the central computing device anyway. The central computing device can track respective identification token changes.Respective identification tokens can be maintained in the form of lists or a respective blockchain. If a communication channel is to be opened from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, the central computing device can use the current identification token of the second vehicle. If the current identification token of the second vehicle is communicated to the first vehicle via the central computing device, the first vehicle can also use the current identification token of the second vehicle to establish a communication channel.

[0050] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the computing unit in the first vehicle causes an alert message to be output as soon as an identification token is received in the first vehicle from another vehicle, and a communication channel has already been opened at least once. The computing unit in the first vehicle can thus store previously received identification tokens and compare currently received identification tokens with the identification tokens held in a corresponding list. The first vehicle can thus determine when another vehicle with which communication has taken place at least once enters the radio range of the first vehicle. If this is the case, corresponding alert messages can be output to the vehicle occupants in the first vehicle.For example, the vehicle occupants in the first vehicle might be interested in communicating again with the vehicle occupants of the known vehicle. By outputting the notification message, the respective vehicle occupants can be informed that a known contact is within range and that a corresponding communication channel can be established with this contact. Corresponding notification messages can be output in the first vehicle acoustically, visually, or haptically. For example, a pictogram can appear on the display device, illustrating that a known contact is within communication range and that a corresponding communication channel can now be opened. The display of the pictogram can be supplemented by the output of a corresponding warning tone and / or, for example, a steering wheel vibration.

[0051] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that, should the first vehicle and the additional vehicle be not within radio range of one another, the central computing device forwards the identification token of the additional vehicle to the first vehicle as soon as the on-board electronics in the additional vehicle are activated. This enables the computing unit in the first vehicle to receive the identification token of the additional vehicle, even if the latter is not within radio range of the first vehicle. This also makes it possible to open a communication channel for vehicles that are far apart from one another. The central computing device forwards the identification token of the additional vehicle as soon as the on-board electronics in the additional vehicle are activated. This means that the respective vehicle occupants can now use the additional vehicle to complete a journey.Only in such a case does it make sense to provide appropriate communication between the vehicle occupants.

[0052] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, a mobile terminal comprising a computing unit and a telecommunications module assumes the role of a vehicle described above. Thus, a communication channel can be established not only between vehicles, but also between vehicles and mobile terminals. This also enables vehicle occupants to communicate with other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, in-line skaters, skateboarders, and the like.

[0053] In this case, a computer program product is stored on a respective computing unit in a computer-readable storage medium, again comprising computer-interpretable instructions that enable a processor of the computing unit to perform corresponding method steps of the method according to the invention. Such a computer program product and computer-readable storage medium are thus also part of the invention.

[0054] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention for providing a communication channel between at least two vehicles also emerge from the exemplary embodiments which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0055] Showing:

[0056] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of several vehicles driving next to each other;

[0057] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the display content of an in-vehicle display device;

[0058] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the identification tokens currently received by a central computing device; and Fig. 4 is a further schematic representation of the display content of the display device.

[0059] Figure 1 shows several vehicles 1 traveling on a roadway 7. It may be desirable for the occupants of the vehicles 1 to communicate with the respective road users in the surrounding area. To enable this, the vehicles 1 implement a method according to the invention for providing a communication channel. A vehicle 8 also traveling on the roadway 7 does not participate in the method according to the invention.

[0060] Respective computing units integrated in the vehicles 1 generate an identification token 2 and transmit it wirelessly using an in-vehicle telecommunications module. For this purpose, a respective telecommunications module is switched to a transmit / receive mode, at least during operation of the respective vehicle 1. The transmit / receive mode can be activated and deactivated manually or automatically, for example when activating the on-board electronics or starting the ignition of the respective vehicle 1 or upon reaching a certain driving speed. A radio range 6 of the telecommunications module of the vehicle 1.1 is shown in Figure 1. The respective identification tokens 2 of the vehicles 1 are identified here, for example, by the codes #0001 to #0005. In general, such a code can comprise a character string of any length, including, among other things, letters, numbers, special characters, and the like.

[0061] For example, a headlight of vehicle 1.2 with identification token 2: #0004, which is following behind vehicle 1.1, is defective. A passenger of vehicle 1.1 wants to inform the passenger of the corresponding vehicle of this. The passengers of vehicle 1.1 and vehicle 1.2 with identification token 2: #0003 could also be friends and therefore want to chat with each other regularly while commuting.

[0062] Figure 2 shows a possible representation of the display content of an in-vehicle display device 3. In a left-hand section of the display device 3, delimited by a dashed line, the identification token 2 generated in the vehicle and currently held or active is displayed. Figure 2 thus shows the display content on the display device 3 in the vehicle 1.1. In a right-hand section of the display device 3, all identification tokens 2 currently received by the vehicle 1.1 from vehicles 1 within radio range 6 are displayed.

[0063] Vehicle 1.2 with identification token 2: #0003 enters an exit on lane 7 and will therefore shortly leave the radio range 6 of vehicle 1.1. Figure 2 shows how the display content of display device 3 changes. As soon as the vehicle with identification token 2: #0003 leaves the radio range 6, identification token 2: #0003 can no longer be received, so it is no longer displayed on display device 3.

[0064] To establish a communication channel, a respective vehicle occupant can select a respective identification token 2 using appropriate input means, for example by touching the respective identification token 2 on the display device 3 (see Figure 4). The respective vehicle then sends a communication channel opening request to the respective vehicle 1.2, whereupon, after confirmation of the communication channel opening request in the respective vehicle 1.2, the communication channel is opened. Communication information can now be exchanged between the vehicles 1.1 and 1.2. In general, it is also conceivable for a communication channel to be opened to more than two vehicles 1 simultaneously. In particular, text messages, voice messages, and a video stream generated by a camera can be exchanged as communication information.

[0065] The respective vehicles 1 establish an ad-hoc network via radio. This allows corresponding identification tokens 2 and communication information to be exchanged directly between the respective telecommunications modules of the vehicles 1.

[0066] Furthermore, it is possible to exchange at least the communication information between the respective vehicles 1 via a central computing device 4. For this purpose, the vehicles 1 exchange their identification tokens 2 directly with one another via the ad-hoc network and transmit the self-generated identification tokens 2 and the received identification tokens 2 to the central computing device 4. Particularly preferably, the vehicles 1 establish an ad-hoc network among themselves based on a radio technology in the form of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, ZigBee or 5G and communicate with the central computing device 4 via a communication connection established by mobile radio over the Internet.

[0067] Figure 3 shows a current state of the central computing device 4, showing the respective currently received identification tokens 2. For the vehicle 1.1 with the identification token 2: #0001 and the vehicle 1.2 with the identification token 2: #0004, it is shown which identification tokens 2 the respective vehicles 1.1, 1.2 are currently receiving. According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the central computing device 4 only establishes a communication connection between the respective vehicles 1.1, 1.2 when both vehicles receive the respective identification token 2 from the other vehicle 1.2, 1.1. This is indicated in Figure 3 by a dashed line.

[0068] Figure 4 illustrates a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, which makes it easier for the vehicle occupants to select the correct vehicle 1 to open the communication channel. Thus, the respective vehicles 1 can determine their current location, for example using a global navigation satellite system, and exchange this information with each other, in particular via the ad hoc network. For example, the current location can be attached to a respective identification token 2 or included therein as a payload. This enables the respective vehicles 1 to determine the position of the respective neighboring vehicles 1 relative to each other. Figure 4 shows a corresponding representation on the display device 3. The vehicle 1.1 is shown centrally on the roadway 7 in the corresponding environmental representation 5 and is highlighted by hatching.Thus, the vehicle occupants of vehicle 1.1 can quickly and easily recognize that a communication channel to vehicle 1.2 with the identification token 2: #0004 must be established in order to inform its occupants about the defective headlight. The vehicle 8 can also be displayed on the display device 3 in the environment representation 5. The vehicle 1.1 can determine a relative position of the vehicle 8 itself. For this purpose, the vehicle 1.1 can comprise appropriate environment detection means, such as one or more mono and / or stereo cameras, laser scanners such as a LiDAR, radar sensors, and / or ultrasonic sensors. This can obtain depth information that allows the determination of corresponding relative distances. Based on depth information generated in this way, a location received from a vehicle 1 can also be validated or corrected.

[0069] Communication has already taken place several times in the past between vehicles 1.1 and 1.2 with identification tokens 2: #0001 and #0003. The respective vehicles or vehicle occupants are therefore known to each other. In this case, not only the respective coding of a corresponding identification token 2 can be displayed on the display device 3, but also an alias name 9, such as "RasendeMaus." Instead of a pseudonym, the real name of a respective user or vehicle occupant can also be displayed, such as "Karlheinz Schmidt." The respective display settings can be made independently by the users involved in implementing the method according to the invention.

[0070] Preferably, notifications can also be issued to a respective vehicle occupant as soon as a vehicle 1 enters the communication range 6 with which communication has already taken place at least once, i.e. whose vehicle occupants are known to each other.

Claims

Mercedes-Benz Group AG Patent claims 1. A method for providing a communication channel between at least two vehicles (1), characterized by the following method steps: - generating an identification token (2) by a computing unit in at least one first (1.1) and one second vehicle (1.2); - placing a telecommunications module communicatively connected to the computing unit, comprising means for establishing a radio-based data transmission, into a transmit / receive mode, wherein in the transmit / receive mode the telecommunications module continuously transmits the identification token (2) held on the computing unit by radio and receives identification tokens (2) transmitted by radio, in each case by the first (1.1) and second vehicle (1.2); - displaying the identification tokens (2) at least currently received by the transmitting / receiving module on a display device (3) to a user, in each case in the first (1.1) and second vehicle (1.2); - receiving an operating action by the user in the first vehicle (1.1), wherein the operating action comprises a selection of an identification token (2) displayed on the display device (3); - sending a communication channel opening request from the telecommunications module in the first vehicle (1.1) to the telecommunications module in the second vehicle (1.2) depending on the selected identification token (2); - receiving an operating action by the user in the second vehicle (1.2), wherein the operating action comprises a confirmation of the communication channel opening request; and - Opening a communication channel between the two telecommunication modules in the first (1.1) and second vehicle (1.2), wherein generated signals are transmitted via the communication channel at least in the first vehicle (1.1) Communication information can be sent for output in the second vehicle (1.2).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication information comprises at least one of the following contents: - Send text messages, in particular a pre-written text message; - voice messages recorded using a microphone; and / or - a video stream generated by a camera.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a computing unit in a third vehicle maintains override information which is appended to the communication channel opening request when a communication channel opening request is sent from the telecommunications module in the third vehicle, wherein a telecommunications module receiving the communication channel opening request from the third vehicle opens the communication channel to the telecommunications module in the third vehicle by interpreting the override information as confirmation of the communication channel opening request.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the communication information is exchanged directly between the two telecommunication modules of the first (1.1) and second vehicle (1.2).

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the communication information is exchanged indirectly via a central computing device (4) between the two telecommunication modules of the first (1.1) and second vehicle (1.2), wherein to establish the communication channel via the central computing device (4), the first (1.1) and second vehicle (1.2) each use the self-generated identification tokens (2) and the transmit the respective received identification token (2) to the central computing device (4), and wherein the first vehicle (1.1) transmits the communication channel opening request to the central computing device (4), which forwards it to the vehicle defined by the identification token (2) contained in the communication channel opening request.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the central computing device (4) forwards the communication channel opening request to the second vehicle (1.2) only when the central computing device (4) receives the identification token (2) of the first vehicle (1.1) from the second vehicle (1.2).

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the central computing device (4) at least temporarily stores the identification tokens (2) generated by the first vehicle (1.1) itself and those received by the first vehicle (1.1) from other vehicles (1) at any time and opens a communication channel between the first (1.1) and a fourth vehicle, wherein the first vehicle (1.1) receives the identification token (2) of the fourth vehicle at an earlier time, but not currently.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a respective computing unit appends further information to the identification token (2) when generating or before sending an identification token (2), in particular a current location of the vehicle (1) comprising the computing unit and / or an alias name (9).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the current location is transmitted exclusively directly between different telecommunication modules.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the computing unit in the first vehicle (1.1) compares the location of the first vehicle (1.1) with the locations of other vehicles (1), determines a relative position with respect to the first vehicle (1.1) for each vehicle (1) and displays the other vehicles (1) in an environmental representation (5) displayed on the display device (3) in the first vehicle (1.1) in accordance with the respective relative position with respect to the first vehicle (1.1).

11. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a respective identification token (2) is regenerated after a specified period of time has elapsed or after a criterion has been met.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the central computing device (4), when a communication channel between the first (1.1) and second vehicle (1.2) has been opened at least once, forwards an identification token (2) newly generated in the second vehicle (1.2) to the first vehicle (1.1), even if the first (1.1) and second vehicle (1.2) are not within radio range (6) of each other.

13. Method according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the computing unit in the first vehicle (1.1) causes the output of an information message as soon as an identification token (2) is received in the first vehicle (1.1) from another vehicle (1), and in addition a communication channel has already been opened at least once.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the central computing device (4), should the first vehicle (1.1) and the further vehicle (1) not be within radio range (6) of each other, the identification Token (2) of the further vehicle (1) is forwarded to the first vehicle (1.1) as soon as the on-board electronics in the further vehicle (1) are activated.

15. Method according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a mobile terminal comprising a computing unit and a telecommunications module takes on the role of a vehicle (1).

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