Method for controlling a vehicle function, and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle function, wherein the vehicle function can be output via the hardware (1) of a vehicle (2), the hardware (1) is controlled by software (3), and the vehicle function is output by the hardware (1) when the hardware (1) is controlled with an output command. The method according to the invention is characterised in that - a creator initiates the minting of an NFT (NFT), wherein the NFT (NFT) is assigned a first output command for a first vehicle function as a digital asset (4), and at least one additional output command for an additional vehicle function is assigned to the metadata (5) of the NFT (NFT); - a user acquires the NFT (NFT) and assigns it to their wallet (6); - the user grants a vehicle-internal computing unit (7) at least read access to their wallet (6); - the computing unit (7) reads the wallet (6) and retrieves the first and each additional output command for at least one NFT (NFT) contained in the wallet (6); and - the computing unit (7) controls the hardware (1) of the vehicle (2) to output the first and additional vehicle functions defined by the first and additional output commands.

Description

[0001] Method for controlling a vehicle function and vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle function according to the type defined in the preamble of claim 1 and to a vehicle with a computing unit.

[0003] The degree of digitalization in vehicles is constantly increasing. For example, the mechanical steering system or the control of the braking system and fuel pump based on pedal position are being replaced by electronic control systems. This is also known as drive-by-wire. In addition, new assistance functions are being provided to increase safety and comfort, such as lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, or the ability to watch films, make video calls, stream audiobooks, and the like on an in-vehicle display.

[0004] Various vehicle functions require the installation of specific hardware components in the vehicle. During the ordering process, a vehicle can be configured so that certain hardware components are installed that generally allow the provision of several functions, although only some of these functions are actually purchased by a customer. The remaining functions, i.e. those not purchased, are then blocked for use in the vehicle manufactured for the customer by a software configuration. However, since the required hardware is already installed, this makes it possible to subsequently unlock the functions via software. For example, by reconfiguring the vehicle's software, increased engine power could be temporarily or permanently enabled, a seat heating function could be subscribed to, for example, for the winter months, or something similar.To manage vehicle functions used in the vehicle, the user interacts with the vehicle manufacturer, for example, via a central portal, such as a server operated by the vehicle manufacturer that forms an interface between a user account and their vehicle. This allows the user to connect their vehicle to their user account and book vehicle functions individually. However, control over the booked functions remains with the vehicle manufacturer, which can negatively impact a user's decision-making process regarding the additional booking of separate functions. It would be desirable, therefore, to transfer control over bookable vehicle functions to the customer.

[0005] Certain digital currencies, also known as cryptocurrencies, or the respective underlying blockchains, such as the Ethereum blockchain, the Binance Smart Chain, or Solana, allow the creation of so-called non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The creation of NFTs is also referred to as minting. In particular, the minting and / or initiation of transactions of a respective NFT is controlled by a so-called smart contract. A smart contract is program code written into the blockchain that is automatically executable on the blockchain by the crypto network managing the blockchain based on the information written into the blockchain. While the units of a respective cryptocurrency are divisible, i.e. "fungible," each NFT is unique, i.e. "non-fungible."An NFT represents a specific asset, particularly a digital asset such as an image file, video file, sound file, text file, or the like. Physical assets such as houses, vehicles, sneakers, or the like can also be assigned to an NFT as "proof of ownership." The information describing or referencing the asset associated with an NFT is typically written into the NFT's metadata. The metadata can be stored in the blocks of the blockchain itself, or preferably in a storage location external to the blockchain. A blockchain can be managed centrally or decentrally. A so-called non-fungible token standard, such as ERC721 or ERC1155, defines how the respective metadata is to be designed and processed.

[0006] Furthermore, so-called hybrid smart contracts are known, which link program code running on the blockchain with information and calculations available external to the blockchain. Blockchain oracles are used as the interface. One such service for linking a blockchain with external systems, which enables the execution of smart contracts based on real-world inputs and outputs, is provided by the company Chainlink, for example.

[0007] DE 102022 000646 A1 discloses a method for minting and using vehicle-related non-fungible tokens. This document describes the provision of vehicle functions based on NFTs. For this purpose, vehicle data is collected during vehicle operation and used to mint NFTs. Thus, the vehicle itself participates in the NFT minting process. For example, NFTs can be minted when the vehicle is manufactured, repaired, undergoes maintenance, is sold, or similarly. This makes it possible to track the condition or degree of wear of the vehicle using NFTs. Vehicle-related NFTs can also be minted when certain milestones are reached with the vehicle, such as reaching a specified operating time, distance traveled, staying at a specific location, or the like.This allows the vehicle to achieve so-called "achievements," making the use of the vehicle even more engaging for users by providing gamification-based features. Using the NFTs minted upon achieving such an achievement, users can track their personal achievements and present them to others as proof.

[0008] Furthermore, US 2022 / 0383295 A1 discloses a so-called collection container for NFT goods. This document addresses the problem that NFTs are usually linked to digital goods, also known as "digital assets," with which one cannot interact in the real world. The collection container represents an electronic device in the form of a computing device capable of downloading digital goods linked to an NFT via the internet and outputting them via output devices included in the collection container. For example, digital works of art can be displayed on a display device or audio content can be played via integrated speakers. The collection container has its own wallet, so that respective NFTs or digital goods can be clearly assigned to a specific collection container.Owners of such collection containers can trade the NFTs they own, along with corresponding digital goods, with each other, for example by exchanging the collection containers themselves or by conducting corresponding transactions of the NFTs on the respective underlying blockchain.

[0009] Furthermore, US 2023 / 0071093 A1 describes a system and method for the uniform listing and transfer of NFT assets across multiple platforms, based on the use of smart contracts. The document describes a mediator for utilizing various NFT marketplaces. The smart contract for minting an NFT includes conditions that can be processed by several different NFT marketplaces. Furthermore, the document describes a translation module capable of defining conditions for smart contracts in natural language and translating them into machine-readable code. This increases the user-friendliness of formulating smart contracts for users with little or no programming knowledge.

[0010] NFTs are used to prove ownership of digital artwork. For example, an artist can create a video file or an image file and associate it with an NFT as a digital asset through a minting process. The NFT can then be sold via a crypto trading platform. The artist will usually provide access to the digital asset via the internet, for example, by uploading the corresponding file to a cloud server or a decentralized network storage such as peer-to-peer network storage. For example, the so-called Interplanetary File System (IPFS) can be used for this purpose.

[0011] Typically, an artist will strive to present their work of art in a specific way. For example, a sculpture might be lit in a certain way, a painting might be hung in a specific area of ​​an exhibition, presented to the public as part of a specific event, and so on. The enjoyment of digital art is less freely configurable. For example, by making the digital asset publicly available, anyone can typically access it and view it, listen to it, etc., on any mobile device or desktop computer.

[0012] The present invention is based on the object of providing a method for controlling a vehicle function, with the aid of which the creator of a digital asset can specify how the digital asset associated with an NFT is to be presented. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for controlling a vehicle function having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments, as well as a vehicle for implementing the method, are set out in the dependent claims.

[0013] A generic method for controlling a vehicle function, wherein the vehicle function can be output via the hardware of a vehicle, the hardware is controlled by software and the vehicle function is output by the hardware when the hardware is controlled with an output command, is further developed according to the invention in that

[0014] - a creator initiates the minting of an NFT, wherein a first output command for a first vehicle function is assigned to the NFT as a digital asset and at least one further output command for a further vehicle function is assigned to the metadata of the NFT;

[0015] - a user purchases the NFT and assigns it to his wallet;

[0016] - the user grants an in-vehicle computing unit at least read access to his wallet;

[0017] - the processing unit reads the wallet and obtains the first and each subsequent output command for at least one NFT contained in the wallet; and

[0018] - the computing unit controls the vehicle's hardware to output the first and further vehicle functions defined by the first and further output commands.

[0019] In the context of the invention, the first output command can be understood as a work of art, and the subsequent output commands as a description of the presentation. Thus, the information associated with an NFT can be used to precisely specify how the digital asset associated with an NFT is to be presented.

[0020] The “creator” can be, for example, an author, originator, artist, or the like. The digital asset can be, for example, a digital image, photo, video, animation, text file, audio file, or the like. The output command then describes, in particular by including corresponding program code for controlling the hardware, that the referenced file is to be output via suitable hardware. In relation to the vehicle, this can be, for example, an in-vehicle display device, a lighting device, a loudspeaker, and / or the like. By managing the digital asset with the help of NFTs, it is possible to clearly trace who created the respective digital asset in case of doubt, which makes it possible to reliably verify its authenticity. For this purpose, the NFT contains a unique reference of the creator, such as a unique ID ora public address of the creator's wallet, also known as the public key.

[0021] In addition to the first output command, the NFT also includes at least one additional output command for another vehicle function. The digital asset and / or an additional output command can be contained directly in the metadata of the respective NFT or stored on a central and / or decentralized network storage device, with the metadata then including a reference, such as a URL, to the respective storage location. Such a reference is also referred to as a URI.

[0022] If the digital asset is, for example, a digital work of art in the form of an image file, the artist may request background music, lighting, temperature, or the like. Accordingly, the respective additional output commands are contained in the NFT's metadata. The metadata can include the additional output commands directly in the form of text or program code, and / or the program code is stored on the network storage referenced by the metadata. For example, the corresponding program code can control the vehicle's infotainment system to play a reference music track. Interior lighting, such as ambient lighting, could also be specifically activated to emit a specific light pattern.The vehicle's air conditioning system could also be automatically controlled, for example, to set a specific interior temperature. For example, if the digital artwork contains a depiction of a winter scene or a polar scene, such as a polar bear dancing on an iceberg, the vehicle's air conditioning system could be activated at maximum level. In general, all conceivable and controllable vehicle functions can be controlled using corresponding program code sections contained or referenced in the metadata. By specifically staging the digital asset assigned to the NFT, additional artistic depth and / or immersion can be created. This allows users to experience corresponding works of art or content even more profoundly. The core aspect of the invention is therefore to assign a staging specification to the metadata of an NFT for the first time.

[0023] The user's wallet, containing the respective NFTs, is read by an on-board computing unit. This computing unit then orchestrates the control of the remaining vehicle hardware. The on-board computing unit can implement appropriate safety mechanisms to ensure that the well-being of the vehicle occupants is not endangered by the activation of the respective vehicle functions. For example, the activation of certain visual stimuli while driving could distract the driver and provoke an accident. Accordingly, the vehicle's computing unit actively prevents the activation of corresponding vehicle functions during such boundary conditions. For this purpose, boundary conditions can be defined in the computing unit that determine in which situations which vehicle functions can generally be used and in which way.

[0024] An advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides that the digital asset and / or the metadata are stored on a decentralized network storage device. As already mentioned, various options for storing digital assets or metadata are generally possible. In general, it is possible to store both the digital asset itself and parts of the metadata, or even the entire metadata, directly in the underlying blockchain when minting the NFT. However, this is atypical due to the large amount of data to be written to the blockchain. Preferably, the respective blockchain entry contains, in addition to a unique identifier of the NFT, such as an ID, at least one reference to a central and / or decentralized network storage device where the respective digital asset and / or the other metadata are stored.The advantage of using decentralized network storage is that if one or more nodes fail, the relevant information can be retrieved from the still active nodes of the network storage. This reduces the risk that the information associated with an NFT cannot be retrieved at a specific point in time. In particular, the metadata of the respective NFT contains a reference to a publicly accessible storage facility, specifically said decentralized network storage facility, which, however, only stores demos of the digital asset—i.e., limited or reduced versions of the original digital asset. The full original files can then be stored by a central network storage facility, for example, in the form of a cloud server managed by a vehicle manufacturer.

[0025] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the additional output commands are specified in a uniform machine-readable format, in particular in JSON format. This makes it possible to ensure the consistent quality of corresponding artworks or usable vehicle functions.

[0026] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that a smart contract executed to mint the NFT creates a creator program code file on a central or decentralized network storage device, comprising approved output commands, wherein the metadata of the NFT includes a reference to the creator program code file. In general, it is conceivable that users of the method according to the invention would like to adapt the staging specifications for the presentation of the respective digital asset associated with the NFT. By providing the creator program code file, the creator of the respective work of art or digital asset is given the opportunity to store the initial staging specifications in a traceable manner. Thus, it is possible to track at any time how the creator originally intended the staging of the digital asset.The creator of the NFT programs the corresponding smart contract for minting the NFT themselves and can thus reliably specify the respective staging specifications. Since these staging specifications were specified by the creator themselves, the corresponding issuance commands are referred to in this context as "approved issuance commands."

[0027] The vehicle's internal processing unit can then read the approved output commands and execute them accordingly. Preferably, the smart contract grants the creator write access to the creator's program code file even after the NFT has been minted. This gives the creator access to the centralized and / or decentralized network storage, allowing subsequent modification of the files or program code stored there. In general, it would also be possible to use so-called dynamic NFTs to subsequently modify the NFT's metadata. Using a so-called blockchain oracle, conditions dependent on blockchain-external information can be defined that lead to a change in the respective metadata. The blockchain oracle represents the link between the blockchain or smart contract and the blockchain-external information.For example, hybrid smart contracts and the corresponding blockchain oracle from Chainlink can be used for this purpose.

[0028] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that a smart contract executed to mint the NFT creates a user program code file on a central or decentralized network storage device, comprising unauthorized output instructions, wherein the metadata of the NFT includes a reference to the user program code file, and wherein a smart contract executed to trade the NFT grants a purchaser of the NFT at least temporary write access to the user program code file. With the help of the user program code file, users or persons who acquire a respective NFT can obtain write access to the user program code file, at least while they own the NFT, in order to create personal preferences for staging specifications therein. This enables adaptation of the staging specifications specified by the creator.In the context of the invention, the corresponding output commands are therefore referred to as “unauthorized output commands”.

[0029] Preferably, write access to the user program code file is configured in such a way that the user program code file can only be supplemented, but not partially replaced or deleted. In this way, previously added staging specifications can be retained. For example, a unique user ID, such as the public address of the respective user's wallet, can be stored in the user program code file for each owner of the NFT, allowing the corresponding program code sections to be clearly referenced by users. This makes it easier for the vehicle's internal processing unit to locate the staging specifications specified by the vehicle user in the user program code file, transfer them to the vehicle, and execute them there.

[0030] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the computing unit reads the user's wallet indirectly via a central computing device. For example, the vehicle manufacturer can provide an online portal via the central computing device, through which users can log in with a personal user account. A reference is established between the user account and the user's vehicle. The user can then enter the wallet address, in particular the wallet's public key, via the portal. The central computing device acts as a communications relay and forwards the input made by the user to the vehicle's internal computing unit. However, the central computing device itself does not read the contents of the user's wallet.

[0031] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention further provides that at least one further output command defines at least one boundary condition for outputting the first vehicle function, wherein the computing unit obtains information from at least one vehicle sensor and / or a vehicle control unit, compares the information with the boundary condition, and enables the output of the first vehicle function if the information requires the fulfillment of the boundary condition, and otherwise suppresses the output of the first vehicle function. As already mentioned, a safety mechanism can be introduced that can be implemented to prevent the activation or output of the vehicle function in dangerous driving situations.

[0032] Such a feasible "suppression function," however, goes beyond simply suppressing vehicle functions in safety-relevant situations. For example, it may be relevant for the creator that certain technical requirements or boundary conditions must be met for their work of art to be displayed. These can include, for example, readability, contrast, the playback medium, user distraction, the respective driving situation, the equipment available in the vehicle, and the like. To assess readability, the ambient brightness and the brightness of the display device used to display the digital asset can be recorded using in-vehicle sensors, for example. If the ambient brightness is approximately the same as or brighter than the brightness of the display device, readability may be poor, so that the display of the digital asset is prevented in this situation.The corresponding output commands can also contain instructions that, in such a situation, control the display device to increase the display brightness. This also makes it possible to check and implement legal or trademark-related constraints, such as compliance with a corporate design or licensing conditions.

[0033] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the NFT is implemented as a dynamic NFT, and the creator adapts the content of the metadata to update the first vehicle function and / or at least one additional vehicle function. As already mentioned, the "content" of an NFT can be subsequently changed through the use of hybrid smart contracts.

[0034] In a vehicle comprising a computing unit, according to the invention, the computing unit is configured to execute a method described above. The vehicle can be any road vehicle, rail vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft. In particular, it is a passenger car. However, it could generally also be a truck, van, bus, construction machine, agricultural machine, or the like.

[0035] By integrating the method according to the invention into the vehicle, it becomes possible to provide entirely new functions within the vehicle context. This can improve user interaction with the vehicle. The vehicle according to the invention, or the vehicles in a vehicle manufacturer's fleet, can thus function as a "distributed" gallery or art museum to present an artist's art to the public in a "distributed" exhibition or vernissage. For example, the artist can make their digital art available to the public at a certain time window, whereupon interested users can obtain respective NFTs from the artist as an "admission ticket." Users can then "experience" the art generated by the creator in their own vehicles.Since not only the art itself is presented, but also the aforementioned staging guidelines are adhered to, a particularly high level of immersion and thus a particularly intensive experience is guaranteed.

[0036] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention for controlling vehicle functions also emerge from the exemplary embodiment which is described in more detail below with reference to the figure.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the actors involved in the method according to the invention for controlling vehicle functions.

[0038] With the aid of a method according to the invention, a creator, for example a writer, author, artist, or the like, is able to present a digital asset 4, for example a digital image, video, sound file, text document, or the like, to users with a presentation specification defined by the creator. The digital asset 4 is presented in a vehicle 2 by controlling vehicle functions output by the hardware 1 of the vehicle 2. The vehicle 2 can have, for example, as hardware 1: ambient lighting 12, a hi-fi system 13, a display device 14, a so-called digital light 15, and the like. The digital light 15 can, for example, be matrix projection spotlights or a projector for projecting light patterns into the environment. The hardware 1 can be controlled by one or more vehicle-internal processing units 7.For this purpose, the internal computing unit 7 executes corresponding software 3.

[0039] The creator of the digital asset 4 owns a wallet 16 for storing NFTs that can be created and traded on a blockchain 17. The creator can then mint a corresponding NFT and assign the digital asset 4 to the NFT. In particular, the minting process of the NFT can be initiated by a smart contract SC. The NFT is then assigned to the creator's wallet 16. The creator can then sell the NFT, whereby the NFT is transferred to a user's wallet 6. For this purpose, corresponding transaction blocks are inserted into the blockchain 17. The blockchain 17 is managed in a decentralized manner by the nodes of a crypto network that communicate with each other via the internet 18. Actions assigned to the creator are indicated by dashed lines in Figure 1, and actions assigned to the user by dotted lines.

[0040] Metadata 5 is assigned to an NFT during the minting process. In general, the metadata 5 and / or the digital asset 4 can be written directly into the blockchain 17, although this is atypical. Typically, the respective NFT contains a reference to a central network storage 9 and / or a decentralized network storage 8 on which the respective metadata 5 and / or the digital asset 4 is stored. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, both the metadata 5 and the digital asset 4 are stored in the decentralized network storage 8. For example, this can be the so-called Interplanetary File System (IPFS). The corresponding staging specifications, i.e., further output commands for controlling the vehicle functions, can be written directly into the metadata 5.However, it is also possible for a creator program code file 10 and / or a user program code file 11, generated by the smart contract SC, to be created on the decentralized network storage 8. Corresponding additional output commands, i.e., staging specifications, can be stored in the respective program code files 10, 11. The creator has write access to the creator program code file 10 at least when minting the NFT, and respective users or buyers of the NFT have write access to the user program code file 11 at least while in possession of the respective NFT. For this purpose, the smart contract SC can grant the user, who can be referenced by the public address of the wallet 6, write access to the wallet 6 through the NFT transaction. Particularly preferably, write access only includes the option to supplement the user program code file 11.

[0041] The in-vehicle computing unit 7 reads the user's wallet 6 and is thus able to identify the NFTs contained in the wallet 6. Accordingly, the computing unit 7 can read the blockchain 17 and thus access the metadata 5 and the digital asset 4. This makes it possible to obtain the digital asset 4 or a corresponding first output command as well as further output commands, i.e., the aforementioned staging specifications, and to output or present the artwork generated by the creator in the vehicle 2 according to the staging specifications. For this purpose, at least one first and one further vehicle function are controlled. For example, the first vehicle function is the display of a digital image assigned to the NFT on the display device 14, and a further vehicle function is the output of a specific melody via the hi-fi system 13.

[0042] Furthermore, an approved content 20 and a content 21 optimized for the vehicle 2 can be stored on a cloud server 19 in said central network storage 9. The approved content 20 and / or the optimized content 21 can also be referenced by the metadata 5 and can be transferred to the computing unit 7 for output in the vehicle 2.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for controlling a vehicle function, wherein the vehicle function can be output via the hardware (1) of a vehicle (2), the hardware (1) is controlled by software (3) and the vehicle function is output by the hardware (1) when the hardware (1) is controlled with an output command, characterized in that - a creator initiates the minting of an NFT (NFT), wherein a first output command for a first vehicle function is assigned to the NFT (NFT) as a digital asset (4) and at least one further output command for a further vehicle function is assigned to the metadata (5) of the NFT (NFT); - a user purchases the NFT (NFT) and assigns it to his wallet (6); - the user grants an in-vehicle computing unit (7) at least read access to his wallet (6); - the computing unit (7) reads the wallet (6) and obtains the first and each further output command for at least one NFT (NFT) contained in the wallet (6); and - the computing unit (7) controls the hardware (1) of the vehicle (2) to output the first and further vehicle functions defined by the first and further output commands.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the digital asset (4) and / or the metadata (5) are stored on a decentralized network storage (8).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the further output commands are in a uniform machine-readable format are specified, especially in JSON format.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a smart contract (SC) executed to mint the NFT (NFT) creates a creator program code file (10) on a central (9) or decentralized network storage (8), comprising approved output instructions, wherein the metadata (5) of the NFT (NFT) includes a reference to the creator program code file (10).

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the smart contract (SC) grants the creator write access to the creator's program code file (10) even after the NFT (NFT) has been minted.

6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a smart contract (SC) executed to mint the NFT (NFT) creates a user program code file (11) on a central (9) or decentralized network storage (8), comprising non-approved output instructions, wherein the metadata (5) of the NFT (NFT) comprises a reference to the user program code file (11), and wherein a smart contract executed to trade the NFT (NFT) grants a purchaser of the NFT (NFT) at least temporary write access to the user program code file (11).

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the computing unit (7) reads the user's wallet (6) indirectly via a central computing device.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one further output command defines at least one boundary condition for outputting the first vehicle function, wherein the computing unit (7) receives information from at least one vehicle sensor and / or a Vehicle control unit, compares the information with the boundary condition and enables the output of the first vehicle function if the information requires the boundary condition to be met and otherwise suppresses the output of the first vehicle function.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the NFT (NFT) is designed as a dynamic NFT and the creator adapts the content of the metadata (5) to update the first vehicle function and / or at least one further vehicle function.

10. Vehicle (2) comprising a computing unit (7), characterized in that the computing unit (7) is configured to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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