Method for unlocking a vehicle function, and information technology system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for unlocking a vehicle function, wherein the vehicle function can be provided via the hardware of a vehicle (1), the hardware is configured by software, and wherein the vehicle function is provided by the hardware when the hardware is configured according to a release configuration. The method according to the invention is characterised in that: - a user (2) of the vehicle (1) logs into a central computing device (3) with a user account; - the user (2) links their wallet (4) to the user account; - the central computing device (3) initiates the minting of an NFT, the release configuration being assigned to the NFT as a digital asset; - the central computing device (3) ensures that, upon occurrence of an event, the NFT is assigned to the wallet (4) of the user (2); - the central computing device (3) reads the NFTs stored in the wallet (4); and - the central computing device (3) retrieves the release configurations for the NFTs stored in the wallet (4) and transmits them to the vehicle (1).

Description

[0001] Method for activating a vehicle function and information technology system

[0002] The invention relates to a method for activating a vehicle function according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1 and to an information technology system comprising a central computing device and a vehicle.

[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] The present invention is based on the object of providing methods and means by which the interaction of a user with his vehicle can be improved.

[0011] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for activating a vehicle function having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments as well as an information technology system for implementing the method emerge from the dependent claims.

[0012] A generic method for enabling a vehicle function, wherein the vehicle function can be provided via the hardware of a vehicle, the hardware is configured by software, and wherein the vehicle function is provided by the hardware when the hardware is configured according to a release configuration, is further developed according to the invention in that

[0013] - a user of the vehicle logs into a central computer system with a user account;

[0014] - the user links his wallet to the user account;

[0015] - the central computing device initiates the minting of an NFT, whereby the release configuration is assigned to the NFT as a digital asset;

[0016] - the central computing device ensures that when an event occurs, the NFT is assigned to the user's wallet;

[0017] - the central computing device reads the NFTs stored in the wallet; and - the central computing device obtains the respective release configurations for NFTs stored in the wallet and transmits them to the vehicle.

[0018] The method according to the invention provides for vehicle functions to be acquired based on the occurrence of an event and transferred to vehicles for use. This thus represents an alternative to purchasing vehicle functions. Users can actively participate in ensuring that corresponding events occur in order to specifically acquire desired vehicle functions. This approach allows the acquisition of vehicle functions to be "gamified."

[0019] A wide variety of events are possible for when respective NFTs are minted and corresponding vehicle functions are distributed to vehicles. The term "event" explicitly excludes the purchase of NFTs or

[0020] Vehicle functions. In addition to events that can be influenced by users, these can also be events that cannot be influenced, such as the occurrence of special environmental influences or the anniversary of the vehicle manufacturer. For example, an NFT can be minted for the vehicle manufacturer's 100th birthday and an anniversary vehicle function can be distributed to the vehicle manufacturer's vehicles or users participating in the process.

[0021] There are various ways in which the central computing device can ensure that, once the relevant events occur, the respective NFTs are distributed to the users' wallets. This will be discussed in more detail later. Generally, it is possible for NFTs to be first assigned to a manufacturer's wallet and then transferred from the vehicle manufacturer to the user's wallet, or for the respective NFTs to be assigned to the user's wallet directly upon minting.

[0022] Vehicle functions can include any conceivable function that can be executed through software adaptations on the hardware already installed in the vehicle. These can include, for example, special graphical elements of a graphical user interface, such as a special speedometer design for an instrument cluster configured as a display device, a special artificial engine noise for an electric motor that is output via external vehicle speakers, increased engine power, a comfort function such as seat heating, a massage function, a lighting function, such as a special light pattern for ambient lighting, or the like.

[0023] The central computing device is a cloud server or server network, in particular managed by the vehicle manufacturer. The user has an individual user account, clearly referenced by an individual user name and secured by a personal password. The user's vehicle is linked to their user account, allowing the central computing device to clearly associate users with the respective vehicles. For this purpose, the vehicle is linked to the user account via a unique identifier such as a serial number, vehicle identification number, or the like. The user also has a wallet for cryptocurrencies or NFTs. The user then links this wallet to their user account, allowing the central computing device to verify the wallet's contents.In the simplest case, this simply means that the user deposits a public address for their wallet, for example, the so-called "public key," with the central computing device. The infrastructure operated by the vehicle manufacturer, i.e., a platform provided on the central computing device, can also have integrated wallet functionality. This allows not only the vehicle manufacturer to have its own manufacturer wallet, but the vehicle manufacturer can also assign a separate wallet to each user account. This reduces the barrier for non-technical users to using the method according to the invention, as users do not have to create a wallet themselves.

[0024] To unlock specific vehicle configurations, the vehicle manufacturer develops corresponding release configurations. A release configuration is the corresponding program code. Once implemented on a computing unit in the vehicle, the respective computing unit or hardware is adapted so that the vehicle function provided by the respective hardware can also be used. In the simplest case, a flag is changed, for example, from 0 to 1 or negative to positive. The vehicle manufacturer can provide appropriately designed release configurations for a wide variety of hardware combinations. For each release configuration, the central computing unit causes the corresponding minting of the respective NFTs.For example, the time for minting an NFT can be chosen so that the NFT is minted exactly when the user acquires the respective release configuration from the vehicle manufacturer through the occurrence of the event. There are various ways in which the central computing device can allocate the respective NFTs to the user's wallet. Either the central computing device or the vehicle manufacturer can have its own manufacturer wallet, to which the NFTs are allocated during minting. The NFTs are then transferred from the manufacturer's wallet to the user's wallet. However, it is also possible for the address or public key of the user's wallet to be specified directly during the minting process, so that the freshly minted NFTs initially appear in the user's wallet.

[0025] After purchasing the vehicle function, the user can activate the vehicle function in their vehicle. This can happen automatically when the vehicle function is purchased or can be initiated manually by the user. To do this, the user can use various human-machine interfaces, such as a user interface in the vehicle itself, for example in the form of a touch-sensitive display device, a mobile device such as a smartphone linked to the vehicle, in particular via the user account, or using a browser-based access interface, for example using a desktop computer connected to the Internet. The user can then log in to the central computing device using their user account, select their vehicle in a corresponding input mask and activate a specific vehicle function, for example by ticking a box.The computing unit used for this purpose, for example an internal vehicle computing unit, the user's smartphone or even the desktop computer, sends information to the central computing device via a corresponding application programming interface (API), indicating that the respective vehicle function should be activated.

[0026] At various times, for example, when the user opens their user account via a corresponding portal or every time the vehicle is started, the central computing device can read the user's wallet and thus record the NFTs stored there. Accordingly, the central computing device adapts an output mask to display currently available vehicle functions. This allows the user to switch acquired vehicle functions on and off as needed. After the user has activated a respective vehicle function, the central computing device sends a corresponding signal to the vehicle to activate the vehicle function. For this purpose, the central computing device can, for example, transmit the program code of the release configuration itself to the respective computing unit of the vehicle, with the command that the respective program code be executed.

[0027] To implement the method according to the invention, all current or future blockchain technologies and the cryptocurrencies that can be provided thereby can be used. The blockchain can be managed centrally or decentrally.

[0028] In the simplest case, the NFT simply contains a unique identifier, such as a unique token ID. The central computing device can maintain a file in which a connection between the NFTs and the respective vehicle functions is stored. The central computing device can then read the user's wallet, obtain the unique token ID, and consult the file to determine which vehicle function is available to the user. The central computing device then activates the corresponding vehicle function in the user's vehicle. In this case, it is not even necessary to assign a reference to the digital asset to the NFT, as the central computing device already has this information.

[0029] The method according to the invention can provide that

[0030] - the NFT includes the digital asset; or

[0031] - the digital asset is stored in a centralized or decentralized network storage, whereby the NFT includes a reference to the digital asset.

[0032] It is therefore possible to link specific vehicle functions to NFTs in different ways. The corresponding program code can either be written directly into a respective block of the blockchain used that represents the NFT. However, it is also possible to store the corresponding program code and any required media files on the central or decentralized network storage and simply integrate a reference to the corresponding storage location into the blockchain. Such a reference is also referred to as a URI. For example, it can be a URL. The digital asset can therefore be stored both on-chain and off-chain. The central network storage can, in particular, be the server used as the central computing device or a server in the server network.

[0033] The distributed or decentralized network storage could, for example, be the so-called "Interplanetary File System" (IPFS). This is a protocol and a network for creating peer-to-peer storage for files, such as so-called hypermedia. The advantage of using decentralized network storage over centralized network storage is that it is characterized by a lower probability of failure. There is a high risk that a central node will fail, at least temporarily, due to a cyberattack, maintenance work, environmental influences such as a power outage, flooding, or the like. During this period, no digital goods can then be retrieved from the central network storage.However, with a decentralized network storage, information is stored on several nodes so that if one or a few nodes fail, the information can be retrieved from another node.

[0034] The fact that the release configuration is "assigned" to an NFT should be understood in an abstract way. A wide variety of assignment modalities are possible. As already mentioned, the corresponding program code can be written directly into the blockchain or stored on the corresponding network storage and referenced by the link. It is also possible for the vehicle manufacturer to identify different vehicle functions or release configurations with an individual and unique identifier. For example, this could be an ID. This identifier can then be written, for example, as plaintext into the blockchain itself or into the metadata in the network storage. The actual program code can then be stored in a protected memory of the central computing facility, inaccessible to the public.If the central computing device then reads the NFT in the user's wallet, the central computing device also reads the unique identifier of the release configuration and can read the digital data required to activate the vehicle function in the vehicle, in particular the aforementioned program code, from the protected memory. The method according to the invention can further provide that the release configuration is assigned to the NFT in cryptographically encrypted form, that the central computing device decrypts the release configuration after reading the user's wallet and obtaining the release configuration, and transmits the decrypted release configuration to the vehicle. This further improves the integrity of the program code underlying the release configuration and any media files, as well as cybersecurity when implementing the method according to the invention.Proven cryptographic encryption techniques can be applied here, such as signature-based encryption using asymmetric key pairs. In particular, the program code of the release configuration can be written cryptographically encrypted directly into the blockchain, written into the NFT's metadata, or stored on a corresponding central or decentralized network storage referenced by the metadata. This also prevents "theft" of the program code by third parties. To decrypt the encrypted release configuration, the central computing device requires a corresponding private key, which it already possesses as the encrypting device of the release configuration's program code.The communication between the central processing unit and the vehicle can also be encrypted, so that, in a broader sense, the decrypted release configuration is encrypted again and then decrypted in the vehicle. This also prevents data interception during data exchange between the central processing unit and the vehicle.

[0035] An advantageous development of the method according to the invention provides for a vehicle-related event. The events can thus be considered so-called "achievements." Thus, certain achievements can be achieved with the vehicle, such as achieving a certain operating time, covering a certain total distance, staying with the vehicle at a certain location, particularly within a certain time frame, obtaining a certain amount of electrical energy from a certain charging station operator, and the like.

[0036] Respective events can be recorded at least once in each vehicle of the

[0037] The vehicle manufacturer's vehicle fleet. However, it is also conceivable that certain events only occur once, creating competition between users of the vehicle manufacturer's vehicles. This could create an incentive to reach the respective event first, so that the respective user exclusively acquires the NFT and the vehicle function assigned to the NFT. It is also conceivable that such one-time events could be defined for specific vehicle groups, for example, for a specific model series. For example, a new vehicle model could be launched on the market, so that the user who first drives 100,000 kilometers with this vehicle model is assigned a specific NFT with a specific vehicle function.

[0038] The respective events when NFTs are minted and vehicle functions are distributed can be presented transparently by the vehicle manufacturer for public viewing. Certain of these "achievements" can also be hidden, allowing vehicle functions to be distributed unexpectedly. This provides an even greater incentive to participate in the inventive method and thus further improves user interaction with their vehicles.

[0039] In particular, NFTs can be distributed or minted and distributed if the vehicle is operated in a particularly environmentally friendly manner, for example, reducing wear and tear on the vehicle and / or demonstrating particularly defensive driving behavior. This increases the vehicle's lifespan and protects the environment through reduced resource consumption.

[0040] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the central computing device initiates the minting of the NFT at a first point in time prior to the occurrence of the event and causes the assignment of the NFT to the user's wallet at a later second point in time after the occurrence of the event. In other words, NFTs can thus be minted independently of the occurrence of respective events. This enables the distribution of vehicle functions and corresponding NFTs on a seasonal basis. A season can have any length of time, such as a year, a quarter, a month, or even fractions or multiples thereof. Seasons of different lengths of time can also be introduced for different NFTs and respective vehicle functions.In particular, for seasonally distributable NFTs, the respective conditions for the occurrence of the event and the corresponding vehicle function are publicly announced by the vehicle manufacturer before or during the start of the season. Since the respective NFTs are then only available for purchase for a limited time, an even greater incentive is created for vehicle users to strive to bring about the occurrence of the respective events. This also further improves user interaction with the vehicle. It is also possible that the vehicle manufacturer only publicly announces the conditions for the occurrence of a respective event, but not the vehicle function that can be acquired through it, or vice versa. This creates a mystery, which, due to human curiosity, further increases the incentive to acquire the respective NFTs.

[0041] In general, it is also possible for some NFTs and respective vehicle functions to be minted seasonally, while other NFTs are minted simultaneously upon the occurrence of a respective event. A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the central computing device initiates the minting of the NFT and the assignment of the NFT to the user's wallet upon the occurrence of the event. However, a decision must be made in advance as to whether a specific NFT should be minted seasonally or upon the occurrence of the event.

[0042] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle collects vehicle information and transmits it to the central computing device, whereupon the central computing device compares the vehicle information with at least one condition, whereupon the central computing device, in turn, detects the occurrence of the event as soon as at least one piece of vehicle information fulfills the condition. In other words, the central computing device acts as a central body for checking whether the respective conditions are met and, accordingly, the occurrence of the respective events. This approach variant is characterized by simple and centralized implementation, but has the disadvantage that the sovereignty over checking whether events occur is transferred to the central computing device and thus to the vehicle manufacturer.

[0043] To collect vehicle information, the vehicles can record sensor data from on-board sensors and read information from control units. The vehicles can also obtain information from an external source, for example, the internet. For this purpose, the vehicles can have corresponding telecommunications units that allow a respective vehicle to be connected to the internet via mobile communications. In this way, the vehicles can obtain the information relevant to fulfilling the condition, such as recording the vehicle's operating time, vehicle odometry parameters (e.g., the total distance traveled by the vehicle), the timely performance of a certain number of maintenance tasks (e.g., the timely performance of ten services), and the like.

[0044] As soon as the central processing unit detects that a specific vehicle or user meets a specific condition, thus triggering the event for minting or transferring the NFT, the central processing unit either mints and transfers the NFT, or, if the NFT has already been minted, transfers the NFT from the manufacturer's wallet to the user's wallet. To do this, the central processing unit initiates corresponding transactions on the crypto network underlying the NFTs.

[0045] A further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that at least the assignment of the NFT to a wallet, in particular the minting and assignment of the NFT, is triggered by a hybrid smart contract, wherein the vehicle and / or a service provider collects vehicle information and transmits it to a blockchain oracle, wherein the blockchain oracle transfers the vehicle information to the hybrid smart contract, and wherein the hybrid smart contract comprises at least one condition which describes when the event occurs depending on the vehicle information.

[0046] This makes it possible to transfer sovereignty over verifying whether the respective conditions for triggering respective events have been met from the central computing device and thus from the vehicle manufacturer. In other words, the respective hybrid smart contracts check whether the respective conditions for the occurrence of an event have been met, which automatically triggers the transfer or minting and transfer of the corresponding NFTs. For this purpose, a corresponding hybrid smart contract can be assigned to a user's wallet, which automatically initiates the minting or transfer process once the event occurs. The blockchain oracle serves as a link between the respective entities that collect the vehicle information and the hybrid smart contracts.For example, the vehicles themselves can transmit collected vehicle information via the telecommunications unit using a corresponding application programming interface (API) to the blockchain oracle, which in turn forwards the relevant information to the hybrid smart contracts (or the blockchain) so that they can verify whether the underlying conditions have been met or not. However, vehicle information can also be collected by a service provider. Such a service provider could be, for example, a charging station operator. The charging station operator can then record which user is consuming how much electrical energy over a period of time and thus, for example, inform the blockchain oracle that a specific user has charged a certain amount of electrical energy, triggering an event.It could also be, for example, a petrol station operator or car wash operator who transmits the number of times a car wash has been used or the number of refuelings carried out.

[0047] Real-world information collected by the blockchain oracle can be incorporated into the minting process of an NFT. For example, in rainy weather, a digital image of a bear wearing a raincoat and an umbrella can be assigned to an NFT as a digital asset instead of a snail wearing a sun hat as the background image for a vehicle menu.

[0048] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, a vehicle-specific invalidation condition is assigned to the NFT during minting, in particular via a hybrid smart contract. Upon receipt of this invalidation condition, the vehicle's hardware is reconfigured from the release configuration to a different configuration, in particular to a standard configuration. In other words, the vehicle functions obtained through the occurrence of certain events can be provided with an expiration criterion. Thus, the respective vehicle functions underlying the NFTs can be automatically withdrawn from users after the occurrence of a further event. Thus, the vehicle function provided by configuring the vehicle's hardware through the release configuration is automatically rendered unusable by reconfiguring the hardware.The respective validation conditions can be assigned to NFTs, for example, via metadata. The central computing device can read this metadata and thus ensure that the validation conditions are met, or it can also verify this validation condition itself. The vehicles can either transmit vehicle information to the central computing device, whereupon the central computing device checks whether the validation conditions are met, and if a validation condition is met, the central computing device transmits a corresponding reconfiguration signal to the vehicle. It would also be possible for the respective vehicles to verify whether the respective validation conditions are met. For this purpose, the central computing device can transmit the validation condition to the respective vehicles.In general, it is also possible for the vehicles themselves to read the NFT's metadata and thus obtain the respective devaluation conditions. Whether a respective devaluation condition is met or not is then checked by the vehicles themselves, or by a respective on-board computing unit. Hardware reconfiguration can also be triggered quite simply by removing the NFT required to unlock the vehicle configuration from the user's wallet (especially automatically triggered by the hybrid smart contract), which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0049] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle and / or a service provider collects vehicle information and transmits it to a blockchain oracle, whereby the blockchain oracle transfers the vehicle information to the hybrid smart contract of the respective NFT, whereby the invalidation condition additionally stipulates that the NFT is invalidated upon the invalidation condition being met. Thus, not only is the hardware of the respective vehicle reconfigured, but the user's access to the release configuration underlying the vehicle function is also blocked. Since a respective user no longer "owns" the respective NFT of the vehicle function, the respective release configuration cannot be transferred to the vehicle for use again. To invalidate the NFTs, they can be burned. "Burning" NFTs means transferring the respective NFT to a wallet with no access.Information generally cannot be deleted from a blockchain, so it is necessary to transfer the respective NFTs to a wallet to which the user or the vehicle, in particular no one, has access permission. This also makes it impossible to use the NFTs. It is also possible that the digital asset itself or the respective metadata of the NFT contains program code that is readable by the central computing device or a respective vehicle, causing the vehicle's hardware not only to be reconfigured but also to initiate the deletion of the release configuration after reconfiguration.

[0050] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the central computing device maintains a database with at least two digital goods and decides, depending on a boundary condition, which of the digital goods is assigned to the NFT. This makes it possible to assign different vehicle functions to a user and their vehicle for the fulfillment of one and the same boundary condition or the occurrence of a specific event. This improves user interaction even further, since it is not possible to clearly determine in advance which vehicle function the user will receive upon the occurrence of the event. This can be an incentive for the respective user to use their own vehicle even more intensively in order to still be able to obtain the respective other vehicle function, for example upon the occurrence of a different event or the recurrence of the same event. For example, for every 10For every 1,000 kilometers traveled with the vehicle, a specific NFT is minted, which is then assigned a vehicle function from a group of 10 vehicle functions. Thus, the user would have to drive 100,000 km to unlock all vehicle functions in this group. It is also conceivable that vehicle functions could be randomly "raffled off" multiple times, requiring even more kilometers to be driven.

[0051] Preferably, at least one of the said boundary conditions is:

[0052] - a vehicle equipment; and / or

[0053] - the current value of at least one vehicle information item.

[0054] Different vehicles can have different equipment variants. Certain vehicle functions are more or less suitable for use in a particular vehicle. For example, if a particular vehicle has a Dolby Atmos sound system, then vehicle functions that utilize Dolby Atmos are suitable. The central processing unit therefore preferably ensures that vehicle functions that utilize Dolby Atmos are assigned to the respective vehicle. This can be applied accordingly to other equipment variants, such as a built-in massage function, the presence of a specific high-quality display with a particularly high resolution, the presence of certain optional lighting devices, the presence of a specific engine power, and the like.

[0055] The central computing device can also decide, depending on the current value of a respective piece of vehicle information, which of the vehicle functions should be assigned to an NFT as a digital asset. For example, a piece of vehicle information can be derived from the current number of vehicle occupants. If, for example, there are five vehicle occupants in the vehicle interior when the event occurs, a different vehicle function can be assigned to the NFT than if, for example, only one vehicle occupant is present. For this purpose, the current value of any conceivable piece of vehicle information or several pieces of vehicle information can be queried, such as driving speed, outside temperature, current weather, frequency of use of a specific vehicle function, and the like. For example, an NFT can be minted for the vehicle as soon as the user drives their vehicle 100 times.The vehicle checks whether the radio is frequently listened to in the vehicle or whether music is played via a Bluetooth-paired device. Depending on which statement is correct, a different vehicle function is then assigned to the NFT as a digital asset.

[0056] Digital goods are preferably assigned an exclusivity level and grouped according to their exclusivity level. The exclusivity level is a fictitious numerical value, for example, in the range between 0 and 1000. The higher the fictitious numerical value, the more exclusive the respective digital good. Exclusivity can then be linked to the ease or difficulty of a certain event occurring, so that digital goods with a higher exclusivity level can be assigned to particularly difficult-to-achieve events. For example, a digital good with a low exclusivity level can be assigned to an NFT for the event "10,000 kilometers driven," and a digital good with a high exclusivity level can be assigned to an NFT for the event "500,000 kilometers driven." Classifying digital goods according to exclusivity levels or corresponding groups has two advantages.On the one hand, the allocation of vehicle functions is randomly determined by the fulfillment of certain events, creating an even greater incentive to use one's own vehicle intensively in order to also acquire the additional vehicle functions of a certain exclusivity group. On the other hand, an incentive is created to want to acquire digital goods with a particularly high level of exclusivity. Since it is more difficult to acquire such digital goods, ownership of a corresponding NFT and the underlying vehicle function is also associated with a higher reputation or prestige, which further increases the incentive for a user to acquire it. This way, a user can be particularly proud to call a rare NFT with a rare vehicle function their own. This also further improves user interaction.

[0057] By assigning vehicle functions and corresponding release configurations to NFTs, and by generally tradable NFTs via corresponding crypto marketplaces, vehicle users are also given the opportunity to earn money. For example, vehicle users can work on acquiring particularly rare NFTs and then resell them at a profit. This represents a completely new, unprecedented feature.

[0058] In an information technology system comprising a central computing device and a vehicle, according to the invention the central computing device and the vehicle are configured to carry out a method as described above. The vehicle can be any road vehicle such as a car, truck, van, bus or the like. In general it can also be a rail vehicle, watercraft or aircraft. Communication between the vehicle and the central computing device can be wireless, in particular. For this purpose the central computing device can be connected to a network, in particular the internet. The vehicle can have a telecommunications unit, usually referred to as a telematics unit. Such a telematics unit enables the on-board electronics of the vehicle to be connected to the internet via a mobile radio network.The user can also have a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop, wearable, or the like, which can be connected to the vehicle via cable or wirelessly and / or is also indirectly connected to the central computing device via the user's user account. The central computing device is also connected to a cryptocurrency network capable of minting and sending corresponding NFTs. The central computing device can thus form a computing node of this cryptocurrency network or be in communication with such a node. These can be any conceivable, already known cryptocurrency networks or cryptocurrencies. They can also be previously unknown and not yet programmed types of cryptocurrencies. In particular, smart contract standards or protocols tailored specifically to the implementation of the method according to the invention can be developed.Non-fungible token standards are redefined and established.

[0059] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention for enabling vehicle functions also emerge from the exemplary embodiments which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0060] Showing:

[0061] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the actors involved in the execution of a method according to the invention for activating a vehicle function; and

[0062] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the actors shown in Fig. 1 in detail.

[0063] With the aid of a method according to the invention, it is possible to activate vehicle functions for use in vehicles 1 of a vehicle manufacturer when certain events occur. Thus, respective vehicle functions can be provided by the hardware of the vehicle 1 as soon as the respective hardware is configured with an enable configuration. The enable configuration is provided by a central computing device 3 and, in particular, transmitted wirelessly to the respective vehicle 1. The invention is based on the fact that vehicle functions or enable configurations are assigned to NFTs as digital assets. A user 2 of the respective vehicle 1 has a wallet 4 of a cryptocurrency used to manage the NFTs. The respective cryptocurrency is based on a blockchain 6. The user 2 logs in to the central computing device 3 with a personal user account and links his wallet 4 to the user account.This enables the central computing device 3 to check which NFTs are contained in the wallet 4. To do this, the user 2, in the simplest case, transmits the address of their wallet 4, for example in the form of the public key, to the central computing device 3. This also enables the central computing device 3 to assign NFTs to the wallet 4, i.e., to transfer them to it. The central computing device 3 is connected to the blockchain 6, for example, via a node (not shown in detail) of the underlying blockchain network or cryptocurrency network. In general, the central computing device 3 can also form such a node.

[0064] To manage his user account, the user 2 can use a variety of devices, such as a mobile device 7. A portal provided via the central computing device 3 can also be accessible from the vehicle 1 itself or via the Internet browser of a desktop computer.

[0065] As soon as the central computing device 3 detects the occurrence of a specific event, the central computing device 3 assigns a respective NFT to the wallet 4 of the user 2. The vehicle function underlying the NFT must now be unlocked or activated in the vehicle 1. To do this, the central computing device 3 reads the NFTs stored in the wallet 4. The central computing device 3 thus knows which vehicle functions need to be transferred to the vehicle 1 for use and carries this out. By configuring the hardware of the vehicle 1 according to the release configuration, the vehicle function is deemed to be unlocked in the vehicle 1. The vehicle function can now be activated, for example, manually by the user 2 or automatically by the central computing device 3 or an in-vehicle computing unit 8 shown in Figure 2.

[0066] There are several ways in which the central computing device 3 can check whether respective events have been fulfilled or not. For example, the vehicles 1 can collect vehicle information and forward it to the central computing device 3. For this purpose, in particular, the central computing device 3 and the respective vehicles 1 are communicatively connected to one another via the Internet. For this purpose, the respective vehicles 1 can have a telecommunications unit 9 shown in Figure 2. Such a telecommunications unit 9 enables the vehicles 1 to be connected to the Internet via mobile communications. Various boundary conditions can be maintained in the central computing device 3 as to when respective NFTs should be minted. As soon as a vehicle function fulfills such a boundary condition, the central computing device 3 causes the respective NFT to be minted, comprising the respective vehicle function as a digital asset.Since the central computing device 3 has information about which vehicle 1 is connected to which user account and thus to which wallet 4, the central computing device 3 can assign the NFT to be minted to the wallet 4.

[0067] It is also possible for the NFTs to be minted seasonally in advance of the occurrence of respective events. For this purpose, the central computing device 3 mints NFTs and assigns them to a manufacturer's wallet 10. The NFTs are minted using a so-called hybrid smart contract, which enables the transfer of NFTs to wallets 4 depending on boundary conditions existing outside of the blockchain 6. Thus, the respective vehicles 1 or service providers record vehicle information and transmit it to a blockchain oracle 5. The blockchain oracle 5, in turn, feeds the vehicle information to the blockchain 6, which allows the respective boundary conditions to be verified by the hybrid smart contracts. As soon as specific vehicle information for a specific vehicle 1 fulfills a respective boundary condition, the respective hybrid smart contract automatically causes the underlying NFT to be transferred to the wallet 4 of the user 2.For example, user 2 can achieve a certain score in a video game playable in vehicle 1, so that an NFT is minted as a “reward” and the user receives a new vehicle feature.

[0068] To record the vehicle information, the vehicles 1 or a respective computing unit 8 can read sensor data via a fieldbus 11, also shown in Figure 2, for example a CAN bus or an Ethernet data line or the like. The computing unit 8 can also read information from other control units 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Figure 1 also shows a charging station 17. The charging station 17 is operated by a service provider. The service provider can record the amount of electrical energy drawn by the respective vehicle 1 or user 2 at the charging station 17 and store the amount of this energy. This allows the service provider to determine when the respective user 2 has drawn a certain amount of energy necessary for minting an NFT. The service provider can also make this information accessible to the blockchain oracle 5 and / or the central computing device 3 in the form of vehicle information.In a broader sense, the central computing device 3, by formulating the smart contracts or hybrid smart contracts, causes the NFTs to be assigned to the wallets 4 of users 2, even if the information triggering the minting or transfer is provided by another source.

[0069] Figure 2 shows the actors involved in the method according to the invention in detail. The blockchain oracle 5, the central computing device 3, the wallet 4 of the user 2, and the manufacturer wallet 10 are connected to the blockchain 6. The central computing device 3, in turn, has access to a first and second database 18.1, 18.2. In the first database 18.1, vehicle functions or the respective release configurations can be stored, grouped according to exclusivity levels. Respective release configurations can include program code and / or media files such as digital images, videos, sound files, texts, and the like. A translation matrix can be stored in the second database 18.2. Such a translation matrix defines the vehicle functions and respective boundary conditions for events.The information contained in the translation matrix can then be used by the central computing device 3 to formulate smart contracts. These smart contracts can then be used to automatically generate NFTs and assign them to wallets 4 and 10.

[0070] User 2 has complete control over the execution of the method according to the invention. User 2 can thus specify for which events or

[0071] Vehicle information vehicle functions should be received. Thus, the central computing device 3 subscribes exclusively for the selected vehicle functions or vehicle information, so that the relevant vehicle information should be collected and recorded by vehicle 1. This way, data is only collected when it is actually needed.

[0072] The respective vehicle information can be collected by corresponding vehicle sensors and read by the control units 12-16. The vehicle information can be transmitted to the central computing device 3 or the blockchain oracle 5 via the telecommunications unit 9. In general, a direct connection of the telecommunications unit 9 to the blockchain oracle 5 (not shown) would also be possible. The user 2 can also interact with the infotainment system of the vehicle 1 and their user account or a portal provided by the vehicle manufacturer for managing the user account or the vehicle 1 via the central computing device 3 via a human-machine interface (HIM).

[0073] Control unit 12 serves, for example, to control the overall staging of vehicle 1. Control unit 13 serves, for example, to control the interior staging. Control unit 14 serves, for example, to control the exterior staging. Control unit 15 serves, for example, to control the artificial engine noises emitted via external vehicle speakers. Control unit 16 serves, for example, to facilitate charging communication with charging station 17.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for enabling a vehicle function, wherein the vehicle function can be provided via the hardware of a vehicle (1), the hardware is configured by software, and wherein the vehicle function is provided by the hardware when the hardware is configured according to a release configuration, characterized in that - a user (2) of the vehicle (1) logs into a central computing device (3) with a user account; - the user (2) links his wallet (4) to the user account; - the central computing device (3) initiates the minting of an NFT, whereby the release configuration is assigned to the NFT as a digital asset; - the central computing device (3) ensures that when an event occurs, the NFT is assigned to the wallet (4) of the user (2); - the central computing device (3) reads the NFTs stored in the wallet (4); and - the central computing device (3) obtains the respective release configurations for NFTs stored in the wallet (4) and transmits them to the vehicle (1).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a vehicle-related event.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central computing device (3) causes the minting of the NFT at a first point in time prior to the occurrence of the event and causes the assignment of the NFT to the wallet (4) of the user (2) at a later second point in time after the occurrence of the event.

4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central computing device (3) initiates the minting of the NFT and the assignment of the NFT to the wallet (4) of the user (2) upon the occurrence of the event.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the vehicle (1) collects vehicle information and transmits it to the central computing device (3), the central computing device (3) compares the vehicle information with at least one condition, whereupon the central computing device (3) recognizes the occurrence of the event as soon as at least one piece of vehicle information fulfills the condition.

6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least the assignment of the NFT to a wallet (4), in particular the minting and assignment of the NFT, is triggered by a hybrid smart contract, wherein the vehicle (1) and / or a service provider collects vehicle information and transmits it to a blockchain oracle (5), wherein the blockchain oracle (5) transfers the vehicle information to the hybrid smart contract, and wherein the hybrid smart contract comprises at least one condition which describes when the event occurs depending on the vehicle information.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a vehicle information-specific devaluation condition is assigned to the NFT during minting, in particular via a hybrid smart contract, after the arrival of which the hardware of the vehicle (1) is reconfigured from the release configuration into a configuration deviating therefrom, in particular into a standard configuration.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the vehicle (1) and / or a service provider collects vehicle information and transmits it to a blockchain oracle (5), wherein the blockchain oracle (5) transfers the vehicle information to the hybrid smart contract, wherein the Invalidation condition additionally stipulates that the NFT will be invalidated once the invalidation condition is met.

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the central computing device (3) maintains a database with at least two digital goods and decides, depending on a boundary condition, which of the digital goods is assigned to the NFT.

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized by one of the following boundary conditions: - a vehicle equipment; and / or - the current value of at least one vehicle information item.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that digital goods are assigned an exclusivity level and digital goods are grouped according to their exclusivity level.

12. Information technology system comprising a central computing device (3) and a vehicle (1), characterized in that the central computing device (3) and the vehicle (1) are configured to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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