Vehicle Control Function Scope Management via Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for adapting the range of control functions in vehicles after purchase are labor-intensive and require significant manufacturer involvement, leading to vehicle downtime and inefficiencies, especially in response to changing customer needs or technological advancements.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a common database to activate, deactivate, or modify control functions across multiple vehicles, allowing end customers to independently adjust and expand control functions using license keys, without direct access or manufacturer development, through a centralized administrative authority with wireless communication, enabling remote and cost-effective management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control software is adapted through manufacturer involvement and workshop procedures, then control functions can be expanded or restricted according to customer needs, but this process requires high work input, vehicle downtime, and extensive manufacturer cooperation
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables customers to independently adapt control functions of their vehicles by accessing a database with control software adaptations and using license keys to activate desired functions, eliminating the need for workshop visits and manufacturer cooperation. The vehicle's control unit autonomously retrieves and activates the appropriate control software based on the license key.
Solution Approach 2:
A database serves as an intermediary between the manufacturer and the customer, storing pre-prepared control software adaptations. The customer can access this database independently to obtain and activate control functions without direct manufacturer involvement, thus reducing downtime and work input while maintaining adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If control functions are restricted using software in vehicles equipped with extensive hardware, then cost-effective production is achieved, but the customer cannot easily expand or restrict functions after purchasing the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the static control function configuration into a dynamic one by enabling customers to activate or deactivate control functions at any time after purchase using license keys. The control unit can adaptively change the active control software based on the license key, allowing flexible post-purchase adjustment while maintaining cost-effective production through standardized hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturer pre-preares multiple control software adaptations in the database before the customer purchases the vehicle. When the customer buys a license key, the appropriate control software is already available for immediate activation, enabling quick post-purchase adaptation without requiring time-consuming development work by the manufacturer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control software is adapted by the manufacturer to meet changing customer interests or technological advances, then additional control functions can be provided, but this involves high work input and extensive manufacturer cooperation
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturer performs the time-consuming control software adaptation work in advance and stores multiple pre-prepared adaptations in the database. When customers need additional control functions, they can immediately activate pre-adapted software using license keys, eliminating the need for real-time manufacturer involvement and significantly improving adaptation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating custom control software adaptations for each customer request, the system uses pre-prepared copies of control software adaptations stored in the database. Customers receive license keys that reference these pre-existing adaptations, allowing rapid deployment of additional control functions without repeating the manufacturer's development work.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) in which a plurality of control functions (102) are provided to various vehicles (10). For the vehicles (10), at least a portion of the provided (102) control functions are activated (104) for the purpose of operating the vehicle (10). Subsequently, a set of control functions active for the purpose of operating each of the vehicles (10) is controlled (106) based on information from a common database (12).