Vehicle Telematics Authorization via Mobile Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle-based services, particularly in motorcycles, are difficult to operate due to the complexity of integrating and using telematics and information services, which require a telematics control unit with a mobile phone connection, making them cumbersome and user-unfriendly.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a mobile unit to communicate with a vehicle unit and a service unit via different communication interfaces, such as Bluetooth and mobile radio, to simplify the activation and usage of services, ensuring authorization is managed through the vehicle unit, allowing services to be used only in proximity to the vehicle or for a limited time after separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a telematics control unit with mobile phone connection is integrated in the vehicle, then vehicle-based services can be provided, but the operation becomes complex and user-unfriendly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle-based services. The mobile device communicates with the telematics control unit via Bluetooth, serving as a mediator that simplifies user interaction. Users interact with familiar mobile device interfaces rather than complex vehicle systems, while the telematics control unit handles service activation and vehicle-specific functions in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If services are activated through a customer portal requiring special equipment purchase, then service authorization is controlled, but the activation process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthorization controlVSAvoidservice activation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the telematics control unit with service activation capabilities and authorization mechanisms. The mobile device is pre-paired with the vehicle's telematics system via Bluetooth, and service subscriptions are pre-authorized through the customer portal. When a user wants to activate a service, the system already has the necessary authorization frameworks in place, requiring only simple user confirmation rather than complex portal navigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the vehicle unit is permanently installed in the motorcycle, then service authorization is ensured, but mobile access to services is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthorization assuranceVSAvoidmobile accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The telematics control unit is designed with multi-functionality to support both vehicle-bound operations and mobile access. It can authenticate services based on vehicle presence (via Bluetooth connection to the mobile device) while also supporting authorized mobile-only access for subscribed services. The system universally handles both scenarios through a unified authorization framework that checks service subscriptions and vehicle proximity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3632146B1Method, system, computer program and computer program product for performing a vehicle-based service
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3632146B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3632146B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method for performing a vehicle-based service by means of a mobile unit involves the mobile unit being used to send first request data to a vehicle unit. The vehicle unit is used to send second request data to a service unit on the basis of the first request data. The service unit is used to send authorisation data to the vehicle unit on the basis of the second request data. The vehicle unit is used to send the authorisation data to the mobile unit on the basis of the authorisation data. The mobile unit is used to communicate with the service unit on the basis of the authorisation data to perform the service.