PERSONALIZATION METHOD FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, AND A DATA RELEASE PROCEDURE FOR A BACKEND

Abstract

A personalization method for a motor vehicle and data release method. The motor vehicle includes at least the following components: an on-board computer; a human-machine interface; a vehicle-side data interface; and an access security device for recognizing physical or electronic vehicle-specific access authorization information. The personalization method includes a first step of recognizing, by the on-board computer using the access security device, the physical and/or electronic input of the vehicle-specific access authorization information. The method also includes a second step of retrieving and storing, by the on-board computer using the vehicle-side data interface, personal data of at least one user assigned to the motor vehicle. The second step is only carried out if in the first step the vehicle-specific access authorization information is recognized. The personalization method and data release method significantly simplify the personalization process in a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A personalization method for a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle comprises: an on-board computer; a human-machine interface; a vehicle-side data interface; and an access security means for recognizing physical or electronic vehicle-specific access authorization information, wherein the personalization method comprises at least the steps of: a. recognizing, by the on-board computer using the access security means, the physical and/or electronic input of the vehicle-specific access authorization information; and b. retrieving and storing, by the on-board computer using the vehicle-side data interface, personal data of at least one user assigned to the motor vehicle, wherein step b. is only carried out if in step a., the vehicle-specific access authorization information is recognized.

2. The personalization method according to claim 1, wherein step b. continues to be carried out only if a one-time access has also been entered via the human-machine interface of the motor vehicle in a step c.

3. The personalization method according to claim 2, wherein the one-time access is entered in step c.: by an authorized person; or by means of the on-board computer, wherein the on-board computer receives the one-time access by means of the vehicle-side data interface only if the vehicle-specific access information is recognized in step a.

4. The personalization method according to claim 1, wherein recognizing the vehicle-specific access authorization information in step a. is a sufficient condition for carrying out step b.

5. The personalization method according to claim 1, wherein the personal data of the at least one user of the motor vehicle comprises a user-specific security feature, wherein only upon input of the user-specific security feature into the human-machine interface and/or into an access authorization unit, which contains the vehicle-specific access authorization information, at least one of the following privileges is activated: (i) access to predetermined user information; (ii) a predetermined function of the motor vehicle; and (iii) release for external access to the motor vehicle and/or at least one portion of the user information.

6. A data release method for a backend including at least one processor, a memory device, and a backend-side data interface, wherein the data release method comprises at least the steps of: i. maintaining, by means of the memory device, a register of personal data of a plurality of users and of a plurality of motor vehicle identities; ii. assigning, by means of the processor, personal data from step i. to a respective motor vehicle identity; and iii. transmitting, by means of the backend-side data interface upon a retrieval by a motor vehicle with a motor vehicle identity, at least one portion of the associated personal data to the retrieving motor vehicle.

7. The data release method according to claim 6, wherein step iii. is carried out only if a one-time access has been transmitted via the backend-side data interface to the backend in a step iv.

8. The data release method according to claim 6, wherein the presence of the motor vehicle identity and/or the presence of physical and/or electronic vehicle-specific access authorization information is a sufficient condition for carrying out step iii.

9. The data release method of claim 6, wherein the personal data of the at least one user of the motor vehicle comprises a user-specific security feature, wherein only upon transmission of the user-specific security feature, at least one of the following privileges is transmitted or release for access to at least one of the following privileges is transmitted: (i) access to predetermined user information; (ii) a predetermined function of the motor vehicle; and (iii) release for external access to the motor vehicle and/or at least one portion of the user information.

10. A motor vehicle comprising: at least one drive wheel, at least one drive unit for driving the motor vehicle via the at least one drive wheel, an on-board computer, a human-machine interface, a vehicle-side data interface and an access security means, wherein, in communication with a backend, the motor vehicle is configured to: a. recognize, by the on-board computer using the access security means, a physical and/or electronic input of vehicle-specific access authorization information; and b. retrieve and store, by the on-board computer using the vehicle-side data interface, personal data of at least one user assigned to the motor vehicle, wherein step b. is only carried out if in step a., the vehicle-specific access authorization information is recognized.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0108] The invention described above is explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments, in light of the relevant technical background. The invention is not limited in any way by the purely schematic drawings, wherein it is noted that the drawings are not true to size and are not suitable for defining proportions. Shown are:

[0109] FIG. 1: a motor vehicle with an on-board computer; and

[0110] FIG. 2: a sequence diagram of a data release method and of a personalization method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0111] FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle 1 with an on-board computer 2 in a schematic plan view. In addition to the on-board computer 2, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a drive unit 15, designed in this embodiment as an internal combustion engine, wherein the drive unit 15 is connected in a torque-transmitting manner to at least one drive wheel 14 (here, for example, two drive wheels 14). Furthermore, the motor vehicle 1 comprises a human-machine interface 3, which is configured to interact with a person or an authorized person 8. Here, an access security means 5 is designed as a locking system with a radio antenna, wherein the radio antenna (or the associated locking system) is communicatively connected to the on-board computer 2 and is comprised by the motor vehicle 1. The radio antenna defines, with its range and/or orientation, a predetermined access area 16 (hatched here). Within the access area 16, the radio antenna is configured to recognize vehicle-specific access authorization information 6, which here by means of a (radio-enabled) access authorization unit 9, here outlined as a vehicle key. The recognition of the vehicle-specific access authorization information 6 is transmitted by means of a vehicle-side data interface 4 to a backend-side data interface 13 (configured for transmission). The vehicle-side data interface 4 is comprised by the motor vehicle 1, wherein the backend-side data interface 13 is comprised by a backend 10. In this example, the vehicle-side data interface 4 is shown as a USB stick for wired data transmission to the backend 10 for clarity. Preferably, the transmission is wireless via an antenna positioned on the exterior of the vehicle.

[0112] In addition to the backend-side data interface 13, the backend 10 comprises a memory device 12 and a processor 11, wherein the backend 10 is configured to carry out a data release method and the on-board computer 2 is configured to carry out a personalization method, as shown in FIG. 2, for example.

[0113] FIG. 2 shows a sequence diagram of a data release method and a personalization method, as they can be carried out on an on-board computer 2 or backend 10 according to FIG. 1 in their communications. In the following description, reference is made to the motor vehicle 1 and the backend 10 according to FIG. 1, and in this respect, reference is made to the description therein.

[0114] In step i. (of the data release method), personal data of a plurality of users 7 and a plurality of motor vehicle identities are stored or provided by means of the memory device 12. The respective motor vehicle identity of a plurality of motor vehicles 1 are already stored (separately from the user data in a sub-step i.′), for example in the course of final acceptance in production and/or delivery to a dealer or user. The motor vehicle identity comprises, for example, the biuniquely assignable vehicle identification number, the color of the motor vehicle 1 and any special equipment. The personal data have been collected (in a sub-step i.″) from a plurality of users 7 in a previous step or have already been known and/or stored from previous and/or conventional data release methods, for example at the conclusion of purchase of the motor vehicle 1 or upon registration within a manufacturer application for a mobile terminal. The personal data inter alia include, for example, the names of the users 7, the telephone contacts, payment details and the menu language of the infotainment system.

[0115] Subsequently to step i. of the data release method, the personal data from step i. are assigned to a respective motor vehicle identity in step ii. by means of a processor 11. For example, the already existing or newly stored personal data of the user from step i. are linked to the newly purchased motor vehicle 1 in such a way that when the personal data are retrieved, the motor vehicle identity can be biuniquely assigned.

[0116] In step a. (of the personalization method), the on-board computer 2 recognizes the vehicle-specific access authorization information 6 by means of the access security means 5 (e.g., comprising a radio antenna) in the predetermined access area 16. For example, (in this example), the authorized person 8 (alternatively the user 7) of the motor vehicle 1 moves into the predetermined access area 16 so that the vehicle-specific access authorization information 6 is transmitted by means of the radio antenna of the access security means 5 to the on-board computer 2 and recognized there, and it may also be necessary to press a button (e.g., to open at least one of the vehicle doors). The on-board computer 2 then compares the vehicle-specific access authorization information 6 to the access authorization already stored. If it is correct, the next step of the personalization method is carried out.

[0117] According to an optional embodiment, in step iv., a one-time access is transmitted to an authorized person 8 (alternatively the user 7) via the backend-side data interface 13. In the exemplary embodiment shown, in step iv., the one-time access to the on-board computer 2 of the motor vehicle 1 is entered via the human-machine interface 3 in a motor vehicle 1 by the authorized person 8 (in step c.) so that this one-time access has been transmitted to the backend 10 in step iv. via the back-end data interface 13. If the one-time access has been stored and verified in the backend 10, step iii. of the data release method is carried out so that at least one portion of the personal data is transmitted to the motor vehicle 1. Alternatively, the one-time access is transmitted to the on-board computer 2 and entered by the latter itself via the human-machine interface 3 (preferably in the background, without display for a user 7) or (in a different example) by bypassing the human-machine interface 3.

[0118] In step c., the one-time access is optionally entered (by hand) via the human-machine interface 3. For example, the one-time access is a user name and password, wherein the user name and password are shorter and easier than a one-time access from conventional personalization methods (e.g., last name and four-digit PIN). Due to the additional security, this simplification of the one-time access can be carried out by means of the vehicle-specific access authorization information 6. In the case of a plurality of users 7, in one embodiment, a user-specific input is necessary for the release to the backend 10 of only the corresponding user-specific personal data. It should be noted that the arrow associated with step c. also transmits that step a. has taken place and, in an alternative embodiment, solely transmits this information without step iv. and step c.

[0119] In step iii. (of the data release method), at least one portion of the personal data is transmitted to a motor vehicle 1 by means of a backend-side data interface 13 (in a sub-step iii.″), wherein the transmission takes place only if the motor vehicle 1 retrieves the personal data with the motor vehicle identity assigned to the personal data (as checked in a previous sub-step iii.′). In this exemplary embodiment, the personal data transmitted (in step b. of the personalization method described above) by means of the backend-side data interface 13 are received by means of the vehicle-side data interface 4.

[0120] If the vehicle-specific access authorization information 6 has been acquired by the on-board computer 2, personal data of at least one user 7 assigned to the motor vehicle 1 are retrieved by the on-board computer 2 from the backend 10 by means of the vehicle-side data interface 4 in step b., or vice versa are sent by the backend 10, and are stored in the on-board computer 2, or a portion of the personal data of at least one user 7 are retrieved and stored. The personal data inter alia include the names of the users 7 and the menu language of the infotainment system, for example.

[0121] In a subsequent (purely optional) sequence, an authorization is requested to output the stored personal data to a vehicle occupant, who does not have to be the user. This is indicated, for example, in form in a step d. by a human-machine interface 3 to the vehicle occupant. If the vehicle occupant is the user 7, the user is able to enter his/her user name and PIN (or biometric data) into the human-machine interface 3 in a step e. The on-board computer 2 checks the input in a step f. and, if entered correctly, releases the personal data (e.g., shows them on a display and/or, for example, activates personal navigation destinations) in a step g.

[0122] The personalization method and data release method significantly simplify the personalization process in a motor vehicle.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0123] 1 Motor vehicle [0124] 2 On-board computer [0125] 3 Human-machine interface [0126] 4 Vehicle-side data interface [0127] 5 Access security means [0128] 6 Access authorization information [0129] 7 User [0130] 8 Authorized person [0131] 9 Access authorization unit [0132] 10 Backend [0133] 11 Processor [0134] 12 Memory device [0135] 13 Backend-side data interface [0136] 14 Drive wheel [0137] 15 Drive unit [0138] 16 Access area