DE102014204762A1 - Telematic system, telematics unit and method for remote control or influencing of vehicle functions and for recording vehicle data - Google Patents

Abstract

Among other things, the invention provides a telematics unit provided for retrofitting in a vehicle, for example by means of an OBD2 interface, which is configured or configurable by means of a configuration modality of the telematics unit for vehicle-type-specific communication via at least one vehicle bus of the vehicle, and a telematics system for remote control or influencing Vehicle functions of at least one vehicle and for detecting vehicle data of the at least one vehicle by a wireless communication network, comprising a telematics center and at least one retrofitted with such a telematics vehicle.

Description

• – eine mit dem drahtlosen Kommunikationsnetz in Kommunikationsverbindung stehende Telematikzentrale;
• – wenigstens ein Fahrzeug, welches mit einer der Telematikzentrale zugeordneten Telematikeinheit ausgestattet ist, die dafür ausgeführt ist, mittels einer Drahtlos-Kommunikationseinheit über das drahtlose Kommunikationsnetz mit der Telematikzentrale zu kommunizieren, und die dafür ausgeführt ist, mittels einer Fahrzeugbus-Kommunikationseinheit über wenigstens einen Fahrzeugbus mit wenigstens einem an dem Fahrzeugbus angeschlossenen Gerät des Fahrzeugs zu kommunizieren; wobei die Telematikeinheit dafür ausgeführt ist, mittels der Fahrzeugbus-Kommunikationseinheit über den wenigstens einen Fahrzeugbus erste Fahrzeug-Nachrichten von wenigstens einem an dem Fahrzeugbus angeschlossenen Gerät des Fahrzeugs zu empfangen und auf Grundlage der empfangenen ersten Fahrzeug-Nachrichten erzeugte erste Telematik-Nachrichten vermittels der Drahtlos-Kommunikationseinheit an die Telematikzentrale zu senden, und dafür ausgeführt ist, mittels der Drahtlos-Kommunikationseinheit von der Telematikzentrale zweite Telematik-Nachrichten zu empfangen und auf Grundlage der empfangenen zweiten Telematik-Nachrichten erzeugte zweite Fahrzeug-Nachrichten vermittels der Fahrzeugbus-Kommunikationseinheit über den wenigstens einen Fahrzeugbus zu senden und so auf wenigstens ein an diesen angeschlossenes Gerät des Fahrzeugs einzuwirken, um wenigstens eine Fahrzeugfunktion auszulösen, zu beeinflussen, zu blockieren oder freizugeben oder/und wenigstens eine erste Fahrzeug-Nachricht anzufordern.

The invention relates to a telematics system for the remote control or influencing of vehicle functions of at least one vehicle and for detecting vehicle data of the at least one vehicle via a wireless communication network, comprising:

• A telematics center in communication with the wireless communication network;
• At least one vehicle which is equipped with a telematics unit associated with the telematics center, which is designed to communicate with the telematics center via a wireless communication unit via the wireless communication network and which is designed to do this by means of a vehicle bus communication unit via at least one vehicle bus to communicate with at least one device of the vehicle connected to the vehicle bus; wherein the telematics unit is adapted to receive by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one vehicle bus first vehicle messages from at least one connected to the vehicle bus device of the vehicle and based on the received first vehicle messages generated first telematics messages by means of the wireless Communication unit to send to the telematics center, and is adapted to receive by means of the wireless communication unit from the telematics central second telematics messages and based on the received second telematics messages generated second vehicle messages by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one To transmit vehicle bus and act on at least one connected to this device of the vehicle to trigger at least one vehicle function, influence, block or release and / or at least a first vehicle Nachr Not to be requested.

Such telematics systems are now realized by various car manufacturers in connection with at least higher-class cars, for example, to provide assistance services, and such telematics units can be purchased at least as optional equipment ex works as part of new vehicles. Thus, for example, the triggering of a car alarm system can be reported to an assistance center, which then informs a holder about the triggering of an alarm. Also, for example, the vehicle can be opened by the assistance center by means of a remote control, the driver should have accidentally locked his key in the vehicle. Various other functions are known in the art in which a telematics unit of a vehicle interacts with a telematics center in the manner indicated, such as to assist a keeper or driver.

Among the given to the addressed telematics system general technical teaching and a known solution according to DE 10 2012 101 836 A1 be subsumable. In the known solution, a "mobile-based additional electronic immobilizer with door opener with theft alarm" is integrated in a vehicle by installing additional components in the vehicle. From a responsive as a "telematics center", a "server background system" comprehensive unit can be unlocked by mobile phone, the vehicle and the additional immobilizer disabled or vice versa, the vehicle is closed and the additional immobilizer activated. For acting on a central locking system of the vehicle, the immobilizer has an interface, for example to the CAN bus of the vehicle. In particular, an ODB2 interface can be used in this context. Thus, also activities in the vehicle are detectable, which can trigger a theft alarm, if these activities are detected despite activated immobilizer. A corresponding alarm signal can also be sent by mobile radio to the telematics center.

In the context of an application in a care sharing concept, the disclosure suggests that the customer, when standing in front of the vehicle, sends a text message to the "server background system" of the telematics center or another connection to the server with a mobile device Background system for the server background system to control the immobilizer via wireless to disable the immobilizer function in the vehicle and the driver's door is opened, in response to a test of the customer with respect to the vehicle to be rented.

A disadvantage of the known solution is that special components must be installed in the vehicle to realize the immobilizer function. What adjustments to respective components to be installed in order to make them suitable for a particular vehicle type, is not discussed in the publication. In addition to the "immobilizer" to be identified as a "telematics unit", a so-called "smart relay" and additionally a "wireless relay" are installed in the respective vehicle. Essential functions of the known solution are thus based on a plurality of components which are separate from the actual vehicle and subsequently installed, on the other hand, there is less interaction with already existing components of the vehicle itself.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a telematics system of the type referred to that can be used reasonably universally independent of a respective vehicle type, for example in connection with a rental car or car sharing concept.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a telematics system of the type referred to, which enables a simple inclusion of additional vehicles in the telematics system with little effort in terms of the telematics units to be provided. In particular, a respective telematics unit should simply be retrofittable in a vehicle.

To solve at least one of these tasks, it is proposed for the addressed telematics system that the telematics unit be retrofitted using a given vehicle bus interface of the vehicle in the vehicle and comprehensive by means of a configuration functionality of the telematics unit for a vehicle type-specific first vehicle messages and vehicle-type-specific second vehicle messages vehicle type specific communication is configured via the at least one vehicle bus.

According to the invention, the telematics unit is configured or configurable for a vehicle-type-specific first vehicle message and vehicle-type-specific second vehicle message comprising comprehensive vehicle-type-specific communication via the at least one vehicle bus. Thus, the same telematics unit can be used in connection with vehicles of different types and manufacturers.

Accordingly, the invention also provides a telematics system which is characterized by a plurality of vehicles of different vehicle types whose telematics units are configured differently depending on the vehicle type for the communication over the respective at least one vehicle bus.

Preferably, a reconfiguration of a respective telematics unit is possible. Thus, a telematics system is provided in which the telematics unit or a respective telematics unit can be retrofitted there from the given vehicle bus interface of the vehicle or the respective vehicle and retrofitted there in another vehicle of another vehicle type using a corresponding predefined vehicle bus interface and by means of Configuration functionality of the telematics unit for a vehicle type specific other first vehicle messages and vehicle type specific other second vehicle messages comprehensive other vehicle type specific communication on the at least one vehicle bus of this other vehicle is reconfigurable.

The invention also provides a telematics unit as such, for a telematics system according to the invention. For this purpose, it is proposed that the telematics unit can be retrofitted into this by using a given vehicle bus interface of a vehicle and that it is designed to communicate by means of a wireless communication unit via a wireless communication network with an assigned telematics center, and is designed for this purpose by means of a vehicle bus system. Communicate communication unit via at least one vehicle bus of the vehicle with at least one connected to the vehicle bus device of the vehicle; wherein the telematics unit by means of a configuration functionality of the telematics unit for a vehicle-type-specific first vehicle messages and vehicle type-specific second vehicle messages comprehensive vehicle type-specific communication via the at least one vehicle bus of the vehicle is configurable by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one vehicle bus first vehicle messages to receive at least one device of the vehicle connected to the vehicle bus and to transmit second vehicle messages by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one vehicle bus and thus act on at least one connected to the device of the vehicle to trigger at least one vehicle function to influence to block or release and / or to request at least a first vehicle message; wherein the telematics unit is further configured to transmit first telematics messages generated based on the received first vehicle messages to the telematics center via the wireless communication unit and second vehicle messages based on second telematics received from the telematics center by the wireless communication unit To generate messages.

Suitably, the telematics unit can be executed with an orb-determining unit, for example a satellite-supported ort-determining unit (for example a GPS unit), in order to be able to determine a current position of the vehicle and to transmit corresponding position data to the telematics center.

According to a preferred embodiment of the telematics system as well as the Telematics unit is the configuration functionality is a self-configuration functionality. For this purpose, it is concretely proposed that the self-configuration functionality determine the vehicle type of the vehicle to be retrofitted with the telematics unit by means of at least one preferably vehicle-type-specific first vehicle message and / or at least one preferably vehicle-type-unspecific second vehicle message and based on the predetermined vehicle-type-specific associated with the particular vehicle type Configuration data, the self-configuration for the vehicle type-specific first vehicle messages and vehicle type-specific second vehicle messages comprehensive vehicle type-specific communication via the at least one vehicle bus of the retrofitted with the telematics vehicle.

It is so a very simple and safe, requiring little or no human intervention automatic configuration of the telematics unit with respect to a particular vehicle allows, which is particularly advantageous for applications with vehicle fleets comprising vehicles of different types and allows high efficiency. The high level of efficiency thus enabled is particularly significant in vehicle fleets where there are regular vehicle accesses and vehicle departures, as is normally the case with the motor vehicle fleet of a car rental company that is relevant to the market.

It is preferably provided that the telematics unit is designed or configured to read out or call up the vehicle-type-specific configuration data from a database of the telematics system in the course of the self-configuration. In this context, it is primarily thought that the vehicle type-specific configuration data is stored in a database of the telematics center and the self-configuration functionality includes a download function for downloading the predetermined vehicle type-specific configuration data assigned to the particular vehicle type via the wireless communication network by means of the wireless communication unit.

For example, the vehicle type-specific configuration data may include a vehicle-type-specific firmware for the telematics unit, which can be installed therein by means of an installation functionality of the telematics unit. The firmware may, for example, comprise a so-called "state machine" which, on the other hand, converts between commands or messages of communication between the telematics center and the telematics unit and commands or communications messages via the at least one vehicle bus between the telematics unit and a respective device at the bus transmits first vehicle messages to first telematics messages and transmits second telematics messages to second vehicle messages. It is thus possible for a vehicle-type-specific firmware or a vehicle-type-specific state machine (in particular CAN protocol state machine) to be loaded or installed from the database as a function of the envisaged vehicle with respect to which the telematics unit is to be configured by the self-configuration functionality.

Today's vehicles often have a gateway ("vehicle bus gateway") coupling a plurality of vehicle bus sections or / and a plurality of vehicle buses. The telematics unit according to the invention can be provided by means of its vehicle bus communication unit via a vehicle bus gateway which couples a plurality of vehicle bus sections and / or a plurality of vehicle buses to the at least one device of the vehicle (generally several devices which are connected to the vehicle) Bus are connected) to communicate. In this context, it is specifically contemplated that the vehicle bus gateway couples a diagnostic bus having the predetermined vehicle bus interface to at least one vehicle bus to which at least one device, preferably a plurality of devices of the vehicle is / are connected, with which the telematics unit first and / or second vehicle messages can communicate. For example, the telematics unit may be connected to the diagnostic bus using a so-called OBD2 interface.

In connection with the vehicle bus gateway is proposed as very particularly preferred that the telematics unit is executed or configured or configurable to activate by means of the vehicle bus communication unit, the vehicle bus gateway from an idle state to take an activation state and / or by repeated actions keep the vehicle bus gateway in the activation state by means of the vehicle bus communication unit. It is thus made possible that the telematics unit can always fulfill its function since the activation state required for this is produced or obtained.

In a further development, it is proposed that the telematics unit be designed or configured or configured to permanently hold the vehicle bus gateway in the activation state by repeated actions on the vehicle bus gateway by means of the vehicle bus communication unit, even when the vehicle is parked and locked to provide a power supply for the Telematics unit via a connection assigned to the vehicle bus interface, in particular OBD2 connection to maintain. In fact, in some vehicles it is the case that electrical power for the power supply of the telematics unit is only available via the connection to which the telematics unit is connected when the vehicle bus gateway is in the activation state. According to the refinement proposal, it is proposed for such vehicles that even when the vehicle is parked and locked, the power supply is maintained by maintaining the activation state of the gateway, so that the telematics unit does not require an energy storage, such as a rechargeable battery. Whether such a hold of the gateway is required in the activation state depends on the vehicle type and the provision of the corresponding functionality is then a vehicle type-dependent corresponding configuration or self-configuration of the telematics unit with respect to such a vehicle. If electrical power is available via the interface, such as the OBD2 connection, regardless of the state of the vehicle bus gateway, a corresponding "wake-up" of the gateway is not necessarily required. It should also not be excluded that the telematics unit is designed with an electrical energy storage, so that could be completely dispensed with such functionality.

It is generally proposed that the telematics unit be designed or configured or configured to monitor the vehicle for an occurrence of at least one predefined vehicle event via the vehicle bus interface of the vehicle and a predefined one associated with the occurred vehicle event in the event of occurrence of the or a predefined vehicle event Execute routine that includes sending at least one second vehicle messages via the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one vehicle bus and / or sending at least a first telematics messages by means of the wireless communication unit to the telematics center.

Furthermore, it is generally proposed that the telematics unit be designed or configured or configured to execute a predefined routine associated with the received telematics message in the event of receipt of at least one predefined second telematics message from the telematics center, transmitting at least one second vehicle message by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one vehicle bus and / or a transmission of at least one first telematics message by means of the wireless communication unit to the telematics center.

At least one such predefined routine initiated by a vehicle event and / or a second telematics message may include retrieving data or parameters or statuses from the vehicle via the at least one vehicle bus and transmitting data representative of that information to the telematics center ,

The telematics unit is preferably designed or configured or configured to lock the vehicle by acting on at least one central locking of the vehicle via the vehicle bus and to unlock the vehicle by stopping the central locking or by re-acting on the central locking.

Alternatively or - preferably - it is additionally proposed that the telematics unit be designed or configured or configured to block starting of the vehicle or driving away of the vehicle by acting on at least one device of the vehicle via the vehicle bus and by stopping the action on the at least one a device or by re-acting on the at least one device to enable the starting or driving away of the vehicle. It can be achieved without the need for a later-to-install immobilizer high security against misuse or stealing of a corresponding vehicle.

In this context, it is especially thought that the action on at least one device of the vehicle via the vehicle bus to block the starting or driving away is a vehicle-type-specific action on the device for which the telematics unit is configured or configurable vehicle-specific by means of the configuration functionality. Further, it is preferably provided that the device of the vehicle, which is to act to block the starting or driving away, selected from several vehicle-accessible devices vehicle type specific, for which the telematics unit is configured by the configuration functionality vehicle type specific or configurable. Depending on the vehicle type or manufacturer, namely, different devices of a vehicle offer to realize a corresponding "start disable" or "immobilizer" of the vehicle, and appropriate devices must typically be addressed by vehicle type specific, possibly manufacturer-specific commands over the bus, if necessary also with the necessity of specifying a specific access code.

A preferred realization of the telematics system is characterized in that at least one communication unit having a another device is included or can be included in the telematics system, which is designed or configured or configured to communicate by means of its communication unit via a communication network with the telematics center. For this purpose, it is specifically proposed that by means of the further device, the telematics center can be electronically instructed to send at least one predefined second telematics message to the telematics unit of the vehicle or a specific vehicle from several vehicles belonging to the telematics system.

For this purpose, it is further proposed that by means of the further device the telematics center can be electronically instructed to lock the vehicle by sending at least one second telematics message provided for this purpose and / or to block the starting or driving away of the vehicle.

It is also proposed for this purpose that by means of the further device, the telematics center is instructed by electronic means to unlock the vehicle by sending at least one second telematics message provided for this purpose and / or to release the starting or driving away of the vehicle.

A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized in that at least one mobile device having a wireless communication unit is included or included as another device in the telematics system, which is designed or configured or configurable by means of its wireless communication unit via the wireless communication network with the telematics center to communicate. The mobile device may be implemented or configured or configurable to send third telematics messages to the telematics center via its wireless communication unit and / or receive fourth telematics messages from the telematics center.

In a further development, it is proposed that the telematics center is configured to receive at least one predefined third telematics message from the or a respective mobile device at least one predefined second telematics message to the telematics unit of the vehicle or a mobile device according to assignment data or / and to send identification data of the telematics system, in particular according to assignment data and / or identification data of the telematics center assigned vehicle from several vehicles associated with the telematics system. It can be specifically provided in this context that by sending at least one provided for this purpose third telematics message from the mobile device to the telematics center the vehicle lockable and / or starting or driving away the vehicle is blockable and / or that by sending at least one provided for this third Telematics message from the mobile device to the telematics center the vehicle unlocked and / or the starting or driving away of the vehicle is releasable.

In general, it is proposed in this context that a mobile device included or to be included in the telematics system can be included or included in the telematics system by loading data associated with the telematics center and / or by sending data associated with the mobile device and that based on identification data on pages of the telematics system and / or on the basis of identification data on the mobile device side, the mobile device is assigned or can be assigned to a specific vehicle from a plurality of vehicles associated with the telematics system. In principle, any mobile device that meets a minimum standard of equipment that is generally implemented today can be included in the telematics system. Any mobile device that can be labeled as a "smartphone" and any mobile computer (netbook, laptop or the like) and any tablet device can in principle be included in the telematics system in this way.

For example, it may be provided that the mobile device is included or can be included in the telematics system by means of a browser of the mobile device and by means of a webpage assigned to the telematics system. A particularly preferred possibility is that the mobile device by loading a software application (possibly called "App") on the mobile device or loading a web application in the browser of the mobile device in the telematics system included or can be included.

Based on the inclusion of the mobile device in the telematics system, various functionalities can be provided. Thus, it can be provided that by means of the webpage or by means of the software application or web application, a vehicle of the telematics system for use of the telematics center is requestable or reservable or / and one of several offered by the telematics center for use vehicles for use selectable , Further, it is proposed that for a requested or reserved or selected vehicle assignment data or / and identification data on the part of the telematics center and / or on the part of the mobile device can be stored, which assign this vehicle to the mobile device.

In this way, special scenarios for renting / reserving a vehicle or selecting a vehicle can be found electronic ways to realize vehicle rental concepts and car sharing concepts effectively.

Accordingly, the invention generally provides a system comprising a telematics system according to the invention according to the invention explained above and the associated further development proposals. The system comprises at least one functionality based on the telematics system comprising at least one of a vehicle fleet management functionality, a vehicle provisioning functionality, a vehicle reservation functionality, a vehicle request functionality and a vehicle provisioning cost, or / and a possibly the telematics center comprehensive or cooperating with this center is designed based on received from the telematics central first telematics messages at least one of vehicle availabilities, vehicle leases, vehicle leasing times, vehicle use times, traveled kilometers, vehicle positions or To record and / or covered routes and, if desired, allocate resulting costs to a respective clearing account and, if desired, electronically by means of a credit card encase debit, direct debit or the like.

The invention further provides a method of providing and / or reserving and / or requesting and / or hiring a vehicle and / or management of a fleet of vehicles and / or costs associated with charging one or more vehicles through use a telematics system according to the invention or a system according to the invention is characterized.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures based on embodiments.

1 is a schematic diagram showing typical bus systems of a modern motor vehicle and their coupling by means of a gateway.

2 demonstrates how to use the diagram of 1 provided diagnostic bus for coupling a retrofitted telematics unit is available.

3 1 schematically shows a telematics system based on such retrofitted telematics units, with a telematics center, one or more vehicles retrofitted with a telematics unit and at least one (usually several) at least temporarily included in the telematics mobile device.

4 shows a plug scheme of an OBD2 or OBDII diagnostic socket ISO 15031-3 / SAE J1962 , about which the telematics unit after the 2 and 3 can be connected to the diagnostic bus of the vehicle bus system.

5 shows by way of example a flow chart of a first or subsequent initialization of a telematics unit with respect to a specific vehicle, by which the telematics unit is configured vehicle-specific.

6 shows an example of a procedure for activating a vehicle backup function after a vehicle use.

7 shows an example of a procedure for renting or utilization overload and vehicle opening, so that the vehicle can be used by a user.

8th shows by way of example the sequence of a status message to the telematics center.

1 shows typical bus systems of a modern passenger car that enable on-board communication between various control devices of a vehicle. The illustration is from a textbook by the authors Werner Zimmermann, Ralf Schmidtgall with the title "Bus Systems in Automotive Engineering, Protocols, Standards and Software Architecture" taken. It will be on the 4th Edition 2011 of the book published by Vieweg + Teubner, on Figure 1.1 on page 1 ,

An on-board configuration between ECUs within a vehicle via a data network (a bus system) was introduced around 1990 with the standardized CAN bus. Due to the increasing complexity and increasing data volume, today's new vehicles typically have a plurality of interconnected bus systems (networks), which are coupled via a gateway. By means of this gateway, off-board systems such as workshop testers, exhaust gas testers and the like can be connected to the bus systems of the vehicle by means of a diagnostic bus, which is typically equipped with an OBD2 interface.

Certain parameters and data, especially emissions-related parameters, can be read out standardized across manufacturers using a standardized OBD2 diagnostic protocol via the OBD2 interface. The physical interface used is typically the K-line or the CAN-bus (cf. 4 ).

The vehicle manufacturers also use the OBD2 interface for their own purposes. Thus, specific diagnostic protocols of the manufacturer enable a diagnosis of various vehicle functions or functions of various components of the vehicle connected to the bus system. Also, various devices connected to the bus system can be configured via the diagnostic bus, by setting parameters and the like. In this case, manufacturer-specific and possibly even vehicle-type-specific protocols are used. With regard to certain functions or devices, special access codes are often required in order to be able to access a respective device, in particular for configuration or manipulation with regard to a specific function.

So-called OBD2 dongles are offered, which typically display via Bluetooth or Wifi various vehicle data which are read out via the diagnostic bus on a mobile device of a motor vehicle driver. To a certain extent, the control of vehicle functions via such an OBD2 dongle is also possible for some vehicle types, for example for locking and unlocking a vehicle central locking system. There are also OBD2 dongles with GPS functionality and integrated mobile module. The company Mobile Devices (cf. www.mobile-devices.com ) offers a "C4 OBD2 dongle" designated OBD2 dongle, which is to be used, inter alia, for telematics applications and both can be operated with predetermined applications as well as freely programmable based on a special operating system for their own applications.

A problem of all such prior art solutions is that a vehicle type independent use of such OBD2 dongle is only very limited, namely only insofar as that between different manufacturers or vehicle types standardized CAN bus protocols can be used. For some types of vehicles proprietary protocols have become known, so that by means of an appropriate software on a wirelessly connected to a suitable OBD2 dongle mobile device (especially smartphone) to some extent outside the standardization OBD information can be read via the diagnostic bus or vehicle functions but only in relation to such a particular vehicle type for which appropriate information about the protocol is available. On the diagnostic bus of another vehicle type with a different vehicle-specific CAN bus protocol, such an OBD2 dongle does not work in conjunction with the software or only with respect to manufacturer-independent standardized information and functions.

Conventional OBD2 dongle are therefore far from being able to provide such telematics functions that could be provided by a vehicle manufacturer himself by means of an on-board telematics unit and which are in fact already provided by vehicle manufacturers, at least for higher-class vehicles, especially to the driver or driver To provide assistance to assistance.

In contrast, the invention provides a telematics unit provided for retrofitting, for example by means of the OBD2 interface, which is configured or configurable by means of a configuration functionality of the telematics unit for vehicle-type-specific communication via the vehicle bus or the vehicle buses, so that a corresponding telematics unit can be used independently of the vehicle type and via the manufacturer-independent or cross-vehicle standardization can also interact with devices on the vehicle bus. 2 illustrates a corresponding retrofit of the bus system of 1 vehicle having a corresponding telematics unit, which has a GSM and / or UMTS and / or LTE data communication unit and preferably also a location determination unit (in particular GPS unit). It is mainly thought that the telematics unit to the addressed OBD2 diagnostic socket of the vehicle (see. 4 ) is connected to interact via the diagnostic bus and, if present, the gateway of the vehicle with devices on the various buses of the vehicle.

At least one such vehicle, usually several such vehicles, possibly a whole fleet of such vehicles, may be associated with a telematics center to provide a telematics system for remotely controlling or influencing vehicle functions of at least one vehicle and capturing vehicle data of the at least one vehicle via a wireless Communication network (in particular mobile communication system) to form, as in 3 illustrated. In such a telematics system other devices can be included, for example, mobile devices that communicate with the telematics center, possibly wirelessly, such as a mobile communication system, especially by means of a GSM and / or UMTS and / or LTE unit and the mediation of the Telematics center with an associated vehicle by means of its retrofitted telematics unit can interact.

• – Die Zentralverriegelung des Fahrzeugs wird über entsprechende Steuersignale auf der Schnittstelle, an der die Telematikeinheit angeschlossen ist (insbesondere der OBD2-CAN-Schnittstelle) angesteuert, zum Öffnen und Schließen des Fahrzeugs, auf Basis einer Fernsteuerung durch die Telematikzentrale über die Drahtlos-Kommunikationseinheit (insbesondere GSM/UMTS/LTE-Einheit) der Telematikeinheit.
• – Die Telematikeinheit stellt in Bezug auf das jeweilige Fahrzeug eine Diebstahlsicherungsfunktion bereit, die ebenfalls im Wege der Fernsteuerung durch die Telematikzentrale aktiviert und deaktiviert wird. Es kommt in Betracht, eine spezielle elektronische Wegfahrsperre nachzurüsten, wie dies an sich aus DE 10 2012 101 836 A1 bekannt ist. Demgegenüber ist es aber bevorzugt, über die Schnittstelle, an die die Telematikeinheit angeschlossen ist, auf vorhandene Geräte des Fahrzeugs zuzugreifen und auf diese so einzuwirken bzw. diese so zu manipulieren, dass im Falle der aktivierten Diebstahlsicherungsfunktion das Starten oder Wegfahren des Fahrzeugs blockiert ist.
• – Es werden vermittels der Telematikeinheit relevante Daten des Fahrzeugs, z. B. der Kilometerstand, der Tankfüllstand, Wartungsmeldungen, Fehlermeldungen, Zustände spezieller Geräte oder Einrichtungen des Fahrzeugs (etwa der Zentralverriegelung) usw., die an der Schnittstelle, an der die Telematikeinheit angeschlossen ist, bereitgestellt werden oder abgerufen werden können, an die Telematikzentrale übermittelt. Auf Basis solcher übermittelter Daten kann beispielsweise eine Fahrzeugnutzung abgerechnet werden. Beispielsweise kann die Telematikeinheit auf bestimmte Fahrzeugzustände oder Zustandsänderung des Fahrzeugs ansprechen und entsprechende Daten an die Telematikzentrale übermitteln, beispielsweise bei jedem Starten des Fahrzeugs, also wenn die Zündung in den Zustand „an” gebracht wird, oder/und bei jedem Ausschalten des Fahrzeugs, also wenn die Zündung in den Zustand „aus” gebracht wird. Ferner kann die Telematikeinheit auf andere vordefinierte Ereignisse ansprechen, beispielsweise auf auf einen Unfall hinweisende Ereignisse, wie etwa Auslösen eines Airbags oder/und eines Gurtstraffers und Ähnliches. Die Telematikeinheit kann einen lokalen Pufferspeicher aufweisen, um zu sendende Daten zu sammeln bzw. die Daten im Falle einer Kommunikationsunterbrechung vorzuhalten, bis wieder die Datenkommunikation mit der Telematikzentrale möglich ist.
• – Die Telematikeinheit weist eine Konfigurationsfunktionalität, insbesondere Selbstkonfigurationsfunktionalität auf, durch welche die Telematikeinheit in Bezug auf ein jeweiliges Fahrzeug fahrzeugtypabhängig konfigurierbar ist, so dass ein jeweiliges Modul einigermaßen universell für Fahrzeuge diversen Fahrzeugtyps verwendbar ist. Vorzugsweise ist die Selbstkonfigurationsfunktionalität so ausgeführt, dass eine Telematikeinheit einfach aus einem Fahrzeug eines ersten Typs von der Schnittstelle abgenommen und an der Schnittstelle eines zweiten Fahrzeugtyps angeschlossen werden kann und die Umkonfiguration vom Fahrzeug des ersten Typs auf das Fahrzeug des zweiten Typs völlig automatisch erfolgt. Genauso ist es bevorzugt, dass eine noch nicht auf ein bestimmtes Fahrzeug vorkonfigurierte Telematikeinheit einfach an der Schnittstelle eines betreffenden Fahrzeugs angeschlossen werden kann und dass dann die Konfiguration in Bezug auf dieses Fahrzeug vollautomatisch erfolgt.
• – Bevorzugt bezieht die Telematikeinheit bei einer solchen Selbstkonfiguration die entsprechenden Konfigurationsdaten mittels ihrer Drahtlos-Kommunikations-Einheit von der Telematikzentrale, die eine entsprechende Datenbank mit Konfigurationsdaten für alle unterstützten Fahrzeugtypen umfassen kann.
• – Diese Konfigurationsdaten beinhalten jeweils eine Bibliothek fahrzeugtypspezifischer Fahrzeugkommandos (jeweils für jeden unterstützten Fahrzeughersteller und jede unterstützte Fahrzeugbaureihe).
• – Bei den Konfigurationsdaten kann es sich um eine fahrzeugtypspezifische Firmware für die Telematikeinhiet handeln, und die Umsetzung von Befehlen der Telematikzentrale an die Telematikeinheit auf fahrzeugtypspezifische Befehle an Geräte des Fahrzeugs über den Bus des Fahrzeugs und die Umsetzung von über den Bus ausgelesenen und erhaltenen, ggf. fahrzeugtypspezifischen Daten zu an die Telematikzentrale zu übermittelnde Daten kann mittels einer so genannten „Statemachine” erfolgen, die fahrzeugtypspezifisch ist und vorzugsweise durch die Firmware realisiert ist. Alternativ kann man auch vorsehen, dass eine universelle, also fahrzeugtypunabhängige Firmware verwendet wird und die fahrzeugtypspezifischen Konfigurationsdaten eine Statemachine oder eine Protokollumsetzerfunktionalität der Firmware in Bezug auf einen bestimmten Fahrzeugtyp konfigurieren.
• – Die Telematikeinheit kann eine Wachhaltefunktionalität zum Halten eines Fahrzeug-Gateways, über welches die Telematikeinheit an wenigstens einem Fahrzeugbus angeschlossen ist, in einem Aktivierungszustand aufweisen, beispielsweise um eine Energieversorgung für das Telematikmodul aufrecht zu erhalten. Hierzu können spezielle Befehle oder Impulse in definierten zeitlichen Abständen an das Gateway bzw. über das Gateway gesendet werden. Ist die Energieversorgung des Telematikmoduls an der Schnittstelle unabhängig von dem Zustand des Gateways, so mag man vorsehen, dass das Gateway nur bedarfsweise aktiviert wird und dann im Aktivierungszustand gehalten wird (soweit überhaupt nötig). Die Telematikeinheit sollte auch in Bezug auf diese Funktionen auf die angesprochenen Weise konfigurierbar sein, nämlich fahrzeugtypspezifisch konfigurierbar sein. Angemerkt sei, dass die Angabe „fahrzeugtypspezifisch” stets auch „herstellespezifisch” impliziert.

Such a retrofitted telematics unit preferably provides at least one, preferably several, most preferably all of the following functions:

• - The central locking of the vehicle is controlled via corresponding control signals on the interface to which the telematics unit is connected (in particular the OBD2 CAN interface), for opening and closing the vehicle, based on remote control by the telematics center via the wireless communication unit ( in particular GSM / UMTS / LTE unit) of the telematics unit.
• - The telematics unit provides with respect to the respective vehicle an anti-theft function, which is also activated and deactivated by remote control by the telematics center. It is possible to retrofit a special electronic immobilizer, as it is in itself DE 10 2012 101 836 A1 is known. In contrast, it is preferable to access via the interface to which the telematics unit is connected to existing devices of the vehicle and to act on them or to manipulate them so that in the case of activated anti-theft function starting or driving away of the vehicle is blocked.
• There are by means of the telematics unit relevant data of the vehicle, eg. As the mileage, the tank level, maintenance messages, error messages, conditions of special equipment or facilities of the vehicle (such as the central locking), etc., which are provided at the interface to which the telematics unit is connected, or can be accessed, transmitted to the telematics center , On the basis of such transmitted data, for example, a vehicle usage can be billed. For example, the telematics unit can respond to certain vehicle states or state change of the vehicle and transmit corresponding data to the telematics center, for example every time the vehicle is started, ie when the ignition is switched to "on", and / or every time the vehicle is switched off, ie when the ignition is turned off. Further, the telematics unit may respond to other predefined events, such as events indicative of an accident, such as deployment of an airbag and / or a belt tensioner, and the like. The telematics unit can have a local buffer memory in order to collect data to be sent or to keep the data available in the event of a communication interruption until the data communication with the telematics center is again possible.
• The telematics unit has a configuration functionality, in particular a self-configuration functionality, by means of which the telematics unit is vehicle-type-dependent configurable with respect to a respective vehicle, so that a respective module can be used reasonably universally for vehicles of various vehicle types. Preferably, the self-configuration functionality is implemented so that a telematics unit can be easily detached from a vehicle of the first type from the interface and connected to the interface of a second vehicle type and the reconfiguration from the vehicle of the first type to the vehicle of the second type is completely automatic. It is equally preferable that a telematics unit not yet preconfigured to a specific vehicle can be simply connected to the interface of a respective vehicle and that then the configuration with respect to this vehicle takes place fully automatically.
• In such a self-configuration, the telematics unit preferably obtains the corresponding configuration data by means of its wireless communication unit from the telematics center, which may include a corresponding database with configuration data for all supported vehicle types.
• - These configuration data each contain a library of vehicle type-specific vehicle commands (for each supported vehicle manufacturer and each supported vehicle series).
• - The configuration data may be a vehicle-specific firmware for Telematikeinhiet act, and the implementation of commands from the telematics center to the telematics unit on vehicle type-specific commands to devices of the vehicle via the bus of the vehicle and the implementation of read on the bus and received, if necessary Vehicle-type-specific data for data to be transmitted to the telematics center can take place by means of a so-called "state machine" which is vehicle-type-specific and is preferably implemented by the firmware. Alternatively, one can also provide that a universal, so vehicle type independent firmware is used and the vehicle type-specific configuration data configure a state machine or a protocol converter functionality of the firmware with respect to a specific vehicle type.
• The telematics unit can have a wake-up functionality for holding a vehicle gateway, via which the telematics unit is connected to at least one vehicle bus, in an activation state, for example in order to maintain a power supply for the telematics module. For this purpose, special commands or pulses can be sent at defined time intervals to the gateway or via the gateway. If the power supply of the telematics module at the interface is independent of the state of the gateway, then it may be provided that the gateway is only activated as needed and then in Activation state is held (if necessary). The telematics unit should also be configurable in terms of these functions in the manner described, namely be vehicle type-specific configurable. It should be noted that the indication "vehicle type-specific" always implies "manufacturer-specific".

The telematics system according to the invention with the telematics control center, a vehicle fleet equipped with retrofitted telematics units and, if necessary, other devices included, in particular mobile devices of potential vehicle users, can be used suitably in a rental car concept or car sharing concept. The preferably realized self-configuration functionality of a respective telematics unit makes it possible to involve new vehicles in the vehicle fleet without great effort and to remove old vehicles from the vehicle fleet.

Corresponding scenarios and processes are described below by way of example with reference to the diagrams of 5 to 8th explained.

The diagram of 5 represents a first or subsequent initialization of a telematics unit with respect to a particular vehicle.

In step S10, the telematics unit is connected to the intended interface of the relevant vehicle, in particular on the (OBD2 port) (OBDII port).

In step S12, the telematics unit automatically reads out the vehicle identification number (VIN) via the vehicle's bus.

In step S14, the telematics unit sets up a wireless communication connection, in particular a TCP / IP connection, by means of its wireless communication unit to the telematics center and transmits the vehicle identification number.

In step S16, the telematics center determines the target firmware for the telematics unit with respect to this vehicle and transmits corresponding information data to the telematics unit.

In step S18, the telematics unit automatically downloads the target firmware by means of its wireless communication unit from the telematics center, for example according to the file transfer protocol (FTP) or, preferably, to the more secure FTPS protocol.

The flowchart of 6 is based on a car rental concept and represents the activation of a vehicle backup function, so that the vehicle is locked and an anti-theft device is activated.

Typically, in step S30, an employee of the car rental company will park the vehicle in a car rental car park. In a car-sharing concept, however, the last user of the vehicle could instead park it at a suitable location, either at a public parking lot or at a parking space assigned to the car-sharing concept. Step S30 may therefore also refer to the last vehicle user or in general to any person performing the parking.

If the vehicle is parked, in step S32 the vehicle lock command is given by the employee or other user or other person performing the parking, preferably by means of a wireless device used for example with a software application for that purpose Is provided. The information of step S32 is only an example.

As a result of this command, in step S34, the telematics center issues the commands "lock vehicle" and "anti-theft activation" to the telematics unit of the respective vehicle, which in step S36 from the telematics unit by means of their wireless communication unit (in particular GSM / UMTS / LTE unit ) receives.

As a result of these commands, the telematics unit firstly carries out a dialog via the vehicle bus with a corresponding device, in particular the central locking, in step S38 in order to lock the vehicle. The locking of the vehicle according to this dialogue is performed in step S40.

In step S42, the telematics unit via the vehicle bus to another on a dialogue with at least one, preferably vehicle type specific selected device to activate an anti-theft function. The activation of the anti-theft function according to this dialog is performed in step S44. After locking or after the activation of the anti-theft device, the current status of the central locking as well as the anti-theft function can be reported to the telematics center, for example in a step S46. The status of the central locking and / or the anti-theft function can also be queried at any time by the telematics center, as well as other vehicle conditions and data of the vehicle.

An exemplary procedure when renting or generally assuming the use of a vehicle is in 7 shown.

It is preferably provided that a customer uses a mobile device with a software application or app in order to take over a specific vehicle already assigned to it for use. The customer will typically take the vehicle to a parking space and, for example, actuate an "open button" in the software application or app of the mobile device (step S60).

As a result of this operation, the software application or the app sends a corresponding message to the telematics center, whereupon it sends in step S62 a signal to the telematics unit of the vehicle in question, which receives them by means of their wireless communication unit. As a result of this signal, the telematics unit establishes a communication connection to the telematics center in step S64 by means of its wireless communication unit, and the telematics unit then receives at least one command to open the door as well as to deactivate the anti-theft device from the telematics center on the basis of the telematics center in step S66. Instead of a signal requesting the establishment of the communication connection, the telematics center could immediately send to the telematics unit the at least one command to be issued in a corresponding command message to the telematics unit.

In step S68, the telematics unit then performs a dialogue with the central locking device via the vehicle bus in order to unlock the vehicle. The unlocking of the vehicle takes place in step S70. As additionally mentioned in step S70, the customer can also lock and unlock the vehicle again by means of his app or accomplish this by means of the usual operating elements or the vehicle key deposited, for example, in the vehicle.

In step S72, the telematics unit via the vehicle bus performs a dialogue with at least one of the anti-theft function associated device to disable the anti-theft device. The anti-theft function is then deactivated in step S74. Due to the additional anti-theft function in addition to the normal locking of the vehicle, it is only possible in practice for the vehicle key to be deposited in the vehicle since, without the deactivation of the anti-theft control that can only be instructed by the telematics center, an unauthorized person does not drive the vehicle despite the vehicle key possibly being deposited therein can use.

Step S76 again provides a status message to the telematics center regarding the current state of the central locking and possibly also the anti-theft function, analogous to step S46 of FIG 6 ,

If a vehicle is taken over by a customer or user, status messages defined by the telematics unit are sent to the telematics centers, in particular as a function of certain status changes. Such is the example of 8th provided that the telematics unit in step S90 responds to a change in state "ignition off" on the vehicle bus and in step S92 as a result of this detection, a data packet from the vehicle bus read or requested by respective devices data and establishes a connection to the telematics center to this data in step S94 to the telematics center. The telematics center receives this data and updates a corresponding database in step S96. For example, vehicle usage-dependent vehicle costs can be billed and assigned to a user account or customer account.

• 1. Wenn noch nicht erfolgt, installiert der Kunde eine Softwareanwendung oder ein so genanntes App auf seinem mobilen Gerät (beispielsweise einem Smartphone).
• 2. Der Kunde registriert sich (wenn dies noch nicht erfolgt ist) mit allen notwendigen Daten für eine Mietvertragserstellung bei der Autovermietung, vorzugsweise mittels der Softwareanwendung bzw. der App. Notwendige Daten können die folgenden sein: Name, Adresse, Zahlungsinformationen, Führerscheinnummer, Log-In, Passwort, PIN für Fahrzeug-Öffnung).
• 3. Vorzugsweise erfolgt einmalig eine Legitimierung an einer Station des Autovermietungsunternehmen, insbesondere für die Überprüfung der Zahlungs- und Führerscheininformationen.
• 4. Der Kunde reserviert ein Fahrzeug über die App bzw. die Softwareanwendung.
• 5. Eine definierte Zeitspanne (beispielsweise 30 bis 60 Minuten) vor der geplanten Nutzung des Fahrzeugs durch den Kunden steht in der Softwareanwendung oder App wenigstens ein Fahrzeug als Angebot für den Kunden zur Verfügung. Vorzugsweise werden mehrere, beispielsweise 3 bis 4 Fahrzeuge zur Auswahl angeboten.
• 6. Der Kunde wählt ein Fahrzeug in der Softwareanwendung bzw. App aus, und entsprechende Auswahldaten werden mittels der Drahtlos-Kommunikations-Einheit des mobilen Geräts bzw. Smartphones an die Telematikzentrale übermittelt.
• 7. Die Telematikzentrale bzw. eine dieser übergeordnete Funktionalität eines Gesamtsystems der Autovermietungsfirma überprüft die Bonität des Kunden und erstellt einen Online-Mietvertrag, der an die Softwareanwendung bzw. App des Kunden übermittelt wird.
• 8. Dem Kunden wird in der App bzw. Softwareanwendung der Online-Mietvertrag angezeigt, den der Kunde vorzugsweise bestätigen muss, beispielsweise durch Eingeben seiner PIN.
• 9. Infolgedessen wird das ausgewählte Fahrzeug dem Kunden für die Nutzung zugeordnet und freigegeben, wofür ein „virtueller Schlüssel” an die Softwareanwendung bzw. App übersandt werden kann. Es reicht im Prinzip aber ein entsprechender Vermerk in einer Datenbank der Telematikzentrale aus, durch welchen eine Zuordnung dieses Fahrzeugs zu dem Kunden oder/und zu der Software-Anwendung bzw. App oder/und zu dem mobilen Gerät des Kunden angegeben wird.
• 10. Der Kunde betätigt die Funktion „Fahrzeug öffnen” in der App bzw. Softwareanwendung, wenn er am Fahrzeug steht.
• 11. Infolge der Betätigung der Funktion „Fahrzeug öffnen” übermittelt die Softwareanwendung bzw. App die Anforderung „Fahrzeug öffnen” an die Telematikzentrale mittels der Drahtlos-Telekommunikations-Einheit des Smartphones bzw. mobilen Geräts.
• 12. Die Telematikzentrale übermittelt infolge des Erhalt dieser Anforderung den Befehl „Fahrzeug öffnen” an die Telematikeinheit des Fahrzeugs, welcher im Falle der angesprochenen zusätzlichen Fahrzeug-Sicherung mittels einer Diebstahl-Sicherungsfunktion auch den Befehl „Deaktivieren der Diebstahlsicherung” beinhaltet.
• 13. Der Mieter kann nun seine Fahrt mit dem Fahrzeug beginnen.

The course of a car rental can be, for example, as follows:

• 1. If not yet done, the customer installs a software application or app on their mobile device (such as a smartphone).
• 2. The customer registers (if this has not already been done) with all necessary data for a rental agreement in the car rental, preferably by means of the software application or the app. Required data may include the following: name, address, payment information, driver's license number, log-in, password, vehicle opening PIN).
• 3. Preferably, a legitimization takes place once at a station of the car rental company, in particular for checking the payment and driver's license information.
• 4. The customer reserves a vehicle via the app or software application.
• 5. A defined period of time (eg, 30 to 60 minutes) prior to the customer's intended use of the vehicle, at least one vehicle is available as an offer to the customer in the software application or app. Preferably, several, for example, 3 to 4 vehicles offered for selection.
• 6. The customer selects a vehicle in the software application or app, and corresponding selection data are transmitted to the telematics center via the wireless communication unit of the mobile device or smartphone.
• 7. The telematics center or one of these higher-level functionality of a complete system of the car rental company checks the creditworthiness of the customer and creates an online rental agreement, the is transmitted to the software application or app of the customer.
• 8. The customer is shown in the app or software application, the online rental contract, the customer preferably has to confirm, for example, by entering his PIN.
• 9. As a result, the selected vehicle is assigned and released for use by the customer, for which a "virtual key" can be sent to the software application or app. In principle, however, a corresponding note in a database of the telematics center is sufficient, by means of which an assignment of this vehicle to the customer and / or to the software application or app and / or to the mobile device of the customer is specified.
• 10. The customer activates the "open vehicle" function in the app or software application when it is on the vehicle.
• 11. As a result of the activation of the "open vehicle" function, the software application or app transmits the request "open vehicle" to the telematics center by means of the wireless telecommunication unit of the smartphone or mobile device.
• 12. The telematics center transmitted as a result of receiving this request the command "vehicle open" to the telematics unit of the vehicle, which includes in the case of the mentioned additional vehicle backup by means of a theft-securing function and the command "disable the anti-theft device".
• 13. The renter can now begin his journey with the vehicle.

After the procedure explained above, it was assumed that the vehicle key is deposited in the vehicle. Of course, it is quite possible that the customer must first receive the vehicle key at a service counter or the like.

At the end of vehicle use, if the renter wishes to return the vehicle, a key return may occur as is conventional with vehicle rental companies. Thus, the key can be dispensed outside the vehicle, at a service counter or the like or by throwing in a key receptacle in the area of parking spaces of the rental company. This also applies if the key was deposited in the vehicle at the beginning of the rental. Alternatively, it is possible for the landlord to deposit the key in the vehicle when the vehicle is parked at the end of use. The locking of the vehicle doors can then be done by means of the app or software application.

A deposit of the vehicle key in the vehicle makes sense especially if the additional anti-theft function is realized. By keeping the key in the motor vehicle and providing the additional anti-theft function can also Car Sharing concepts realize advantageous that can then proceed in a similar manner as described above with respect to 5 to 8th and explained with reference to the above items 1 to 13. Instead of steps S30 and S32 of 6 Parking and locking of the vehicle will then generally be carried out by the user terminating the use of the vehicle.

• 1. Gateway aktivieren (wenn vorhanden und zur Zeit deaktiviert);
• 2. Bus-Adressen und Timings mit dem Gateways aushandeln;
• 3. Türsteuergerät aktivieren und permanent wachhalten;
• 4. Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit im Türsteuergerät messen (permanent);
• 5. Wenn Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit größer Schwellenwert, dann Kommunikation mit dem Türsteuergerät beenden;
• 6. Adresse für ein- oder mehrere definierte Steuergeräte (z. B. Kombiinstrument) und Bus-Timings aushandeln;
• 7. Instrumentenanzeige aktivieren;
• 8. Sensoren bezüglich gewünschter Parameter/Daten auslesen (z. B. Odometer/Kraftstoffstand)
• 9. Kommunikation zu Steuergerät bzw. Steuergeräten beenden.

For various functions that have to be fulfilled by a respective telematics unit, predefined processes or workflows are provided, which are at least partly or generally predominantly vehicle type-specific. An example of such a workflow involving vehicle communication regarding "door open" and "data query" functions and according to the vehicle type specific configuration of the telematics unit is the following, which is performed upon receiving the unlock command from the telematics unit:

• 1. Enable Gateway (if present and currently disabled);
• 2. negotiate bus addresses and timings with the gateways;
• 3. Activate door control unit and keep it permanently awake;
• 4. Measure the vehicle speed in the door control unit (permanently);
• 5. If vehicle speed is greater than threshold, then terminate communication with the door controller;
• 6. Negotiate address for one or more defined ECUs (eg instrument cluster) and bus timings;
• 7. Activate instrument display;
• 8. Read out sensors with regard to desired parameters / data (eg odometer / fuel level)
• 9. Terminate communication to control unit or control units.

It should be noted that it is assumed here that the relevant motor vehicle is a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline engine or diesel engine. In electrically driven vehicles, however, similar requirements arise, so that a telematics system according to the invention can also be implemented with a fleet of electric vehicles, with corresponding telematics units, which are then configured and / or configured in an electric vehicle type-specific manner. It may also include a mixed fleet of combustion-powered vehicles and electric vehicles for the telematics system.

Further such processes or workflows can be determined, for example, by certain State changes (ignition on and / or off), commands from the telematics center and certain other events are triggered. Thus, a sequence can be carried out at every occurrence of the "ignition off" state, which at least retrieves the following data via the vehicle bus: mileage, fuel level, status of central locking, and then transmits the corresponding information to the telematics center.

Other special processes can be provided for activating and deactivating the previously mentioned anti-theft function, with particular consideration being given to vehicle type-specific processes which interact vehicle-specific with certain devices on the bus.

To realize an anti-theft device in the sense of an immobilizer, which blocks the driving away or even starting the vehicle, offer a number of different control devices. Starting from an internal combustion engine, a control unit suitable for this purpose is, for example, the engine control unit, which can be manipulated so that the engine does not start, for example by regulating a fuel pressure regulating valve to zero pressure. Another possible option is to deactivate a fuel pump, which also stops the engine from starting.

It is also generally considered to set various parameters relevant to the proper operation of the engine to invalid values in order to prevent starting of the engine.

Also at another point of the vehicle are appropriate interventions or manipulations conceivable that prevent directly or indirectly starting the engine or at least driving away the vehicle. For example, the brakes of the vehicle can be acted upon so that they block the vehicle from driving away. The person skilled in the art will be able to check for each type of vehicle to be included in the telematics system by means of manual analysis of the devices accessible via the bus system as to whether a blockage of starting or driving the vehicle can be directly or indirectly accomplished by an action or manipulation. It is especially to think about indirect effects. So you could, for example, activate an ignition key trigger lock before the ignition key is ever plugged in, so that the insertion of the ignition key and thus starting the vehicle is prevented.

For some such actions or manipulations in question, a respective access code will be needed, which is not generally known, but only known to the vehicle manufacturer. A participation of the vehicle manufacturer, at least by providing appropriate access code information, may therefore be necessary in order to put into practice some of these approaches mentioned here or those which can be readily identified by the person skilled in the art for the realization of the anti-theft device. A car rental company that plays an important role in the market of car rental companies can be expected to provide the necessary information and support to any vehicle manufacturer requested to provide such information or even further assistance, due to the large purchasing power of such a car rental company. The technical feasibility of such approaches is therefore out of the question.

A telematics unit according to the invention is readily executable to those skilled in the art on the basis of known technology in connection with CAN bus systems, OBD2 interfaces and also OBD2 dongles. For example, it could be thought to realize a telematics unit according to the invention based on the freely programmable "C4 OBD2 dongle" of the provider Mobile Devices.

• – Integriertes GSM-Modul zur Kommunikation über das Mobilfunknetz (GSM, GPRS bzw. SMS, ggf. UMTS, ggf. LTE)
• – High Speed CAN Schnittstelle über den 10-Pin Konnektor
• – Spannungsversorgung (7...32 V) über den 10-Pin Konnektor
• – USB-Schnittstelle zur Administration des Gerätes vor Ort
• – robuster Konnektor für Spannungsversorgung und CAN-Anschluss
• – über Anschlusskabel direkt an der OBD2 Buchse anschließbar und betreibbar
• – e-Zulassung
• – R10 Zulassung

In any case, there are many possibilities for a person skilled in the art to carry out a telematics unit according to the invention. Preferably, the telematics unit comprises at least one, preferably more, most preferably all of the following hardware features / functions / characteristics:

• - Integrated GSM module for communication via the mobile network (GSM, GPRS or SMS, possibly UMTS, LTE if necessary)
• - High speed CAN interface via the 10-pin connector
• - Power supply (7 ... 32 V) via the 10-pin connector
• - USB interface for administration of the device on site
• - robust connector for power supply and CAN connection
• - connectable and operable via connecting cable directly to the OBD2 socket
• - e-approval
• - R10 approval

But you can run the telematics unit very useful with an integrated connector as a dongle that can be connected and operated without connecting cable with the connector directly to the OBD2 socket.

Among other things, the invention provides a telematics unit which is provided for retrofitting in a vehicle, for example by means of an OBD2 interface, which by means of a configuration modality of the telematics unit for a vehicle-type-specific communication via at least one vehicle bus of the vehicle is configured or configurable, and a telematics system for remote control or influencing vehicle functions of at least one vehicle and for detecting vehicle data of the at least one vehicle by a wireless communication network, comprising a telematics center and at least one retrofitted with such a telematics unit Vehicle.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102012101836 A1 [0003, 0056]

Cited non-patent literature

• ISO 15031-3 / SAE J1962 [0042]
• Werner Zimmermann, Ralf Schmidtgall with the title "Bus Systems in Automotive Engineering, Protocols, Standards and Software Architecture " [0047]
• 4th Edition 2011 of the book published by Vieweg + Teubner, on Figure 1.1 on page 1 [0047]
• www.mobile-devices.com [0051]

Claims (34)

Telematic system for remote control or influencing vehicle functions of at least one vehicle and for detecting vehicle data of the at least one vehicle via a wireless communication network, comprising: - a telematics center in communication with the wireless communication network; At least one vehicle which is equipped with a telematics unit associated with the telematics center, which is designed to communicate with the telematics center via a wireless communication unit via the wireless communication network and which is designed to do this by means of a vehicle bus communication unit via at least one vehicle bus to communicate with at least one device of the vehicle connected to the vehicle bus; wherein the telematics unit is adapted to receive by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one vehicle bus first vehicle messages from at least one connected to the vehicle bus device of the vehicle and based on the received first vehicle messages generated first telematics messages by means of the wireless Communication unit to send to the telematics center, and is adapted to receive by means of the wireless communication unit from the telematics central second telematics messages and based on the received second telematics messages generated second vehicle messages by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one To transmit vehicle bus and act on at least one connected to this device of the vehicle to trigger at least one vehicle function, influence, block or release and / or at least a first vehicle Nachr not to request; characterized in that the telematics unit is retrofitted using a given vehicle bus interface of the vehicle in the vehicle and is configured by means of a configuration functionality of the telematics unit for a vehicle type-specific first vehicle messages and vehicle type-specific second vehicle messages comprehensive vehicle type-specific communication via the at least one vehicle bus. Telematics system according to claim 1, characterized by a plurality of vehicles of different vehicle types, the telematics units are vehicle type dependent differently configured for communication via the respective at least one vehicle bus. Telematics system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the telematics unit or a respective telematics unit is removable from the given vehicle bus interface of the vehicle or the respective vehicle and retrofitted there in another vehicle of another vehicle type using a corresponding predetermined vehicle bus interface and by means of the configuration functionality of the telematics unit for a vehicle type specific other first vehicle messages and vehicle type specific other second vehicle messages comprehensive other vehicle type specific communication via the at least one vehicle bus of this other vehicle is reconfigurable. Telematics unit for a telematics system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the telematics unit is retrofittable using a given vehicle bus interface of a vehicle in this and is adapted to communicate by means of a wireless communication unit via a wireless communication network with an associated telematics center, and executed is to communicate with at least one connected to the vehicle bus device of the vehicle by means of a vehicle bus communication unit via at least one vehicle bus of the vehicle; wherein the telematics unit by means of a configuration functionality of the telematics unit for a vehicle-type-specific first vehicle messages and vehicle type-specific second vehicle messages comprehensive vehicle type-specific communication via the at least one vehicle bus of the vehicle is configurable by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one vehicle bus first vehicle messages to receive at least one device of the vehicle connected to the vehicle bus and to transmit second vehicle messages by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one vehicle bus and thus act on at least one connected to the device of the vehicle to trigger at least one vehicle function to influence to block or release and / or to request at least a first vehicle message; wherein the telematics unit is further configured to transmit first telematics messages generated based on the received first vehicle messages to the telematics center via the wireless communication unit and second vehicle messages based on second telematics received from the telematics center by the wireless communication unit To generate messages. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the Telematics unit has a location determination unit, possibly satellite-based location determination unit, such as a GPS unit, to determine a current position of the vehicle and to be able to transmit corresponding position data to the telematics center. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the configuration functionality is a self-configuration functionality by means of at least one preferably vehicle type unspecific first vehicle message and / or from at least one preferably vehicle type unspecific second vehicle message the vehicle type to be retrofitted with the telematics unit Vehicle determined and on the basis of predetermined vehicle type specific configuration data assigned to the specific vehicle type, the self-configuration for the vehicle type specific first vehicle messages and vehicle type specific second vehicle messages comprehensive vehicle type specific communication via the at least one vehicle bus of the retrofitted to the telematics vehicle. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the telematics unit is designed or configured to read or retrieve the vehicle type-specific configuration data from a database of the telematics system in the course of the self-configuration. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the vehicle-type-specific configuration data are stored in a database of the telematics center and the self-configuration functionality includes a downloading functionality for downloading the predetermined vehicle type associated with the specific vehicle type configuration data via the wireless communication network by means of the wireless communication unit. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the vehicle type-specific configuration data include a vehicle-specific firmware for the telematics unit, which can be installed by means of an installation functionality of the telematics unit in this. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the telematics unit is provided by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via a plurality of vehicle bus sections and / or a plurality of vehicle buses coupling vehicle bus gateway with the at least one device of the vehicle to communicate. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the vehicle bus gateway couples a diagnostic bus having the predetermined vehicle bus interface to at least one vehicle bus to which at least one device, preferably several devices of the vehicle is / are connected, with which the telematics unit first and / or second vehicle messages can communicate. Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the telematics unit is executed or configured or configurable to activate by means of the vehicle bus communication unit, the vehicle bus gateway from a sleep state to take an activation state and / or by repeated actions on the vehicle bus gateway by means of the vehicle bus communication unit to keep in the activation state. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the telematics unit is designed or configured or configurable to permanently hold the vehicle bus gateway in the activation state by repeated actions on the vehicle bus gateway by means of the vehicle bus communication unit by means of the vehicle bus communication unit parked and locked vehicle in order to maintain a power supply for the telematics unit via a vehicle bus interface associated port, in particular OBD2 port. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the telematics unit is executed or configured or configurable to monitor the vehicle on the vehicle bus interface of the vehicle to an occurrence of at least one predefined vehicle event and in the event of the occurrence of or one predefined vehicle event, a predefined routine associated with the occurred vehicle event, which is capable of transmitting at least one second vehicle message by means of the vehicle bus signal. Communication unit via the at least one vehicle bus and / or sending at least a first telematics messages by means of the wireless communication unit to the telematics center comprises. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the telematics unit is executed or configured or configurable to execute in the case of receiving at least one predefined second telematics message from the telematics center one of the received telematics message associated predefined routine, the Transmission of at least one second vehicle messages by means of the vehicle bus communication unit via the at least one vehicle bus and / or sending at least a first telematics messages by means of the wireless communication unit to the telematics center comprises. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the telematics unit is designed or configured or configurable by acting on at least one central locking of the vehicle via the vehicle bus to lock the vehicle and by stopping the action of the central locking or by re-acting on the central locking to unlock the vehicle. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the telematics unit is designed or configured or configured to block by acting on at least one device of the vehicle via the vehicle bus starting the vehicle or driving away the vehicle and by stopping the action on the at least one device or by re-acting on the at least one device to enable the starting or driving away of the vehicle. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the action on at least one device of the vehicle via the vehicle bus to block the starting or driving away is a vehicle type-specific action on the device for which the telematics unit is configured or configurable vehicle specific type by means of the configuration functionality. Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the device of the vehicle, which is to act to block the starting or driving away, is selected from several vehicle-accessible devices vehicle type specific, for which the telematics unit is configured by the configuration functionality vehicle type specific or configurable. Telematic system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one communication unit exhibiting further device is included or included in the telematics system, which is executed or configured or configurable to communicate by means of its communication unit via a communication network with the telematics center. Telematics system according to claim 20, characterized in that by means of the further device, the telematics center is electronically instructed to send at least one predefined second telematics message to the telematics unit of the vehicle or a particular vehicle from several vehicles associated with the telematics system. Telematic system according to claim 21, characterized in that by means of the further device, the telematics center is instructed by electronic means to lock the vehicle by sending at least one second telematics message provided for this and / or to block the starting or driving away of the vehicle. Telematic system according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that by means of the further device, the telematics center is instructed by electronic means to unlock the vehicle by sending at least one second telematics message provided for this purpose and / or release the starting or driving away of the vehicle. Telematics system according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that at least one wireless communication unit having a mobile device is included as a further device in the telematics system or can be included, which is executed or configured or configurable by means of its wireless communication unit via the wireless communication network to communicate with the telematics center. A telematics system according to claim 24, wherein the mobile device is configured or configured or configurable to send third telematics messages to the telematics center via its wireless communication unit and / or to receive fourth telematics messages from the telematics center. Telematics system according to claim 25, characterized in that the telematics center is configured to receive at least one predefined third telematics message from the or a respective mobile device at least one predefined second telematics message to the telematics unit of the vehicle or a mobile device concerned in accordance with assignment data or / and identification data of the telematics system, in particular according to assignment data and / or identification data of the telematics center assigned to the vehicle to be sent from several vehicles associated with the telematics system. Telematic system according to claim 26, characterized in that by sending at least one third telematics message intended for this purpose from the Mobile device to the telematics center the vehicle lockable and / or starting or driving away the vehicle is blocked and / or that by sending at least one provided for this third telematics message from the mobile device to the telematics center the vehicle unlocked and / or starting or driving away the vehicle is releasable. Telematic system according to one of Claims 24 to 27, characterized in that a mobile device included or to be included in the telematics system is included or can be included in the telematics system by loading data associated with the telematics center and / or by sending data associated with the mobile device and that Based on identification data on the part of the telematics system and / or on the basis of identification data on the part of the mobile device, the mobile device is assigned or can be assigned to a specific vehicle from a plurality of vehicles associated with the telematics system. Telematic system according to claim 28, characterized in that the mobile device by means of a browser of the mobile device and Ansurfen a telematics system associated web page in the telematics system is included or included. Telematic system according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the mobile device by loading a software application on the mobile device or loading a web application in the browser of the mobile device is included in the telematics system or included. Telematics system according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that by means of the webpage or by means of the software application or web application, a vehicle of the telematics system for use of the telematics center is requestable or reservable and / or one of several offered by the telematics center for use vehicles is selectable for use. Telematic system according to claim 31, characterized in that for a requested or reserved or selected vehicle assignment data or / and identification data on the part of the telematics center and / or on the part of the mobile device can be stored, which assign this vehicle to the mobile device. A system comprising a telematics system according to any one of claims 1 to 32 and having at least one telematics system based functionality comprising at least one of vehicle fleet management functionality, vehicle provisioning functionality, vehicle reservation functionality, vehicle requirements Functionality and a vehicle deployment costs and / or vehicle usage costs accounting functionality, wherein a possibly the telematics center comprehensive or cooperating with this center is designed based on received from the telematics first telematics messages at least one of vehicle availabilities, vehicle leases, To record vehicle leasing times, vehicle usage times, kilometers traveled, vehicle positions and / or distances covered and, if desired, allocate costs resulting therefrom to a respective clearing account and use them as a basis if necessary by electronic means through a credit card debit, direct debit or the like to collect. A method for providing and / or reserving and / or requesting and / or hiring a vehicle and / or for managing a fleet of vehicles and / or charging for a vehicle or multiple vehicles, characterized in that the method is a system according to any one of previous claims used.

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