Device for granting permission to control vehicle and method of driving the same

A device for granting permission to control a vehicle includes: a communication unit; and a controller transmitting a request through the communication unit to a telematics (TM) center to provide a specific service related to the vehicle and sharing information about a location of the vehicle with a specific service provider that provides the specific service. Upon receiving a request for permission to control the vehicle from the specific service provider, the controller grants permission to control the vehicle to the specific service provider in exchange for providing the specific service.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0120547, filed on Sep. 21, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to vehicular control technology, and more particularly, to a device for granting permission to control a vehicle and a method of driving the same.

Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, permission to control a vehicle is given only to a person with a vehicle key. However, it can be inconvenient or difficult for the person with a vehicle key to control the vehicle. Therefore, research has been conducted to develop efficient vehicle control techniques in consideration of user convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to a device for granting permission to control a vehicle and a method of driving the same that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a device for differently setting vehicle control permission according to a service type and a service provider.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a device for granting permission to control a vehicle includes: a communication unit; and a controller transmitting a request through the communication unit to a telematics (TM) center to provide a specific service related to the vehicle and sharing information about a location of the vehicle with a specific service provider that provides the specific service. Upon receiving a request for permission to control the vehicle from the specific service provider, the controller grants permission to control the vehicle to the specific service provider in exchange for providing the specific service.

Furthermore, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a device for granting permission to control a vehicle includes: transmitting, by a controller, a request through a communication unit to a telematics (TM) center to provide a specific service related to the vehicle; sharing, by the controller, information about a location of the vehicle with a specific service provider that provides the specific service; and upon receiving a request for permission to control the vehicle from the specific service provider, granting, by the controller, permission to control the vehicle to the specific service provider in exchange for providing the specific service.

Furthermore, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a service-providing device includes: a device communication unit; and a device controller receiving a request through the device communication unit from a permission-granting device to provide a specific service related to a vehicle and providing the specific service to the vehicle in response to the received request. The device controller receives information about a location of the vehicle through the device communication unit from the permission-granting device.

Furthermore, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a control system installed in a vehicle includes: a vehicle communication module communicating with at least one of a telematics (TM) center, a permission-granting device, and an authentication center; and a vehicle controller performing control such that, upon input of a vehicle control command from the authentication center, an operation corresponding to the vehicle control command is performed for performing a specific service related to the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, devices, systems, and methods to which embodiments of the present disclosure are applied will be described in detailed with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1schematically illustrates a service system1000for performing vehicle control to provide a vehicle related service according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

A permission-granting device100may request that a telematics (TM) center200provide a specific service related to a vehicle500. For example, the permission-granting device100may request that the TM center200provide a specific service for keeping a package to be received by the owner of the permission-granting device100in the vehicle500. That is, if it is difficult for a user, who is the owner of the permission-granting device100and simultaneously the owner of the vehicle500, to directly receive a package, the permission-granting device100may request that the TM center200provide a service for keeping the package in the vehicle500.

The TM center200requests that a specific service provider400, for example, a delivery company, keep the package in the vehicle500. After a delivery person who belongs to the specific service provider400arrives at the vehicle500, the delivery person may request that the TM center200(or an authentication center) open the trunk of the vehicle500. Upon receiving a request to open the trunk of the vehicle500from the TM center200, the permission-granting device100may grant permission to open the trunk of the vehicle500to the TM center200.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating detailed elements of a service system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

A permission-granting device100may control a vehicle500. The permission-granting device100may control the vehicle500through a vehicle communication module510included in the vehicle500. The permission-granting device100may control the vehicle500so as to perform, for example, door control, tailgate control, remote start, remote air conditioning, and/or remote parking of the vehicle500. The permission-granting device100may control the vehicle500even without the key of the vehicle500.

In this case, the permission-granting device100may directly control the vehicle500or may cause a smart key (not shown) to control the vehicle500through communication with the smart key. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto.

The permission-granting device100may be driven by a rightful user thereof. Since the user should be a person who is capable of lawfully using the permission-granting device100, an authentication procedure may be additionally demanded in order for the permission-granting device100to control the vehicle500.

The permission-granting device100may grant a specific device permission to control the vehicle500. For example, the permission-granting device100may grant a specific device permission to control the vehicle500for the purpose of services such as, for example, car wash, refueling, valet parking, receipt of a package, car sharing, maintenance, and designated driving.

In particular, the permission-granting device100may differently set a vehicle control permission range according to a service type and a service provider. The above-described permission-granting device100may be a mobile terminal and may include a device communication unit110, a device controller120, and a vehicle controller130.

The device communication unit110includes a module for mobile communication and may receive a general mobile communication service. The device communication unit110may communicate with a TM center200, an authentication center600, the vehicle500, a service provider400, or a service-providing device300.

The vehicle controller130is a module for controlling the vehicle500and may remotely control the vehicle500. For example, the vehicle controller130may perform door control, tailgate control, remote start, remote air conditioning, remote parking, or the like, of the vehicle500.

The device controller120is a module for controlling overall operation of the permission-granting device100and may request that the TM center200provide a vehicle related specific service through the device communication unit110. In this case, although the device controller120may directly request that the service provider400provide the vehicle related specific service, the device controller120may request that the TM center200provide the specific service in order to stably receive the service.

The TM center200may communicate with the permission-granting device100and, when necessary, control the vehicle500at the request of the permission-granting device100. The TM center200may include a center communication unit210, a remote vehicle controller220, and a service provider database (DB).

The center communication unit210is a module necessary for communication with the permission-granting device100, the service provider400, the service-providing device300, and the vehicle500.

The remote vehicle controller220is a module for controlling the vehicle500at the request of the permission-granting device100.

The service provider DB230is a DB in which information about a service provider is stored and stores information about a service provider capable of providing a specific service upon receiving a request for the specific service from the remote vehicle controller220.

Information about at least one service provider may be registered in the TM center200by the service provider400. In addition, the TM center400may manage the service provider400. For example, the TM center200may receive a service quality score, a customer response score, etc. of the service provider400from various routes (e.g., a permission-granting device, a social network service (SNS), etc.) and when there is a request for a specific service from the permission-granting device100, the TM center200may provide information about the service provider400to the permission-granting device100based on a distance to the vehicle500and the received information about service quality etc.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the TM center200may provide only a quality score and review information of the service provider400to the permission-granting device100so that the permission-granting device100selects the specific service provider400. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

Upon receiving a request for a specific service from the permission-granting device100, the TM center200may request that the service provider400capable of performing the specific service transmit information as to whether to accept the service request, information about a time at which the service can be provided, and information about a person who is to perform the service.

The TM center200may provide information about a service provider capable of providing a specific service to the permission-granting device100. In this case, the TM center200may provide the information to the permission-granting device100through the authentication center600.

Specifically, the TM center200may provide information about a time at which a service can be provided and service confirmation information to the authentication center600and the permission-granting device100may receive a service through authentication with the authentication center600. The authentication center600may approve a service charge while performing authentication with the permission-granting device100. In this case, the permission-granting device100may select one of at least one service provider.

The permission-granting device100may transmit information about the location of the vehicle500at which a service is desired to be provided to the TM center200. The permission-granting device100may store the location of the vehicle500or receive the information about the location of the vehicle500through communication with the vehicle500. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

Upon receiving a final service request from the permission-granting device100, the service provider400may request that the service-providing device300provide a service. The service provider400may include a provider communication unit410and a schedule manager420. The schedule manager420may manage at least one service-providing device300and perform scheduling so that a specific service may be performed at a specific time.

Upon reaching the vehicle500in order to perform a specific service at a specific time, the service-providing device300may request that the service provider400, the TM center200, the authentication center600, and the permission-granting device100grant specific permission corresponding to the specific service. In this case, the service-providing device300may request that the authentication center600activate a component of the vehicle, such as drive the horn of the vehicle500or flicker the lights of the vehicle500, in order to easily search for the vehicle500.

If the service-providing device300requests that the authentication center600grant permission, the authentication center600may perform authentication together with the permission-granting device100and grant permission corresponding to a specific service to control the vehicle500to the service-providing device300.

The vehicle500may include a vehicle communication module510, a location information receiver520, a vehicle controller530, and a vehicle control module540.

The vehicle communication module510is a module needed for communication with the permission-granting device100, the TM center200, and the service-providing device300.

The location information receiver520is a module for receiving information about the location of the vehicle500.

The vehicle controller530is a module for controlling the vehicle control module540corresponding to a specific service.

The TM center200may be configured by a big data server but the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the permission-granting device100may designate a threshold time and a threshold region range for providing a service and, if a service is performed out of the threshold time and the threshold range, the permission-granting device100may automatically and remotely control the vehicle500. For example, the permission-granting device100may stop the vehicle500while reducing the speed of the vehicle500, deactivate start of the vehicle500, or close the doors of the vehicle500. In addition, the vehicle500may automatically transmit information about the location thereof to the permission-granting device100and the TM center200.

In addition, if a service provision time and range automatically reach the threshold time and range, control of the vehicle500may be automatically performed.

Hereinafter, driving of the service system1000according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

FIG. 3illustrates a permission-granting device for selecting a service provider.

A permission-granting device100requests that a TM center200provide a specific service. Then, the TM center200may provide information about registered service providers300-1,300-2, . . . to the permission-granting device100.

In this case, the permission-granting device100may receive information about a time at which a service can be provided and information about a service provider from the service providers300-1,300-2, . . . .

FIG. 4illustrates the state in which a service-providing device300has received information about a vehicle from a TM center200.

The service-providing device300may receive a vehicle number, information about the location of the vehicle, and information about a service request time and may further receive additional information to easily search for the vehicle.

The service-providing device300may further include a user interface for requesting that the TM center200ring a horn360A of the vehicle, open a trunk360B or flicker lights360C of the vehicle in order to easily search for the vehicle.

FIG. 5illustrates a procedure of granting permission to control a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

First, a service-providing device300may request that a permission-granting device100perform vehicle control corresponding to a specific service. For example, the service-providing device300may transmits a trunk opening command370B.

If the permission-granting device100permits opening of a trunk, the trunk of a vehicle may be opened.

A vehicle control range390may be displayed on a user interface of the service-providing device300.

FIG. 6illustrates the state in which a vehicle related service has been provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

First, if provision of a specific service is ended, the service-providing device300may provide a message380A indicating that end of service provision and an additional message380A to a permission-granting device100.

Then the permission-granting device100may receive the message indicating end of service provision and an order sheet for a service charge. The permission-granting device100may also display an additional message180A received from the service-providing device300.

FIG. 7illustrates a vehicle control range corresponding to a service type related to a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the case of a home-to-home repair, fueling, designated driving, valet parking service, or the like, the permission-granting device100may grant permission to perform various operations, such as open and close vehicle doors, start a vehicle, share a current location of the vehicle, and perform location/time control to the service-providing device300.

In the case of a car wash or regular checkup (i.e., maintenance) service, the permission-granting device100may grant permission to open and close vehicle doors, share a current location of a vehicle, and perform location/time control to the service-providing device300.

In addition, in the case of a package receipt service, the permission-granting device100may grant permission to open and close a vehicle trunk, share a current location, and perform location/time control to the service-providing device300.

In the case of a car sharing or a sharing service between family members, the permission-granting device100may grant permission to, for example, open/close vehicle doors, open/close a vehicle trunk, start and drive a vehicle, share a current location, perform personal setting, or perform location/time control to the service-providing device300.

FIG. 8illustrates a sequence of driving a service system according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The permission-granting device100requests that a TM center200provide a specific service (S810A).

The TM center200searches for the service provider400to request that the service provider400provide the specific service (S810B). The service provider400requests that the service-providing device300provide the specific service (S810C).

The service-providing device300, the service provider400, and the TM center200sequentially accept the service request (S820A, S820B, and S820C).

In this case, the service provider400may provide information about time at which a service can be provided and information about a person who is to provide a service to the TM center200.

Next, the TM center200requests that the authentication center600transmit authentication for a time/service (S830A). The authentication center600performs an authentication procedure with the permission-granting device100(S830B and S830C). The permission-granting device100may transmit information about a requested service type and a requested service provision time.

The authentication center600may provide information about the location of a vehicle to the service-providing device300. The information about the location of the vehicle may include information about the location of the vehicle in a map, information about remote control of the horn of the vehicle, and information about remote control of light flickering of the vehicle. The service-providing device300may display information about a controllable range in the vehicle on a display (not shown).

If a service has been provided, the service-providing device300, the service provider400, and the TM center200sequentially transmit a message indicating that the service has been provided (S870A, S870B, and S870C).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, since a vehicle related service is safely provided without exchanging a vehicle key, user convenience and service efficiency can be improved. In addition, since a user simply makes a request for the vehicle related service online and receives the service, user convenience can be improved.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms than those set forth herein without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the present disclosure. The above detailed description is therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims and all changes coming within the equivalency range of the disclosed embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure.

The method according to the above-described embodiments may be implemented as a computer-executable program that can be recorded in a computer-readable medium. Examples of the computer-readable medium include a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Compact Disc (CD)-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage, and the like. The computer-readable recording medium can be distributed over a computer system connected to a network so that computer-readable code is written thereto and executed therefrom in a decentralized manner. Functional programs, code, and code segments needed to realize the above-described method can be easily derived by programmers skilled in the art.