WO2018039977A1

WO2018039977A1 - Fingerprint apparatus and method for remote access to personal function profile for vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2018039977A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/097542
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Hermann BUCHER; Xiaojing Liu; Reinhard Goy; Philipp Kroell
Original assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2016-08-31
Filing date: 2016-08-31
Publication date: 2018-03-08
Also published as: CN109562740B; CN109562740A

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for a vehicle is provided which comprises: a touch panel configured to acquire fingerprint data of a user, a transceiver (104), and a controller (106) configured to, in response to receiving the fingerprint data of the user, transmit the fingerprint data of the user and a request for a preferred function profile of the user to a remote server (140) via the transceiver (104), and drive a corresponding function of the vehicle by using the preferred function profile of the user which is associate with the fingerprint data of the user, if the preferred function profile of the user is received from the remote server (140) via the transceiver (104). A method for remotely accessing a preferred function profile for a vehicle implemented at the vehicle side is also provided. With use of such apparatus and method, the user experiences may be improved.

Description

FINGERPRINT APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOTE ACCESS TO PERSONAL FUNCTION PROFILE FOR VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates in general to a fingerprint apparatus and method for remotely accessing a personalized/customized function profile for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, car pooling and special car service, such as Uber, Didi, etc. are more and more popular. Accordingly, a driver might frequently drive a plurality of vehicles which are not familiar to him. And in our daily life, a passenger might take a plurality of vehicles which are not familiar to him, such as in a taxi situation. Each time a person gets on a vehicle which is not familiar to him, it needs for the person to manually set the vehicle to make it to adapt to his driving habits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure aims to provide a fingerprint apparatus and method for a vehicle which remotely access a personalized/customized function profile. With use of such apparatus and method, the user experiences may be improved.

In accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for a vehicle is provided, characterized in comprising: a touch panel configured to acquire fingerprint data of a user, a transceiver, and a controller configured to, in response to receiving the fingerprint data of the user, transmit the fingerprint data of the user and a request for a preferred function profile of the user to a remote server via the transceiver, and drive a corresponding function of the vehicle by using the preferred function profile of the user which is associated with the fingerprint data of the user if the preferred function profile of the user is received from the remote server via the transceiver.

With use of the remote access to the preferred function profile of the user pre-stored in the remote server, the preferred function settings for a vehicle of the user may implemented across a plurality of different vehicles. For example, even if the user gets on a vehicle which is not familiar to him, he may retrieve his preferred function settings from the remote server and his preferred function settings may be implemented automatically on the vehicle. Thus, the user may get a home like feeling even if he or she gets on an unfamiliar vehicle.

Further, in a case wherein a touch panel is used for acquiring fingerprint data of a user, the input of the fingerprint data of the user may be easily and reliably achieved, and identification of the user may be achieved in an accurate, reliable, convenient, and low-cost way. What needs to do for the user is just putting a finger onto the fingerprint recognition touch panel.

In an example of the present embodiment, the touch panel may be integrally formed with a functional button of the vehicle. In this example, the touch panel may be integrally formed with a physical button arranged on an instrument panel of the vehicle. Alternatively, the touch panel may be integrally formed with an unlock button of an equipment for opening the door of the vehicle. In another example of the present embodiment, the touch panel may be arranged on an outer surface of body of the vehicle and act as an equipment for opening the door of the vehicle.

In a case wherein the fingerprint recognition touch panel is integrally with a functional button of the vehicle, to some extent, the preferred function settings may be implemented automatically without an extra action. In particular, at the same time when the function of the functional button is conducted by operating the button, the fingerprint recognition is completed and then a series of preferred function settings may be automatically implemented. The user experiences may be significantly improved.

In another example of the present embodiment, the preferred function profile of the user may comprise setting parameters for driving the corresponding function of the vehicle. In more particular, the preferred function profile of the user may comprise the setting parameters for driving at least one of a seat adjustment function, a rearview mirror adjustment function, a temperature control function, a humidity control function, and a fan speed control function of the vehicle.

The seat adjustment function, the rearview mirror adjustment function, and the like are the functions which are most likely to be set at the first time after a driver gets on a vehicle. With such functions being automatically set as desired by the user by using corresponding setting parameters, a series of manual operations may be avoided, and thus the user experiences may be improved.

In another example of the present embodiment, the touch panel may be further configured to acquire the preferred function profile of the user, and the controller may be further configured to pre-store the fingerprint data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user in an association manner into the remote server. Alternatively, the apparatus may further comprise a second touch panel, which is different from the above-mentioned touch panel, configured to acquire the preferred function profile of the user.

With provision of a pre-storing function, it is possible to personally customize a preferred function profile.

In another example of the present embodiment, an association relationship between the fingerprint data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user may be established at a second vehicle different from the vehicle or at a device that does not belong to the vehicle.

According to this example, once the above-mentioned association relationship is established at one vehicle or at one device, then such association relationship may be used across a plurality of different vehicles. The second vehicle may differ from the first vehicle in, for example, vehicle model, such a compact car, a SUV, a MPV, or the like.

In another example of the present embodiment, the transmitting and the driving are conducted at one-time in response to receiving the fingerprint data of the user.

According to this example, a series of troublesome settings may be automatically implemented with only one step, that is, the step of inputting the fingerprint data by the user. Thus, a series of troublesome function settings may be implemented in a user-friendly manner.

In another example of the present embodiment, the controller may be further configured to initiate an establishment of a new pair of the fingerprint data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user if a failure notification is received from the remote server.

According to this example, it is possible to improve an account platform maintained at the remote server side.

In accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for remotely accessing a preferred function profile for a vehicle implemented at the vehicle side is provided.

In accordance with further exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the apparatus at the vehicle side for remotely accessing a preferred function profile for a vehicle, which comprises a memory and a processor for performing corresponding method steps, is provided. And, a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform corresponding method steps, is provided.

Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the present disclosure. Note that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for remote access to a personal function profile for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for remotely accessing a personal function profile for a vehicle implemented at the vehicle side (i.e., the controller as shown in Fig. 1) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figs. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for remotely accessing a personal function profile for a vehicle implemented at the server side (i.e., the remote server as shown in Fig. 1) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a table, in which identification data of a user and a preferred function profile of the user are stored in an association manner, maintained by the remote server.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart showing a method of remotely accessing the personal function profile performed by the apparatus at the vehicle side in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 illustrates a flow chart showing a method of remotely accessing the personal function profile performed by the remote server in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates a general hardware environment wherein the present disclosure is applicable in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the described exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other exemplary embodiments, well known structures or process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the present disclosure.

The term “vehicle” used through the specification refers to a motor vehicle which comprises but is not limited to a car, a truck, a bus, or the like. The term “A or B” used through the specification refers to “A and B” and “A or B” rather than meaning that A and B are exclusive, unless otherwise specified.

Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a system 10 for remote access to a personal function profile for a vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 10 comprises an apparatus 100 for remote access to a personal function profile for a vehicle, which is positioned at or in proximity to the vehicle, a network 120, and a remote server 140 for managing the personal function profiles to be remotely accessed. The communications may be established between the apparatus 100 and the remote server 140 via the network 120. The network 120 may be a wireless network that can support the communications between the apparatus 100 and the remote server 140. For example, the network 120 may be a mobile communication network, such as a 3G or 4G network, e.g., a CDMA network, or may be a WLAN, such as a WIFI network. The remote server 140 may be a distributed system, which is maintained by a vehicle service provider. The remote server 140 may comprise a cloud drive.

The apparatus 100 for remote access to a personal function profile for a vehicle will be described in detail below. The apparatus 100 may comprise a user interface 102 configured to acquire identification data of a user and transmit it to a controller 106, a transceiver 104, and the controller 106. The controller 106 may be configured to, in response to receiving the identification data of the user, transmit the identification data of the user and a request for a preferred function profile of the user to the remote server 140 via the transceiver 104, and drive a corresponding function of the vehicle by using the preferred function profile of the user which is associated with the identification data of the user if the preferred function profile of the user is received from the remote server 140 via the transceiver 104.

The user interface 102 is a physical interface between a user and a vehicle. With use of the user interface 102, the interactions between the user and the vehicle may be achieved. Preferably, a human-machine interface that already exists in the vehicle may act as the user interface 102. In particular, for example, an existing touch panel used for vehicle navigation may act as the user interface 102. Alternatively, a highly intelligent human-machine interface may be employed as the user interface 102. The identification data of a user may be acquired via the user interface 102. The identification data of a user may be the data that uniquely identifies the user. For example, the identification data of the user may be a serial number which is uniquely assigned to the user by the vehicle manufacture or the vehicle service provider. For another example, the identification data of the user may be biometric data acquired from the user, such as fingerprint data, facial feature data, iris data, or the like. In one embodiment, the user interface 102 may be implemented with a touch panel configured to acquire fingerprint data of a user, i.e., a fingerprint recognition touch panel, which will be described in detail later.

As mentioned above, the user interface 102 may be arranged at the vehicle, for example, on an instrument panel of the vehicle. But the arrangement of the user interface 102 is not limited to this. For example, the user interface 102 may be arranged on a device such as a mobile phone, and the identification data of the user may be transmitted to the controller 106 arranged at the vehicle.

As shown in Fig. 1, a user input may be received by the user interface 102. In one embodiment, the serial number which is uniquely assigned to the user is input by the user. With use of the input serial number, the user may log in a personal account pre-stored in the remote server 140. Alternatively, in a case wherein the user’s serial number has been locally saved, the log-in may be achieved by, for example, just pressing a log-in button presented on the user interface 102. In another embodiment, the biometric data of the user may be acquired by the user interface 102 as the user input, and then may be used for logging in the personal account pre-stored in the remote server 140.

The transceiver 104 may be a wireless transceiver that can transmit to and receive, via the network 120, communication data from the remote server 140. The transceiver 104 may be arranged within the vehicle.

The controller 106 may comprise a processor, a microprocessor or the like and a memory. The controller 106 may be arranged within the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 1, the controller 106 outputs one or more control commands to the vehicle in order to control one or more corresponding functions provided within the vehicle. In particular, the control command may be supplied to a hardware and/or software system within the vehicle which provides a corresponding function so as to drive the corresponding function to the desired status. The controller 106 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 200 for remotely accessing a personal function profile for a vehicle implemented at the vehicle side (i.e., the controller 106 as shown in Fig. 1) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The blocks of the apparatus 200 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof to carry out the principles of the present disclosure. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the blocks described in Fig. 2 may be combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the present disclosure as described above. Therefore, the description herein may support any possible combination or separation or further definition of the blocks described herein.

Referring to Fig. 2, the apparatus 200 may include a pre-storing module 202, a retrieving module 204, and a driving module 206. The apparatus 200 also may include a receiving module (not shown) and a transmitting module (not shown) for receiving and transmitting data, information, commands, or the like, respectively.

The pre-storing module 202 may be configured to receive identification data of a user and a preferred function profile of the user, and pre-store the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user in an association manner into the remote server 140.

The preferred function profile of the user may comprise a series of setting parameters for driving a corresponding function of the vehicle. In particular, the corresponding function of the vehicle will be drived to a status that is desired by the user. For example, the preferred function profile of the user may comprise the setting parameters for driving at least one of a seat adjustment function, a rearview mirror adjustment function, a temperature control function, a humidity control function, and a fan speed control function of the vehicle.

Taking the seat adjustment function as an example, the setting parameters for driving such a function will be described below. Assumption is given that a seat in the vehicle may be controlled by an automatic control system, which comprises one or more motors and/or one or more gear structures for driving the seat into a desired status, and one or more sensors for detecting the status of the seat. The structure of the automatic control system for a seat in a vehicle is known to those skilled in the art. A longitudinal position of a seat in the vehicle, that is, the position in the anterio-posterior direction of the vehicle, a height of the seat, and an angle of the inclination of the seat back may be controlled by the automatic control system for the seat in the vehicle. Thus, the setting parameters for the seat adjustment function may comprise the following three parameters: the longitudinal position of a seat, the height of the seat, and the angle of the inclination of the seat back. The seat may be a driver’s seat or a passenger’s seat such as the seat for the copilot. Further, an angle of rearview mirror may be set as the setting parameter for the rearview mirror adjustment function. A desired temperature within the vehicle may be set as the setting parameter for temperature control function. A desired humidity within the vehicle may be set as the setting parameter for humidity control function. And, a desired fan speed may be set as the setting parameter for fan speed control function. Note that, the setting parameters are not limited to the above listed ones. More parameters or less parameter may be used for each of the functions to be driven or controlled.

Note that the concerned functions of the vehicle are not limited to the above listed ones. The overall function control may be achieved. For example, the concerned functions of the vehicle may further comprise a navigation setting function which may set a series of preferred navigation settings, a video and/or audio entertainment setting function which may set a series of preferred entertainment settings, and/or the like. For another example, the concerned functions of the vehicle may further comprise at least one of a window control function, a door control function, a lighting control function, and/or the like.

Still taking the seat adjustment function as an example, the setting parameters for driving such a function may be acquired by the user interface 102. In one embodiment, after manually setting the seat position with several steps by a user, e.g., firstly adjusting the longitudinal position of the seat, secondly adjusting the height of the seat, and thirdly adjusting the angle of the inclination of the seat back, the user interface 102 will inquiry the user whether he or she would like to save the current settings for the seat as a preferred function profile. For example, the user interface 102 may present a picture or a vocal voice to the user to ask about, e.g., “would you like to set the current settings for the driver’s seat to a preferred function profile？ ” . In more particular, in the presented picture, the particular parameters for the longitudinal position, the height, and the angle of the inclination of the seat may be presented for the user’s confirmation or further modification. If a positive confirmation is received, then the pre-storing module 202 will pre-store the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user in an association manner into the remote server 140. Meanwhile, the pre-storing module 202 may also pre-store the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user to a local memory at the vehicle for later use.

The retrieving module 204 may be configured to retrieve a corresponding preferred function profile of the user if an identification data of a user has been received. In one embodiment, if the identification data of the user has been received from the user interface 102 by the retrieving module 204, the retrieving module 204 will generate a request for a corresponding preferred function profile and transmit the request along with the identification data to the remote server 140.

In a case wherein the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user have been pre-stored in an association manner within the remote server 140, the retrieving module 204 will receive the corresponding preferred function profile from the remote server 140. The retrieving module 204 then will supply the retrieved function profile to the driving module 204. On the other hand, in a case wherein the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user have not been pre-stored within the remote server 140, the retrieving module 204 will not receive the corresponding preferred function profile. Instead, the retrieving module 204 will receive a failure notification. Then the retrieving module 204 will initiate an establishment of a new pair of the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user. In particular, the retrieving module 204 may command the user interface 102 to acquire the identification data of the user and/or the preferred function profile of the user and transmit them to the pre-storing module 202 for pre-storing.

The driving module 206 may be configured to drive a corresponding function of the vehicle upon receiving the preferred function profile from the retrieving module 204. In one embodiment, if the setting parameters for seat adjustment are received from the retrieving module 204, the driving module 206 will drive the automatic control system for the seat according to the retrieved setting parameters, in order to drive or control the target seat to a status defined by the retrieved setting parameters, i.e., a pre-stored status. In another embodiment, one or more of other corresponding functions may be driven to the pre-stored status.

Returning back to Fig. 1, the remote server 140 may comprise a processor, a microprocessor or the like, a memory, and a transceiver. The remote server 140 maintains an account platform for storing various kinds of account information. The account information at least includes the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user associated therewith. The remote server 140 may receive the identification data of the user and the request for a preferred function profile of the user from the apparatus 100, look up the requested function profile with use of the identification data of the user, and transmit the requested function profile back to the apparatus 100 if the requested function profile is located. In a case wherein the requested function profile fails to be located within the memory of the remote server 140, a failure notification may be transmitted back to the apparatus 100. In particular, a failure notification indicting that an entry corresponding to the identification data of the user fails to be located may be transmitted back to the apparatus 100. The remote server 140 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 300 for remotely accessing a personal function profile for a vehicle implemented at the server side (i.e., the remote server 140 as shown in Fig. 1) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The blocks of the apparatus 300 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof to carry out the principles of the present disclosure. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the blocks described in Fig. 3 may be combined or separated into sub-blocks to implement the principles of the present disclosure as described above. Therefore, the description herein may support any possible combination or separation or further definition of the blocks described herein.

Referring to Fig. 3, the apparatus 300 may include a pre-storing module 302 and a looking-up module 304. The apparatus 300 also may include a receiving module (not shown) and a transmitting module (not shown) for receiving and transmitting data, information, commands, or the like, respectively.

The pre-storing module 302 may be configured to maintain a table which comprises a plurality of entries, each of which comprises the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user pre-stored by the pre-storing module 202 of the apparatus 100. The pre-storing module 302 may receive the identification data of the user and the corresponding preferred function profile of the user transmitted from the pre-storing module 202 of the apparatus 100, and stores them in each entry of the table. An example of the table maintained by the pre-storing module 302 is illustrated in Fig. 4. Each entry in the table may be referred to as an account for a particular user.

As shown in Fig. 4, the table maintained by the pre-storing module 302 may be a table which comprises a plurality of entries, each of which comprises the identification data of the user 402 and the preferred function profile of the user 404. Each line of the table corresponds to an entry. The correspondence between the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user may be one to one, one to many, or many to one. As shown in Line 1 of the table, the serial number “112233” which uniquely identifies a particular user corresponds to the identification data of the user 402, while the setting parameters “seat adjustment parameters: a, b, and c； rearview mirror adjustment parameter: d； temperature control parameter: e； humidity control parameter f； and fan speed control parameter: g” correspond to the preferred function profile of the user 404. Note that, although the parameters a-g are illustrated in Line 1 of the table, the disclosure is not limited thereto. One or more of such parameters may be stored as the preferred function profile of the user 404. Alternatively, one or more of other parameters may be stored as the preferred function profile of the user 404. As shown in Line 2 of the table, with respect to the same user as represented by “112244” , two preferred function profile may be stored. For example, the two preferred function profiles are as follows: group I of the seat adjustment parameters: a1, b1, and c1； and group II of the seat adjustment parameters: a2, b2, and c2. These two groups of the seat adjustment parameters may correspond to different requirements of the same user. For example, the group I may be used for a daily life, and the group II may be used for a long trip travel. In a case wherein two groups of profiles are set for the same user, the user interface 102 may be further configured to present the two groups of the profiles to the user for selection. Alternatively, one of the two groups of the profiles may be set as a default profile. Note that although the two groups of the profiles are illustrated in Line 2 of the table, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Three or more of groups of profiles may be stored for the same user. As shown in Line 3 of the table, with respect to a recommended function profile, there are two pieces of corresponding identification data of the user, i.e., there are two users who prefer the same function profile. Note that although the two pieces of identification data of the user are illustrated in Line 3 of the table, the disclosure is not limited thereto. Three or more of users may share the same function profile.

Note that the serial numbers are shown as the identification data of the user. But the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the biometric data such as fingerprint data acquired from the user may be pre-stored as the identification data of the user. And, two columns are illustrated in Fig. 4, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. One or more other elements may be associated with the identification data of the user 402 and/or the preferred function profile of the user 404. For example, an additional column which identifies the user’s basic information, such as name, sex, age, or the like, may be added. For another example, an additional column which identifies the user’s driving or credit history, which identifies how many different vehicles have been drived by the user, may be added. Such additional columns or information may be further used to improve user’s experiences.

The looking-up module 304 receives the identification data of the user and the request for a preferred function profile from the retrieving module 204, looks up in the table maintained by the pre-storing module 302 for the requested function profile with use of the identification data of the user, and transmits the requested function profile back to the retrieving module 204 if the requested function profile back is located. In a case wherein the requested function profile fails to be located within table, a failure notification will be transmitted back to the retrieving module 204 by the looking-up module 304. In one embodiment, the identification data of the user “112233” and a request for a corresponding function profile is received by the looking-up module 304, then the corresponding function profile, in more particular, the corresponding setting parameters “seat adjustment parameters: a, b, and c； rearview mirror adjustment parameter: d； temperature control parameter: e； humidity control parameter f； and fan speed control parameter: g” will be located and transmitted back to the retrieving module 204. Such setting parameters will be used by the driving module 204 to drive the corresponding functions of the vehicle to the pre-stored status.

The method performed by the apparatus 100 and the method performed by the remote server 140 will be described in detail below. Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart showing a method 500 of remotely accessing the personal function profile performed by the apparatus 100 (in more particular, the controller 106) in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 illustrates a flow chart showing a method 600 of remotely accessing the personal function profile performed by the remote server 140 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The steps of the method (500 or 600) presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method may be accomplished with one or more additional steps not described, and/or without one or more of the steps discussed. Additionally, the order in which the steps of method are illustrated in FIGs. 5-6 and described as below is not intended to be limiting. In some embodiments, method may be implemented in one or more processing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuit designed to process information, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronically processing information) . The one or more processing devices may include one or more modules executing some or all of the steps of method in response to instructions stored electronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or more processing modules may include one or more devices configured through hardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed for execution of one or more of the steps of method.

The method 500 starts from step 502, at which the pre-storing module 202 receives identification data of a user and an associated preferred function profile acquired by the user interface 102 and pre-stores them into the remote server 140. The step 502 occurs at a first time point. And for example, the step 502 is completed at a first vehicle. Alternatively, the pre-storing step 502 may receive information acquired by using a device such a PC computer or a mobile phone which does not belong to a vehicle. An App which may acquire and transmit identification data and/or preferred function profiles of a user can be installed on the above mentioned device. The pre-storing step 502 may receive information from a large number of users such that a table as shown in Fig. 4 may be generated at the remote server side.

At step 504, at a second time point which is later than the first time point, the retrieving module 204 receives identification data of a user acquired via the user interface 102. At step 506, upon receiving the identification data of the user, the retrieving module 204 transmits the received identification data along with a request for a corresponding preferred function profile to the remote server 140. In one embodiment, the steps 502 and 504 and the steps thereafter are completed at a second vehicle which is different from the first vehicle.

At step 508, the retrieving module 204 determines whether the requested preferred function profile has been received. If yes, then the method 500 proceeds to step 510, at which the driving module 204 uses the retrieved function profile to drive one or more functions of the vehicle to the pre-stored status. Or otherwise, that is, if the requested preferred function profile fails to be received, or if a failure notification is received from the remote server 140, the method 500 proceeds to step 512, at which the retrieving module 204 initiates an establishment of a new pair of the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user.

After the driving of the driving module 204 or the establishment of the new pair of the identification data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user, the method 500 ends up.

The method 600 starts from step 602, at which the pre-storing module 302 receives the identification data of the user and an associated preferred function profile from the pre-storing module 202 of the apparatus 100. Alternatively, the pre-storing module 302 may receive the identification data of the user and an associated preferred function profile from a device such a PC computer or a mobile phone which does not belong to a vehicle. At step 604, the pre-storing module 302 stores them in the table maintained by itself. The steps 602 and 604 occur at a first time point.

At step 606, at a second time point which is later than the first time point, upon receiving the identification data of a user along with a request for a corresponding preferred function profile, the looking-up module 304 looks up in the table maintained by the pre-storing module 302 for the preferred function profile associated with the received identification data of the user. In other words, at the step 606, the looking-up module 304 determines whether a requested function profile is located in the table.

If the user’s account, i.e., a corresponding entry is located in the table, i.e., if YES in the step 606, the method 600 proceeds to step 608, at which the looking-up module 304 transmits the preferred function profile of the user back to the retrieving module 204 of the apparatus 100. But if the corresponding entry fails to be located in the table, i.e., if NO in the step 606, the method 600 proceeds to step 610, at which the looking-up module 304 transmits a failure notification back to the retrieving module 204 of the apparatus 100.

In one embodiment, at the step 602, the identification data of the user and an associated preferred function profile are received from the pre-storing module 202 of the apparatus 100 of a first vehicle, while at the step 608, the requested function profile are transmitted to a second vehicle different from the first vehicle. Thus, once an account for a particular user is established at one vehicle, such account may be accessed at a plurality of other vehicles upon this particular user is identified.

After the transmission of the expected function profile or the failure notification, the method 600 ends up.

The advantageous effects achieved by implementing the above-mentioned system 10 will be explained in detail as follows.

First, by remotely accessing a pre-set function profile with use of the identification data unique to a user, the pre-set function may be affected across a plurality of vehicles which have the server accessibility upon the user being identified. In such a way, the user’s experience may be greatly improved.

Second, with use of a pre-set function profile, a series of functions may be set at one-time upon the user being identified. In other words, a series of troublesome settings may be automatically implemented with only one step, that is, the step of inputting the identification data by the user. In such a way, the user’s experience may also be greatly improved.

Below, a preferred example wherein the user interface 102 is achieved with a touch panel configured to acquire fingerprint data of a user will be described in detail.

The fingerprint recognition touch panel may comprise a capacitive sensor comprising driving electrodes and sensing electrodes which cross over each other to form capacitive sensing channels in a sensing area of the capacitive sensor, and an overall control circuit. The fingerprint recognition touch panel may have such a high sensitivity that a fingerprint of a user can be accurately acquired. As can be understood, the high sensitivity may be achieved by improving a density of the capacitive sensing channels. Note that the configuration of the fingerprint recognition touch panel is not limited to this. Any known configuration of a fingerprint recognition touch panel may be employed.

The fingerprint recognition touch panel may be an independent finger size fingerprint recognition touch panel and it may be arranged on a spare location on an instrument panel of a vehicle. Alternatively, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may be arranged on a spare location on an equipment for opening the door of a vehicle such as a car key. With use of such a touch panel, the operation for a user to input his or her identification data may be simplified. All what needs to do for a user is putting his or her finger on the touch panel. The fingerprint data such as a fingerprint image may be acquired as the identification data of the user. As mentioned above, once the fingerprint data is acquired, the pre-stored preferred function profile can be retrieved and a series of function settings can be automatically implemented. Preferably, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may be powered by a battery, such that the fingerprint data may be acquired at anytime and at anywhere. And, the transceiver 104 and the controller 106 as shown in Fig. 1 may be activated in response to the acquisition of the fingerprint data.

Further, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may acquire the preferred function profile of the user also. In one embodiment, after manually setting, e.g., the seat position with several steps by a user, if the user operates the fingerprint recognition touch panel in a pre-defined manner, then the current setting parameters for the user’s eat will be saved by, e.g., the controller 106 as a preferred function profile. Said pre-defined manner may be, for example, putting a finger on the fingerprint recognition touch panel for a relatively long time period, such as 8 seconds or the like, rapidly and repeatedly touching the fingerprint recognition touch panel for several times, such as 2 or 3 times or the like, and so on.In another embodiment, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may cooperate with a human-machine interface in order to acquire fingerprint data of a user and a preferred function profile of the user, respectively.

The fingerprint recognition touch panel may be transparent. In such a case, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may be arranged above some decoration or a vehicle logo or another feature within the vehicle.

The fingerprint recognition touch panel may be integrally formed with a functional button/key for operating the vehicle. Such button/key may be a physical or a software button/key. Such button/key may be positioned within the vehicle, in proximity to the vehicle, or on an outer surface of the vehicle. Such button/key may be positioned at anywhere as long as it may play a role of operating the vehicle. The fingerprint recognition touch panel, e.g., a fingerprint sensor layer may be placed above the button/key, or the fingerprint sensor layer may be placed between two of multiple structural layers of the button/key. The technologies for integrating a fingerprint sensor layer with a button/key are known to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may be integrally formed with a start up button on the instrument panel of the vehicle. In such a case, at the time when the user presses the start up button, the acquisition of the fingerprint data is completed. This means the vehicle starts up upon the start up button being pressed, meanwhile the function settings preferred by the user will be automatically implemented in response to the acquisition of the fingerprint data. Let us assume here that the transceiver 104 and the controller 106 as shown in Fig. 1 are activated in response to the acquisition of the fingerprint data.

In another embodiment, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may be integrally formed with an unlock button on the car key. In such a case, at the time when the user presses the unlock button, the acquisition of the fingerprint data is completed. This means the door of the vehicle opens upon the unlock button being pressed, meanwhile the function settings preferred by the user will be automatically implemented in response to the acquisition of the fingerprint data. Likely, let us assume here that the transceiver 104 and the controller 106 as shown in Fig. 1 are activated in response to the acquisition of the fingerprint data.

In still another embodiment, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may be arranged on an outer surface of the body of the vehicle. Preferably, it may be arranged near the door of the vehicle. In such a case, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may act as both the user interface 102 as shown in Fig. 1 and an equipment for opening the door of a vehicle at the same time. Similarly, in such a case, at the same time of opening the door of the vehicle, the acquisition of the fingerprint data is completed. This means, once the user puts his or her finger onto the fingerprint recognition touch panel arranged on an outer surface of the body of the vehicle, the door of the vehicle opens and meanwhile the function settings preferred by the user will be automatically implemented. Again, let us assume here that the transceiver 104 and the controller 106 as shown in Fig. 1 are activated in response to the acquisition of the fingerprint data.

In the above mentioned embodiments, to some extent, the acquisition of the identification data, i.e., the fingerprint data and accordingly the implementation of a series of troublesome settings can be conducted without needing any extra operation. By integrating the fingerprint recognition touch panel which acts as the user interface 102 with a regular button, the acquisition of the identification data and accordingly the implementation of a series of troublesome settings can be conducted at the same time when a regular operation is performed. Thus, the user operations can be further simplified and the user’s experiences can be further improved.

Note that the disclosure is not limited to the above mentioned embodiments. The fingerprint recognition touch panel can be integrated with any button which already exists or does not exist. For example, in a case wherein a mobile phone (or an App installed thereon) is used to open the door of the vehicle, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may be integrated with a button on the mobile phone for opening the door of the vehicle. Such button on the mobile phone may be a software button or a physical button.

The fingerprint recognition touch panel can constitute a portion of an existing touch panel provided on the instrument panel of a vehicle, for example, an existing touch panel used for navigation system. In such a case, the sensitivity of the fingerprint recognition touch panel (or the number of the capacitive sensing channels) will be higher than that of the navigation touch panel in order to acquire a fingerprint. However, even if the sensitivities are not the same between the fingerprint recognition touch panel and the navigation touch panel, these two panels may comprise a common substrate. Preferably, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may be formed within the perimeter of the navigation touch panel. That is to say, the fingerprint recognition touch panel, which, for example, has a finger size, may be arranged at an arbitrary position, e.g., a corner of a big navigation touch panel. Preferably, when the fingerprint recognition function is not needed, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may switch to a navigation touch mode, in which some of capacitive sensing channels within the fingerprint recognition touch panel are disabled such that the fingerprint recognition touch panel may act as a part of the navigation touch panel. That is to say, the fingerprint recognition touch panel may switch between a fingerprint recognition touch mode and a navigation touch mode. In an example wherein the fingerprint recognition touch panel is integrated with the navigation touch panel, once the fingerprint data is acquired, preferably, the preferred function profile comprising preferred navigation settings may be retrieved and loaded on the navigation panel across a plurality of vehicles.

Fig. 7 illustrates a general hardware environment 700 wherein the present disclosure is applicable in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 7, a computing device 700, which is an example of the hardware device that may be applied to the aspects of the present disclosure, will now be described. The computing device 700 may be any machine configured to perform processing and/or calculations, may be but is not limited to a work station, a server, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal data assistant, a smart phone, an on-vehicle computer or any combination thereof. The

aforementioned apparatus

200 or 300 may be wholly or at least partially implemented by the computing device 700 or a similar device or system.

The computing device 700 may comprise elements that are connected with or in communication with a bus 702, possibly via one or more interfaces. For example, the computing device 700 may comprise the bus 702, and one or more processors 704, one or more input devices 706 and one or more output devices 708. The one or more processors 704 may be any kinds of processors, and may comprise but are not limited to one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or more special-purpose processors (such as special processing chips) . The input devices 706 may be any kinds of devices that can input information to the computing device, and may comprise but are not limited to a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen, a microphone and/or a remote control. The output devices 708 may be any kinds of devices that can present information, and may comprise but are not limited to display, a speaker, a video/audio output terminal, a vibrator and/or a printer. The computing device 700 may also comprise or be connected with non-transitory storage devices 710 which may be any storage devices that are non-transitory and can implement data stores, and may comprise but are not limited to a disk drive, an optical storage device, a solid-state storage, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, a magnetic tape or any other magnetic medium, a compact disc or any other optical medium, a ROM (Read Only Memory) , a RAM (Random Access Memory) , a cache memory and/or any other memory chip or cartridge, and/or any other medium from which a computer may read data, instructions and/or code. The non-transitory storage devices 710 may be detachable from an interface. The non-transitory storage devices 710 may have data/instructions/code for implementing the methods and steps which are described above. The computing device 700 may also comprise a communication device 712. The communication device 712 may be any kinds of device or system that can enable communication with external apparatuses and/or with a network, and may comprise but are not limited to a modem, a network card, an infrared communication device, a wireless communication device and/or a chipset such as a Bluetooth^TM device, 1302.11 device, WiFi device, WiMax device, cellular communication facilities and/or the like. The transceiver (s) 107 as aforementioned may, for example, be implemented by the communication device 712.

When the computing device 700 is used as an on-vehicle device, it may also be connected to external device, for example, a GPS receiver, sensors for sensing different environmental data such as an acceleration sensor, a wheel speed sensor, a gyroscope and so on.In this way, the computing device 700 may, for example, receive location data and sensor data indicating the travelling situation of the vehicle. When the computing device 700 is used as an on-vehicle device, it may also be connected to other facilities (such as an engine system, a wiper, an anti-lock Braking System or the like) for controlling the traveling and operation of the vehicle.

In addition, the non-transitory storage device 710 may have map information and software elements so that the processor 704 may perform route guidance processing. In addition, the output device 706 may comprise a display for displaying the map, the location mark of the vehicle and also images indicating the travelling situation of the vehicle. The output device 706 may also comprise a speaker or interface with an ear phone for audio guidance.

The bus 702 may include but is not limited to Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. Particularly, for an on-vehicle device, the bus 702 may also include a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus or other architectures designed for application on an automobile.

The computing device 700 may also comprise a working memory 714, which may be any kind of working memory that may store instructions and/or data useful for the working of the processor 704, and may comprise but is not limited to a random access memory and/or a read-only memory device.

Software elements may be located in the working memory 714, including but are not limited to an operating system 716, one or more application programs 718, drivers and/or other data and codes. Instructions for performing the methods and steps described in the above may be comprised in the one or more application programs 718, and the modules of the

aforementioned apparatus

200 or 300 may be implemented by the processor 704 reading and executing the instructions of the one or more application programs 718. More specifically, the pre-storing module 202 of the aforementioned apparatus 200 may, for example, be implemented by the processor 704 when executing an application 718 having instructions to perform the step 502. In addition, the retrieving module 204 of the apparatus 200 may, for example, be implemented by the processor 704 when executing an application 718 having instructions to perform the step 504, 505, 508, and 512. Other units of the aforementioned apparatus 200 may also, for example, be implemented by the processor 704 when executing an application 718 having instructions to perform one or more of the aforementioned respective steps. The executable codes or source codes of the instructions of the software elements may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as the storage device (s) 710 described above, and may be read into the working memory 714 possibly with compilation and/or installation. The executable codes or source codes of the instructions of the software elements may also be downloaded from a remote location.

Those skilled in the art may clearly know from the above embodiments that the present disclosure may be implemented by software with necessary hardware, or by hardware, firmware and the like. Based on such understanding, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in part in a software form. The computer software may be stored in a readable storage medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk or a flash memory of the computer. The computer software comprises a series of instructions to make the computer (e.g., a personal computer, a service station or a network terminal) execute the method or a part thereof according to respective embodiment of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and all such modifications as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

An apparatus for a vehicle, characterized in comprising:

a touch panel configured to acquire fingerprint data of a user,

a transceiver, and

a controller configured to, in response to receiving the fingerprint data of the user,

transmit the fingerprint data of the user and a request for a preferred function profile of the user to a remote server via the transceiver, and

drive a corresponding function of the vehicle by using the preferred function profile of the user which is associated with the fingerprint data of the user, if the preferred function profile of the user is received from the remote server via the transceiver.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch panel is integrally formed with a functional button of the vehicle.
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the touch panel is integrally formed with a physical button arranged on an instrument panel of the vehicle.
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the touch panel is integrally formed with an unlock button of an equipment for opening the door of the vehicle.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch panel is arranged on an outer surface of body of the vehicle and acts as an equipment for opening the door of the vehicle.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the preferred function profile of the user comprises setting parameters for driving the corresponding function of the vehicle.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the preferred function profile of the user comprises the setting parameters for driving at least one of a seat adjustment function, a rearview mirror adjustment function, a temperature control function, a humidity control function, and a fan speed control function of the vehicle.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the touch panel is further configured to acquire the preferred function profile of the user, and

the controller is further configured to pre-store the fingerprint data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user in an association manner into the remote server.
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second touch panel configured to acquire the preferred function profile of the user, and wherein the controller is further configured to pre-store the fingerprint data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user in an association manner into the remote server.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an association relationship between the fingerprint data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user is established at a second vehicle different from the vehicle or at a device that does not belong to the vehicle.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitting and the driving are conducted at one-time in response to receiving the fingerprint data of the user.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to initiate an establishment of a new pair of the fingerprint data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user if a failure notification is received from the remote server.
A method for a vehicle, characterized in comprising:

receiving fingerprint data of a user,

in response to receiving the fingerprint data of the user,

transmiting the fingerprint data of the user and a request for a preferred function profile of the user to a remote server, and

driving a corresponding function of the vehicle by using the preferred function profile of the user which is associated with the fingerprint data of the user if the preferred function profile of the user is received from the remote server.
The method of claim 13, wherein the fingerprint data of the user is acquired via a functional button of the vehicle, and wherein the method further comprises, in response to receiving the fingerprint data of the user, driving the function of the functional button.
The method of claim 13, wherein the fingerprint data of the user is acquired via an equipment for opening the door of the vehicle, and wherein the method further comprises, in response to receiving the fingerprint data of the user, opening the door of the vehicle.
The method of claim 13, wherein the preferred function profile of the user comprises setting parameters for driving the corresponding function of the vehicle.
The method of claim 14, wherein the preferred function profile of the user comprises the setting parameters for driving at least one of a seat adjustment function, a rearview mirror adjustment function, a temperature control function, a humidity control function, and a fan speed control function of the vehicle.
The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving the preferred function profile of the user, and

pre-storing the fingerprint data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user in an association manner into the remote server.
The method of claim 13, wherein the transmitting and the driving are conducted at one-time in response to receiving the fingerprint data of the user.
The method of claim 13, further comprising: initiating an establishment of a new pair of the fingerprint data of the user and the preferred function profile of the user if a failure notification is received from the remote server.
An apparatus for a vehicle, characterized in comprising:

a memory configured to store a series of computer executable instructions； and

a processor configured to execute said series of computer executable instructions,

wherein said series of computer executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of any one of claims 13-20.
A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of the method of any one of claims 13-20.