FR3152103A1 - Method and device for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle (10). For this purpose, the method comprises storing a value of an activation variable in a memory of the vehicle, receiving via a wireless connection first data representative of at least one first address defining an access path to a remote device (111) associated with the connected service and storing the at least one first address in an address container of the vehicle, the address container further comprising at least one second address defining an access path to a remote device associated with the connected service. Access to the connected service is then controlled according to the value of the activation variable and at least one address associated with the connected service. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Method and device for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle

The present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method and a device for updating an access address to a connected service.

Technological background

To plan a journey to be made with a vehicle, it is known to use a navigation system, such a system being for example embedded in the vehicle or implemented in a mobile device, for example a mobile phone, itself embedded in the vehicle. Such a system uses map data such as digital road maps indicating the different road routes that the vehicle can take to go from point A to point B.

This map data is used, for example, to suggest to a driver the shortest, fastest, most economical route or the one that does not take a fast lane, etc. It can also be used by certain functions or driver assistance systems, known as ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System), to guide or control the vehicle in its environment to reach its destination.

Information on current traffic conditions, map updates, or weather conditions is used in particular to plan a route. Access to this information is sometimes the subject of a service provided by a service provider, for example the vehicle manufacturer or the manufacturer of the navigation system. For example, a user has access to this information on current traffic conditions, map updates, or weather conditions via a subscription to this type of service. This is referred to as information from a connected service. The navigation system uses this information to calculate a route or announce an event on a calculated journey.

The retrieval of this connected service information can generally be implemented via the downloading of data by the navigation system, according to a wireless communication mode, also called OTA (from the English “Over The Air” or in French “by air”) from remote devices very often called servers. To access a server of a connected service, it is necessary to know connection information of this server such as an address defining an access path to this server. This address is recorded in a memory of a device and accessible by the navigation system.

The absence of connection information to a connected service of a connected navigation system, such as in particular an address defining an access path to this server from which the information of the connected service is obtained, does not allow the navigation system to calculate the best route or to announce to a user certain events on the calculated route.

Summary of the present invention

An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

Another object of the present invention is to improve access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:
- storing a value of an activation variable in a vehicle memory;
- receiving via a wireless connection first data representative of at least a first address defining an access path to a remote device associated with the connected service;
- storing the at least one first address in a memory of the vehicle, called an address container, the address container further comprising at least one second address defining an access path to a remote device associated with the connected service;
- control of access to the connected service based on the value of the activation variable and at least one address associated with the connected service.

Such a method makes it possible to access a connected service reliably using the first and second addresses recorded. In the event of non-receipt of at least one first address, the navigation system has at least one second address defining an access path to a remote device making it possible to access the connected service. The activation variable makes it possible to have information regarding the activation of the navigation system's access to the connected service.

According to a variant of the method, the activation variable is equal to a first value to indicate that the connected service is activated and to a second value to indicate that the connected service is not activated.

The activation variable thus plays the role of a Boolean variable representing the activation of access to the connected service.

According to one variant, the method comprises the following steps:
- receiving second data representing an update of the at least one second address;
- update at least one second address.

The at least one second address is thus updated, for example via a wireless connection or via a wired connection at the dealership. The access information for a connected service can then change without degrading the operation of the navigation system, which can continue to use the information from this connected service.

According to a variant of the method, access to the connected service is controlled:
- depending on the at least one first address and the value of the activation variable if at least one first address is stored,
- depending on the at least one second address and the value of the activation variable if no first address is stored.

The at least one second address then corresponds to a “backup” address recorded in a memory accessible to the navigation system.

According to a variant of the method, access to the connected service allows the navigation system to receive third data representative of information belonging to a set of information comprising:
- information relating to the current and/or historical state of road traffic,
- toll, fuel and energy prices,
- weather information and/or information relating to climatic events,
- updates to a navigation system map, and
- updates to the vehicle's on-board software.

Such third data enables the navigation system to determine a route based on this information and communicate it to a user.

According to a variant of the method, the wireless connection is established with a mobile communication device.

According to a variant of the method, access to the connected service is controlled following a subscription to the connected service via the mobile communication device.

For example, a user has a mobile communication device to subscribe to the connected service without necessarily being in the vehicle.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for the execution of the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

Such a computer program may use any programming language, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording medium or a hard disk.

On the other hand, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 3, in which:

schematically illustrates a vehicle and its communication environment, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates a device configured to control access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of the vehicle of the , according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling access to a connected service of a vehicle navigation system of the , according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Description of examples of implementation

A method and a device for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

The terms “first(s)”, “second(s)” (or “first(s)”, “second(s)”), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below to be identified and distinguished. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle is for example implemented by one or more processors of an on-board system of the vehicle.

For this purpose, the method comprises storing a value of an activation variable in a memory of the vehicle, receiving via a wireless connection first data representative of at least one first address defining an access path to a remote device associated with the connected service and storing the at least one first address in an address container of the vehicle, the address container further comprising at least one second address defining an access path to a remote device associated with the connected service. Access to the connected service is then controlled according to the value of the activation variable and at least one address associated with the connected service.

There schematically illustrates a vehicle and its communication environment, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

There illustrates a vehicle 10, for example a motor vehicle, in a communication environment 1, the vehicle 10 being for example in a road environment or on a parking area or car park, in a garage, etc. According to other examples, the vehicle 10 corresponds to a coach, a bus, a truck, a utility vehicle or a motorcycle, that is to say to a vehicle of the motorized land vehicle type.

The vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors.

The electric vehicle 10 advantageously carries a communication system configured to communicate with one or more remote devices 111 via a wireless communication network infrastructure.

The vehicle communication system 10 is also configured to communicate with one or more mobile communication devices 11 in direct communication mode and/or via the wireless communication network infrastructure. The mobile communication device 11 corresponds for example to a smartphone, a tablet or even a connected mobile object such as a connected watch, also called a smart watch (from the English “Smartwatch”).

A direct wireless communication mode is based, for example, on one of the following communication standards or protocols:
- Wifi® according to IEEE 802.11, for example according to IEEE 802.11n or IEEE 802.11ac, for example according to a communication mode called infrastructure according to which the electric vehicle 10 acts as an access point according to an ad-hoc or direct communication mode, called Wifi Direct;
- Bluetooth®;
- ZigBee according to IEEE 802.15.4.

The vehicle 10 and/or the mobile communication device 11 are further configured to communicate with one or more remote devices 111, for example via the wireless communication network infrastructure.

The remote device(s) 111 correspond for example to each a server of the “cloud” 100. The wireless communication infrastructure comprises for example a set of communication devices of the cellular network antenna type 110 of the LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G or 5G type.

The communication system of the vehicle 10 comprises, for example, one or more communication antennas connected to a telematic control unit, called TCU (Telematic Control Unit), itself connected to one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10. The antenna(s), the TCU and the computer(s) form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the production of various services useful for the proper operation of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and/or passengers of the vehicle in controlling the vehicle 10. The computer(s) and the TCU communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (according to the ISO 17458 standard). ISO/IEC 802-3 standard).

The vehicle 10 is further advantageously connected in wireless communication with a remote device such as the remote device 111 via the “cloud” 100, such a remote device being for example configured to communicate with the vehicle 10 according to an OTA type connection. The remote device 111 is for example configured to send data representative of:
- information relating to the current and/or historical state of road traffic,
- toll, fuel and energy prices,
- weather information and/or information relating to climatic events,
- updates to a navigation system map, and
- software updates (for example, corresponding to firmware or any software necessary for the proper functioning of the on-board navigation system of the vehicle 10) on board the vehicle (10).

The remote device 111 has an address, called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). A URL is a string of characters indicating the location of a resource on the Internet and the method for accessing it, in addition an address defines a path to the remote device 111 associated with the connected service.

Thus, the remote device 111 transmits a set of data to the vehicle 10. The data transmission is for example carried out at regular intervals (for example every minute, every hour, every week or every month) or when the navigation system connects to it, in particular by using a URL address stored in the memory of a device of the navigation system or a memory of a device on board the vehicle 10 and accessible via the communication bus, this memory is also called an “address container”.

The transmission of data from the remote device 111 is notably restricted or subject to conditions. Indeed, not every navigation system has access to all of the data from the remote device 111.

A process for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors of an on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example by a computer of an infotainment system also called an IVI system (from the English “In-Vehicle Infotainment” or in French “Infodivertissement embargo”) of the vehicle 10 or a computer of the on-board navigation system of the vehicle 10.

According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the access validation is received by the vehicle 10 following a subscription to the connected service via the mobile communication device 11. A user has for example subscribed to a subscription to obtain access to the connected service using an application installed on the mobile communication device 11.

This access validation is for example received via a wireless connection established with the mobile communication device 11.

The process of accessing the connected service is then controlled and implemented following a subscription to the connected service via the mobile communication device 11.

In a first operation, a value of an activation variable is stored. The activation variable is for example stored in a memory of a device of the vehicle 10 accessible by the navigation system, for example via the data bus.

According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the activation variable is equal to a first value to indicate that the connected service is activated and to a second value to indicate that the connected service is not activated.

The first value is for example 1 while the second value is 0. The activation variable is for example equal to 0 by default and becomes equal to 1 when the user has subscribed to the connected service, that is to say when access to the connected service is valid. The activation variable then plays the role of a Boolean variable representing the activation of access to the connected service. According to other examples, other values are assigned to the activation variable, for example character strings.

In a second operation, first data representative of at least a first address defining an access path to a remote device 111 associated with the connected service are received via the first wireless connection.

The at least one first address is for example received by the mobile communication device 11 via the application installed on this device, then sent to the vehicle 10 in the form of first data.

A first address is a URL address, allowing the navigation system to connect to the remote device 111 in order to receive different data. This address is the current address of the remote device 111, it is therefore up to date at the time of receipt of the first data.

In a third operation, the at least one first address is stored in a memory of the vehicle 10, called an address container.

Such an address container contains the addresses linked to different services, thus allowing the vehicle navigation system 10 to connect to one or more remote devices 111.

The address container further comprises at least a second address defining an access path to a remote device 111 associated with the connected service.

Such a second address has, for example, been previously recorded in the memory of a device of the on-board system of the vehicle 10, at the factory or during a previous visit to a dealership or workshop.

According to a particular exemplary embodiment, in a fourth operation, second data representative of an update of at least a second default address are received.

According to a first example, these second data are received via a second wireless connection, this wireless connection being for example distinct from the wireless connection with the mobile communication device 11 previously described. Thus, the second data are for example directly received from a remote device 111, without a link to the mobile communication device 11. They are for example sent by the remote device 111 following an update of the default address, for example following a change of provider of the connected service.

According to a second example, these second data are received via a wired connection, for example when connecting a device in a dealership or workshop to a socket on the vehicle 10, for example a diagnostic socket, a dedicated socket or a communication interface.

These second data thus allow, in a fifth operation, the updating of at least one second address according to these second data. Indeed, if a second address has been recorded for a certain time, for example one or more months, it is possible that this second address is no longer up to date, for example if an address of a remote device 111 has been modified. In this fifth operation, at least one second address is then updated, this at least one second address being recorded in place of at least one second address previously recorded. The updating of a second address therefore makes it possible to have a second address, called a “backup”, which is more current.

In a sixth operation, access to the connected service is controlled based on the value of the activation variable and at least one address associated with the connected service, such an address being stored in the address container.

According to a particular exemplary embodiment, access to the connected service is controlled:
- depending on the at least one first address and the value of the activation variable if at least one first address is stored,
- depending on the at least one second address and the value of the activation variable if no first address is stored.

Thus, when access to the connected service is validated, the navigation system accesses the remote device 111 via at least a first address.

If at least one first address has not been recorded or is incorrect, the navigation system accesses the remote device 111 via at least one second address which then plays the role of a “backup” address.

The access control to the connected service is then made more reliable, the navigation system of the vehicle 10 having at least a first and at least a second address in the memory of a device of the on-board system of the vehicle 10 to access the remote device 111.

The use of an activation variable to characterize the validation of access to the connected service makes it possible to store the information relating to this access easily using little memory of a device of the on-board system of the vehicle 10.

According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the activation of access to the connected service allows the navigation system of the vehicle 10 to receive, in a seventh operation, third data representative of information belonging to a set of information comprising:
- information relating to the current and/or historical state of road traffic,
- toll, fuel and energy prices,
- weather information and/or information relating to climatic events,
- updates to a navigation system map, and
- vehicle on-board software updates 10.

There schematically illustrates a device 2 configured for access control to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, for example of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 2 corresponds for example to a computer or a device of the on-board navigation system of the vehicle 10.

Device 2 is for example configured to implement the operations described with regard to the and/or steps of the method described with respect to the . Examples of such a device 2 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a server. The elements of the device 2, individually or in combination, can be integrated in a single integrated circuit, in several integrated circuits, and/or in discrete components. The device 2 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

The device 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and/or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 2. The processor 20 may include integrated memory, an input/output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 2 further comprises at least one memory 21 corresponding for example to a volatile and/or non-volatile memory and/or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and/or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 21.

According to various particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments, the device 2 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and/or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input/output ports.

According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 comprises a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 22 comprise one or more of the following interfaces:
- RF radio frequency interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced;
- USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French);
- HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface”);
- LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 comprises a communication interface 23 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and/or data via the communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO/IEC 802-3 standard).

According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 240, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 250 and/or other peripherals 260 (projection system) via output interfaces 24, 25 and 26 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 2.

There illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, for example of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device of the on-board navigation system of the vehicle 10 or by the device 2 of the .

In a first step 31, a value of an activation variable is stored in a memory of the vehicle 10.

In a second step 32, first data representative of at least a first address defining an access path to a remote device 111 associated with the connected service are received via a wireless link.

In a third step 33, the at least one first address is stored in a memory of the vehicle 10, called an address container, the address container further comprising at least one second address defining an access path to a remote device 111 associated with the connected service.

According to a variant, in a fourth step 34, second data representative of an update of the at least one second address are received.

According to this variant, in a fifth step 35 the at least one second address is updated.

In a sixth step 36, access to the connected service is controlled based on the value of the activation variable and at least one address associated with the connected service.

According to another variant, in a seventh operation 37, third data are received. The third data are representative of information belonging to a set of information comprising:
- information relating to the current and/or historical state of road traffic,
- toll, fuel and energy prices,
- weather information and/or information relating to climatic events,
- updates to a navigation system map, and
- vehicle on-board software updates 10.

According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to the apply to the process steps of the .

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-powered vehicle, comprising the device 2 of the .

Claims (10)

Method for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle (10), said method comprising the following steps:
- storing (31) a value of an activation variable in a vehicle memory (10);
- receiving (32) via a wireless connection first data representative of at least a first address defining an access path to a remote device (111) associated with said connected service;
- storing (33) said at least one first address in a memory of said vehicle (10), called address container, said address container further comprising at least one second address defining an access path to a remote device (111) associated with said connected service;
- control (36) of access to said connected service as a function of the value of said activation variable and of at least one address associated with said connected service. The method of claim 1, wherein said activation variable is equal to a first value to indicate that the connected service is activated and a second value to indicate that the connected service is not activated. Method according to one of claims 1 to 2, which comprises the following steps:
- reception (34) of second data representative of an update of said at least one second address;
- updating (35) of said at least one second address. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, for which access to the connected service is controlled:
- depending on said at least one first address and said value of the activation variable if at least one first address is stored,
- depending on said at least one second address and said value of the activation variable if no first address is stored. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, for which access to the connected service allows said navigation system to receive (37) third data representative of information belonging to a set of information comprising:
- information relating to the current and/or historical state of road traffic,
- toll, fuel and energy prices,
- weather information and/or information relating to climatic events,
- updates to a navigation system map, and
- updates to the vehicle's on-board software (10). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said wireless connection is established with a mobile communication device (11). Method according to claim 6, wherein access to the connected service is controlled following a subscription to said connected service via the mobile communication device (11). Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor. Device (2) for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, said device (2) comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (2) according to claim 9.