Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W84/00—Network topologies
  • H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L63/00—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
  • H04L63/30—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for supporting lawful interception, monitoring or retaining of communications or communication related information
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
  • H04W12/03—Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
  • H04W12/033—Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W8/00—Network data management
  • H04W8/005—Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals

Definitions

• the technical sector of the present invention is that of wireless communication systems and that of local information exchange networks of voice, video or data type.
• local networks are known which connect several pieces of equipment / boxes together in order to exchange data. These networks are built around wired links connecting the boxes together.
• wireless communication systems using infrared or wireless technology.
• Several standards exist on the market which make it possible to respond according to needs in terms of range / useful distance between the equipment or required flow. These systems generally make it possible to communicate at most two pieces of equipment with each other. In the envisaged application, it is desired to link together within a local information exchange network several individual boxes carried by mobile passengers moving in and around a vehicle.
• each passenger connects his individual box by a wire / cable when he enters the vehicle and that he disconnects it when he leaves it.
• the connection / disconnection operation is moreover an additional task which falls to the passenger and adds to his other missions and concerns and takes a certain time. This time can become critical in an emergency situation, as can the lack of disconnection, due for example to an oversight.
• the wired solution is only possible in practice in the vehicle. The link between the passenger and the network is broken before leaving the vehicle when he disconnects his box.
• the object of the present invention is to remedy these various drawbacks by providing a system capable of managing more than two pieces of equipment.
• the subject of the invention is a wireless communication system intended for use in a vehicle comprising a central box integrated in this vehicle and covering a transmission / reception range, and at least one individual box which can be carried by a passenger, characterized in that it comprises a local information exchange network created between the individual boxes present in the transmission / reception range and the central box.
• the transmission / reception range is defined by the interior of the vehicle and its close surroundings.
• each individual unit is automatically connected to the local network when it enters the transmission / reception range and disconnected from the local network when it leaves the transmission / reception field.
• the information can be simultaneously voice, video or data.
• the bit rate is greater than 16 Megabytes per second.
• the average radio power emitted by the central unit is less than 20 mili att.
• the average radio power emitted by the individual unit is less than 2 miliwatt.
• the exchanges of information are encrypted and a 3DES algorithm with pre-shared secret is used for encryption.
• the connection of the individual box to the local network ensures the connection to communication services with the other individual boxes connected to the local network and to gateway services with means present in the vehicle.
• the communication services advantageously include point-to-point, broadcasting and conference modes, the conference mode being general or restricted to at least one confidentiality bubble.
• several Communication modes and / or confidentiality bubbles can exist simultaneously.
• a contextual menu adapted to the gateway services with said means present in the vehicle is downloaded to the individual unit when it enters the transmission / reception range.
• the gateway services with said means include a link with at least one second communication system.
• the gateway services with said means comprise a link with the vehicle intercom system.
• the gateway services with said means include an automatic updating of databases.
• the gateway services with means comprise an initialization of a GPS type location means, connected to the individual box.
• the individual box is equipped with a third communication system automatically disconnected when the individual box is connected to the local network and automatically connected when disconnected.
• the individual box without connection to the local network, transmits to this local network only in response to a connection request from this local network.
• the carrier frequency is close to 5 GHz.
• the system according to the invention has an architecture of the open and evolving type allowing access to any service offered by the vehicle or another system.
• An advantage of the system according to the invention is to allow complete freedom of movement for each member carrying an individual housing, due to the absence of wire which can impede its movements.
• Another advantage of the system according to the invention is of allow to connect, by means of a local network, the different members of a team who work together with and around a vehicle, allowing them to stay in permanent contact by exchange of voice, data and video.
• Another advantage of the system according to the invention is that it allows this essential link to be maintained during vehicle embarkation and disembarkation operations. Another advantage of the system according to the invention is that it does not require any manipulation on the part of a member carrying an individual box in order to connect or disconnect from the local network, all these operations being carried out automatically. Another advantage of the system according to the invention is that it makes it possible to connect both the passengers on board the vehicle and the passengers disembarked near the vehicle as well as the personnel assigned to the vehicle. Another advantage of the system according to the invention is to be robust to the interception of information exchanges from an unauthorized third party or to the penetration thereof to listen, thanks to the encryption of these exchanges.
• FIG. 1 presents an overview of the system which is the subject of the present invention, its organization and its scope around the vehicle
• - Figure 2 shows the relationship between the first and the second communication system
• - Figure 3 shows the areas of relative influence of the first and the second communication system
• the Figure 4 illustrates the different modes of communication accessible within the local network or through gateways.
• the system object of the present invention is intended to facilitate the cooperative work of a team whose members work with and around a vehicle 1.
• the system object of the present invention is organized around the vehicle 1 without constituting a limitation of this system. Indeed, the vehicle is only mentioned as an example. Among the members of this team, a distinction can be made between the on-board personnel 22 and the passengers 5. These personnel ensure the control and maneuvering of the vehicle 1.
• the passengers 5 are transported on board the vehicle and are required to perform tasks at the inside vehicle 1 or to disembark to perform other tasks outside vehicle 1. When disembarking, they may have to move away from vehicle 1 more or less depending on the requirements of their mission. They then embark again to be transported to another operating site.
• connection is manifested by the exchange of sound messages or words, or more generally voice, voice or voice information.
• the connection also manifests itself in the form of visual information exchanges, in the form of still images or video.
• the exchanges of information can more generally be of any type of data in digital form representing for example written messages, encrypted characteristics, order messages, information messages, report messages, etc. to achieve this, the system which is the subject of the present invention comprises a fixed central box 2 located in the vehicle 1.
• This box 2 combines an information processing means, for example a digital computer, with interface means, in particular with means 11 available in the vehicle 1 and wireless communication means 9 with individual boxes 4, via at least one radio transmitter / receiver.
• the means 11 available in the vehicle include resources providing possibilities for processing, storage, calculation or transmission.
• the present invention advantageously offers gateways 10 with such services 11.
• These gateways 10 are advantageously adapted to the features of the invention.
• the gateway 10 with the database service 25 advantageously treats the presence or absence of members by ensuring automatic updating during a connection (or reconnection) of a member.
• the advantages of wireless communication 9, namely freedom of movement and absence of physical connection / disconnection operation, are essentially intended for passengers 5, the only members of the team brought in / out of the vehicle repeatedly.
• Each of the passengers is provided with an individual box 4.
• This box 4 is advantageously portable by the passenger 5 who preferably moves on foot when he is disembarked from the vehicle 1.
• the individual box 4 comprises a means for processing information, a means of wireless communication 9 with the box central 2, by means of a radio transmitter / receiver, as well as means of interface with the passenger 5 which carries said individual box 4 and means of interface with equipment carried by said passenger 5.
• the means interface with the passenger 5 may include means for the exchange of voice.
• the passenger has for example a microphone or equivalent device, to allow him to speak to his individual box 4. His voice is transformed into the form of information 6 which can be transmitted to the local network 7.
• a l reverse, its individual box 4 is capable of receiving information coming from the local network 7 and of processing information 6 of speech type in order to restore, via an interface, for example of the speaker, headset or earpiece type, in a form directly audible to the passenger 5.
• the individual unit 4 can incorporate or interface with man-machine interfaces capable of deal with video.
• the passenger 5 advantageously carries a screen allowing him to view a fixed image or a video received by his individual box 4 from the local network 7.
• the passenger 5 is equipped with a camera type shooting means or video camera.
• This means interfaces with the individual box 4 and can transmit to this box 4 still images or video for transmission to the local network 7 which then broadcasts them to the other members of the team, subscribers to the local network 7.
• the individual box 4 can also incorporate or interface with computer-type human-machine interfaces.
• the passenger 5 has input interfaces of the keyboard, pointing device, touch screen or other equivalent device type, as well as output interfaces of the display screen type or equivalent. These interfaces allow it on the one hand to receive or transmit information 6 in the form of digital data of type messages, encrypted data, graphics or any other type to or from the local network 7.
• the local network 7 for sharing information 6 is managed by the central box 2.
• the latter plays a central role by interfacing, by radio, all the individual boxes 4.
• Each individual box 4 exchanges information 6 with the central box 2
• the central box 2 then retransmits the information ⁇ to that of the boxes. 4 individual recipients.
• the local network 7 is a logical reality based on a sum of point-to-point physical (wireless) links between the central box 2 and each of the individual boxes 4.
• the transmission / reception range 8 of the system is determined by the range of the radio equipment of the central equipment that is the central box 2.
• the individual boxes 4 can be linked to the central unit 2 and therefore be part of the local network 7 and thus exchange information ⁇ .
• the scope 8 thus defined is such that it covers the interior volume of the vehicle 1, as well as its close exterior. The goal is to be able to maintain the link with the network 7 when the passenger 5, disembarks from the vehicle 1 and moves not far from the latter.
• the passenger is concerned about the execution of his mission. It can be subjected to strong pressures from the environment which it meets immediately after its landing.
• a communication priority can be defined which will in all cases replace the other communication modes. This priority is for example the voice mode and constitutes a particular feature of the invention.
• a communication priority is for example the voice mode and constitutes a particular feature of the invention.
• the passengers on board 5 or 5 ′ located in the range 8 are connected to the local network 7 and can exchange information with each other and with the personal 22.
• the passenger 5 "located outside of the range 8 is disconnected from the local network 7.
• the members 5, 5 ′, 22 connected to the local network 7 can exchange information 6 various between them. This information 6 can be in the first place voice information
• the different members connected at a given time to the local network 7 can exchange directly by speech.
• the information can also be in the form of fixed or animated images.
• the individual boxes 4 are equipped to allow playback at the end for viewing information 6 representing images or videos
• Each passenger 5 can be equipped with a camera or camera which, connected to the individual housing 4, allows the passenger to take a picture and then broadcast it through the local area network 7.
• the information 6 exchanged can also be digital data which can represent numbers, graphics or texts. nsi, it is possible to exchange messages between the members connected to the network 7.
• the images or the data can also reach the local network 7 from the vehicle 1 or from other networks interconnected via gateways 10 to the central unit 2. All these exchanges of information of different types can be carried out simultaneously. Thus, it is possible, for example, at the same time to transmit a speech conversation, supported by the live transmission of a video image, while data messages pass. Likewise, several voice communications can take place simultaneously.
• a member can thus participate in several other verbal communications while interacting exclusively with another member.
• the different modes of sharing the voice are detailed below.
• the connection of an individual box 4 to the local network 7 opens access to two types of services, on the one hand, communication services with the other individual boxes 4 and, on the other hand, gateway services 10 to other means 11 available in vehicle 1 and connected to the local network 7 via the central box 2.
• the communication services mainly cover exchanges between passengers 5. These passengers 5 are sometimes taken on board or sometimes disembarked. They each carry an individual box 4.
• the communication services make it possible to connect these different individual boxes 4. They ensure the exchange between the individual boxes 4 of voice, video and digital data type. These exchanges can take place in several ways.
• mode can be made at the start, modified by a particular member (team leader) or configured by each member according to their level of authorization and their prerogatives. There is thus a “point to point” mode. This mode makes it possible to put in data exchange relation two members given in an exclusive relation.
• a "broadcast” mode allows a transmitter to communicate with a list of selected members.
• Another mode is the conference mode which allows several members to exchange simultaneously. Thus in speech application, this conference mode allows the different participants to interact freely with each other as if they were all in the same room. This mode can be general in that it applies to all team members or restricted to certain selected participants. These selected participants then belong to a “confidentiality bubble”. These different modes of communication can be multiple and simultaneous.
• the useful bit rate of the video is greater than 16 MegaBits / second.
• This bit rate makes it possible to transmit in real time a video whose both the quality of spatial resolution and the refresh rate allow fine recognition applications such as for example the recognition and identification of a person moving in a crowd.
• the connection to the local network 7 provides access to services and other means 11 or networks available on board the vehicle via gateways 10. These means 11 are available at the vehicle level and are interfaces with the central unit 2.
• the means 11 available in the vehicle include resources providing possibilities for processing, storage, calculation or transmission. Mention is made, by way of illustration and in no way limitative, of communication systems 9, 17, 20, database systems 25, intercom systems 18 or even services for receiving location signals by satellite 19.
• the present The invention advantageously offers gateways 10 with such services.
• the local network 7 then acts to enable the services of these means 11 to be distributed to the various members 5, 22 connected.
• An advantageous function making it possible to make a change of attachment vehicle 1, which can have a different configuration or gateway services 10, transparent for an individual box 4, is the downloading, during the connection (or advantageously, during the first connection) by the local network 7, in the individual unit 4, of a contextual menu adapted to the services of the means 11 or the gateways 10 offered by this vehicle 1. This allows the passenger 5 carrying this individual unit 4 to know the different functions which it offers the local network 7 and to have commands or configurations relating to these different functions of the means 11. An advantage of this process is that it does not require updating the individual unit 4 when the means 11 change.
• the services of the means 11 accessible through such gateways 10 are multiple. Some are detailed here.
• a type of means 11 accessible by a gateway 10 provided by the local network 7 is a second communication system 17.
• This second system 17 can for example be a communication system connecting the different vehicles together to ensure the coordination of their operations or a communication system connecting the disembarked passengers 5 ', 5 "beyond the range 8 of the local network 7.
• the Figure 2 illustrates this mode of operation.
• the gateway 10 offered by the local network 7 is in this case the possibility of relaying the exchange of information 6 through this second communication network 17 and of enabling a member connected to the local network 7, including a passenger 5 , 5 'can be landed, to use this second communication network 17 as if it were on board directly connected to this network.
• Another means 11 available on board the vehicle 1 which can be accessed by a gateway 10 provided by the local network 7 is an intercom system 18.
• Such an intercom system 18 exists on board the vehicle 1 allowing onboard personnel 22 and / or 5 on-board passengers to exchange phone calls.
• the local network 7 can offer a gateway 10 with this intercom system 18. This makes it possible to transparently extend the intercom function to all the members connected to the local network 7. For the passengers 5 on board, this has the advantage of being able to communicate with the personnel 22 while continuing to use the headsets and microphones interfaces already used with the network 7 and not to force them to change their helmet inside of the vehicle. This advantage contributes to high availability and allows rapid disembarkation without preparation.
• Another means 11 available on board the vehicle and which can be made accessible by a gangway 10 provided by the local network 7 is the initialization of a localization system 19.
• the passengers 5, brought to disembark, are advantageously equipped with individual localization equipment 19 to identify their position during disembarked developments.
• This equipment is advantageously a Global Positioning System (GPS) type receiver.
• GPS Global Positioning System
• the principle of this localization system is the reception of radio signals from satellites. When passenger 5 is on board vehicle 1, these radio signals are generally blocked by the metal structure of the vehicle 1. With an antenna capable of picking up these radio signals, placed outside the vehicle 1, it is possible to pick up these signals.
• a gateway service 10 between this antenna and the central box 2, using the exchange medium that constitutes the local network 7 can transmit the useful signals, directly or after any processing processing, to the GPS receivers 19 of the passengers 5 For this it is necessary that these receivers are connected to the individual box 4 which receives, via the local network 7, the initialization data from the GPS system.
• the GPS receiver 19 of each passenger 5 is thus permanently initialized and ready to operate when disembarking the passenger 5.
• Another illustrative example of a means 11 accessible by a gateway 10 provided by the local network 7, may be a base for data 25.
• a database 25 can be maintained and updated dynamically. This base 25 -contains, for example, information by nature evolving on the field of operation that the team processes. This database 25 is useful to each member of the team.
• a disembarked passenger 5 ′ may have to modify the version of the database 25 present in his individual box 4, depending on the consequences of his intervention or of his observations.
• it is not necessarily connected to the local network 7.
• its database 25 is different from that of the other members.
• the gateway service 10 in this case ensures the updating of this base 25. It thus has the function of comparing the different bases 25, present in the individual boxes 4 and in the central box 2, and updating them in coherence . This update is advantageously bidirectional and automatic.
• the network takes advantage of recent updates brought by a returning passenger 5 and then broadcasts to other members of the local network 7. Likewise, it broadcasts to this returning passenger 5, the modifications made to this base 25 during the blinding time when it remained disconnected.
• the update is advantageously carried out, in real time, during a modification of the base by a connected member, or if necessary during the connection of a passenger 5.
• a third communication system 20 can be used. It connects on the one hand a radio set located in the vehicle 1 and a radio set on board by each passenger 5, 5 'disembarked. This third communication system 20 allows a link between the passengers 5, 5 'disembarked, however, offering a range 26 much greater than that of the communication system object of the present invention.
• the range 8 of the first communication system 9 object of the present invention is limited to the near periphery of the vehicle 1, while the range 26 of the third system 20 can extend well beyond including the first.
• only one communication system is used, at a given time, with automatic switching from one to the other.
• the third communication system 20 is activated to take over, while the first 9 is put on standby. During standby, this system is only listening, looking for a possible "who-goes-there" signal.
• the third communication system 20 is advantageously deactivated.
• this third communication system 20 is merged with the second communication system 17, in that it benefits from a gateway 10 with the local network 7, allowing its transparent use by a member of the local network 7.
• the average radio powers emitted by each piece of equipment, both at the level of the central box 2 and of the individual boxes 4 are reduced to the minimum necessary. These mini a are determined at 2 mW and 20 mW respectively for the individual box 4 and for the central box 2.
• this communication is, in both cases, relayed by a gateway 10 of the local network 7. It has been described above that when it is not connected to the local network 7 because it is out of range 8, an in box dividuel 4 is on standby and is not transmitting, and when it enters range 8, it continues not to transmit. It is waiting to receive the "who-goes-there" request from network 1. before identifying themselves and thus validating their connection to the local network 7. This limits, as far as possible, the emissions from the individual box 4 in order to limit the detectability of the passenger 5 who is carrying it. It goes without saying that, like any network, it is possible to manage access authorizations. Thus, a passenger 5 provided with an individual box 4 will not be systematically accepted to connect to the network 7.
• connection can be limited to a single vehicle and a passenger can only connect if it enters the range transmission / reception 8 of "his" vehicle.
• Authorizations are for example managed a priori by definition of the team members of a vehicle, only authorized to connect. This avoids the unwanted connection of a passenger 5 'of another vehicle passing by nearby. Conversely, it may be necessary to temporarily or definitively accept a 5 'passenger not initially planned. This authorization, temporary or definitive, can be given by configuration. Access to this authorization may be reserved for a certain type of operator.
• the base frequency, or carrier frequency of the communication system 9 according to the invention can be very varied. Given the significant needs in terms of information flow required, it is necessary to opt for a frequency of the order of a hundred kiloHertz or higher. An even higher frequency, located around 5 GigaHertz-, has the advantage of not being disturbed by the jammers located mainly in the microwave frequencies around 2.4 GigaHertz.
• the system according to the invention may include a quality of service indicator. It can incorporate an automatic frequency selection means and a power control means.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Technology Law (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Computing Systems (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Small-Scale Networks (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

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• 2003
  • 2003-06-13 FR FR0307113A patent/FR2856214B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2004
  • 2004-06-03 EP EP04767249A patent/EP1634417A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-06-03 WO PCT/FR2004/001381 patent/WO2005006667A1/fr active Application Filing

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