FR3065855B1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING THE USE OF A VEHICLE ACCESS POINT BY TRANSMITTING INFORMATION OF AVAILABLE CAPACITY - Google Patents

Abstract

A method is dedicated to controlling the use of a wireless Internet access point (AP), embedded in a vehicle (V) and registered with a dedicated service, by at least one communication equipment Wireless (EC), used by a person registered with this dedicated service. This method comprises a step in which this dedicated service requests the vehicle (V) to transmit by waves in its environment information that is representative of its current geographical position and an available capacity for access to the Internet. wirelessly via its access point (AP) at least in terms of amount of data and duration. Thus, the person can, when located near this geographical position in progress, trigger a connection of its wireless communication equipment (EC) to the access point (AP) when this available capacity satisfies.

Description

The invention relates to vehicles that are equipped with a point of access to the wireless Internet. , and more precisely the control of the use of such an access point by a person provided with wireless communication equipment.

Some vehicles, generally of the automotive type, include a wireless Internet access point (or "hotspot"), generally Wi-Fi type, which can be used by authorized persons and equipped with communication equipment. thread. This is particularly the case for vehicles offering OnStar® service over Wi-Fi and LTE ("Long Term Evolution").

Here is meant by "authorized person" a person associated with a personal identifier and password with a software application managing in a vehicle the connections of wireless communication equipment of third parties to an access point (at the Wireless internet) embedded. Note that in order to benefit from the connection service controlled by this software application, this authorized person must be located in the transmission / reception area of the vehicle's wireless communication means. It can therefore be located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle or outside the vehicle.

A disadvantage of this type of connection service lies in the fact that a person can establish connections with the access point of a vehicle only if his personal identifier and password have been previously registered with the software application that manages these connections in situ in this vehicle.

Another disadvantage of this type of connection service lies in the fact that the authorized person is not informed, when preparing to make the connection to the access point of the vehicle, of the available capacity of the vehicle. access to the wireless Internet via this access point. Therefore, once connected this person may be unable to perform some desired tasks through this access point. The invention is therefore particularly intended to improve the situation.

It proposes for this purpose a method, dedicated to the control of the use of a wireless Internet access point, embedded in a vehicle and registered with a dedicated service, by at least one communication equipment without wire, used by a person registered with this dedicated service.

This method is characterized by the fact that it comprises a step in which the dedicated service requests the vehicle to transmit, by way of waves, in its environment, information that is representative of its current geographical position and of an available capacity. access to the wireless Internet via its access point at least in terms of the amount of data and duration, so that this person can, when located near this current geographical position, trigger a connecting its wireless communication equipment to this access point when this available capacity satisfies it.

Thus, the person does not need to be previously known to the access point of the neighboring vehicle to be able to connect his wireless communication equipment.

The method according to the invention can comprise other characteristics that can be taken separately or in combination, and notably: in its step, the service can provide the wireless communication equipment with a data file that defines a data card; an area of interest to the person using it and on which is displayed the current geographical position of the access point of the vehicle; in its step the service can provide a data file which also defines the available capacity of the access point of the vehicle for display on the map; • in its step the available capacity of the access point of the vehicle can be displayed on the map if the person selects the current geographical position of the access point that is displayed; - the available capacity for access to the wireless Internet via the access point of the vehicle may also be representative of a number of persons using the access point and / or another number at the relevant time people who can still use the access point at the moment considered; - In its step, if the person creates a first account associated with a first bank identifier with the service, the service can record a period of use of the vehicle access point by this person and / or a the amount of data exchanged via this access point by this person, and may debit this first account according to this recorded usage time and / or the amount of exchanged data recorded; > in its step, in case of creation by a user of the vehicle of a second account associated with a second bank identifier with the service, this service can credit this second account depending on the duration of use recorded and / or the amount of data exchanged recorded; - In its step the dedicated service can ask the vehicle to transmit information by waves repeatedly and periodically for a predefined period. The invention also proposes a control device for controlling the use of a wireless Internet access point, embedded in a vehicle and registered with a dedicated service, by at least one communication equipment without wire, used by a person registered with this dedicated service.

This device is characterized by the fact that it is capable of triggering a wave transmission by the vehicle, in its environment, of information that is representative of a current geographical position of the vehicle and an available capacity access to the wireless Internet via the access point of this vehicle at least in terms of the amount of data and duration, so that this person can, when it is located near this geographical position in progress , trigger a connection of its wireless communication equipment to this access point when this available capacity satisfies it.

For example, the available wireless Internet access capacity via the vehicle access point may also be representative of a number of persons currently using that access point and / or a other number of people still able to use this access point at the moment considered. The invention also proposes a vehicle, possibly of automobile type, and comprising a point of access to the wireless Internet and a control device of the type of that presented above. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, in a perspective view, an example of a vehicle comprising a control device according to the invention and a wireless Internet access point connected to a wireless communication network and to which wireless communication equipment can connect, and - Figure 2 illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a control method according to the invention. The object of the invention is in particular to propose a control method, and an associated control device, for controlling the use of an access point to the wireless Internet PA, embedded in a vehicle V and registered with a dedicated service, by at least one wireless communication equipment EC, used by a person registered with this dedicated service. This dedicated service is hereinafter referred to as "connection".

In what follows, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle V is automotive type. This is, for example, a car. But the invention is not limited to this type of vehicle. It concerns any type of vehicle, land, sea (or fluvial) or air, since it can include at least one point of access to the wireless Internet PA.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows an exemplary vehicle V comprising a DC control device according to the invention and a point of access to the wireless Internet (or hotspot) PA connected to a wireless communication network RC and to which EC wireless communication equipment can be connected (only one is shown here).

For example, this access point (to the wireless Internet) PA, of the vehicle V, is arranged to communicate by waves according to the Wi-Fi protocol. But in a variant it could, for example, communicate by waves according to the LTE protocol.

In order for this access point AP, of the vehicle V, to be used by third parties, it must first be registered with a connection service supervised by an accessible server SR, as illustrated, via the network. RC communication. It must also have a dedicated software application, for example previously loaded or downloaded from the server SR. The registration of this access point (to the wireless Internet) PA is done by providing the server SR, by a user of the vehicle V, an identifier (or "login" or "login ID") and a personal password.

Similarly, so that a third person can use the access point PA of a vehicle V, registered with the connection service, it must be previously registered with the latter in the server SR. It must also have a wireless communication equipment EC, such as a smartphone (or "smartphone") or an electronic tablet, equipped (e) a dedicated software application AL, for example previously downloaded of the SR server during the recording and stored in an MS memory. The registration of this third person is done by providing the server SR, for example via the wireless communication equipment EC, a login (or login or login ID) and a personal password.

In order for the wireless communication equipment EC to be able to connect to the registered AP access points, it must have a wireless communication module MCN, for example able to communicate by waves (here) according to the Wi-Fi protocol.

As indicated above, the invention proposes in particular to implement a method for controlling the use of at least one registered access point PA, of a vehicle V, by third persons registered and provided with equipment wireless communication system comprising the software application AL.

This implementation can be done by means of, in particular, DC control devices which are installed respectively in vehicles V whose access point PA has been registered with the server SR.

In the example shown non-limitatively in FIG. 1, the control device DC is installed in a computer CA, which can possibly provide at least one other function within the vehicle V. This computer CA can, for example, be a telematic box (possibly the one known under the acronym BSRF ("Frequency Radio Service Box")). But this is not obligatory. Indeed, the DC control device could be arranged in the form of a computer dedicated to controlling the use of the access point PA. Therefore, a DC control device, according to the invention, can be realized in the form of software modules (or computer (or "software")), or a combination of electronic circuits (or "hardware") and software modules.

The (control) method according to the invention comprises a step which is triggered whenever an access point PA of a vehicle V is registered with the server SR.

During the step of the method, the dedicated connection service (supervised by the server SR) requests the vehicle V to transmit by waves in its environment information which is representative of its current geographical position and of an available capacity. access to the wireless Internet via its AP access point at least in terms of amount of data and duration. This information is hereinafter referred to as "connection".

This request is made by sending a dedicated message to the DC control device of the vehicle V, following the registration of its AP access point. On receipt of this message, the control device DC collects in its vehicle V the connection information to be transmitted, then triggers the transmission by waves of this information by its vehicle V in its environment. This transmission is done using the AP access point.

Thus, when a person registered with the server SR is located near the current geographical position, transmitted by the vehicle V, it can trigger a connection of its wireless communication equipment EC to the AP access point of this vehicle V when the available capacity, transmitted by the vehicle V, satisfies it. This is particularly advantageous because this person does not need to be known to the vehicle V AP access point. The connection between the wireless communication equipment EC and the access point PA is indeed made under control of the software applications AL (dedicated to the connection) which are stored respectively in the wireless communication equipment EC and the vehicle V. There may be exchanges between the wireless communication equipment EC and the server SR via the RC communication network.

It should be noted that the duration of availability of access to the wireless Internet via the / a registered access point PA (of a vehicle V) may be a function of the current load of the battery BA of this vehicle V and / or the estimated time of departure of vehicle V from the place where it is parked. This estimated time of departure of the vehicle V from the place where it is being parked can be provided to the DC control device by the user of the vehicle V before it leaves the latter (V), or estimated by the device DC control according to known habits of use of the vehicle V by its user.

Note also that the available capacity of access to the wireless Internet via the / AP access point recorded may also be representative of the number of people who use at the moment considered this PA access point and / or another number of people still able to use the access point AP this time. This option can enable the registered person to know if they will share the affected AP access point with other people already connected, for example for a data exchange security issue (especially when their communication equipment without EC wire does not provide this security). The number of people who currently use the access point PA can be unlimited when the available energy is sufficient. But this number could possibly be constrained.

In order to prevent the vehicle V from continuously transmitting its connection information, which would discharge its battery BA too quickly, it is preferable that in the process step one (the SR server) asks it to transmit by way of waves its connection information periodically and repetitively for a predefined time.

For example, the transmission period can be between 5 minutes and 30 minutes. Thus, this transmission period may, for example, be equal to 15 minutes. It will be noted that this transmission period may be known in advance by the vehicle V, by construction or prior programming, or transmitted by the server SR.

Also for example, the predefined duration of each transmission may be between 30 s and 2 min. Thus, this predefined duration may, for example, be equal to 1 min. It will be noted that this predefined duration can be known in advance by the vehicle V, by construction or prior programming, or transmitted by the server SR.

For example, in the method step the connection service (supervised by the server SR) can provide to the wireless communication equipment EC of a registered person a data file which defines a map of an area of interest to that person. person and on which is displayed the current geographical position of the / each PA access point registered (and of course present in this area). The position of the / each registered AP access point may be materialized by any type of symbol. Thus, it may be a point or a circle or a rectangle or a triangle, for example. It will be understood that this map, or at least a portion thereof, is intended to be displayed on the screen AND of the wireless communication equipment EC of the / each registered and interested person.

This option is intended to allow a registered person who wishes to visit an area, for example a district of a city, to view the locations of this area where there are AP access points recorded at the time. Thus, this registered person can in particular know in advance if it can connect in this area to access points of vehicles registered with the connection service of the server SR. For example, this registered person may, in particular, define a route according to the places where vehicles with registered access points are parked.

Note that in the case of this latter option, in the method step the connection service (supervised by the server SR) can provide the EC wireless communication equipment of a registered person with a data file which defines also the available capacity of the / each AP access point for display on the card.

Each available capacity can be automatically displayed on the map (or portion of map), for example in the immediate vicinity of the symbol representing the current geographic position of the / each registered PA access point concerned.

Alternatively, in the method step the available capacity of the / each AP access point may be displayed on the card if the registered person selects the current geographical position of an AP access point which is displayed. For example, when the ET screen of the registered person's wireless communication equipment EC is of touch type, the selection of an AP access point (for obtaining the associated available capacity) can be done by pressing with a finger on the area of the screen AND where is displayed the symbol which materializes its current geographical position.

It will also be noted that in the step of the method, in the case of creation by the registered person of a first account associated with a first bank identifier with the connection service (supervised by the server SR), this connection service can record the duration of use of the / AP access point registered by this registered person and / or a quantity of data exchanged via this AP access point registered by this registered person. Then, the connection service may debit that first account based on this recorded usage time and / or the amount of exchanged data recorded. It will be understood that this option is intended to make paying the connection service that is used by a registered person.

The creation of the first account of a person can, for example, be done when registering the personal identifier and password of this person to the server SR.

Any mode of debit may be considered as soon as it is accepted by the person on a contractual basis.

The connection data of a person to an access point AP (duration of use and / or quantity of data exchanged) can, for example, be addressed by this access point PA to the server SR at the end of the connection. Alternatively, they can be addressed to the SR server as soon as the connection is terminated by the wireless communication equipment EC of that person, by order of the stored software application AL.

Note that the latter option can also pay the user of / vehicle V including a PA access point just to be used by a registered person, provided that the user has previously created a second account associated to a second bank identifier at the connection service (supervised by the server SR). This compensation is intended to offer this user compensation for the use of the access point PA of his vehicle V, which reduces its life and consumes electrical energy stored in the battery BA, and for which it pays a subscription for the connectivity of his vehicle V.

In this case, in the method step, the connection service can credit the second account, associated with the AP access point used by a registered person, according to the duration of use of this AP registered access point. for that person and / or the amount of data exchanged by that AP access point registered for that person.

The creation of the second account associated with an access point PA may, for example, be done when registering the personal identifier and password of this access point PA with the server SR.

Any method of payment may be considered as soon as it is accepted by the user of a vehicle V contractually.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a nonlimiting example of an algorithm implementing a control method according to the invention.

In a sub-step 10, the user of a vehicle V registers the access point AP of the latter (V) with the server SR, and possibly creates an account so that the use of this access point PA can be paid.

In a sub-step 20, the server SR transmits to the vehicle V a message asking it to transmit in its environment, with its access point PA just registered, connection information that is representative of its current geographical position and an available wireless internet access capacity via its AP access point at least in terms of amount of data and duration.

For example, the server SR may request a wavelength transmission of the connection information periodically and repetitively for a predefined period of time.

In a substep 30, the newly-registered PA access point begins to transmit its connection information to its environment, to inform the EC wireless communication equipment of the persons registered with the SR server (for its service provider). connection), and preferably the SR server.

In a substep 40, which could be prior to any of the substeps 10 to 30 (hence its dotted line), a person using EC wireless communication equipment registers with the SR server (for the login service), and possibly create an account to pay for future uses of the registered AP access points.

In a substep 50, the server SR updates with the connection information, transmitted by the access point AP of the vehicle V, a data file which defines a map on which the current geographic positions of the points are displayed. APs that have been registered with him, as well as possibly the available capabilities of these APs. This card (or part of it) is then made available to the persons registered with the SR server, in order to be displayed, if they wish, on the screen AND their wireless communication equipment EC.

In a substep 60, a registered person is alerted by the software application AL (dedicated to the connection service), by a display on the screen AND of his wireless communication equipment EC, that exists in the vicinity a vehicle V comprising a registered AP access point to which its wireless communication equipment EC can connect. The latter (EC) has been informed by receiving the connection information transmitted by this AP access point.

In a substep 70, the registered and alerted person considers that the available capacity of the neighboring PA access point is satisfactory, and therefore corresponds to his needs of the moment. Therefore, this person allows his wireless communication equipment EC to connect to this neighboring AP access point. Once the connection is established, this person can access the Internet to exchange data. The connection service then begins to record the duration of use of the AP access point by this person and / or the amount of data exchanged via this AP access point by this person.

In a substep 80, the person decides to terminate the connection between his wireless communication equipment EC and the neighboring AP access point.

In a substep 90, the server SR records the data representative of this connection which has just ended (period of use of the access point AP and / or amount of data exchanged via this access point PA).

In a substep 100, the server SR debits the account of the person who has just terminated the connection according to the recorded connection data (duration of use and / or quantity of data exchanged), and credits the associated account. at the AP access point that provided this connection.

Claims (10)

1. A method of controlling the use of a wireless Internet access point (PA), embedded in a vehicle (V) and registered with a dedicated service, by at least one communication equipment without wire (EC), used by a person registered with said dedicated service, characterized in that it comprises a step in which said dedicated service requests said vehicle (V) to transmit, by means of waves, in its environment, representative information its current geographical position and available wireless Internet access capacity via its access point (AP) at least in terms of the amount of data and duration, so that such person may, when it is located near said current geographical position, trigger a connection of its wireless communication equipment (EC) to said access point (AP) when said available capacity satisfies it. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step said service provides to said wireless communication equipment (EC) a data file defining a map of an area of interest to the person who uses it and on which is displayed said current geographical position of said access point (AP). 3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that in said step said service provides a data file also defining said available capacity of said access point (AP) for display on said card. 4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said available capacity for access to the wireless Internet via said access point (AP) is also representative of a number of people using the moment considered said access point (AP) and / or another number of persons still able to use at said instant said access point (AP). 5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in said step, in case of creation by said person of a first account associated with a first bank identifier with said service, said service records a duration of use of said access point (AP) by said person and / or a quantity of data exchanged via said access point (AP) by said person, and debits said first account according to said registered duration of use and / or said amount of exchanged data recorded. 6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that in said step, in case of creation by a user of said vehicle (V) of a second account associated with a second bank identifier with said service, said service credits said second account with according to said recorded usage time and / or said amount of exchanged data recorded. 7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in said step said dedicated service requests said vehicle (V) to transmit by waves said information periodically and repetitively for a predefined period. 8. Device (DC) for controlling the use of a wireless Internet access point (PA), embedded in a vehicle (V) and registered with a dedicated service, by at least one equipment of wireless communication (EC), used by a person registered with said dedicated service, characterized in that it is capable of triggering a transmission by waves by said vehicle (V), in its environment, of information representative of a current geographical position of said vehicle (V) and an available wireless Internet access capacity via said access point (AP) at least in terms of data quantity and duration, so that said person can, when located near said current geographical position, trigger a connection of its wireless communication equipment (EC) to said access point (AP) when said available capacity satisfies it. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said available capacity for access to the wireless Internet via said access point (AP) is also representative of a number of persons using at the instant considered said point access point (PA) and / or another number of persons still able to use the access point (AP) at the relevant instant. 10. Vehicle (V) comprising a wireless Internet access point (AP), characterized in that it also comprises a control device (DC) according to one of claims 8 and 9.