FR3107489A1 - Method and device for controlling a locking system for a vehicle opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a locking system (10) of a vehicle opening. The locking system (10) comprises a lock (103) and an actuator (101) adapted to control a movement of a stop member (102) blocking or releasing the lock (103). For this purpose, an identifier received from an authentication device (120) is authenticated. The actuator (101) is controlled as a function of a result of the authentication: the stop member (102) is held in a first so-called locking position of the lock (103) when the identifier is not authenticated and the stop member (102) is moved into a second so-called lock release position (103) when the identifier is authenticated as corresponding to an identifier associated with a user having access to the vehicle. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Method and device for controlling a locking system of a vehicle door

The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a locking system of an opening of a vehicle, in particular of the automotive type.

Technology background

New uses associated with vehicles, in particular motor vehicles, have emerged in recent years. For example, car-sharing or self-service car services have developed. Thanks to such services, a set of vehicles, also called a fleet of vehicles, is made available to customers of companies or associations managing this set of vehicles. This means that the same vehicle in the set is used by several different users.

In the same way, an individual owner of a vehicle can also decide to offer his vehicle for rental or car sharing.

For a user to enjoy this service and use a vehicle, it is necessary to provide a solution to access the vehicle. It is thus known to lock the openings of a vehicle using a lock that can be opened with a key. However, in the case of vehicle sharing, it is then necessary to send the key to any user wishing to access and use the vehicle, such management of the sharing of the key(s) being complex to implement and costly.

An object of the present invention is to improve and/or facilitate access to a vehicle, in particular to a vehicle shared between several users.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling a locking system of a vehicle door, the system comprising a lock and an actuator, the actuator being adapted to control a movement of a stop member blocking or releasing the lock, the method comprising the following steps:

- authentication of an identifier received from an authentication device;

- control of the actuator according to an authentication result, the abutment member being held in a first so-called locking position of the lock when the identifier is not authenticated, the abutment member being moved into a second position called release of the lock when the identifier is authenticated as corresponding to an identifier associated with a user having right of access to the vehicle.

According to a variant, the method further comprises a step of receiving the identifier via a wireless link.

According to another variant, the wireless link corresponds to a short-range, high-frequency wireless link of a near-field communication system.

According to an additional variant, the identifier is received from a memory of the authentication device, the authentication device corresponding to a mobile communication device.

According to yet another variant, the lock comprises an operating member acting on a transmission system to allow rotation of a part rotatably mounted on a support, the rotation of the part vis-à-vis the support allowing opening of the opening, the control of the actuator comprising a step of controlling a movement of the stop member between the first position and the second position when the identifier is authenticated, the stop member preventing the rotation of the part vis-à-vis the support when the stop member is in the first position and the stop member allowing rotation of the part vis-à-vis the support when the stop member is in the second position.

According to an additional variant, the authentication comprises a step of comparing the identifier received with a list of user identifiers authorized to access the vehicle.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a device for controlling a locking system of a vehicle door, the system comprising a lock and an actuator, the actuator being adapted to control a movement of a stop member blocking or releasing the lock, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

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

According to a fourth aspect, the 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 invention, this in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

Such a computer program can use any programming language, and 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 invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

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

On the other hand, this recording medium can 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 ways. The computer program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

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

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 6, in which:

schematically illustrates a locking system for a vehicle door, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates a view from below of a lock of the system of FIG. 1, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

schematically illustrates a first view of the locking system of Figure 1, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates a second view of the locking system of Figure 1, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates a device configured to control an actuator of the system of FIG. 1, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a locking system of a vehicle door of FIG. 1, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

A method and a device for controlling a locking system of a vehicle door will now be described in the following with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout. along the following description.

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a locking system for a vehicle door comprises a lock and an actuator, the actuator being adapted to control movement of a stop member blocking or releasing the lock. The method of controlling this locking system includes authenticating an identifier received from an authentication device (for example a passive device or an active device such as a mobile communication device). The actuator is then controlled according to an authentication result: the abutment member is held in a first so-called lock blocking position when the identifier is not authenticated and the abutment member is moved into a second position called release of the lock when the identifier is authenticated as corresponding to an identifier associated with a user having right of access to the vehicle.

The use of an actuator controlled by authentication of an identifier to control a stop member making it possible to block or on the contrary release a lock to authorize or not the unlocking of the opening of the vehicle is simple and inexpensive to set up. . This makes it possible in particular to manage access to a vehicle made available to several people, by eliminating the need to share a key to unlock the lock.

schematically illustrates a system 1 suitable for locking a vehicle opening and controlling a locking system of such an opening, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

The vehicle corresponds for example to a motor vehicle, for example a vehicle with a heat engine, an electric motor or a hybrid vehicle comprising a heat engine and one or more electric motors.

The vehicle is not limited to a motor vehicle but extends to any type of land vehicle comprising a passenger compartment, for example a truck, a bus, a car.

The vehicle corresponds to a private vehicle or a vehicle in a fleet of rental or car-sharing vehicles.

The system 1 advantageously comprises a system 10 for locking a vehicle door, a device 11 (also called control unit 11) configured to control an actuator 101 of the system 10 and a device 12 configured to read or receive an identifier stored on an authentication device 120.

A vehicle opening corresponds for example to a door or gate of the vehicle, for example the front door allowing access to the driver's seat of the vehicle, or to any other door of the vehicle.

According to a first example of implementation, the locking system 10 comprises an actuator 101 configured to move an abutment member 102 between a first position and a second position. The locking system 10 also comprises a lock 103, the lock 10 being blocked when the abutment member 102 is in the first position, that is to say the lock 10 cannot trigger the opening of the opening which it locks. When the stop member is in the second position, the lock 10 is released, that is to say that the lock 10 is operational and that it can authorize the opening of the opening.

According to a second example of implementation, the locking system 10 further comprises the device 11 configured to control the actuator 101.

According to a third example of implementation, the locking system 10 also includes the device 12 configured to read or receive the identifier stored in the authentication device 120.

The actuator 101 corresponds for example to an electric or electromagnetic actuator. An electric actuator comprises for example an electric motor supplied with low voltage direct current by the battery of the vehicle for example, such an actuator being adapted to convert the rotation of the electric motor into a linear movement ensuring the translation of the stop member 102 ( corresponding for example to a jack) between the first position and the second position and/or between the second position and the first position. An electromagnetic actuator comprises for example an electromagnet or a solenoid which, when supplied with current, generates a magnetic field intended to move the stop member 102 in translation, for example between the first position and the second position and/or between the second position and the first position.

According to a variant, the actuator 101 is configured to move the stop member 102 according to a rotational movement between the first position and the second position and/or between the second position and the first position.

The electric motor of the actuator 101 or the power supply of the electromagnet of the actuator 101 is controlled by the device 11, also called control unit 11.

The control unit 11 corresponds for example to a computer of the on-board system of the vehicle, for example an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”). Such a device is described in more detail with reference to Figure 5.

The control unit 11 is for example connected to the actuator 101 on the one hand and to the device 12 on the other hand via a wired connection, for example via a data bus of the CAN type (from the English “Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de Contrôleurs"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de Contrôleurs à Flow de Data Flexible"), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard ) or Ethernet (according to the ISO/IEC 802.3 standard).

According to a variant embodiment, the control unit includes the device 12 to form a single device.

According to another embodiment variant, the actuator 101 comprises the control unit 11.

The device 12 corresponds for example to a near-field communication reader or to a radio receiver of the Bluetooth® or Wifi® type, which device is configured to receive and/or read an identifier (a virtual key) stored in the memory of the device. authentication 105. Near-field communication, known as CCP (or NFC in English, for “Near-Field Communication”), is based on a short-range, high-frequency wireless communication technology, for example 13.56 MHz. Such technology allows the exchange of information between devices up to a distance of a few centimeters, for example 5 or 10 cm.

When the user of the vehicle (for example a person who has rented the vehicle for a fixed period or a subscriber to a car-sharing service) wishes to use the vehicle, the latter presents the authentication device 120 close to the device 12 when the latter corresponds to a CCP reader. Authenticator 120 is configured to store an identifier which is read by device 12 when the authenticator is close enough.

The authentication device 120 corresponds for example to a passive device, for example a card or a badge, or to an active device, for example an intelligent object such as a smart telephone (from the English “smartphone”) and/ or a connected object, for example a connected watch. The authentication device 120 includes in a memory space one or more identification information (also called identifier in the rest of the description) which makes it possible to identify and authenticate the authentication device 120, and at the same time the person carrying this authentication device 120. The identification information(s) are for example stored in a secure or encrypted form, for example within the framework of a public key infrastructure, called PKI (from the English “Public Key Infrastructure”).

In a first operation, an identifier stored in the authentication device 120 is received, for example by the device 12 which transmits it to the control unit 11. The identifier is for example received according to a near-field communication mode , in accordance with standard ISO/IEC 18092 and/or standard ISO/IEC 14443, according to a wireless link at short range (for example less than 10 cm) and at high frequency (for example in the frequency range equal to 13.56MHz).

According to a variant, the identifier is received according to a wireless communication mode conforming to the Bluetooth® or Wifi® standard (for example conforming to the IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n standard). According to this variant, the identifier is for example transmitted by the authentication device 120 to the device 12 or directly to the control unit 11. For example, the authentication device 120 corresponds to a mobile communication device (for example a smartphone) on which is installed a software application configured to manage the identifier and its transmission. The transmission is for example triggered by a user action via a Man-Machine Interface, called HMI, of the application installed on the device 120. Such an action corresponds for example to a tactile press on a button or a graphic icon of the HMI displayed on the touch screen of the authentication device 120.

The identifier received by the control unit 11 is for example compared with a list of identifiers stored in the memory of the control unit 11, each identifier in the list being associated with a person having the right to access the vehicle. (for example for a specific period and/or on one or more specific dates). Such a list is for example received from a remote server, for example from the "cloud" (or "nuage" in French), according to an OTA type link (from English "over-the-air", or in French “by air”). The OTA type connection uses for example one or more wireless communication protocols such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi® (based on IEEE 802.11), LTE (from English “Long-Term Evolution” or in French “Evolution à long term”), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-advanced). If the identifier received by the control unit 11 corresponds to one of the identifiers in the list then the authentication is successful, which means that the user carrying the authentication device 120 has the right to access the vehicle. Otherwise, the authentication fails and the process ends, the user carrying the authentication device 120 not being authorized to enter the vehicle.

In a second operation, the actuator 101 is controlled by the control unit 11 according to the result of the authentication implemented in the first operation. Thus, if the authentication is positive, that is to say that the authentication is successful, then the control unit 11 controls the actuator 101 so as to cause the stop member 102 to pass from the first position towards the second position, that is to say so as to release the lock 103 from the presence of the abutment member 102 which blocks the mechanism of the lock 103 allowing the opening or unlocking of the opening of the vehicle receiving the lock 103.

Conversely, if the authentication is negative, that is to say that the authentication has failed, the control unit 11 controls the actuator 101 so as to maintain the stop member 102 in the first position, that is to say so as to leave the abutment member 102 in the lock to block the mechanism of the lock 103 which makes it possible to unlock the opening of the vehicle receiving the lock 103. Thus, by maintaining the member of stop 102 in the first position, the lock 103 is blocked and the opening of the vehicle cannot be opened.

The simple control of the actuator to move the abutment member 102 from a first position to a second position or to maintain the abutment member in the first position allows a simple and inexpensive control of access to vehicles to authorized persons only, that is to say to persons carrying an authentication device comprising an identifier authorized to allow the opening of one or more openings of the vehicle.

According to a particular embodiment, the abutment member 102 is by default in the first position, called the blocking position. Following successful authentication of the identifier, the abutment member 102 passes into the second position authorizing the opening or unlocking of the opening receiving the lock 103. According to this particular example, the abutment member 102 remains in the second position until receiving a command from the control unit 11 causing a movement of the abutment member 102 to move it from the second position to the first position, and thus lock the opening receiving the lock 103. The control of the control unit 11 to move the abutment member from the second position to the first position is for example triggered by a new authentication of the identifier, for example when the person who used the vehicle leaves this vehicle, closes the opening and activates the locking of the vehicle via the authentication device 120 (either by passing this authentication device 120 close to the device 12, or by triggering the sending of the identifier stored in memory of device 120 to device 12 and/or control unit 11).

In a third operation, when the authentication has succeeded and the abutment member has passed into the second position, called the release position, the opening of the vehicle door is triggered following the actuation of a maneuver (for example a handle or a push button) causing the mechanism of the lock 103 to trigger the opening of the leaf.

Such a process thus makes it possible to control access to a vehicle efficiently and at a lower cost by restricting it to authorized persons only, without the need to exchange a physical key allowing the unlocking of the lock 103.

schematically illustrates a bottom view of the lock 103 of the locking system 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

schematically illustrates a first longitudinal view of a part of the locking system 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

schematically illustrates a second longitudinal view of a part of the locking system 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the lock 103 in bottom view. The lock 103 comprises a part 22 mounted for rotation on a fixed support 21 via an axis of rotation 221. The rotation of the part 22 is for example triggered by pressing on an operating member 23 corresponding to a push button 23 according to the particular example of Figures 2 to 4. Pressure exerted on the push button 23 causes a movement of a cam whose shape is provided to release the part 22 and let the part 22 perform a rotational movement in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2. A recess between the part 22 and the support 21 is provided to allow the part 22 to rotate in the direction of the arrow once released by the movement of the cam driven by the pressure exerted on the push button. The part 22 has a shape extending essentially along a longitudinal axis with, at a first end, a hole provided to receive the pivot connection along the axis of rotation 221 and, at a second end opposite the first end along the longitudinal axis of the part 22, a hole 222 provided to receive a first end of a cable, the cable being inserted into this hole 222 and fixed to the part 22 to be driven during the rotation of the part 22. The rotation of the part 22 exerts a traction force on a member (not shown) fixed to the other end of the cable 1, this member being provided for fixing the opening to the upright of the opening of the vehicle, the traction exerted on the cable causing the member so as to open the door of the vehicle receiving the lock 103.

A dotted circle 201 illustrated in the recess provided between part 22 and support 21 to allow rotation of part 22 relative to support 21 represents the position taken by the head of stop member 102 when the latter is in the first position, called the locking position of the lock 103.

When the stop member 102 is inserted or housed at the location of the circle 201, the latter prevents the rotation of the part 22 relative to the support 21, thus blocking the lock 103 and preventing the unlocking or opening of the opening, including when the push button 23 is pressed.

Figures 2 and 3 each show a view of the locking system 10 comprising the lock 103, the abutment member 102 and the actuator 101 controlling the movement of the abutment member 102 between the first position and the second position, or Conversely.

Figures 2 and 3 each illustrate the abutment member 102 when the latter is in the first position, that is to say in the so-called blocking position in which the abutment member 102 blocks the rotation of the part 22 vis-à-vis the support 21, thus blocking the movement of the cable driven by the rotation of the part 22 and ultimately blocking or preventing the opening or unlocking of the opening of the vehicle receiving the lock 103. As illustrated by the Figures 2 and 3, the abutment member 102 is inserted in its first position (high position according to the example of Figures 3 and 4) in the lock 103 at the location of the recess provided between the part 22 and the support 21 allowing the rotation of the part 22 when the abutment member 102 is not inserted therein, that is to say when the abutment member is in its second position (lower position according to the example of Figures 3 and 4).

The shape of the abutment member 102, and more particularly the shape of the end of the abutment member 102 fitting into the recess provided between the part 22 and the support 21, is provided so that this end s 'inserts into the recess and blocks the rotation of the part 22. The abutment member 102 corresponds for example to a pin, a pin or a cleat.

The actuator 101 is for example fixed on a part 31 intended to be fixed to the structure forming the opening, close to the lock 103 in such a way that the stop member 102 fits perfectly into the recess of the lock 103 provided for the rotation of the part 22. As illustrated with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the abutment member 102 corresponds for example to a cylinder adapted to perform a translational movement between the first position and the second position according to its longitudinal axis.

schematically illustrates a device 50 configured to control the locking system of a vehicle door, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The device 50 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle, such as for example a computer or a set of computers. Device 50 corresponds for example to device 11 of FIG. 1.

The device 50 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to FIG. 1 and/or the steps of the method described with regard to FIG. 6. Examples of such a device 50 include, without being limited thereto , on-board electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic computer such as an ECU ("Electronic Control Unit"), a smart telephone (from the English "smartphone"), a tablet, a laptop. The elements of device 50, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and/or into discrete components. The device 50 can be made in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or else a combination of electronic circuits and software modules. According to different particular embodiments, the device 50 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems, for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input/output ports.

The device 50 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 500 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and/or for executing the instructions of the software or software embedded in the device 50. The processor 500 can include integrated memory, an input/output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 50 further comprises at least one memory 501 corresponding for example to a volatile and/or non-volatile memory and/or comprises a memory storage device which can 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 on-board software or software comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on the memory 501.

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 50 comprises a block 502 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example a remote server or the "cloud", on-board sensors, devices such as a near field communication reader or a radio receiver. Block 502 interface elements include one or more of the following interfaces:

- RF radio frequency interface, for example of the Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi® type, LTE (from English “Long-Term Evolution” or in French “Evolution à long terme”), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-avanced );

- USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Bus Universel en Série” in French);

- HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface”, or “Interface Multimedia Haute Definition” in French);

- LIN interface (from English “Local Interconnect Network”, or in French “Réseau interconnecté local”).

According to another particular embodiment, the device 50 comprises a communication interface 503 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system when the device 50 corresponds to a computer of the on-board system ) via a communication channel 530. The communication interface 503 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and/or data via the communication channel 530. The communication interface 503 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN type (from English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de Contrôleurs"), CAN FD (from English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de Contrôleurs à Flow network”), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (according to ISO/IEC 802.3 standard).

According to an additional particular embodiment, the device 50 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen, one or more loudspeakers and/or other peripherals respectively via interfaces output not shown.

illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling a locking system of a vehicle door, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device on board the vehicle, for example by the system 1 of figure 1, by the device 11 of figure 1 or by the device 50 of figure 5.

In a first step 61, the authentication of an identifier received from an authentication device is implemented.

In a second step 62, an actuator of the locking system is controlled according to a result of the authentication of step 61. The control of the actuator is such that a stop member whose movement is controlled by the actuator is held in a first position called locking of the lock of the locking system when the identifier is not authenticated, and such that the abutment member is moved into a second position called releasing the lock when the identifier is authenticated as corresponding to an identifier associated with a user having right of access to the vehicle.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method of controlling the use of a vehicle, and to the device configured for the implementation of the method.

The invention also relates to a vehicle opening (for example a door) comprising the system 10 of FIG. 1 and/or the device 50 of FIG. 5.

The invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally a land motor vehicle, comprising the system 10 of FIG. 1 and/or the device 50 of FIG. 5.

Claims (9)

Method for controlling a locking system (10) of a vehicle door, said system comprising a lock (103) and an actuator (101), said actuator being adapted to control a movement of a stop member (102 ) blocking or releasing said lock (103), said method comprising the following steps:
- authentication (61) of an identifier received from an authentication device (120);
- control (62) of said actuator (101) as a function of a result of said authentication (61), said abutment member (102) being maintained in a first so-called blocking position of said lock (103) when said identifier is not is not authenticated, said abutment member (102) being moved into a second position called release of said lock (103) when said identifier is authenticated as corresponding to an identifier associated with a user having right of access to the vehicle. Method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of receiving said identifier over a wireless link. A method according to claim 2, wherein said wireless link corresponds to a short range, high frequency wireless link of a near field communication system. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, for which said identifier is received from a memory of said authentication device (120), said authentication device (120) corresponding to a mobile communication device. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, for which the said lock (103) comprises an operating member (23) acting on a transmission system to authorize rotation of a part (22) rotatably mounted on a support ( 21), the rotation of said part (22) vis-à-vis said support (21) authorizing an opening of said opening, the control of said actuator (101) comprising a step of controlling a movement of said stop member (102) between the first position and the second position when said identifier is authenticated, said abutment member (102) preventing the rotation of said part (22) with respect to said support (21) when said abutment member (102) is in the first position and said abutment member (102) allowing the rotation of said part (22) vis-à-vis said support (21) when said abutment member (102) is in the second position. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, for which said authentication comprises a step of comparing said identifier received with a list of identifiers of users authorized to access said vehicle. Device (50) for controlling a locking system of a vehicle door, said system comprising a lock and an actuator, said actuator being adapted to control a movement of a stop member blocking or releasing said lock, said device comprising a memory (501) associated with at least one processor (500) configured for the implementation of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Vehicle comprising the device (50) according to claim 7. Computer program product comprising instructions adapted for the execution of the steps of the method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.