FR3126364A1 - Conditional access to an application while manually driving a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling access to an application of a mobile terminal. The positions of a mobile terminal support and a mobile terminal are determined based on obtaining (301; 302) first and second coordinates. These positions are compared (303) by comparing the first and second coordinates and access to the application is controlled (304; 305) based on the result of the comparison. In particular, access to the application is authorized if the mobile terminal is positioned on the support provided for this purpose. FIG. 3

Description

Conditional access to an application while manually driving a vehicle

The present invention belongs to the field of access control to an application of a mobile terminal.

It is particularly advantageous in the context of applications capable of being executed while the user is driving a vehicle.

“Vehicle” means any type of vehicle such as a motor vehicle, moped, motorcycle, warehouse storage robot, etc.

It is increasingly common to offer telephone applications or functionalities, in particular of the Smartphone type, to be used during a manual driving phase of a vehicle or which may require interactions with the driver during such a manual driving phase. .

However, for obvious safety reasons, the driver's attention should not be taken up by the phone, just as it is preferable for the driver to be able to consult the data communicated by the application without having to hold the phone in a hand.

To this end, so-called “driver distraction” rules have been defined to improve the security associated with such applications. In particular, they recommend positioning the telephone on a support when the application is consulted during manual driving of the vehicle.

Such supports exist and make it possible to position the telephone, close to a dashboard of the vehicle for example.

Some solutions provide a contactor, or several contactors, on the telephone support, with mechanical, optical, magnetic or other activation. Such contactors ensure that the phone is present on the support. However, such contactors require a dedicated power supply. In addition, the sizes of mobile terminals (telephones, smartphones or tablets) vary and require several contacts to respond to this diversity. In practice, such diversity makes it difficult to guarantee the operation of contactors in all situations. Also, systems that allow portrait mode and landscape mode require multiple switches. Thus, such a solution involves additional costs for each contactor and associated power supply and/or lacks completeness with respect to the diversity of mobile terminals.

Other solutions take advantage of NFC technology, for " Near Field Communication " in English, which allows communications at short distance. One or more NFC tags can be added to the support of the phone, and the phone generally includes an NFC reader capable of reading such tags.

However, an NFC tag on the support is not sufficient to cover the diversity of phones and tablets, because the antennas or NFC readers present in phones and tablets do not have a positioning standard. Thus, it is necessary to have several NFC tags on the support, which increases its cost.

In addition, NFC technology imposes constraints on the material of the phone holder which must not include metal. The bracket must contain places to attach the tags and there must be no construction parts between the NFC tag and the mobile terminal. Another constraint is that no protection is needed around the mobile terminal, in which case the NFC reader may not work. Finally, the user must activate the NFC reader on his mobile device because it is not active by default in most cases.

A third solution is based on Bluetooth or Wifi technology, which has a greater range than NFC. Thanks to these technologies, it is possible to detect the presence of the mobile terminal in the vehicle. However, such detection does not make it possible to determine the position of the mobile terminal with precision and therefore does not make it possible to ensure that the mobile terminal is correctly positioned on the support.

Finally, a fourth solution provides for the use of one or more cameras which film the support and which are able to check whether the mobile terminal is present on the support or not. Such a fourth solution, however, requires a calculation step after obtaining the data from the camera and also requires good quality cameras, with unobstructed viewing angles. To have precise detection, several cameras are necessary, and despite this, it is difficult to determine the exact position of the mobile terminal, in particular at night. The cost induced by this fourth solution is thus significant, with a lower quality of detection.

These solutions therefore do not make it possible to ensure the use of an application during a manual driving phase with a high level of safety.

The present invention improves the situation.

To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling access to an application of a mobile terminal, the method comprising the following steps:

- Obtaining first coordinates indicating a position of a support for a mobile terminal of a vehicle;

- obtaining second coordinates indicating a position of the mobile terminal;

- comparison of the first and second coordinates;

- control of access to the application according to a result of the comparison between the first and second coordinates.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to condition access to an application to the attachment of the mobile terminal to the support provided for this purpose in the vehicle, which is particularly advantageous in the context of an application intended to be used during a phase of manual driving of the vehicle. The safety associated with the use of the application in the manual driving phase is thus improved. In addition, the detection of coordinates indicating the position of the mobile terminal makes it possible to dispense with the costly solutions of the prior art, and makes it possible to cover any type and any format of mobile terminal.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control of the application may include, in the event of a positive comparison result, the execution of the application.

Thus, the opening of the application is not delayed when the mobile terminal is well positioned on the support provided for this purpose in the vehicle. The application can thus be executed with a reinforced level of security.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the control of the application may include, in the event of a negative comparison result:

- the display of an alert or action message on a screen of the mobile terminal or the vehicle;

- the broadcasting of an audible alert or action message on a loudspeaker of the mobile terminal or the vehicle;

- closing the application; and or

- stopping the vehicle.

It is thus prevented that the driver drives and/or uses the application when the mobile terminal is not positioned on the support, which reinforces the level of security associated with the use of the application.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the first coordinates can be obtained:

- by consulting a memory of the mobile terminal or a memory of the vehicle;

- by programming a position by an application administrator;

- by selection of a predetermined position among several by a user; Or

- by determination from data from a vehicle sensor.

Thus, the first coordinates can be obtained regardless of the type of support, fixed, with one or more predefined positions, or mobile with an unfinished set of possible positions.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the comparison result may depend on the first coordinates, on the second coordinates and on at least one predetermined tolerance value.

The use of a tolerance makes it possible to take into account the margin of error associated with the determination of the first and second coordinates. It thus improves the robustness of the method according to the invention.

According to one embodiment, the steps of obtaining the first and second coordinates, of comparison and of access control can be implemented by the mobile terminal.

Thus, the functionalities of the invention can be integrated into the application of the mobile terminal.

Alternatively, the steps of obtaining the first and second coordinates, of comparing and of controlling access can be implemented by a control module of the vehicle.

This embodiment takes advantage of the fact that the control module has easier access to the first coordinates than the mobile terminal, and also has the possibility of warning the passenger driver in a more audible or visible manner than the mobile terminal.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a module for controlling access to an application of a mobile terminal, the module comprising a processor configured to:

- obtain first coordinates indicating a position of a mobile terminal support of a vehicle;

- Obtaining second coordinates indicating a position of the mobile terminal;

- comparing the first and second coordinates;

- controlling access to the application according to a result of the comparison between the first and second coordinates.

Such a module can be a vehicle control module or can be integrated into the mobile terminal.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and of the appended drawings in which:

illustrates an application access control system according to one embodiment of the invention;

is a coordinate system of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment;

is a coordinate system of a support for a mobile terminal in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention;

is a coordinate system of a support for a mobile terminal in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention;

is a diagram illustrating the steps of a method according to one embodiment of the invention;

illustrates a structure of a control module according to an embodiment of the invention;

illustrates a structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the invention.

There illustrates an application access control system according to one embodiment of the invention.

The system is shown inside a vehicle 100, such as a motor vehicle. No restriction is attached to the vehicle 100 which is a vehicle comprising manual piloting means, comprising a steering wheel in particular. The vehicle 100 can also comprise autonomous piloting means or a driving assistance system, of the ADAS type for example, for “Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems” in English.

The system includes a support 110 for a mobile terminal. No restriction is attached to the support 110 which can be a fixed support comprising one position or several predefined positions, such as a vertical portrait position and a horizontal landscape position.

As a variant, the support can be removable and can adopt an unfinished set of positions, by means of mechanical connections in particular and/or by a deformable material.

The support 110 comprises means for attaching a mobile terminal, such as the mobile terminal 120 described below, so that a driver of the vehicle 100 can consult the mobile terminal, or interact with it, without the need to hold the mobile terminal 120 in the hand. No restriction is attached to the means of fixing the support 110 which can be mechanical, by magnet, by suction cup, etc.

In addition, the fixing means can be adjustable so as to be able to be adapted to any format of mobile terminal, Smartphone or tablet for example.

The system further comprises the mobile terminal 120. No restriction is attached to the mobile terminal 120 which can be a telephone, of the Smartphone type for example, a touch pad or other. It will be understood that the mobile terminal 120 is not permanently in the vehicle 100, in particular when the vehicle 100 is stationary and the driver is not in the vehicle 100.

As described below, the mobile terminal 120 is able to communicate with a control module 130 of the vehicle 100, via a wired link, USB for example, or wireless, Wifi and/or Bluetooth in particular. The control module 130 can in particular be a centralized control module of the vehicle 100, capable of controlling several elements, in particular of a dashboard 105, such as a screen 140 and a loudspeaker 150. The vehicle 100 can comprise several loudspeakers 150, which are not necessarily placed at the level of the dashboard 105. The same applies to the screen 140 which can be located at a place other than the dashboard 105. The vehicle 100 can comprise multiple 140 screens. No restrictions are attached to the technology of the 140 screen.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the system may further comprise a sensor 160 for the position of the support 110. The sensor 160 is capable of obtaining coordinates indicating the position of the support 110, called first coordinates below to differentiate them second coordinates which indicate the position of the mobile terminal 120.

Symmetrically, the mobile terminal 120 is able to determine second coordinates which indicate its position.

No restriction is attached to the first and second coordinates, nor to the coordinate system and reference frame used. For example, Cartesian and/or spherical coordinates can be used.

Figures 2a to 2c illustrate first and second coordinates according to one embodiment of the invention.

There illustrates in particular the second coordinates indicating the position of the mobile terminal 120.

The second coordinates can be obtained by the operating system of the mobile terminal 120. For example, for the Android ^TM system, the second coordinates are described in the following way:

- the azimuth, rotation angle around the Z axis. This value represents the angle between the Y axis of the device and the magnetic north pole. Facing north, this angle is 0, facing south, this angle is π. Similarly, facing east, this angle is π/2, and facing west, this angle is -π/2. The range of values is -π to π;

- the pitch, angle of rotation around the X axis. This value represents the angle between a plane parallel to the screen of the device and a plane parallel to the ground. Assuming the bottom edge of the device is facing the user and the screen is facing up, tilting the top edge of the device toward the floor creates a positive tilt angle. The range of values is -π to π;

- roll, angle of rotation around the Y axis. This value represents the angle between a plane perpendicular to the screen of the device and a plane perpendicular to the ground. Assuming the bottom edge of the device is facing the user and the screen is facing up, tilting the left edge of the device toward the floor creates a positive roll angle. The range of values is -π/2 to π/2.

There illustrates the first coordinates of rotation around a Z axis perpendicular to the plane of the support 110 and of rotation around a horizontal X axis in the plane of the support 110. illustrates another first coordinate corresponding to an angle of rotation around a vertical Y axis in the plane of the support 110.

A similarly defined coordinate system was used for the first and second coordinates in Figures 2a-2c. However, different systems can be used.

Indeed, Figures 2a to 2c are given for illustrative purposes only and cannot restrict the invention to this coordinate system alone.

There is a diagram illustrating the steps of a method according to one embodiment of the invention.

The method can include an initialization step 300. The method can in particular be initiated:

- when an application intended to be consulted during a manual driving phase of the vehicle 100 is activated or opened on the mobile terminal 120. As explained above, for such applications, it is necessary to comply with a "driver distraction" regulation allowing the use of these applications in complete safety for the driver. No restriction is attached to the application, which may be a dedicated application of the vehicle 100, provided by the vehicle manufacturer, or which may be a geolocation application; Or

- when the presence of the mobile terminal 120 is detected in the vehicle 100 by the control module 130. The aforementioned application can then already be activated on the mobile terminal 110 when the latter is detected by the control module 130.

The steps 301 to 305 described below can be implemented in the control module 130 or alternatively in the mobile terminal 120. Alternatively, some of these steps are implemented in the control module 130 and others are implemented. implemented in the mobile terminal 120.

At a step 301, the first coordinates of the support 110 are obtained. No restriction is attached to the way the first coordinates are obtained. For example :

- the first coordinates are predefined and stored in a memory of the mobile terminal 120 or of the control module 130;

- the first coordinates are predefined by programming by an administrator of the application;

- the first coordinates are entered manually on the mobile terminal 120 or on the control module 130 via an interface. For example, a selection of a position of the support 110 from a set of predetermined positions makes it possible to obtain the first coordinates at a current instant, the first coordinates associated with each position of the predetermined set being known and stored in a memory of the mobile terminal 120 or control module 130;

- the first coordinates are determined at a current instant by the sensor 160, which is particularly advantageous when the support 130 is removable in an unfinished set of positions. The first coordinates are then obtained by the control module 130.

A transmission of the first coordinates between the control module 130 and the mobile terminal 120 can be provided, in particular when the first coordinates are acquired by one and the steps 303 and following are implemented by the other. By way of example, when steps 303 and following are implemented in the mobile terminal 120, and the first coordinates are obtained from the sensor 160, the first coordinates are communicated by the control module 130 to the mobile terminal 120 in step 301, which thus obtains the first coordinates.

At a step 302, consecutive, prior to or parallel to step 301, the second coordinates of the mobile terminal 120 are obtained. The second coordinates of the mobile terminal 120 can be obtained from the processing of gyroscopic data of the mobile terminal 120 for example. When the control module 130 executes steps 303 and following, the second coordinates are transmitted from the mobile terminal 120 to the control module 130, which thus obtains the second coordinates.

At a step 303, the first and second coordinates are compared in order to determine whether the mobile terminal 120 is positioned on the support 110, and thus makes it possible to comply with "driver distraction" type regulations and to execute the application on the mobile terminal 120 in a secure manner for the driver of the vehicle 100.

The comparison step 303 can include taking into account the first coordinates, the second coordinates and one or more tolerance values. For example, either X11, X12 and X13 the first coordinates and X21, X22 and X23 the second coordinates, or T1 a first tolerance value, the comparison of X21 with X11 can consist of checking that X21 is between X11-T1 and X11 +T1. The same tolerance value T1 can be used to compare the first coordinate X12 and the second coordinate X22. Alternatively, a second tolerance value T2 can be used.

In the event of a positive comparison in step 303, that is to say if the comparison of each of the first and second coordinates is positive, the application can be executed on the mobile terminal 120 in a step 304. In the case where the comparison is implemented by the control module 130 in step 303, the control module can send a validation message to the mobile terminal in step 304 so that the mobile terminal 120 executes the application.

In the event of a negative comparison, that is to say if at least one comparison of a first coordinate with a second coordinate is negative, the method further comprises a step 305 comprising:

- the display of an alert or action message on a screen of the mobile terminal 120 or on the screen 140 of the dashboard 105;

- the broadcasting of a sound alert or action message on a loudspeaker of the mobile terminal or on the loudspeaker 150 of the vehicle 100;

- closing the application;

- stopping the vehicle 100; and or

- any other operation making it possible to prevent or suspend the use of the application during a phase of manual driving of the vehicle, or to encourage the driver to place the mobile terminal 120 on the support 110 to allow the activation of the application on the mobile terminal 120.

Steps 304 and 305 thus allow the control of access to the application on the mobile terminal 120 according to the positioning of the mobile terminal 120 on the support 110 or not. It is thus possible to improve the level of security associated with the use of the application during a phase of manual driving of the vehicle.

There shows the structure of a control module 130 of a vehicle 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.

The control module 130 comprises a processor 401 configured to communicate unidirectionally or bidirectionally, via one or more buses or via a direct wired connection, with a memory 402 such as a " Random Access Memory " type memory, RAM, or a “ Read Only Memory ” type memory, ROM, or any other type of memory (Flash, EEPROM, etc.). Alternatively, memory 402 includes several memories of the aforementioned types.

The memory 402 is capable of storing, permanently or temporarily, at least some of the data used and/or resulting from the implementation of the method according to the invention illustrated with reference to the . In particular, the memory 402 is able to store the first coordinates of the support 110, when it is fixed, or the first coordinates corresponding to the possible positions of the support 110, when it can adopt a finite number of positions. The memory 402 can also store Wifi or Bluetooth identifiers of the mobile terminal 120. The memory 402 can also store messages to be broadcast by the loudspeaker 150 or to be displayed on the screen 140, in particular for the implementation of step 305 described above.

The processor 401 is capable of executing instructions, stored in the memory 402, for the implementation of steps 300 to 305 of the method according to the invention, described with reference to the , or some of the steps 300 to 305 described in , depending on the embodiment considered. Alternatively, the processor 401 can be replaced by a microcontroller designed and configured to carry out the steps of the method according to the invention, described with reference to the .

The control module 130 can further comprise a first interface 403 able to communicate with the mobile terminal 120. The first interface 403 can in particular be a wired interface, USB for example, or non-wired, Wifi or Bluetooth for example.

The control module 130 can further comprise a second interface 404 able to communicate the equipment of the vehicle 100, in particular the screen 140, the loudspeaker 150, and the sensor 160.

There presents the structure of a mobile terminal 120 according to one embodiment of the invention.

The mobile terminal comprises a processor 501 configured to communicate unidirectionally or bidirectionally, via one or more buses or via a direct wired connection, with a memory 502 such as a memory of the “ Random Access Memory ” type, RAM, or a memory of the “ Read Only Memory ” type, ROM, or any other type of memory (Flash, EEPROM, etc.). Alternatively, memory 502 includes several memories of the aforementioned types.

The memory 502 is able to store, permanently or temporarily, at least some of the data used and/or resulting from the implementation of the method according to the invention illustrated with reference to the . In particular, the memory 502 is capable of storing the first coordinates of the support 110, when it is fixed, or the first coordinates corresponding to the possible positions of the support 110, when it can adopt a finite number of positions. The memory 402 can also store Wifi or Bluetooth identifiers of the vehicle 100. The memory 402 can also store messages to be broadcast by a loudspeaker 505 or to be displayed on a screen 506 of the mobile terminal 120, in particular for setting implementation of step 305 described above.

The processor 501 is capable of executing instructions, stored in the memory 502, for the implementation of steps 300 to 305 of the method according to the invention, described with reference to the , or some of the steps 300 to 305 described in , depending on the embodiment considered. Alternatively, the processor 501 can be replaced by a microcontroller designed and configured to carry out the steps of the method according to the invention, described with reference to the .

The mobile terminal 120 can further comprise a user interface 503 capable of acquiring data entered by the user, by touch, by voice control or by gestures. When the user interface 503 is a touch screen, the interface 503 and the screen 506 can be one and the same entity.

The mobile terminal 120 can further comprise an interface 504 able to communicate with the control module 130 of the vehicle. The interface 504 can in particular be a wired interface, USB for example, or non-wired, Wifi or Bluetooth for example.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of examples; it extends to other variants.

Claims (9)

A method of controlling access to an application of a mobile terminal (120), the method comprising the following steps:
- obtaining (301) first coordinates indicating a position of a support (110) for a mobile terminal of a vehicle (100);
- obtaining (302) second coordinates indicating a position of the mobile terminal;
- comparison (303) of the first and second coordinates;
- control (304; 305) of access to the application according to a result of the comparison between the first and second coordinates. Method according to claim 1, in which the control of the application comprises, in the event of a positive comparison result, the execution of the application. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the control of the application comprises, in the event of a negative comparison result:
- the display of an alert or action message on a screen (506; 140) of the mobile terminal (120) or of the vehicle (100);
- the broadcasting of a sound alert or action message on a loudspeaker (505; 150) of the mobile terminal (120) or of the vehicle (100);
- closing the application; and or
- stopping the vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first coordinates are obtained:
- By consulting a memory (502) of the mobile terminal (120) or a memory (402) of the vehicle (100);
- by programming a position by an administrator of the application;
- By selecting a predetermined position among several by a user; Or
- by determination from data from a sensor (160) of the vehicle. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the comparison result depends on the first coordinates, the second coordinates and at least one predetermined tolerance value. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the steps of obtaining (301; 302) the first and second coordinates, of comparing (303) and of controlling (304; 305) the access are implemented by the mobile terminal (120). Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the steps of obtaining (301; 302) the first and second coordinates, of comparing (303) and of controlling (304; 305) access are implemented implemented by a control module (110) of the vehicle (100). Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor (401; 501). Control module (120; 130) for access to an application of a mobile terminal, the module comprising a processor (401; 501) configured to:
- obtaining first coordinates indicating a position of a mobile terminal support (110) of a vehicle (100);
- Obtaining second coordinates indicating a position of the mobile terminal;
- comparing the first and second coordinates;
- controlling access to the application according to a result of the comparison between the first and second coordinates.