FR3129748A1 - Method for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between two devices belonging to two different centralized communication networks - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device (E) of a centralized communication network (NET1) and a second device (R) of a another centralized communication network (NET2). The method implements data sharing between the first and second devices by using a so-called blockchain technology implemented by a predetermined number of devices of a distributed communication network (NET3) associated with the first device and the same number of devices of the distributed communication network associated with the second device. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Method for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between two devices belonging to two different centralized communication networks

The present invention relates to methods and devices for communicating data relating to at least one part of a vehicle between two devices belonging to two different centralized communication networks.

Technology background

In the automotive field, it is necessary for a car manufacturer to be able to communicate documents and other data relating to a vehicle or to a part of a vehicle (accessory or other) both internally, through a centralized communication network private, and externally with its suppliers or customers. For example, these documents or data may relate to regulatory requirements, customer feedback or even compliance information between parts suppliers throughout a supply chain to the car manufacturer.

The exchange of these documents or data is not easy when the manufacturer uses a private centralized communication network different from the equally centralized and private communication network of its correspondent receiving these documents or data. Thus, the exchanges of documents or data between car manufacturers and suppliers or customers are most often done manually due to the restricted access to these centralized and private communication networks. These manual exchanges are not optimal because they can lead to loss and falsification of data.

Furthermore, it is known to implement a data sharing solution by using a chain of data blocks. A chain of data blocks is formed and accessed by the automaker and its recipient correspondent, creating a shared collaborative workspace. However, for this space to be accessible both by internal collaborators and external correspondents, it is necessary to replace the car manufacturer's private centralized communication networks and those of its external correspondents with a distributed communication network. Something which, in practice, is not feasible because each participant in these data exchanges wishes to keep their own private centralized communication network for reasons of cost and significant changes in their IT organization.

Summary of the present invention

An object of the present invention is to allow collaborative, secure, reliable and fluid exchanges of data between two devices belonging to different private centralized communication networks.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device of a centralized communication network and a second device of another centralized communication network, said method comprising a step of associating a predetermined number of devices of a distributed communication network with the first device and of associating the same number of devices of the distributed communication network with the second device; a step of initializing, by the first device, a data transaction request, relating to said at least one part of the vehicle, with the second device, by integrating information characterizing said data transaction in a block of data ; a step of securing the data block using a key; a step of transmitting the key to the second device and to the devices of the distributed communication network which have the right to access the data of the data block; a step of validation of the data transaction request by the devices of the distributed communication network associated with the first device and by the devices of the distributed communication network associated with the second device; if the transaction request is validated, a step of adding the data and a signature of the first device in the block of data, and a step of adding the block of data to a chain of blocks stored on each device associated with the first device and on each device associated with the second device.

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the key is secured using a hash function.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the key is produced based on a content of the data of the data transaction.

According to a particular and non-limiting example embodiment, the transaction request is validated if a percentage of the devices of the distributed communication network validating the data transaction request is greater than a threshold value.

According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the threshold value is equal to 80%.

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the data transaction request is validated based on a signature of the first device.

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the method further comprises a step of storing a history of data transactions, carried out between the first and second devices, on each device of the distributed communication network associated with the first device and on each device of the distributed communication network associated with the second device and a step of updating the history stored after each data transaction.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device of a centralized communication network and a second device of another centralized communication network, 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 present invention.

According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for the execution of the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, 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 fourth aspect, the present 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 present 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 present 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 present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 3, in which:

schematically illustrates an example of a data communication environment according to a particular and non-limiting example embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates a device for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device of a centralized communication network and a second device of another centralized communication network, according to a particular example embodiment and not limitation of the present invention; And

illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device of a centralized communication network and a second device of another centralized communication network, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the examples of realization

A method and a device for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device of a centralized communication network and a second device of another centralized communication network will now be described in what will follow with reference in conjunction with Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which will follow.

According to one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a method for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device of a centralized communication network and a second device of another communication network centralized. The method implements data sharing between the first and second devices by using a so-called blockchain technology, also called distributed ledger technology. .

Blockchain technology is a digital tool for storing and communicating data without a central controlling body. Blockchain technology is configured to allow users of the blockchain, connected in a network, to perform data transactions to share this data between them directly, without an intermediary. A chain of blocks is a register or a database which has the particularity of being shared simultaneously with all its users, all of whom are also holders of this register (or database), and who also all have the capacity to register in it. data, according to specific rules set by a secure computer protocol through cryptography. The identification of each user is carried out by a cryptographic process. A block of a blockchain can group several data transactions. Each block in a blockchain can hold a maximum amount of data to share.

According to the present invention, the blockchain technology is implemented by a predetermined number of devices of a distributed communication network associated with the first device and the same number of devices of the distributed communication network associated with the second device.

The present invention is implemented on the basis of a hybrid architecture which combines private centralized communication network architectures currently in place with car manufacturers and their suppliers, and a distributed communication network architecture.

The present invention does not require replacing the private centralized communication networks because the workspace is formed from devices of the distributed communication network which is external to these private centralized communication networks.

The present invention makes it possible to create a collaborative workspace because the same chain of data blocks is stored on each of the devices of the distributed communication network which is associated with the first or with the second device.

The present invention ensures traceability of the various data transactions carried out between the first and second devices by storing a history of these data transactions on the devices of the distributed communication network which are associated with the first and second devices.

The sharing of data by blockchain technology implemented by devices of the distributed communication network and the encryption of the data exchanged makes it possible to authenticate the first and second devices participating in the transactions of this data without calling on a third party. confidence, which streamlines the sharing of this data between these first and second devices. Indeed, each transaction is validated by devices of the distributed communication network before being authorized.

Decentralized security management prevents tampering with data transactions. Each new block added to the blockchain is linked to the previous one (except for the first block in the blockchain) and a copy of this new block is transmitted to all the devices of the distributed communication network associated with the first and second devices. The integration of the blocks is chronological, indelible and tamper-proof.

In addition, the chain of blocks is unalterable and the data blocks are timestamped and signed, which makes the data exchanged more reliable.

The present invention makes it possible to obtain a data sharing system without multiplying and complicating data reconciliations; A data sharing system that is simple, inexpensive, secure and allows the traceability of data relating to compliance information between parts suppliers, throughout a supply chain to car manufacturers.

schematically illustrates an example of a data communication environment according to a particular and non-limiting example embodiment of the present invention.

The communication environment 1 comprises for example a sender device E of a private centralized communication network NET1 and a receiver device R of a private centralized communication network NET2. The private centralized communication network NET1 is distinct from the private centralized communication network NET2. The transmitter E and receiver R devices communicate through a distributed communication network NET3 as explained below.

The number of transmitter device E or receiver R is arbitrary, ranging for example from a few devices to several hundred or even several thousand devices.

The distributed communication network NET3 comprises several devices, for example 4 referenced S11, S12, S21, S22 also called nodes. These devices (nodes) communicate with each other via the distributed communication network NET3.

A node can be any active electronic device, including a server, computer, telephone or even a printer, provided it is connected to the NET3 communication network and has an identifying address in this communication network (for authentication). The role of a node is to support the NET3 communication network by managing a copy of blockchains and to process data transactions (approval and validation of a data transaction). Thus copies of the chain of blocks are stored by each node of the communication network NET3.

The device E, respectively R, comprises a plurality of units remote from each other which communicate with each other via the private centralized communication network NET1, respectively NET2. Each of the E and R devices thus forms a cloud of units (in English “cloud” or “data lake”) which can exchange data via a central unit of these E and R devices. Access to each unit of each device E and R is restricted by the implementation of access rights allocated according to need and according to security requirements linked to the private centralized communication network NET1, respectively NET2.

The transmitter device E and the receiver device R each implement a communication system configured to communicate with one or more nodes of the distributed communication network NET3 such as, for example, the devices S11, S12, S21 and S22.

A data communication process between the sender device E and the receiver device R based on blockchain technology is implemented in the communication environment 1. The data to be transmitted is confidential and even units of the sender device E or of the receiver device R may have only restricted access to these data or even no access.

In a first operation, a predetermined number of devices of the distributed communication network NET3 are associated with the sender device E and the same predetermined number of devices of the distributed communication network NET3 are associated with the device R.

Thus, the sender E and receiver R devices, participants in data transactions, are equally powerful with regard to writing, reading and validating data transactions.

Other nodes in the NET3 distributed communication network can join the network depending on need and privacy requirements. The participation of these nodes is regulated by the devices of the distributed communication network NET3 which are associated with the transmitter device E and with the device R.

According to the example of , the devices S11 and S12 are associated with the transmitter device E and the devices S21 and S22 are associated with the receiver device R (dotted arrows on the ).

The transmitter device E, respectively the receiver device R, can then be in communication with the devices S11 and S12, respectively S21 and S22, via a wired link (for example according to Ethernet and/or via an optical fiber link) and/or via a Wifi® type wireless link (according to IEEE 802.11 or one of the versions of IEEE 802.11 or via a 4G or 5G cellular network type wireless link).

The communication environment 1 and the devices (nodes) that compose it are thus advantageously configured to share data using a chain of blocks.

In particular, each sender device E is thus configured to transmit data embedded in blockchain blocks to devices S11 and S12 and each receiver device R is thus configured to access data from blockchain blocks stored on devices S21 and S22.

In a second operation, the transmitter device E initiates a data transaction request relating to at least part of a vehicle, with the receiver device R, by integrating information characterizing said data transaction into a block B of data.

For example, the information characterizing the data transaction relates to the nature of the data to be transmitted, to the sending service, to the recipient service, to dates and times, etc.

In a third operation, data block B is secured using a key C.

According to a variant, the key C is secured from a hash function.

According to a variant, to ensure the integrity of the data of the data transaction, the key C is made based on a content of the data of the data transaction.

The key C is a sequence of numbers and letters. The more blocks there are in the blockchain, the longer the C key becomes.

In a fourth operation, the key C is transmitted to the devices of the distributed communication network NET3 which have the right to access the data of this block B of data and to the receiver device R.

In a fifth operation, the data transaction request is validated by devices S11 and S12 and by devices S21 and S22.

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the transaction request is validated if a percentage of the devices of the distributed communication network NET3 validating the data transaction request is greater than a threshold value.

For example, a transaction request is validated if at least 80% of the total number of devices of the distributed communication network NET3 validate the data transaction request.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the data transaction request is validated from a signature of the transmitter device E.

According to a specific and non-limiting embodiment, the signature of the sender device E includes a private key accessible only by the sender device E and a public key available to all the devices of the distributed communication network NET3. The private and public keys are encrypted and linked mathematically. The devices S11 and S12 then authenticate the device sending the transaction request as being the device E from the public key and then validate the transaction request.

In a sixth operation, if the transaction request is validated, the data to be transmitted and the signature of the sender device E are added to the block B of data, and, in a seventh operation, the block B of data is added to a chain of blocks stored on each device S11, S12, S21 and S22. The encrypted addresses of the devices S21 and S22 are obtained from the public key.

The data of the data transaction is then obtained by the receiver device R via the devices S21 and S22 with which it is associated.

These operations are repeated for each data transaction between the sender E and receiver R devices.

In an eighth, optional operation, a history of the data transactions carried out between the sender E and receiver R devices is stored on each device S11, S12, S21 and S22 and, in a ninth, optional operation, the history is updated after each data transaction between the sender E and receiver R devices.

schematically illustrates a device 2 for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device of a centralized communication network and a second device of another centralized communication network, according to a particular example embodiment and non-limiting of the present invention.

The device 2 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to the and/or the steps of the process described with regard to the . Examples of such a device 2 include, but are not limited to, electronic equipment possibly on board such as a vehicle on-board computer, an electronic computer such as an ECU ("Electronic Control Unit" ), smartphone, tablet, laptop or not. The elements of device 2, individually or in combination, can be integrated in a single integrated circuit, in several integrated circuits, and/or in discrete components. The device 2 can be made in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or else a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

The device 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and/or for executing the instructions of the software or software embedded in the device 2. The processor 20 can include integrated memory, an input/output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 2 further comprises at least one memory 21 corresponding for example to a volatile and/or non-volatile memory and/or comprises a memory storage device which 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 onboard software or software comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on the memory 21.

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

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 comprises a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example a remote server or a cloud of units. Block 22 interface elements include one or more of the following interfaces:

- RF radio frequency interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the band frequency at 2.4 GHz, or of the Sigfox type using UBN radio technology (Ultra Narrow Band, in French ultra narrow band), or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (from English " Long-Term Evolution” or in French “Evolution à long terme”), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-advanced);

- USB interface (from the English "Universal Serial Bus" or "Universal Serial Bus" in French);

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

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

Data are for example loaded to the device 2 via the interface of block 22 using a Wi-Fi® network such as according to IEEE 802.11, an ITS G5 network based on IEEE 802.11p or a mobile network such as a 4G network (or 5G) based on the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard defined by the 3GPP consortium, in particular an LTE-V2X network.

According to another particular and non-limiting example of embodiment, the device 2 comprises a communication interface 23 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices via a communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and/or data via the communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds for example to a CAN-type wired network (from the English “Controller Area Network” or in French “ Controller Network”), CAN FD (from the English “Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate” or in French “Réseau de Contrôleurs à Flow de Data Flexible”), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized per ISO/IEC 802-3).

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

illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device of a centralized communication network and a second device of another centralized communication network, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

The method is for example implemented by the device 2 of the .

In a first step 31, a predetermined number of devices of the distributed communication network NET3 are associated with the sender device E and the same predetermined number of devices of the distributed communication network NET3 are associated with the device R.

In a second step 32, the transmitter device E initiates a data transaction request relating to at least part of a vehicle, with the receiver device R, by integrating information characterizing said data transaction into a block B of data .

In a third step 33, the data block B is secured from a key C.

In a fourth step 34, the key C is transmitted to the devices of the distributed communication network NET3 which have the right to access the data of this block B of data and to the receiver device R.

In a fifth step 35, the data transaction request is validated by the devices S11 and S12 and by the devices S21 and S22.

In a sixth step 36, if the transaction request is validated, the data to be transmitted and the signature of the sender device E are added to the block B of data, and, in a seventh step 37, the block B of data is added to a blockchain stored on each device S11, S12, S21 and S22. The encrypted addresses of the devices S21 and S22 are obtained from the public key.

In an eighth step 38, optional, a history of the data transactions carried out between the sender E and receiver R devices is stored on each device S11, S12, S21 and S22 and, in a ninth step 39, optional, the history is updated after each data transaction between the sender E and receiver R devices.

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

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device of a centralized communication network and a second device of another centralized communication network, which would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for the implementation of such a method.

Claims (10)

Method for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device (E) of a centralized communication network (NET1) and a second device (R) of another centralized communication network (NET2) , said method comprising the following steps:
- association (31) of a predetermined number of devices (S11, S12) of a distributed communication network (NET3) with the first device (E) and association (12) of the same number of devices (S21, S22) of the network distributed communication (NET3) to the second device (R);
- initialization (32), by the first device (E), of a data transaction request, relating to said at least one part of the vehicle, with the second device (R), by integrating information characterizing said transaction of data in a block (B) of data;
- Securing (33) of the block (B) of data from a key;
- transmission (34) of the key to the second device (R) and to the devices of the distributed communication network (NET3) which have the right to access the data of the block (B) of data;
- validation (35) of the data transaction request by the devices (S11, S12) of the distributed communication network (NET3) associated with the first device (E) and by the devices (S21, S22) of the distributed communication network ( NET3) associated with the second device (R);
- if the transaction request is validated, adding (36) the data and a signature of the first device (E) in the block (B) of data, and adding (37) the block (B) of data to a string of blocks stored on each device (S11, S12) associated with the first device (E) and on each device (S21, S22) associated with the second device (R). A method according to claim 1, wherein the key is secured from a hash function. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the key is made based on a data content of the data transaction. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the transaction request is validated if a percentage of the devices of the distributed communication network (NET3) validating the data transaction request is greater than a threshold value. Method according to Claim 4, in which the threshold value is equal to 80%. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the data transaction request is validated on the basis of a signature of the first device (E). Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, which further comprises a step of storing (38) a history of data transactions carried out between the first and second devices on each device (S11, S12) of the distributed communication network (NET3) associated with the first device (E) and on each device (S21, S22) of the distributed communication network (NET3) associated with the second device (R) and a step (39) for updating the history stored after each data transaction. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor. Computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to one of Claims 1 to 7. Device (2) for communicating data relating to at least part of a vehicle between a first device (E) of a centralized communication network (NET1) and a second device (R) of another centralized communication network (NET2), said device (2) comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for the implementation of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.