FR3140195A1 - Method and device for transmitting data for attempting to register hands-free access devices for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle data transmission method and device (10). For this purpose, the data of each attempt to register a hands-free access device (11) with a vehicle (10) is recorded in a vehicle memory (10). This data is transmitted, at least in part, to a remote device (101) via a wireless connection. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Method and device for transmitting data for attempting to register hands-free access devices for vehicles

The present invention relates to data transmission methods and devices for vehicles, for example for motor vehicles. The present invention also relates to a method and a device for controlling registrations or attempts to register hands-free access devices with a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method and a device for storing historical data of attempts to register hands-free access devices with a vehicle.

Technology background

Some contemporary vehicles are configured to exchange data, via a wireless connection, with one or more devices so as to access certain vehicle functions, such as for example accessing and/or starting the vehicle in hands-free mode, that is to say without inserting a key into a lock or into a starter control device.

Access and starting in hands-free mode corresponds to a technology known as the Hands-Free Access and Starting system (ADML, or PEPS in English for “Passive Entry Passive Start” or PKES for “Passive Keyless Entry and Start"). It is thus possible to access the vehicle (unlocking and locking the doors) and/or start a vehicle without having to insert the key into the ignition. The ADML system is associated with a hands-free key which exchanges information in the form of radio frequency signals with the vehicle to lock or unlock the vehicle but also to start it without having to insert a key into the ignition.

The function provided by the hands-free key in cooperation with the ADML system can be provided with an intelligent object such as a smartphone (from the English “Smartphone”) or NFC object (from the English “Near-Field Communication” or in French CCP “Near Field Communication”) (for example a badge) which communicates with the vehicle by exchanging the information necessary to lock, unlock or start the vehicle.

To ensure control of one or more vehicle functions in hands-free mode, it is necessary to register (or associate or pair or authenticate) a so-called hands-free access device with the vehicle. Such registration can be done by the vehicle manufacturer, by a dealer via a suitable tool and sometimes by a person such as the driver during the life of the vehicle, for example to register a new hands-free access device.

The ability to register new hands-free access devices may represent a security vulnerability.

Summary of the present invention

An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the security of a vehicle, for example against fraudulent access or theft.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a data transmission method for a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps:
- storage, in a vehicle memory, of data representative of each attempt to register a hands-free access device with the vehicle;
- transmission, via a wireless link, of at least part of the data stored in the memory to a remote device.

The transmission of data associated with one or more processes of attempted registrations of one or more hands-free access devices with a vehicle to a remote device such as a “cloud” (or “cloud”) server. cloud” in French) makes it possible to store in a central storage space a history of recordings or attempts to register a hands-free device with a vehicle. Such data is then accessible outside the vehicle for analysis if necessary, for example in the event of theft of the vehicle or in the event of a malfunction of one or more functions accessible in hands-free mode by an ad hoc device.

According to another variant, the transmission comprises a transmission, at a current instant, of stored data representative of any attempt to register a hands-free access device with the vehicle since a specific date.

According to one variant, the determined date corresponds to a date of entry into service of the vehicle.

According to an additional variant, the transmission is implemented following each storage of data representative of an attempt to register a new hands-free access device with the vehicle.

According to yet another variant, the data includes information representative of a state of a result of the attempt, the state belonging to a set of states comprising:
- registration failure; And
- recording completed.

According to an additional variant, the data includes information representative of an identifier of the hands-free access device.

According to another variant, the wireless link corresponds to a vehicle-to-infrastructure type communication link, called V2I.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a data transmission device for a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing 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 vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

According to a fourth 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, 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 a source code, an object code, or an intermediate code between a source code and an object code, such as in partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for executing 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 terrestrial radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other ways. The computer program according to the present invention can in particular be downloaded onto 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 executing the method in question.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting examples of embodiment of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 3, in which:

schematically illustrates a communication environment for a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

schematically illustrates a device configured for the transmission of data by the vehicle of the , according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a data transmission process for the vehicle of the , according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the implementation examples

A method and a data transmission device for a vehicle will now be described in what follows with reference jointly to Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, data representative of each attempt to register a hands-free access device with a vehicle are recorded in a memory of the vehicle, for example in a memory one or more vehicle computers.

This data is then transmitted, at least in part, that is to say in relation to one, several or all recording attempts, to a remote device via a wireless connection, for archiving of this data in memory of this remote device or in a storage space accessible by this remote device.

There schematically illustrates a communication environment 1 for a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

According to the example of the , the environment 1 comprises a vehicle 10 connected in wireless communication with one or more remote devices 101 via a communication infrastructure.

According to the example of the , the vehicle 10 corresponds to a land vehicle, of the motor vehicle, van, truck, motorcycle or coach type for example. The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with an electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors.

The remote device 101 illustrated in the corresponds for example to a “cloud” server 110 (or “cloud” in French). Such a server 101 comprises for example a memory type storage space for storing the data received by the server 101. According to another example, the server 101 is associated with a database type storage space for recording and save the received data.

The communication infrastructure connecting the vehicle 10 to the “cloud” 100 (and ultimately to the remote device 101) advantageously corresponds to an infrastructure of a wireless communication network, for example a mobile network communication infrastructure, allowing the vehicle 10 to communicate data to the remote device 101, for example to transmit data to the remote device 101 (and according to a variant to receive data from the remote device 101).

The mobile communication infrastructure allowing wireless data communication between the vehicle 10 and the remote device 101 comprises for example or several communication equipment 110 of the relay antenna type (cellular network) or roadside unit, called UBR. In a mode of communication using such a network architecture, the data is for example transmitted by the vehicle 10 to the remote device 101 of the "cloud" 100 via a relay antenna 110 (the antenna 110 being for example connected to the "cloud" 100 via a wired connection).

The vehicle 10 also advantageously carries a communication system configured to communicate with the “cloud” 100 and the remote device(s) 101.

The communication system of the vehicle 10 comprises for example one or more communication antennas connected to a telematic control unit, called TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit”) (also called BTA box (“Autonomous Telematic Box”) or BSRF box (“Radio Frequency Service Box”)), itself connected to one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10. The antenna(s), the TCU unit and the computer(s) form for example a multiplexed architecture for the performance of different useful services for the proper functioning of the vehicle 10. The computer(s) and the TCU unit communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a type communication bus CAN data bus (from the English “Controller Area Network” or in French “Réseau de controllers”), CAN FD (from the English “Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate” or in French “Réseau de controllers à flow de flexible data"), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458) or Ethernet (according to ISO/IEC 802-3).

The wireless communication system allowing the exchange of data between the vehicle 10 and the remote device 101 corresponds for example to:
- a vehicle-to-infrastructure V2I communication system, for example based on the 3GPP LTE-V or IEEE 802.11p standards of ITS G5; Or
- a cellular network type communication system, for example an LTE type network (from the English “Long-Term Evolution” or in French “Evolution à long term”), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-advanced) LTE 4G or 5G; Or
- a WiFi type communication system according to IEEE 802.11, for example according to IEEE 802.11n or IEEE 802.11ac.

A data transmission process between the vehicle 10 and the remote device 101 is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more computers on board the vehicle 10.

In a first operation, data representative of each attempt to register a hands-free access device 11 with the vehicle 10 are stored in a memory of the vehicle 10, for example in a memory of one or more computers implementing implements the process.

A hands-free access device 11 corresponds to any mobile device configured to exchange data with the vehicle 10 to access one or more functions of the vehicle 10 in hands-free mode.

Such a hands-free access device corresponds for example to a key, a badge, a mobile communication device of the smart phone type (or “smartphone” in English) allowing a wearer of the hands-free access device to implement a function, such as for example unlocking vehicle doors (without inserting a key in a lock), starting the vehicle (without inserting a key in the ignition), for example in the context of so-called ADML technology. Such a hands-free access device allows for example a person wearing the device to authenticate with the vehicle 10 and access it for example.

The registration of such a hands-free access device 11 with the vehicle 10 corresponds for example to the implementation of a process of the type:
- association of the hands-free device 11 with the vehicle 10; and or
- pairing of the hands-free device 11 with the vehicle 10; and or
- authentication of the hands-free device 11 with the vehicle 10.

One or more of these processes includes storage of identification data of the hands-free access device 11 in a memory of a computer of the vehicle 10, for example the computer controlling the ADML function.

Such a recording operation is for example implemented only once per hands-free access device 11 so that this device is then recognized by the vehicle. Such an operation can for example be repeated for a given device 11, in particular during a loss of data identifying the device 11 to the vehicle 10.

This first operation of the process described with regard to the is implemented at each new attempt to register a hands-free access device 11. Thus, at each attempt to register a new hands-free access device 11 (or a device 11 whose identification data has been lost by the vehicle 10), the data relating to this recording attempt are stored.

The data is recorded in memory regardless of the result of the attempt, i.e. whether the recording attempt was successful or successful (the result corresponding for example to a “recording completed” or “recording successful” state. ) or the registration attempt has failed (the result corresponding for example to a status “registration failure” or “registration not successful”).

The data of each registration attempt are advantageously stored in memory from the first registration of a hands-free access device (for example made by the manufacturer of the vehicle 10 to register the hands-free key of the vehicle 10), that the attempt registration is implemented by the manufacturer, by a professional such as a dealer, by the driver of the vehicle 10 or by any other person.

The recorded data advantageously includes information representative of an identifier of the hands-free access device 11 associated with each recording attempt (such information being for example coded on 8, 10, 12 or 16 bits).

According to a variant, the data also includes (in addition to the identifier), one or more of the following data or information, in all possible combinations:
- information representative of the time instant of the recording attempt (for example the date and time); and or
- information representative of an identifier of the tool or device used for the attempt to register the hands-free access device; and or
- information representing an identifier of the garage or dealer at the origin of the attempt to register the hands-free access device; and or
- information representative of an identifier of the place (location, for example GPS coordinates) where the attempt to register the hands-free access device was made; and or
- information representative of a reference of the hands-free access device (corresponding for example to the identifier of the hands-free access device and/or to more general information on the type of the hands-free access device, the technology implemented, etc.); and or
- information representative of the type of command associated with the attempt to register the hands-free access device (for example deletion of an existing device, program for adding a new device); and or
- information representative of a state of the result of the attempt to register the hands-free access device (for example among “successful” or “failed”); and or
- information on the recognition of the hands-free access device by the manufacturer, for example coded on 1 bit (“recognized” or “not recognized”); and or
- information representative of the brand of the hands-free access device.

In a second operation, at least part of the data stored in the vehicle's memory is transmitted to the remote device 101 via a wireless link, for example by implementing vehicle-to-infrastructure type communication, called V2I, or vehicle towards “cloud”, known as V2C.

For example, data transmission is implemented automatically:
- at regular intervals (for example every day, every week, every month) by the vehicle 10, all of the data in memory being transmitted or simply the data added to the memory since the previous transmission; and or
- at a current instant, for example upon request from the remote device 101 (transmitted via the wireless connection by the remote device to the vehicle 10), the vehicle 10 transmitting in return all the stored recording attempt(s) data since a specific date (this date being for example indicated in the request) or since the first date of entry into service of the vehicle 10 (for example when the request does not include information on the date); and or
- following each new attempt to register a hands-free access device 11.

Such a process has the advantage of historicizing the data relating to all or part of the attempts to register hands-free access device(s) 11 with the vehicle 10 in a centralized, secure storage space accessible for example by the police, the manufacturer, the insurers.

Such data is for example used by the manufacturer to obtain feedback on the types of hands-free access devices programmed or recorded, the success rate of the recording processes, etc. to for example improve the management processes. learning of these hands-free access devices by vehicles (for example to prevent devices not recognized by the manufacturer from being recorded).

This data can also prove useful for, for example, anticipating and avoiding vehicle theft by identifying who has made a registration, for example with a type of key not recognized by the manufacturer, the date and location of the registration.

There schematically illustrates a device 2 configured for the storage and/or transmission of data from attempts to register one or more hands-free access devices with a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The device 2 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

The device 2 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to the and/or steps of the process described with regard to the . Examples of such a device 2 include, without being limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic computer such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a telephone smart phone, tablet, laptop. The elements of device 2, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and/or into discrete components. The device 2 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even 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(s) embedded in the device 2. The processor 20 may 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 may 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 embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 21.

According to different 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 communications 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 the “cloud”, other nodes of the ad hoc network. The interface elements of block 22 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 Sigfox type using UBN radio technology (from English 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 “Long-Term Evolution”), LTE-Advanced (or in French LTE-advanced);
- 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 the English “Local Interconnect Network”, or in French “Local Interconnected Network”).

Data is for example loaded to the device 2 via the interface of the 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 (such as other computers of the on-board system) 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 “Réseau de controlleres”), CAN FD (from the English “Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate” or in French “Réseau de controllers à flow flexible data”), FlexRay ( standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO/IEC 802-3 standard).

According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen, touch or not, one or more speakers and/or other devices (projection system) via respective output interfaces. According to one variant, one or the other of the external devices is integrated into device 2.

There illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a data transmission method for a vehicle, for example for the vehicle 10, 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 10 or by the device 2 of the .

In a first step 31, data representative of each attempt to register a hands-free access device with the vehicle are stored in a vehicle memory.

In a second step 32, at least part of the data stored in the memory are transmitted to a remote device via a wireless link.

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

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method of storing data from attempts to record hands-free access devices from a vehicle in a device. “cloud” storage which would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured to implement such a process.

The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous vehicle with a land engine, comprising the device 2 of the .

The present invention also relates to a communication system comprising the vehicle 10 (comprising the device 2 of the ) and one or more remote devices 101, the vehicle 10 and each remote device 101 being connected in wireless communication.

Claims (10)

Data transmission method for vehicle (10), said method comprising the following steps:
- storage (31), in a memory of said vehicle (10), of data representative of each attempt to register a hands-free access device (11) with the vehicle (10);
- transmission (32), via a wireless link, of at least part of said data stored in said memory to a remote device (101). Method according to claim 1, for which said transmission comprises a transmission, at a current instant, of stored data representative of any attempt to register a hands-free access device (11) with said vehicle (10) from a date determined. Method according to claim 2, for which said determined date corresponds to a date of entry into service of said vehicle (10). Method according to claim 1, for which said transmission is implemented following each storage of data representative of an attempt to register a new hands-free access device (11) with said vehicle (10). Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, for which said data comprises information representative of a state of a result of said attempt, said state belonging to a set of states comprising:
- registration failure; And
- recording completed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, for which said data comprises information representative of an identifier of said hands-free access device (11). Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, for which said wireless link corresponds to a vehicle-to-infrastructure type communication link, called V2I. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor. Device (2) for transmitting data for a vehicle, said device (2) comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (2) according to claim 9.