SE539687C2

SE539687C2 - Method and control unit for vehicle access

Info

Publication number: SE539687C2
Application number: SE1550101A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Claesson André
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2015-02-02
Filing date: 2015-02-02
Publication date: 2017-10-31
Also published as: SE1550101A1; DE102016000546A1

Abstract

22 SUMMARY Method (400) and control unit (1 10) in a vehicle (100), method (600) in a mobile device (120)and mobile device (120) for providing access to a set of functionalities in a multi-passengervehicle (100), to a user of a mobile device (120). The method (400) comprises: receiving(401) a request for accessing a functionality comprised in the set of functionalities, from themobile device (120); extracting (402) an ID of the mobile device (120) from the received (401)request; comparing (403) the extracted (402) ID with a previously stored set of lDs in amemory (525); providing (404) access to the requested functionality, to the user of the mobiledevice (120) when the extracted (402) ID is comprised within the previously stored set of lDsin the memory (525) by generating control signals for initiating the requested functionality. (Pubi. Fig. 1)

Description

METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR VEHICLE ACCESS TECHNICAL FIELD This document discloses a method in a control unit, a control unit, a method in a mobiledevice and a mobile device. More particularly, methods and devices are described, forproviding access to a set of functionalities in a multi-passenger vehicle, to a user of a mobiledevice.

BACKGROUND Vehicles carrying passengers such as busses or coaches are transporting passengers allover the world. lt is typically the driver, co-driver and/ or guide that has the key or remote control to deactivatethe alarm, open/ close the bus doors, luggage hatches etc., on such vehicle. lf the vehicle isparked somewhere and the passengers are walking around sightseeing or shopping in a cityfor example, the driver/ guide etc. may leave the vehicle. ln case any passenger wants toenter the vehicle for some reason such as e.g. leaving or retrieving items, visit toilet, restetc., it is not possible without first having to encounter the driver and convincing him/ her tocome and open up the door of the vehicle.

The passengers may have an emergency case phone number in order to be able to reachthe driver, co-driver and/ or guide. However, calling any of them and disturbing them in theirrest or meal is quite tedious, in particular if this is repeated by various passengers. lt mayeven become a road safety hazard, as an exhausted and/ or irritated driver typically is atincreased risk of being involved in a traffic accident.

Another problem with long distance coaches is that passengers may not appear at the buson the appointed departure time as they may have become lost in the city, or because theysimply have forgot the time.

Yet another problem is that the driver, when the coach has parked and let off the passengers,may want to use the time for filling up gas, washing the vehicle or performing some othervehicle maintenance and then upon return, find the original parking place occupied. He/ shethen has to re-park the coach at another location. The driver may also re-park the coach inorder to keep in parked in the shadow, for example. However, it may thereby be difficult oreven impossible for any passenger lacking clairvoyant abilities to locate the coach.

These problems may be solved by providing each passenger with a copy of the key to thevehicle. However, it is not desired that the passengers get full access to all functionalities ofthe vehicle. lt is in particular inadequate that the passengers may start and drive the coach,as most bus passengers do not have a valid driving license for driving busses and seriousaccidents may result. Also, if the passengers lose their key, or forget to return it, a majorsecurity issue will emerge from the increasing amount of lost vehicle keys. Perhaps, at some level, no insurance company will offer an insurance for such vehicle.

As these described scenarios, and similar variants of them, may lead to general inconven-ience and discomfort for the passengers and/ or the driver, it would be desired to find a solution.

SUMMARY lt is therefore an object of this invention to solve at least some of the above problems andimprove the service level provided by a coach.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a method in a controlunit for providing access to a set of functionalities in a multi-passenger vehicle, to a user ofa mobile device. The method comprises receiving a request for accessing a functionalitycomprised in the set of functionalities, from the mobile device. Further, the method comprisesextracting an Identity reference (ID) of the mobile device from the received request. Themethod also comprises comparing the extracted ID with a previously stored set of lDs in amemory. Additionally, the method further comprises providing access to the requested func-tionality, to the user of the mobile device when the extracted ID is comprised within the pre-viously stored set of lDs in the memory by generating control signals for initiating the re-quested functionality, wherein the mobile device is provided access to the set of functionali-ties only when the vehicle is parked, and wherein said set of functionalities being not relatedto conveyance of the vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a control unit ina vehicle. The control unit is configured for providing access to a set of functionalities in amulti-passenger vehicle, to a user of a mobile device. The control unit comprises a receiverconfigured for receiving a request for accessing a functionality comprised in the set of func-tionalities, from the mobile device. Further the control unit also comprises a processor con-figured for extracting an ID of the mobile device from the received request. The processor isalso configured for comparing the extracted ID with a previously stored set of lDs in a memory. Further the processor also is configured for providing access to the requested func-tionality, to the user of the mobile device when the extracted ID is comprised within the pre-viously stored set of lDs in the memory by generating control signals for initiating the re-quested functionality, wherein the processor is configured for providing access to the re-quested functionality to the user of the mobile device only when the vehicle is parked, andwherein said set of functionalities being not related to conveyance of the vehicle.

According to a third aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a method in a mobiledevice for accessing a functionality comprised in a set of functionalities in a multi-passengervehicle. The method comprises transmitting a request for accessing the functionality, and anID of the mobile device, to be received by a control unit of the vehicle, wherein the mobiledevice is granted access to the set of functionalities only when the vehicle is parked.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a mobile devicefor accessing a functionality comprised in a set of functionalities in a multi-passenger vehicle.The mobile device comprises a transmitter configured for transmitting a request for access-ing the functionality and an ID of the mobile device, to be received by a control unit of thevehicle, wherein the mobile device is configured to be granted access to the set of function-alities only when the vehicle is parked.

Thanks to the described aspects, a passenger travelling with a coach may temporarily getaccess to a limited set of functionalities of the coach, such as opening the door for leaving/retrieving an object. Thereby an increased accessibility for the passengers is provided. Thetravel with the coach becomes more convenient, while at the same time the risk of having towait for lost passengers is reduced. Thus the service level provided by the coach is improved,leading to more satisfied passengers.

Other advantages and additional novel features will become apparent from the subsequentdetailed description.

FIGURES Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to theaccompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the method; Figure 5 is an illustration depicting a system according to an embodiment; Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the method in a mobile device;Figure 7 is an illustration depicting a mobile device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as a method in a control unit, acontrol unit, a method in a mobile device and a mobile device, which may be put into practicein the embodiments described below. These embodiments may, however, be exemplifiedand realised in many different forms and are not to be limited to the examples set forth herein;rather, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willbe thorough and complete.

Still other objects and features may become apparent from the following detailed description,considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. lt is to be understood, however,that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition ofthe limits of the herein disclosed embodiments, for which reference is to be made to theappended claims. Further, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless oth-en/vise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and pro-cedures described herein.

Figure 1 illustrates a scenario with a vehicle 100 comprising a control unit 110. The controlunit 110 is configured for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and thereby communi-cate with a mobile device 120.

As may be seen on the magnification in Figure 1, a user of the mobile device 120 may e.g.open/ close the bus door and/ or the hatch.

The vehicle 100 may comprise e.g. a multi-passenger vehicle 100 such as a bus, a coach or any similar vehicle or other means of conveyance.

The wireless signal may comprise, or at least be inspired by wireless communication tech-nology such as Wi-Fi, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Ultra Mobile Broadband (Ul\/IB),Bluetooth (BT), Near Field Communication (NFC), Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID),optical communication such as Infrared Data Association (lrDA) or infrared transmission to name but a few possible examples of wireless communications in some embodiments. ln some embodiments, the control unit 110 and/ or the mobile device 120 may be configuredfor wireless communication at least partly based on radio access technologies such as, e.g.,3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced,Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Universal Mobile Telecom-munications System (UMTS), Global System for Mobile Communications (originally: GroupeSpécial Mobile) (GSM)/ Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE), WidebandCode Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), or any similar or related radio access technology.

According to some embodiments, a functionality is provided to give the passengers of thevehicle 100 the possibility to control/ access some vehicle functions such as e.g. door control,hatch control, light control etc., via e.g. a mobile application or similar in the mobile device120. The mobile device 120 connects with high level of security to the vehicle 100 via awireless interface and access rights may be given from the persons working on the vehicle100, e.g. automatically when tickets are bought or in another way, to exclude unauthorisedpersons from entering the vehicle 100. Everything that is controlled by the passenger appmay in some embodiments be logged if something happens, e.g. stolen items. ln some em-bodiments, information concerning the people entering the vehicle 100 may be sent to thedriver/ guide. ln some embodiments, the method for accessing certain functionalities of the multi-passen-ger vehicle 100 may be limited to function only when the vehicle 100 is parked, i.e. when theparking brake is engaged. Thereby, it may be avoided that a passenger by mistake e.g. openthe door of the vehicle 100 during travel, which may be inappropriate.

Further, the passenger control/ access may be active only when the passenger's mobiledevice 120 is within a predefined range from the vehicle 100 to access in some embodi- mentS.

Thereby, according to some embodiments, the mobile device 120 is determined to be situ-ated within range from the vehicle 100. lt may in some embodiments be determined that themobile device 120 is within range, either by communicating wirelessly between the mobiledevice 120 and a control unit 110 in the vehicle 100, using a wireless technology with limitedrange such as e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, infrared light or similar. ln other embodiments, thegeographical position of the mobile device 120 and the vehicle 100 respectively, may bedetermined by means of Global Positioning System (GPS) positioning, and a comparisonmay be made with the predefined range between the mobile device 120 and the vehicle 100.

When it has been confirmed that the mobile device 120 is situated within the predefinedrange of the vehicle 100, a “hand shake” may be performed between the mobile device 120and the vehicle 100 with high level security for authenticating the mobile device 120. Theauthentication may comprise checking if an Identity reference (ID) of the mobile device 120is stored in a data base, which storage may be made e.g. upon buying the ticket for thetravel, or at any other convenient moment. Possibly, the ID of the mobile device 120 may bestored together with a validity time period, corresponding to the time period when the travelwill occur. Further, in some embodiments, a challenge response mechanism or similar may be used for authenticating the mobile device 120.

Concurrently with storing the ID of the mobile device 120, e.g. when buying the ticket, thefuture passenger may download an app to the mobile device 120, comprising the computerprogram and possibly also a cryptographic key for performing the authentication by a chal- lenge-response mechanism.

The challenge-response mechanism may comprise that the control unit 110 in the vehicle100 generates and sends a non- repeatable random number (challenge) to the mobile device120. The mobile device 120 may combine the challenge with the unique ID of the mobiledevice 120, or another number known only by the mobile device 120 and the control unit110. The mobile device 120 may compute a one-way hash function on the combined chal-lenge and unique ID and returned to the control unit 110. Meanwhile, the control unit 110may perform the corresponding computation of the hash value and upon receiving the hashvalue from the mobile device 120, the two hash values may be compared and upon concord-ance, the mobile device 120 may be given access to any required function.

The unique ID of the mobile device 120 may comprise e.g. the International Mobile Equip-ment Identity (IMEI), the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), or any other similarunique number identifying the individual mobile device 120 such as e.g. the Mobile ldentifi-cation Number (MIN), Mobile Subscription Identification Number (MSlN), Electronic SerialNumber (ESN), Mobile Equipment ldentifier (MEID). ln some embodiments, the ID may com-prise any unique number or code such as an access control code comprising encrypted information.

The ll\/lEl is set by device manufacturers and is usually also printed on the mobile device 120itself. lt remains with the mobile device 120 forever. The ll\/lSl is a subscriber number as-signed by the cell phone network to the mobile device 120 and is used to route calls and billusers. This number will remain the same as long as the user has the mobile device 120.

Having confirmed that the mobile device 120 is authenticated, the remote access possibilitymay be activated from the vehicle 100.

Thereafter, the selected vehicle control/ access function is enabled and the passenger”s mo-bile device 120 may perform the selected vehicle control/ access function by the passenger”smobile device 120 as long as the connection is established or until the mobile device 120gets out of the predefined range from the vehicle 100.

Thus the control unit 110 may send an instruction to the vehicle door lock mechanism, tounlock and open the door, for example. The instruction may be sent over a wireless interfacein some embodiments, or over a wired interface such as e.g. via the vehicle communicationbus, which may comprise one or more of a cable; a data bus, such as a CAN bus (ControllerArea Network bus), a MOST bus (Media Oriented Systems Transport), or any other conven- ient bus configuration.

Furthermore, according to some embodiments, a panic alarm function and/ or a GPS trackfunction may be comprised, for making it possible for the driver or guide of the vehicle 100to find and possibly pick up a lost passenger.

Information about when the vehicle 100 will take off can also be a part of the informationprovided to the passenger having the mobile device 120 according to some embodiments.This transmitted information may be tailor made together with GPS information of how faraway from the vehicle 100 the mobile device 120 is, and possibly how to find the fastest wayback to the vehicle 100. Thereby, the passenger may be located in order for them to be ableto get back in time before planned takeoff.

Thanks to embodiments discussed herein, an increased accessibility for the passengers tothe vehicle 100 they travel with is provided. Thereby a higher service level is achieved whichmay enhance the travel experience. Also, thanks to the provided embodiments, an increasedflexibility is provided. The driver may for example re-park the vehicle 100 at another locationwithout risking to loose passengers. The passengers do not have to foresee and carry everypossible required item when leaving the vehicle 100, but may return and catch an umbrella when it starts raining, for example. Further, lost passengers walking around without findingthe way to the vehicle 100 may be prevented.

Figure 2 illustrates an example of a scenario as it may be perceived by the driver of thevehicle 100. ln the illustrated embodiment, the driver of the vehicle 100 may desire to remind the passen-gers to return to the vehicle 100. Such reminder may be sent for example as a text messagebroadcasted to all registered mobile devices 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 of the passengers, or pos-sibly to all registered mobile devices 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 of the passengers not already pre-sent in the vehicle 100, for example by means of a Short Message Service (SMS).

Thus the text message may be sent by the control unit 110 to be received by the registeredmobile devices 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 via a base station 200. The base station 200 may beconnected, in some embodiment, with a data base 210, which may comprise a register overidentities (lDs) of all the registered mobile devices 120-1, 120-2, 120-3. However, in otherembodiments, such register may be comprised in a memory within, or connected to the con-trol unit 110.

The communication may be made over a wireless interface comprising, or at least beinginspired by radio access technologies such as e.g. 3GPP LTE, LTE-Advanced, E-UTRAN,UMTS, GSM, GSM/ EDGE, WCDMA, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks, Fre-quency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) networks, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks,Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, Worldwide lnteroperability for Microwave Ac-cess (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA)Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access(UTRA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), 3GPP2 CDMA technologies, e.g.,CDMA2000 1x RTT and High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), or similar, just to mention some few options, via a wireless communication network. ln some embodiments, when the driver has relocated the vehicle 100, a representation ofthe current position of the vehicle 100 may be provided.

Further, according to some embodiments, upon receiving the broadcasted message, themobile device 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 may determine position of the mobile device 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 and present the determined position on a map on the display of the mobile device120-1, 120-2, 120-3. ln some embodiments, the position of the vehicle 100, the mobile device 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 and the closest way back to the vehicle 100 may be calculated anddisplayed.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of a scenario similar to the one illustrated in Figure 2, seenfrom an above perspective.

The passenger may have strolled around in the visited city and lost his/ her way, and/ or theway back to the vehicle 100. Thus, in order to find the way back, the passenger may deter-mine the position of the mobile device 120 via a positioning functionality in the mobile device120.

The positioning functionality in the mobile device 120 may be based on a satellite navigationsystem such as the Navigation Signal Timing and Ranging (Navstar) Global Positioning Sys-tem (GPS), Differential GPS (DGPS), Galileo, GLONASS, or the like.

The geographical position of the mobile device 120 may be done continuously with a certain predetermined or configurable time intervals according to various embodiments.

Positioning by satellite navigation is based on distance measurement using triangulationfrom a number of satellites 360-1, 360-2, 360-3, 360-4. The satellites 360-1, 360-2, 360-3,360-4 continuously transmit information about time and date (for example, in coded form),identity (which satellite 360-1, 360-2, 360-3, 360-4 which broadcasts), status, and where thesatellite 360-1, 360-2, 360-3, 360-4 are situated at any given time. GPS satellites 360-1, 360-2, 360-3, 360-4 sends information encoded with different codes, for example, but not neces-sarily based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). This allows information from an in-dividual satellite 360-1, 360-2, 360-3, 360-4 distinguished from the others' information, basedon a unique code for each respective satellite 360-1, 360-2, 360-3, 360-4. This informationcan then be transmitted to be received by the appropriately adapted GPS receiver comprisedin the mobile device 120.

Distance measurement can according to some embodiments comprise measuring the differ-ence in the time it takes for each respective satellite signal transmitted by the respectivesatellites 360-1, 360-2, 360-3, 360-4, to reach the GPS receiver in the mobile device 120.As the radio signals travel at the speed of light, the distance to the respective satellite 360-1, 360-2, 360-3, 360-4 may be computed by measuring the signal propagation time.

The positions of the satellites 360-1, 360-2, 360-3, 360-4 are known, as they continuouslyare monitored by approximately 15-30 ground stations located mainly along and near theearth's equator. Thereby the geographical position, i.e. latitude and longitude, of the mobiledevice 120 may be calculated by determining the distance to at least three satellites 360-1,360-2, 360-3, 360-4 through triangulation. For determination of altitude, signals from foursatellites 360-1, 360-2, 360-3, 360-4 may be used according to some embodiments.

Having determined the geographical position of the mobile device 120, it may be presentedon a map, where the position of the vehicle 100 may be marked. Optionally in some embod-iments, the closest or most appropriate way back, for a pedestrian, to the vehicle 100 maybe displayed on the map.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a method 400 according to an embodiment. The flow chartin Figure 4 shows the method 400 in a control unit 110 for providing access to a set of func-tionalities in a multi-passenger vehicle 100, to a user of a mobile device 120.

The multi-passenger vehicle 100 may be any arbitrary kind of means for conveyance. How-ever, in some particular embodiments, the multi-passenger 100 may be a vehicle comprisingpassengers, such as a bus, a coach, an ambulance, an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)(or other military vehicle), a fire truck etc.

The ID of the mobile device 120 may be added to an access list stored in a memory 210,internal or external to the control unit 110, for example when the passenger buys the busticket or at some other convenient moment. The ID of the mobile device 120 in the accesslist may be stored associated with a predetermined validity time period which typically corre-spond to the expected travel time.

Thereby, according to some embodiments, only the current passengers on the vehicle 100may be granted access to the set of functionalities. When the predetermined validity timeperiod of the mobile device 120 has timed out, the ID of the mobile device 120 may be de-leted from the access list in the memory 210.

Further, according to some embodiments, the method 400 may be performed only when thevehicle 100 is parked. Thereby, it may be avoided that a passenger by mistake request afunctionality during vehicle runtime when the vehicle 100 is in motion, which may disturb the driver or even cause an accident. 11 The set of functionalities in the multi-passenger vehicle 100 may comprise deactivatingalarm, open entrance door, close entrance door, lock entrance door, open hatch to cargocompartment, close hatch to cargo compartment, lock hatch to cargo compartment, lightcontrol, air condition control, network access, or any similar functionality. ln some embodi-ments, only functionalities not related to conveyance of the vehicle 100 is comprised in theset of functionalities in the multi-passenger vehicle 100. Thereby, possible traffic incidentsdue to inappropriate driving or usage by passengers thanks to the method 400 may be elim-inated or avoided.

Thereby, the passenger may be given access to a limited set of functionalities, during alimited time period substantially corresponding to the travel time of the vehicle 100, e.g. whenthe vehicle 100 is parked. ln order to correctly be able to provide access to a set of functionalities in the multi-passengervehicle 100, the method 400 may comprise a number of steps 401-406. However, some ofthese steps 401-406 may be performed solely in some alternative embodiments, like e.g.step 405 and/ or step 406. Further, the described steps 401-406 may be performed in asomewhat different chronological order than the numbering suggests. The method 400 maycomprise the subsequent steps: Step 401 comprises receiving a request for accessing a functionality comprised in the set offunctionalities, from the mobile device 120.

Step 402 comprises extracting an ID of the mobile device 120 from the received 401 request.

The ID of the mobile device 120 may comprise e.g. the IMEI, IMSI or similar ID unique to theindividual mobile device 120. Alternatively, the ID of the mobile device 120 may comprise any unique code such an access control code or similar.

Step 403 comprises comparing the extracted 402 ID with a previously stored set of IDs in amemory 210.

The previously stored set of IDs may be stored in a memory external to the control unit 110,i.e. an external data base 210. However, the previously stored set of IDs may be stored in a memory in the control unit 110, in some embodiments. 12 The comparison between the extracted 402 ID and the previously stored set of lDs in thememory 210 also comprises checking the predetermined validity time period of the mobiledevice 120, and wherein the mobile device 120 is provided access to the requested func-tionality only when the predetermined validity time period of the mobile device 120 corre-spond with the current time period.

Step 404 comprises providing access to the requested functionality, to the user of the mobiledevice 120 when the extracted 402 ID is comprised within the previously stored set of lDs inthe memory 520, 210 by generating control signals for initiating the requested functionality.

Thus, when the mobile device 120 is authenticated, the requested functionality is performed,such as e.g. opening the door. ln some embodiments, the mobile device 120 may be provided access to the requestedfunctionality only when the predetermined validity time period of the mobile device 120 cor-respond with the current time period.

Step 405 may be performed only in some embodiments. Step 405 comprises storing the IDof the mobile device 120 in the memory 520, 210, associated with a time stamp and a refer-ence to the requested functionality.

Thereby, a later detected theft or misconduct on the vehicle 100 may be solved, or preventedif the potential criminal knows that he/ she could be identified. Thus thieves/ fraudsters maybe identified and tracked more easily, and are thereby discouraged from theft.

Step 406 may be performed only in some embodiments. The optional step 406 comprisestransmitting a message to at least one mobile device 120, associated with an ID comprisedin the previously stored set of lDs.

The transmitted message may comprise a SMS/ MMS message in some embodiments, or alternatively an e-mail.

The transmitted message may comprise a request for position of the at least one mobiledevice 120. Thereby, a lost passenger may be retrieved, or information such as a remindermay be broadcasted to all passengers. 13 Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of a control unit 110 in a vehicle 100. The control unit110 is configured for providing access to a set of functionalities in a multi-passenger vehicle100, to a user of a mobile device 120. The control unit 110 may perform at least some of thepreviously described steps 401-406 according to the method 400 described above and illus-trated in Figure 4.

The control unit 110 comprises a receiver 510 configured for receiving a request for access-ing a functionality comprised in the set of functionalities, from the mobile device 120.

The control unit 1 10 further comprises a processor 520 configured for extracting an ID of themobile device 120 from the received request. The processor 520 is further configured forcomparing the extracted ID with a previously stored set of IDs in a memory 525, 210. lnaddition, the processor 520 is also configured for providing access to the requested function-ality, to the user of the mobile device 120 when the extracted ID is comprised within thepreviously stored set of IDs in the memory 525, 210 by generating control signals for initiating the requested functionality.

According to some embodiments wherein the mobile device 120 is granted access to the setof functionalities only within a predetermined validity time period, the processor 520 may alsobe configured for checking the predetermined validity time period of the mobile device 120.Further, the processor 520 may also be configured for providing access to the requestedfunctionality only when the predetermined validity time period of the mobile device 120 cor-respond with the current time period. The processor 520 may furthermore be configured fordetermining the current time period. ln some embodiments, the processor 520 may furthermore be optionally configured for stor-ing the ID of the mobile device 120 in the memory 525, 210, associated with a time stampand a reference to the requested functionality.

Furthermore, the processor 520 may in addition be configured for transmitting a message toat least one mobile device 120, associated with an ID com-prised in the previously storedset of lDs.

Such processor 520 may comprise one or more instances of a processing circuit, i.e. a Cen-tral Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret and execute instruc-tions. The herein utilised expression “processor” may thus represent a processing circuitry 14 comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, e.g., any, some or all of the ones enu-merated above.

Furthermore, the control unit 110 may comprise a memory 525 in some embodiments. Theoptional memory 525 may comprise a physical device utilised to store data or programs, i.e.,sequences of instructions, on a temporary or permanent basis. According to some embodi-ments, the memory 525 may comprise integrated circuits comprising silicon-based transis-tors. The memory 525 may comprise e.g. a memory card, a flash memory, a USB memory,a hard disc, or another similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storing data such ase.g. ROIVI (Read-Only Memory), PROIVI (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROIVI(Erasable PROIVI), EEPROIVI (Electrically Erasable PROIVI), etc. in different embodiments.

Further, the control unit 110 may comprise a signal transmitter 530. The signal transmitter530 may be configured for transmitting a control signal to be received by an entity within thevehicle 100, to be controlled, such as the vehicle doors. Further, the signal transmitter 530may be configured for transmitting a message to any mobile device 120.

The previously described steps 401 -406 to be performed in the control unit 110 may be im-plemented through the one or more processors 520 within the control unit 110, together withcomputer program product for performing at least some of the functions of the steps 401-406. Thus a computer program product, comprising instructions for performing the steps 401-406 in the control unit 110 may perform the method 400 comprising at least some of thesteps 401-406 for providing access to a set of functionalities in a multi-passenger vehicle100, to a user of a mobile device 120, when the computer program is loaded into the one ormore processors 520 of the control unit 110. The described steps 401-406 thus may beperformed by a computer algorithm, a machine executable code, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, or a software instructions programmed into a suitable programmable logicsuch as the processor 520 in the control unit 110.

Further, some embodiments may comprise a vehicle 100, comprising the control unit 110,configured for providing access to a set of functionalities in a multi-passenger vehicle 100,to a user of a mobile device 120, according to at least some of the steps 401-406.

The computer program product mentioned above may be provided for instance in the formof a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing at least some of the step401-406 according to some embodiments when being loaded into the one or more proces-sors 520 of the control unit 110. The data carrier may be, e.g., a hard disk, a CD ROIVI disc, a memory stick, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device or any other appropri-ate medium such as a disk or tape that may hold machine readable data in a non-transitorymanner. The computer program product may furthermore be provided as computer programcode on a server and downloaded to the control unit 110 remotely, e.g., over an Internet or an intranet connection.

Figure 6 is a flow chart i||ustrating a method 600 in a mobile device 120 according to anembodiment, for accessing a functionality comprised in a set of functionalities in a multi-passenger vehicle 100.

The mobile device 120 may comprise e.g. the passenger's private mobile cellular telephone,portable computer, tablet computer or similar device, in conjunction with a downloaded mo-bile application or app, i.e. a computer program for performing the method 600.

The passenger may for example buy the travel over internet on a website, and may downloadthe app. The app may also alternatively be downloaded from an app store, accessible viathe mobile device 120.

The set of functionalities in the multi-passenger vehicle 100 may comprise deactivatingalarm, open entrance door, close entrance door, lock entrance door, open hatch to cargocompartment, close hatch to cargo compartment, lock hatch to cargo compartment, lightcontrol, air condition control, network access, or any similar functionality. ln order to correctly be able to access to functionality in the multi-passenger vehicle 100, themethod 600 may comprise a number of steps 601-604. However, some of these steps 601-604 may be performed solely in some alternative embodiments, like e.g. step 602, step 603and/ or step 604. Further, the described steps 601-604 may be performed in a somewhatdifferent chronological order than the numbering suggests. The method 600 may comprisethe subsequent steps: Step 601 comprises transmitting a request for accessing the functionality, and an ID of themobile device 120, to be received by a control unit 110 of the vehicle 100. 16 Step 602 may be performed only in some embodiments. The optional step 602 comprisesreceiving a message associated with the multi-passenger vehicle 100.

The message may be e.g. a Sl\/IS message in some embodiments.

Step 603 may be performed only in some embodiments, when the received 602 messagecomprises a request for position of the at least one mobile device 120. The optional step 603comprises determining geographical position of the mobile device 120.

Step 604 may be performed only in some embodiments, wherein the geographical positionof the mobile device 120 has been determined 603. The optional step 604 comprises trans-mitting the determined 603 geographical position of the mobile device 120 to be received bythe control unit 110 of the vehicle 100.

Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile device 120. The mobile device 120 is con-figured for accessing a functionality in a multi-passenger vehicle 100. The mobile device 120may perform at least some of the previously described steps 601-604 according to themethod 600 described above and illustrated in Figure 6.

The mobile device 120 may comprise e.g. the passenger's private mobile cellular telephone,smart phone, portable computer, tablet computer or similar device, in conjunction with adownloaded app, i.e. a computer program for performing at least some of the previouslydescribed steps 601-604 of the method 600. Further, the mobile device 120 may comprisea GPS receiver, or similar unit for determining geographical position and possibly illustratethe detected position in some embodiments. ln some embodiments, the mobile device 120 may comprise e.g. a touchscreen or similarfor interacting with the passenger, or alternatively a keyboard.

The mobile device 120 comprises a transmitter 730 configured for transmitting a request foraccessing the functionality and an ID of the mobile device 120, to be received by a controlunit 110 of the vehicle 100. Further, the transmitter 730 may be configured for transmitting amessage to be received by the control unit 110 in the vehicle 100.

The mobile device 120 may further comprise a receiver 710 configured for receiving a wire-less signal from the control unit 110 of the vehicle 100 17 The mobile device 120 may additionally comprise a processor 720 in some embodiments,configured for performing various calculations for enabling the method according to any ofsteps 601 -604.

Furthermore, the processor 720 may in addition be configured for determining geographicalposition of the mobile device 120 in some embodiments, via a GPS receiver or similar entityand also configured for transmitting a message to at least one mobile device 120, associatedwith an ID com-prised in the previously stored set of lDs, via the transmitter 730.

Such processor 720 may comprise one or more instances of a processing circuit, i.e. a Cen-tral Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret and execute instruc-tions. The herein utilised expression “processor” may thus represent a processing circuitrycomprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, e.g., any, some or all of the ones enu-merated above.

Furthermore, the mobile device 120 may comprise a memory 725 in some embodiments.The optional memory 725 may comprise a physical device utilised to store data or programs,i.e., sequences of instructions, on a temporary or permanent basis. According to some em-bodiments, the memory 725 may comprise integrated circuits comprising silicon-based tran-sistors. The memory 725 may comprise e.g. a memory card, a flash memory, a USB memory,a hard disc, or another similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storing data such ase.g. ROIVI (Read-Only Memory), PROIVI (Programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROIVI(Erasable PRONI), EEPROIVI (Electrically Erasable PRONI), etc. in different embodiments.

The previously described steps 601-604 to be performed in the mobile device 120 may beimplemented through the one or more processors 720 within the mobile device 120, togetherwith computer program product for performing at least some of the functions of the steps601-604. Thus a computer program product, comprising instructions for performing the steps601-604 in the mobile device 120 may perform the method 600 comprising at least some ofthe steps 601-604 for accessing a functionality in a set of functionalities in a multi-passengervehicle 100, when the computer program is loaded into the one or more processors 720 ofthe mobile device 120. The described steps 601-604 thus may be performed by a computeralgorithm, a machine executable code, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, or asoftware instructions programmed into a suitable programmable logic such as the processor720 in the mobile device 120. 18 The computer program product mentioned above may be provided for instance in the formof an app, i.e. a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing at least someof the step 601-604 according to some embodiments when being loaded into the one or moreprocessors 720 of the mobile device 120. The data carrier may be, e.g., a hard disk, a CDROIVI disc, a memory stick, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device or any otherappropriate medium such as a disk or tape that may hold machine readable data in a non-transitory manner. The computer program product may furthermore be provided as computerprogram code on a server and downloaded to the mobile device 120 remotely, e.g., over an Internet or an intranet connection.

The terminology used in the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompa-nying drawings is not intended to be Iimiting of the described methods 400, 600, control unit110; mobile device 120, computer program and/ or vehicle 100. Various changes, substitu-tions and/ or alterations may be made, without departing from invention embodiments asdefined by the appended claims.

As used herein, the term "and/ or" comprises any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. The term “or” as used herein, is to be interpreted as a mathematicalOR, i.e., as an inclusive disjunction; not as a mathematical exclusive OR (XOR), unless ex-pressly stated otherwise. ln addition, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are to be inter-preted as “at least one", thus also possibly comprising a plurality of entities of the same kind,unless expressly stated othen/vise. lt will be further understood that the terms "includes","comprises", "including" and/ or "comprising", specifies the presence of stated features, ac-tions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/ or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, operations, ele-ments, components, and/ or groups thereof. A single unit such as e.g. a processor may fulfilthe functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures arerecited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of thesemeasures cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored/ distributed ona suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium suppliedtogether with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms such as via Internet or other Wired or wireless communication system.

Claims

1. A method (400) in a control unit (110) for providing access to a set of functionalitiesin a multi-passenger vehicle (100), to a user of a mobile device (120), wherein the method(400) comprises: receiving (401) a request for accessing a functionality comprised in the set of func-tionalities, from the mobile device (120); extracting (402) an Identity reference, ID, of the mobile device (120) from the re-ceived (401) request; comparing (403) the extracted (402) ID with a previously stored set of IDs in amemory (525); providing (404) access to the requested functionality, to the user of the mobile de-vice (120) when the extracted (402) ID is comprised within the previously stored set of IDsin the memory (525) by generating control signals for initiating the requested functionality, wherein the mobile device (120) is provided access to the set of functionalities onlywhen the vehicle (100) is parked, and wherein said set of functionalities being not related to conveyance of the vehicle (100).

2. The method (400) according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device (120) is grantedaccess to the set of functionalities only within a predetermined validity time period, andwherein the comparison (403) between the extracted (402) ID and the previously stored setof IDs in the memory (525) also comprises checking the predetermined validity time periodof the mobile device (120), and wherein the mobile device (120) is provided (404) access tothe requested functionality only when the predetermined validity time period of the mobiledevice (120) correspond with the current time period.

3. The method (400) according to any of claims 1-2, further comprising:storing (405) the ID of the mobile device (120) in the memory (525), associated witha time stamp and a reference to the requested functionality.

4. The method (400) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the set of functionalitiesin the multi-passenger vehicle (100) comprises deactivating alarm, open entrance door,close entrance door, lock entrance door, open hatch to cargo compartment, close hatch tocargo compartment, lock hatch to cargo compartment, light control, air condition control, net- work access.

5. The method (400) according to any of claims 1-4, further comprising: transmitting (406) a message to at least one mobile device (120), associated withan ID comprised in the previously stored set of lDs.

6. The method (400) according to claim 5, wherein the transmitted (406) messagecomprises a request for position of the at least one mobile device (120).

7. A control unit (110) for providing access to a set of functionalities in a multi-passen-ger vehicle (1 00), to a user of a mobile device (120), wherein the control unit (1 10) comprises: a receiver (510) configured for receiving a request for accessing a functionality com-prised in the set of functionalities, from the mobile device (120); a processor (520) configured for extracting an Identity reference, ID, of the mobiledevice (120) from the received request; and configured for comparing the extracted ID witha previously stored set of IDs in a memory (525); and also configured for providing accessto the requested functionality, to the user of the mobile device (120) when the extracted IDis comprised within the previously stored set of IDs in the memory (525) by generating controlsignals for initiating the requested functionality, wherein the processor is configured for providing access to the requested function-ality to the user of the mobile device (120) only when the vehicle (100) is parked, and whereinsaid set of functionalities being not related to conveyance of the vehicle (100).

8. A method (600) in a mobile device (120) for accessing a functionality comprised ina set of functionalities in a multi-passenger vehicle (100), wherein the method (600) com-pnses: transmitting (601) a request for accessing the functionality, and an Identity refer-ence, ID, of the mobile device (120), to be received by a control unit (110) of the vehicle(100), wherein the mobile device (120) is provided access to the set of functionalities onlywhen the vehicle (100) is parked, and wherein said set of functionalities being not related toconveyance of the vehicle (100).

9. The method (600) according to claim 8, further comprising:receiving (602) a message associated with the multi-passenger vehicle (100).

10.message comprises a request for position of the at least one mobile device (120): The method (600) according to claim 9, further comprising, when the received (602) determining (603) geographical position of the mobile device (120); and 21 transmitting (604) the determined (603) geographical position of the mobile device(120) to be received by the control unit (110) of the vehicle (100).

11. A mobile device (120) for accessing a functionality comprised in a set of functional-ities in a multi-passenger vehicle (100), wherein the mobile device (120) comprises: a transmitter (730) configured for transmitting a request for accessing the function-ality and an Identity reference, ID, of the mobile device (120), to be received by a control unit(110) of the vehicle (100), wherein the mobile device (120) is configured to be provided access to the set offunctionalities only when the vehicle (100) is parked, and wherein said set of functionalitiesbeing not related to conveyance of the vehicle (100).

12.cording to any of claims 1-6, or a method (600) according to any of claims 8-10 when the A computer program comprising program code for performing a method (400) ac- computer program is executed in a computer.