SE544279C2

SE544279C2 - Method and control arrangement for activation of a communication device

Info

Publication number: SE544279C2
Application number: SE1751078A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Oremus Bas
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2017-09-07
Filing date: 2017-09-07
Publication date: 2022-03-22
Also published as: WO2019050449A1; DE112018003883T5; DE112018003883B4; SE1751078A1

Abstract

Method (600) and control arrangement (310), for activating a wireless short distance connection of a communication device (120) of the vehicle (100) and a wireless short distance access point (210) associated with a predefined geographical zone (200). The method (600) comprises determining (601) geographical position of the vehicle (100); detecting (602) that the determined (601) geographical position is situated within the predefined geographical zone (200); and activating (608) the communication device (120) for wireless short distance connection with the wireless short distance access point (210), when the vehicle (100) is detected (602) to be situated within the predefined geographical zone (200).

Description

METHOD AND CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR ACTIVATION OF A COMMUNICATIONDEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD This document discloses a method and a control arrangement. More particularly, a methodand a control arrangement are disclosed, for activating a wireless short distance connectionof a communication device of the vehicle and a wireless short distance access point associ-ated with a predefined geographical zone.

BACKGROUND A problem with allowing vehicles access a wireless short distance connection such as e.g.WiFi or similar wireless communication interface is that vehicles typically are moving andpassing the rather limited coverage zone of a WiFi access point very fast. ln worst case,there may be enough time to terminate access procedures and initiate transmission of infor-mation to/ from the vehicle, but not enough time to complete the transmission. lt may thenbe unknown which data has been sent or not. Resending data at a later access point issuboptimal and may cause double registration of data, etc. For this reason, wireless accessvia a continuous cellular communication network is considered to be the obvious and most appropriate choice for wireless vehicle communication.

And yet, allowing for WiFi access would have great advantages when developing new ser-vices for vehicles. lt would for example allows for a connection free of charge with units in the vicinity of a WiFi access point.

Many vehicles such as long haulage trucks typically operate in a multinational environment,which implicates that cellular communication roaming is required when the vehicle drivesoutside the range of the home cellular network, resulting in increased communication costsand possibly also communication volume/ speed constraints. These costs may be avoided ifinstead WiFi would be utilised for communication.

However, security issues and fear of hacker attacks are currently preventing any WiFi usagein vehicles, according to a branch convention, as vehicles are exceptionally much more sen-sitive for software failures than handheld communication devices such as cellular tele-phones. lt has also shown that heavy vehicles such as trucks are attractive targets to over-take, for both terrorists and thieves, which put further demands on enhanced network secu-rity for vehicles in comparison with e.g. cellular telephones.

Another problem associated with vehicles emerge when driving to an automotive repair shop for maintenance or reparation. Various vehicle data is extracted from the control system ofthe vehicle via a wired interface, for analysis at the workshop. The described procedure istime consuming, and also requires expensive hardware equipment at the repair shop forwired communication with the vehicle control system. The information extraction furthermoreoften fails due to various hardware failures of the wired communication interface, due to the rough environment.

Yet a problem of a vehicle enabled to drive with a trailer, is to find the right trailer out of aplurality of available trailers. A major commercial freight fonNarder may have hundreds oftrailers on the parking and it is time consuming for the driver to find the right trailer, basedonly on knowledge of the registration plate. The risk is apparent that the driver takes anothertrailer than the intended, which may cause various problems. The erroneously taken trailermay for example be dysfunctional; or have another dimension than is optimal for the vehiclefrom an aerodynamic viewpoint, or sufficient for the cargo which is to be loaded in the trailer.

Also, vehicle drivers are responsible for keeping the vehicle fully functional and e.g. that thelamps for the head light, blinkers, brake lights etc., works. However, for checking the func-tionality of the blinkers for example, the driver needs to activate the blinkers on one side, atthe driver seat and then walk around the vehicle to check the blinker lights on that side, andthen return to the driver seat and repeat the procedure for the other side of the vehicles, etc.,which is time consuming and tedious, in particular for heavy vehicles with trailers. There isconsequently an obvious risk that the driver neglect frequent functionality checks.

The document CN104394513 discloses a control method for mobile terminal to access wire-less network. The method pre-sets a Wl-Fl module opening area of the mobile terminal,wherein the Wl-Fl module opening area is the coverage range of a safe WLAN (WirelessLocal Area Network). The method judges whether the mobile terminal is positioned withinthe Wl-Fl module opening area according to a GPS module. lf yes, the Wl-Fl module isturned on. The terminal closes the Wl-Fl module when the mobile terminal is positioned outof the Wl-Fl module opening area.

However, the document does not discuss any of the various particular problems of wirelesscommunication with a vehicle. Further, the coverage range of a safe WLAN may be consid-erably larger than a geographical area that could be considered safe or appropriate.

Document WO2016095974 discloses a method for access network selection. An AccessNetwork Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) rule is defined and transmitted to anANDSF client in a User Equipment (UE). The ANDSF client determines if the current location of the UE matches the validity location area in the rule. lf it matches, the ANDSF rule isapplied in the UE.

Neither this document concerns the particular security issues related to wireless communi-cation with a vehicle, but only a cellular telephone. Further the solution disclosed in the doc-ument discussed which cellular network to access at different location areas, not whetherWiFi is to be turned on/ off.

There are several distinct problems associated with vehicles and transfer of information to/from vehicles, that may cause various problems in the traffic. lt appears that further devel-opment is required for reducing problems associated with vehicle information communica- tion.

SUMMARY lt is therefore an object of this invention to solve at least some of the above problems andprovide improved activation of a wireless short distance connection of a communication de- vice of a vehicle.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a method in a vehicle,for activating a wireless short distance connection of a communication device of the vehicleand a wireless short distance access point associated with a predefined geographical zone.The method comprises determining geographical position of the vehicle. Further, the methodcomprises detecting that the determined geographical position is situated within the prede-fined geographical zone. ln addition, the method also comprises activating the communica-tion device for wireless short distance connection with the wireless short distance accesspoint, when the vehicle is detected to be situated within the predefined geographical zone.

According to a second aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a control ar-rangement for activating a wireless short distance connection of a communication device ofthe vehicle and a wireless short distance access point associated with a predefined geo-graphical zone. The control arrangement is configured to determine geographical position ofthe vehicle. Further, the control arrangement is configured to detect that the determined ge-ographical position is situated within the predefined geographical zone. Also, the control ar-rangement is further configured to activate the communication device for wireless short dis-tance connection with the wireless short distance access point, when the vehicle is detectedto be situated within the predefined geographical zone.

Thanks to the described aspects, by defining geographical zones wherein safe WiFi access points (or based on other, similar, access technology), by continuously check whether thevehicle is situated within the predefined geographical zone, and only activate the WiFi chipof a communication device in the vehicle when the vehicle is situated within the definedgeographical zone, it is avoided that communication is established with malicious or tam-pered WiFi access points. Thereby, the risk of hacker attacks is thereby radically decreasedin comparison with having a continuously activated WiFi chip. However, data and informationcould be communicated to/ from the vehicle wirelessly within the predefined geographicalzone, leading to efficient and reliable data exchange without the costs involved when cellular communication roaming is required.

Further, the provided solution makes it possible to introduce new services, such as for ex-ample extracting vehicle data for analysis while approaching the vehicle workshop andproviding the technician with an analysis when the vehicle parks in the workshop. Anotherenabled service may be to allow the driver, or a technician, to remotely activate functions ofthe vehicle via a portable communication device communicating with the vehicle via the wire- less short distance connection.

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 a side view of a vehicle according to an embodiment.Figure 2 illustrates a scenario with a vehicle according to an embodiment and a wire-less short distance access in a zone, as seen from above.Figure 3 schematically illustrates a vehicle interior according to an embodiment.Figure 4 illustrates an example of stored parameters in a database.Figure 5 illustrates wireless communication according to an embodiment.Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of the method.Figure 7 is an illustration depicting a system according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as a method and a control ar- rangement, which may be put into practice in the embodiments described below. These em-bodiments may, however, be exemplified and realised in many different forms and are not tobe limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these illustrative examples of embodi-ments are provided so that this disclosure will be 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 vehicle 100, driving in a driving direction 105. The vehicle 100 maydrive on a road 110.

The vehicle 100 may comprise e.g. a truck, a car, a motorcycle, a multi-passenger vehiclesuch as a bus, a coach or any similar vehicle or other means of conveyance. The vehicle100 may be driver-controlled or an autonomously controlled driverless vehicle in differentembodiments. However, for enhanced clarity, the vehicle 100 is subsequently described as having a driver.

The vehicle 100 comprises a vehicle mounted wireless communication device 120, mountedon the vehicle 100. The purpose of the communication device 120 is to communicate wire-lessly via a short distance communication interface such as e.g. Wi-Fi, Wireless Local AreaNetwork (WLAN), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Bluetooth (BT), Near Field Communica-tion (NFC), Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), Z-wave, ZigBee, lPv6 over Low powerWireless Personal Area Networks (6LoWPAN), Wireless Highway Addressable RemoteTransducer (HART) Protocol, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB), optical communicationsuch as lnfrared Data Association (lrDA), Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) such ase.g. LoFša, or infrared transmission to name but a few possible examples of wireless com- munications in some embodiments.

A solution in order to avoid, or at least reduce vulnerability to hacker attack etc. on the wire-less communication device 120, which may comprise a Wi-Fi chip, is to limit the activationof the communication device 120 based on geographical location of the vehicle 100.

For example, the communication device 120 may be activated in the vicinity of approvedvehicle workshops. The communication device 120 may by default be deactivated. However,when the vehicle 100 enters a defined zone around an approved workshop, the communi-cation device 120, and thereby also the wireless short distance communication interface, isactivated. The defined zone may have any arbitrary form, such as square, rectangular, cir- cular, triangular, or various combinations thereof. ln some embodiments, the defined zone may be shaped in order to disallow activation ofcommunication devices 120 in vehicles 100 that are merely passing the workshop on a closeby road, while allowing activation of communication devices 120 in vehicles 100 entering theworkshop area.

Thereby, new services could be developed that can connect the communication device 120of the vehicle 100 to a workshop network in order to start downloading new software to thevehicle 100, upload various vehicle data, etc.

When the vehicle 100 is leaving the zone, the communication devices 120 is turned off again,thus minimising the risk of intrusion by others.

By only activating the wireless short distance communication ability of the communicationdevice 120 when the vehicle 100 is in a trusted zone the risk of the vehicle 100 being subjectof hacker attacks is reduced, or even eliminated.

Figure 2 illustrates a scenario wherein the vehicle 100 is driving in the driving direction 105,approaching a predefined geographical zone 200 and a wireless short distance access point210 situated therein, as seen from above. lt may be determined that the vehicle 100 is approaching the predefined geographical zone200, e.g. based on determination of geographical position of the vehicle 100 based on asatellite navigation system such as the Navigation Signal Timing and Ranging (Navstar)Global Positioning System (GPS), Differential GPS (DGPS), Galileo, GLONASS, or the like,in combination with map data wherein the predefined geographical zone 200 is designated.

The vehicle 100 may comprise a positioning device for determining the geographical positionof the vehicle 100, as well as time, vehicle speed, heading, etc., may be determined contin-uously, or at a certain predetermined or configurable time interval according to various em-bodiments.

The geographical position of the vehicle 100 may alternatively be determined, e.g. by havingtransponders positioned at known positions around the route and a dedicated sensor in thevehicle 100, for recognising the transponders and thereby determining the position; by de-tecting and recognising ce||u|ar network signals; by receiving wireless beaconing signals,associated with a respective geographical position, or other signal signatures of wirelesssignals such as e.g. by triangulation of signals emitted by a plurality of fixed base stationswith known geographical positions, etc. ln yet some alternative embodiments, the vehicle 100 may detect the predefined geograph-ical zone 200 via a sensor, i.e. a camera. The sensor may detect e.g. a traffic sign, informingabout the predefined geographical zone 200. The sensor may be forwardly directed in thedriving direction 105. A fon/vardly directed sensor may be arranged e.g. behind the wind-shield have some advantages compared to externally mounted camera systems. These ad-vantages include the possibility to use windshield wipers for cleaning and using the light fromheadlights to illuminate objects in the camera's field of view. lt is also protected from dirt,snow, rain and to some extent also from damage, vandalism and/ or theft. Such forwardlydirected sensor may also be used for a variety of other tasks. The purpose of the visualdetection of the predefined geographical zone 200 may be to have redundancy.

The sensor comprises, or may be connected to a control arrangement configured for imagerecognition/ computer vision and object recognition. lt may thereby be determined that thevehicle 100 is approaching the predefined geographical zone 200.

Figure 3 illustrates a scenario wherein the vehicle 100 is driving in the driving direction 105on a road 110, as it may be perceived by the driver of the vehicle 100, if any.

The vehicle 100 comprises a control arrangement 310, such as e.g. a computer. The controlarrangement 310 at least one processing element, typically a Central Processing Unit (CPU),and some form of memory. The processing element may carry out arithmetic and logicaloperations, and a sequencing and control unit can change the order of operations in re-sponse to stored information.

The control arrangement 310 is configured to determine geographical position of the vehicle100 via a positioning device 340, or navigator, in the vehicle 100. The positioning device 340and the geographical positioning may be based on a satellite navigation system such as theNavigation Signal Timing and Ranging (Navstar) Global Positioning System (GPS), Differ-ential GPS (DGPS), Galileo, GLONASS, or the like.

The geographical position of the positioning device 340, (and thereby also of the vehicle 100)may be made repeatedly, such as e.g. continuously at a certain predetermined or configura- ble time interval, according to various embodiments.

Positioning by satellite navigation is based on distance measurement using triangulationfrom a number of satellites 350a, 350b, 350c, 350d. ln this example, four satellites 350a,350b, 350c, 350d are depicted, but this is merely an example. More than four satellites 350a,350b, 350c, 350d may be used for enhancing the precision, or for creating redundancy. Thesatellites 350a, 350b, 350c, 350d continuously transmit information about time and date (forexample, in coded form), identity (which satellite 350a, 350b, 350c, 350d that broadcasts),status, and where the satellite 350a, 350b, 350c, 350d are situated at any given time. TheGPS satellites 350a, 350b, 350c, 350d sends information encoded with different codes, forexample, but not necessarily based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). This allowsinformation from an individual satellite 350a, 350b, 350c, 350d distinguished from the others'information, based on a unique code for each respective satellite 350a, 350b, 350c, 350d.This information can then be transmitted to be received by the appropriately adapted posi-tioning device 340 comprised in the vehicle 100.

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 350a, 350b, 350c, 350d to reach the positioning device 340. As the radio signalstravel at the speed of light, the distance to the respective satellite 350a, 350b, 350c, 350dmay be computed by measuring the signal propagation time.

The positions of the satellites 350a, 350b, 350c, 350d are known, as they continuously aremonitored by approximately 15-30 ground stations located mainly along and near the earth'sequator. Thereby the geographical position, i.e. latitude and longitude, of the vehicle 100may be calculated by determining the distance to at least three satellites 350a, 350b, 350c,350d through triangulation. For determination of altitude, signals from four satellites 350a,350b, 350c, 350d may be used according to some embodiments.

Having determined the geographical position of the vehicle 100 by the positioning device340 (or in another way), it may be presented on a map, a screen or an information outputtingdevice 330 where the position of the vehicle 100 may be marked in some optional, alternativeembodiments. ln some embodiments, the current geographical position of the vehicle 100 and the com- puted predicted path of the vehicle 100 may in some embodiments be displayed on the in-formation outputting device 330.

The current position of the vehicle 100 may be checked against stored map data upon whichpositioning data associated with predefined geographical zones 200 are stored in a database320. lt may thereby be detected that the vehicle 100 is approaching/ entering and/ or leaving apredefined geographical zone 200.

When the vehicle 100 is determined to be entering a predefined geographical zone 200, i.e.a zone in which wireless short distance connection is allowed, based on the determinedgeographical position of the vehicle 100 and stored map data in the database 320, the controlarrangement 310 may activate the communication device 120 in the vehicle 100 for wirelessshort distance connection with the wireless short distance access point 210 of the geograph-ical zone 200, when the vehicle 100 is detected to be situated within the predefined geo-graphical zone 200. The described process is made automatically, without requiring any manual interaction by the driver, enabling him/ her to focus on the traffic environment.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a database 320. ln this case, each predetermined zone200 is associated with a set of geographical coordinates that defines, or limits, the zone 200.lt may be noted that the zones 200 may have any arbitrary shape, such as rectangular,triangular, quadratic, circular, semi-circular, or a combination thereof. The different zones200 may also have different shapes.

The coordinates may comprise absolute or relative geographical coordinates that uniquelydetermines the limits of the respective zone 200.

Each zone 200 is also associated with a respective wireless short distance access point 210.

The zones 200 may in some embodiments also be associated with different eligibilities, de-pendent on the level of trust or confidence that may be given to each respective zone 200/wireless short distance access point 210. These levels of trust may be binary (trusted/ lesstrusted) or divided into several levels, in different embodiments.

For example, an access point 210 which is in direct control/ owned by the vehicle owner, orotherwise being trustworthy and secure, may have unlimited level of trust, allowing for ex-ample downloading of software updates, new software, uploading of confidential (business critical) information from the vehicle 100, etc. Another example may be vehicle brand work-shops, which also may have unlimited trust; or at least being trusted to extract vehicle diag-nosis information from the vehicle 100, in order to detect errors.

Some zones 200/ access points 210 may be less trusted, such as e.g. access points 210 offuel stations (e.g. of a certain preferred brand), hotel/ motel chains (e.g. of a certain preferredbrand), etc. ln these less trusted zones 200/ access points 210, permission may be given toupload certain non-confidential (not business critical) information from the vehicle 100, butnot to download software, for example, as malicious or erroneous software may affect trafficsafety. ln this illustrated example, there is also a zone 200/ access point 210 having a third level oftrust, wherein no interaction of vehicle data is allowed at all, while for example infotainment related data may be downloaded, for the pleasure of the driver. lt may be noted that the communication device 120 will be deactivated while situated outsideany of the predefined zones 200 and consequently will not be able to access any unknownaccess point being situated outside any predefined zone 200.

Figure 5 illustrates an example of a scenario, wherein the vehicle 100 is situated within apredefined geographical zone 200, wherein short distance wireless communication is ena-bled, as the communication device 120 of the vehicle 100 has been activated.

Short distance wireless communication is thereby enabled between the communication de- vice 120 of the vehicle 100 and a portable communication device 500 of the driver.

The short distance wireless communication may be e.g. WiFi signals via the access point120, or peer-to-peer communication directly between the communication device 120 and theportable communication device 500, such as Bluetooth or similar communication protocol. lt thereby becomes possible for the driver to remotely activate blinkers on the vehicle 100via the portable communication device 500. Other possible functionalities may be to remotelyactivate a heater or air conditioner within the cabin of the vehicle 100; check air pressure ofthe tyres; check fuel level/ urea level, temperature of the cabin, etc.

Figure 6 illustrates an example of a method 600 according to an embodiment. The flow chartin Figure 6 shows the method 600 in a vehicle 100 for activating a wireless short distanceconnection of a communication device 120 of the vehicle 100 and a wireless short distance 11 access point 210 associated with a predefined geographical zone 200.

Information such as e.g. geographical coordinates of the predefined geographical zone 200,associated wireless short distance access point 210, type of zone 200, trust level of the zone200, eligibilities that may be performed in the zone 200 etc., may be stored in a database 320 in the vehicle 100; or alternatively in a vehicle external database. ln order to be able to activate the wireless short distance connection of the communicationdevice 120, the method 600 may comprise a number of steps 601-610. However, some ofthese steps 601-610 may be performed solely in some alternative embodiments, like e.g.steps 603-607 and/ or 609-610. Further, the described steps 601-610 may be performed ina somewhat different chronological order than the numbering suggests. The method 600may comprise the subsequent steps: Step 601 comprises determining geographical position of the vehicle 100.

Step 602 comprises detecting that the determined 601 geographical position is situated within the predefined geographical zone 200.

Information/ coordinates of the predefined geographical zone 200 may be stored in the da-tabase 320 in the vehicle 100; or alternatively in a vehicle external database.

Step 603, which only may be performed in some alternative embodiments, comprises ex-tracting a confidence level, associated with the predefined geographical zone 200.

The confidence level may be extracted from the database 320 in the vehicle 100; or alterna-tively from a vehicle external database.

By giving and associating different confidence levels to different access points 120/ prede-fined geographical zones 200, different services (i.e. services being differently critical to se-curity issues) may be provided in different geographical zones 200, dependent on the confi-dence level of that access point 120/ geographical zone 200.

Access points 120/ geographical zones 200 that are very reliable and trusted, e.g. beingowned by the vehicle owner, may have full access to all information of the vehicle 100 whileless trusted access points 120/ geographical zones 200 still may allow for less security criti- cal communication, such as e.g. downloading of infotainment to an output device in the cabin. 12 Step 604, which only may be performed in some alternative embodiments, comprises esti-mating a period of time the vehicle 100 will remain within the predefined geographical zone200.

Step 605, which only may be performed in some alternative embodiments, comprises disal-lowing any communication expected to exceed the estimated 604 period of time.

Thereby, thanks to steps 604-605, it is avoided that information downloading is avoided whenthe vehicle 100 is only passing the geographical zone 200 at high velocity, and there is notenough time to finish the communication to be made. Thereby it is avoided to start uploadingvehicle information (and/ or downloading a software update) when the time within the zone200 is insufficient.

Step 606, which only may be performed in some alternative embodiments, comprises deter- mining a priority order of information to be communicated.

Thus, by making a priority order and communicate information in the priority order, it is as-sured that the most crucial/ critical information is transmitted firstly and that less important information is sent only when there is plenty of time for the communication.

Step 607, which only may be performed in some alternative embodiments, comprises deter-mining the vehicle speed of the vehicle 100.

By determining the vehicle speed, e.g. via the speedometer of the vehicle 100, and/ or viathe navigator, it is avoided that lengthy communications are initiated when the vehicle 100 isdriving at a speed exceeding the threshold value (which may be set to zero km/h, or anyother convenient speed).

The activation of the communication device 120 may be made only when the determinedvehicle speed is lower than a threshold value.

Thereby workshop data may be downloaded from the vehicle 100 when queuing outside theworkshop (waiting for service/ maintenance), but not from the vehicle 100 when just passingthe workshop on the close by high way.

Step 608 comprises activating the communication device 120 for wireless short distanceconnection with the wireless short distance access point 210, when the vehicle 100 is de-tected 602 to be situated within the predefined geographical zone 200. 13 The activation of the communication device 120 may in some embodiments wherein step603 has been performed, be made according to the extracted 603 confidence level. ln some embodiments wherein step 606 has been performed, the communication of thecommunication device 120 may be made in the determined 606 priority order.

The activation of the communication device 120 may be made only when the determined607 vehicle speed is lower than a threshold value, according to some embodiments whereinstep 607 has been performed.

Step 609, which only may be performed in some alternative embodiments, comprises de-tecting that the determined 601 geographical position is situated outside the predefined ge-ographical zone 200.

Step 610, which only may be performed in some alternative embodiments wherein step 609has been performed, comprises deactivating the communication device 120 for wirelessshort distance connection with the wireless short distance access point 210, when the vehicle100 is detected 609 to be situated outside the predefined geographical zone 200.

By detecting that the vehicle 100 is leaving the geographical zone 200, and turning off theWiFi chip/ communication device 120 when such detection is made, it is avoided that theWiFi chip/ communication device 120 connect to any other, not trusted, access point outsidethe geographical zone 200.

Figure 7 presents a system 700. The system 700 aims at activating a wireless short distanceconnection of a communication device 120 of the vehicle 100 and a wireless short distanceaccess point 210 associated with a predefined geographical zone 200.

The system 700 comprises a control arrangement 310. The control arrangement 310 is con-figured for performing the method 600, according to any, some or all of the previously de-scribed steps 601-610 as described above and illustrated in Figure 6. Thus, the control ar-rangement 310 aims at activating a wireless short distance connection of a communicationdevice 120 of the vehicle 100 and a wireless short distance access point 210 associated witha predefined geographical zone 200.

The control arrangement 310 is configured to determine geographical position of the vehicle100. Further, the control arrangement 310 is also configured to detect that the determined 14 geographical position is situated within the predefined geographical zone 200. The controlarrangement 310 is furthermore configured to activate the communication device 120 forwireless short distance connection with the wireless short distance access point 210, whenthe vehicle 100 is detected to be situated within the predefined geographical zone 200.

The control arrangement 310 may in some alternative embodiments be configured to extracta confidence level, associated with the predefined geographical zone 200. The control ar-rangement 310 may in addition be configured to activate the communication device 120 ac-cording to the extracted confidence level. ln some embodiments, the control arrangement 310 may also be configured to estimate aperiod of time the vehicle 100 will remain within the predefined geographical zone 200. Thecontrol arrangement 310 may furthermore also be configured to disallow any communication expected to exceed the estimated period of time.

Furthermore, the control arrangement 310 may be configured to determine a priority orderof information to be transferred. The control arrangement 310 may furthermore be configuredto control that the communication of the communication device 120 is made in the deter-mined priority order.

Also, the control arrangement 310 may in some embodiments be configured to determinevehicle speed. The control arrangement 310 may in addition be configured to activate thecommunication device 120 only when the determined vehicle speed is lower than a threshold value.

The control arrangement 310 may furthermore, in some embodiments, be configured to de-tect that the determined geographical position is situated outside the predefined geograph-ical zone 200, based on information obtained from a positioning device 340. Also, the controlarrangement 310 may be configured to deactivate the communication device 120 for wirelessshort distance connection with the wireless short distance access point 210, when the vehicle100 is detected to be situated outside the predefined geographical zone 200.

The system 700 in addition also comprises a positioning device 340, configured to determinegeographical position of the vehicle 100, such as e.g. a navigator.

Further, the system 700 comprises a database 320 comprising a list of geographical posi-tions of predefined geographical zones 200, wherein each predefined geographical zone 200is associated with a wireless short distance access point 210.

The system 700 comprises a communication device 120 for wireless short distance connec-tion with the wireless short distance access point 210.

The control arrangement 310 may comprise a receiving unit 710 configured for receivinginformation via a wired or wireless communication, from the database 320 and/ or from the positioning device 340.

The control arrangement 310 further may comprise a processing circuitry 720 configured forperforming various calculations for conducting the method 600 according to at least some ofthe previously described method steps 601-610.

Such processing circuitry 720 may comprise one or more instances of a processing circuit,i.e. a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processor, an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret andexecute instructions. The herein utilised expression “processing circuitry” may thus representa processing circuitry comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, e.g., any, someor all of the ones enumerated above.

Furthermore, the control arrangement 310 may comprise a memory 725 in some embodi-ments. The optional memory 725 may comprise a physical device utilised to store data orprograms, i.e., sequences of instructions, on a temporary or permanent basis. According tosome embodiments, the memory 725 may comprise integrated circuits comprising silicon-based transistors. The memory 725 may comprise e.g. a memory card, a flash memory, aUSB memory, a hard disc, or another similar volatile or non-volatile storage unit for storingdata such as e.g. ROIVI (Read-Only l\/lemory), PROIVI (Programmable Read-Only Memory),EPROIVI (Erasable PROIVI), EEPROIVI (Electrically Erasable PROIVI), etc. in different embod- iments.

Further, the control arrangement 310 may comprise a signal transmitting unit 730. The signaltransmitting unit 730 may be configured for transmitting a command signal and/ or infor-mation to the communication device 120, which in turn is configured for wireless short dis- tance connection with the wireless short distance access point 210.

The previously described steps 601-610 to be performed in the control arrangement 310 maybe implemented through the one or more processing circuitries 720 within the control ar-rangement 310, together with computer program product for performing at least some of thefunctions of the steps 601-610. Thus, a computer program product, comprising instructions 16 for performing the steps 601-610 in the control arrangement 310 may perform the method600 comprising at least some of the steps 601-610 for activating a wireless short distanceconnection of a communication device 120 of the vehicle 100 and a wireless short distanceaccess point 210 associated with a predefined geographical zone 200, when the computerprogram is loaded into the one or more processing circuitries 720 of the control arrangement310.

The described steps 601-610 thus may be performed by a computer algorithm, a machineexecutable code, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, or a software instructions pro-grammed into a suitable programmable logic such as the processing circuitry 720 in the control arrangement 310 in various embodiments.

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 step601-610 according to some embodiments when being loaded into the one or more pro-cessing circuitry 720 of the control arrangement 310. The data carrier may be, e.g., a harddisk, a CD ROIVI disc, a memory stick, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage deviceor any other appropriate medium such as a disk or tape that may hold machine readabledata in a non-transitory manner. The computer program product may furthermore be pro-vided as computer program code on a server and downloaded to the control arrangement 310 remotely, e.g., over an Internet or an intranet connection.

Further, some embodiments may comprise a vehicle 100, comprising the control arrange-ment 310, as described above, for performing the method according to at least some of thedescribed method steps 601-610.

The terminology used in the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompa-nying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the described method 600, control arrange-ment 310; computer program, and/ or system 700. Various changes, substitutions and/ oralterations may be made, without departing from invention embodiments as defined by theappended 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", 17 "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 fulfil5 the 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 (600) in a vehicle (100), for activating a wireless short distance connection of a communication device (120) of the vehicle (100)and a wireless short distance access point (210) associated with a predefined geographicalzone (200), which method (600) comprises: determining (601) ggtggeographical position of the vehicle (100); detecting (602) that the determined (601) geographical position is situated withinthe predefined geographical zone (200); and activating (608) the communication device (120) for wireless short distance connec-tion with the wireless short distance access point (210), when the vehicle (100) is detected(602) to be situated within the predefined geographical zone (200) extracting (603) a confidence level, associated with the predefined geographicalzone (200); and wherein the activation (608) of the communication device (120) is made accordingto the extracted (603) confidence level.

2. The method (600) according to claim 1, further comprising: estimating (604) a period of time the vehicle (100) will remain within the predefinedgeographical zone (200); and disallowing (605) any communication expected to exceed the estimated (604) pe-riod of time.

3. The method (600) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: determining (606) a priority order of information to be communicated; and wherein the communication of the communication device (120) is made in the de-termined (606) priority order.

4. The method (600) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: determining (607) gàvehicle speed; and wherein the activation (608) of the communication device (120) is made only whenthe determined (607) vehicle speed is lower than a threshold value.

5. The method (600) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: detecting (609) that the determined (601) geographical position is situated outsidethe predefined geographical zone (200); and deactivating (610) the communication device (120) for wireless short distance con-nection with the wireless short distance access point (210), when the vehicle (100) is de-tected (609) to be situated outside the predefined geographical zone (200). A control arrangement (310) in a vehicle (100), for activating a wireless short dis-tance connection of a communication device (120) of the vehicle (100) and a wireless shortdistance access point (210) associated with a predefined geographical zone (200), whereinthe control arrangement (310) is configured to: determine ggtwgeographical position of the vehicle (100); detect that the determined geographical position is situated within the predefinedgeographical zone (200); and activate the communication device (120) for wireless short distance connection withthe wireless short distance access point (210), when the vehicle (100) is detected to be sit-uated within the predefined geographical zone (200); and extract a confidence level, associated with the predefined geographical zone (200); and activate the communication device (120) according to the extracted confidencelevel. The control arrangement (310) according to c|aim further configured to: estimate a period of time the vehicle (100) will remain within the predefined geo-graphical zone (200); anddisallow any communication expected to exceed the estimated period of time. . ~\.wa The control arrangement (310) according to any one of claims further con-figured to: determine a priority order of information to be transferred; and wherein the communication of the communication device (120) is made in the de- termined priority order. The control arrangement (310) according to any one of claims further con-figured to: determine §;=.__vehicle speed; and activate the communication device (120) only when the determined vehicle speedis lower than a threshold value. .~ . ..-\.Qmftfttt further con- The control arrangement (310) according to any one of claims 'figured to: detect that the determined geographical position is situated outside the predefinedgeographical zone (200); and deactivate the communication device (120) for wireless short distance connectionwith the wireless short distance access point (210), when the vehicle (100) is detected to be situated outside the predefined geographical zone (200). A system (700) for activating a wireless short distance connection of a communica- tion device (120) of the vehicle (100) and a wireless short distance access point (210) asso-ciated with a predefined geographical zone (200), which system (700) comprises:a control arrangement (310), according to any one of claims ' a positioning device (340), configured to determine geographical position of the ve-hicle (100); a database (320) comprising a list of geographical positions of predefined geo-graphical zones (200), wherein each predefined geographical zone (200) is associated witha wireless short distance access point (210); and a communication device (120) for wireless short distance connection with the wire- less short distance access point (210).