WO2017202902A1

WO2017202902A1 - Method of connecting an onboard vehicle system to an electronic apparatus and associated onboard vehicle system

Info

Publication number: WO2017202902A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/062523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent Petel
Original assignee: Valeo Comfort And Driving Assistance
Priority date: 2016-05-24
Filing date: 2017-05-24
Publication date: 2017-11-30
Also published as: FR3054770B1; FR3054770A1

Abstract

A method of connecting an onboard vehicle system (13), comprising a first wireless communication module, to an electronic apparatus (20) comprising a second wireless communication module, comprises the following steps: - broadcasting (E4) of advertising frames (ADV1) by the first wireless communication module; - in response to one of said broadcast advertising frames (ADV1), sending (E10), by the second wireless communication module in scan mode, of a request for information (SCAN_REQ) destined for the first communication module; - on receipt (E12) of the request for information (SCAN_REQ), toggling (E20) of the first wireless communication module to scan mode; - sending (E22) by the second wireless communication module of another advertising frame (ADV2); - on receipt (E24) of said other advertising frame (ADV2), sending (E26), by the first communication module in scan mode, of a connection request (CONNECT_REQ) intended for the second communication module. An associated onboard system (13) is also described.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the exchange of data between an on-board vehicle system and an electronic device.

It relates more particularly to a method of connecting an on-board vehicle system to an electronic device, and an associated vehicle vehicle system.

The invention applies particularly advantageously in the case where the transmission of a connection request is performed by a wireless communication module in scanning mode.

ARRI TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

When it is desired to establish a wireless connection between an on-board vehicle system and an electronic device (such as a user terminal), for example to exchange data between the onboard system and the electronic device and / or to control a vehicle functionality by means of the electronic device, it is preferable that this connection is controlled by the onboard system in order to keep a good control over the connection mechanism (whatever the electronic device used).

However, this imposes (especially when the protocol used for the wireless connection is of the BLE or "Bluetooth Low Energy" type) that the wireless communication module of the on-board system is in scan mode to detect possible announcement frames sent by the users. surrounding electronics, resulting in significant power consumption at the embedded system.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

In this context, the present invention provides a method of connecting an on-board vehicle system, comprising a first wireless communication module, to an electronic apparatus comprising a second wireless communication module, the connection method comprising the following steps :

- Broadcasting announcement frames by the first wireless communication module;

in response to one of said broadcast frames broadcast, broadcast, by the second wireless communication module in scan mode, an information request to the first communication module;

- Upon receipt of the information request, switching the first wireless communication module in scan mode;

- transmission by the second wireless communication module of another advertisement frame;

- On receipt of said other announcement frame, transmission, by the first communication module in scan mode, a connection request for the second communication module.

The first wireless communication module can thus be in broadcast mode as long as it has not received the information request, which limits the power consumption of the onboard system, then switches to scan mode to initiate the connection of controlled way.

According to other characteristics that can be envisaged as optional (and therefore not limiting):

the information request comprises an address associated with the second wireless communication module or the user terminal;

- the address is a resolvable address;

- the address is a fixed address;

said switching is carried out under the condition of verification of the address by the on-board system;

the broadcast advertisement frames are indicative of the availability of the first wireless communication module for an information request and / or unavailability of the first wireless communication module for a connection;

said other advertisement frame is indicative of the availability of the second wireless communication module for a connection;

said broadcasting of the advertisement frames is periodic;

said frames are broadcast, for each period, for a duration less than or equal to 10% of said period (for example between 1% and

10% of said period);

- Upon receipt of said information request, the first wireless communication module further transmits a frame in response to the second wireless communication module. The invention also proposes an on-board vehicle system comprising a wireless communication module and a processor designed to control the wireless communication module for:

- broadcast announcement frames;

- upon receipt of an information request from another wireless communication module, switch to scan mode;

- On receipt of another announcement frame sent by the other wireless communication module, issue a connection request for the other communication module.

At least some of the optional features presented above in terms of method may possibly apply to such an embedded system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 represents an example of context in which the invention can be implemented;

- Figure 2 schematically shows components useful for understanding the invention, a vehicle and an electronic device;

FIG. 3 represents an exemplary method of connecting an onboard system of the vehicle to the electronic device.

FIG. 1 represents an example of context in which the invention can be implemented.

In this context, a vehicle 1 0 comprises an embedded system 1 3 which can communicate via a wireless link with an electronic device, here a user terminal 20 present in the vicinity of the vehicle 10.

This user terminal 20 may be for example a mobile phone (or cell phone), possibly of the type "smart phone (or" smartphone "according to the English name commonly used).

Another type of electronic device (for example a key or a vehicle access badge 1 0) may, however, be used in place of the user terminal 20 (throughout the rest of the description). Thanks to the wireless link established as explained below, the on-board system 1 3 and the user terminal 20 can exchange data with each other, for example with a view to controlling at least one feature of the vehicle 10 by means of the user terminal. 20. Such a feature is for example the unlocking of the doors of the vehicle 10.

The wireless link used to communicate between the onboard system 13 and the user terminal 20 is for example Bluetooth type, here in particular Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) type.

In the following, it is considered that the on-board system 1 3 and the user terminal 20 have already exchanged data during a successful pairing phase so that the on-board system 13 and the user terminal 20 are paired.

The user terminal 20 may further be adapted to connect to a mobile telephone network (not shown).

FIG. 2 diagrammatically represents components useful for understanding the invention, the vehicle 10 and the user terminal 20.

The vehicle 1 0 includes in particular the embedded system 13 already mentioned and an actuator 15 designed to implement the commanded functionality (upon receipt of a corresponding command from the onboard system 13).

The embedded system 13 comprises an electronic control unit 1 1 (or ECU for "Electronic Control Unit) and a wireless communication module 1 6, here according to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

The electronic control unit 11 comprises a processor 12 and a storage unit 14, for example a rewritable non-volatile memory or a hard disk.

The storage unit 14 stores, in particular, computer programs comprising instructions, the execution of which by the processor 12 allows the implementation by the electronic control unit 11 of the method described below with reference to FIG. 3.

The storage unit 14 also stores data used in the context of the methods described below, in particular a secret key K.

The secret key K is here a key associated with the user terminal 20 mentioned above. This is for example a key type I RK (for "Identity Resolving Key ") as provided in the context of the BLE technology Such a key I RK is specific to the user terminal 20 and has been communicated (in encrypted form) from the user terminal 20 to the on-board system 1 3 during the pairing phase. above.

The user terminal 20 comprises a processor 22, a memory 24

(For example, a rewritable non-volatile memory), a wireless communication module 26, here according to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, a user interface 21 (here a touch screen) and a communication module 28 on the network. mobile telephony mentioned above.

In some embodiments, the communication module 28 may include a smart card that stores connection data associated with a subscription to the mobile telephone service and for establishing the connection to the mobile telephone network.

The memory 24 stores the aforementioned secret key K (also stored as already indicated in the storage unit 14 of the electronic control unit 11 of the vehicle 10). The secret key K (here as already indicated a key type IRK) has for example been stored in the memory 24 of the user terminal 20 during the manufacture of the user terminal 20 (in the context of the preparation of this user terminal 20 to operate according to BLE technology).

The wireless communication module 26 of the user terminal 20 makes it possible to establish a wireless link (here Bluetooth Low Energy type as already indicated) with the wireless communication module 1 6 of the vehicle 10 through which the processor 12 of the electronic control unit 11 and the processor 22 of the user terminal 20 can exchange data, as explained below.

Before connection, the wireless communication module 1 6 of the vehicle 1 0 and the wireless communication module 26 of the user terminal 20 can each be in a broadcasting mode ("advertising" mode in Bluetooth technology) and / or in a scanning mode ("scanning" mode or "initiating" mode in Bluetooth technology as explained below).

When a wireless communication module 1 6, 26 is in broadcast mode, it broadcasts ad frames (or "advertising packets" according to the English terminology) which can have one of the following types: - ADV_NONCONN_IND (indicative frames of unavailability);

- ADVJND (indicative frames of indirect availability, that is to say, availability for a connection with any device);

- ADV_SCAN_IND (indicative frames of availability to answer an information request - see below - but unavailability for a connection);

- ADV_DIRECT (indicative direct availability frames).

When a wireless communication module 16, 26 is in scan mode, it can be in one of two following sub-modes:

- Search sub-mode ("scanning"): the wireless communication module can then issue an information request (SCAN_REQ type frame or "requesf scan according to the terminology used in the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol) intended for a device in broadcast mode so that this device communicates additional information;

- establishment sub-mode {"initiating"): the wireless communication module can then issue a connection request (frame CONNECT_REQ type or "requesf connection according to the terminology used in the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol) for a device in mode broadcast to initiate a connection with this device.

When a wireless communication module 1 6, 26 in broadcast mode receives a request for information from a module in scan mode (search sub-mode), the module in broadcast mode responds to this request by sending a response (SCAN_RSP message frame or "scan response" according to the terminology used in the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol) for the device in scan mode and containing the additional information.

As part of the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol, it is expected that the establishment frames of a connection (listed above) is exchanged within specific channels, called advertising channels (in English "advertising channels"), separate data channels (in English: "data channels") used to transmit the frames of exchange of application data relating to established connections.

The Bluetooth Low Energy protocol provides for 3 announcement channels (referenced channel 37, channel 38 and channel 39 and having central frequencies 2402 MHz, 2426 MHz, 2480 MHz) and 37 data channels (referenced channel 0 to channel 36).

Thus the 3 announcement channels respectively have central frequencies located at the lower end, in a central region and at the upper end of the frequency band concerned (here the 2.4 GHz band).

FIG. 3 represents an exemplary method of connection of the onboard system 13 of the vehicle 10 to the user terminal 20.

This method starts with a step E2 in which the processor 1 2 controls the wireless communication module 1 6 in broadcast mode alone (that is to say without scanning).

This step is for example performed prior to all the steps below, as soon as the embedded system 13 is waiting for a potential connection with a user terminal. Step E2 is thus for example implemented when powering on the onboard system 13 or after the completion of a previous communication.

The wireless communication module 1 6 then periodically broadcasts announcement frames ADV1 (step E4). In the embodiment described here, the announcement frames are of the ADV_SCAN_IND type (this type of frame indicates as explained above that the wireless communication module 1 6 is available to answer an information request SCAN_REQ but unavailable for a connection). Alternatively, it could be ADVJND type frames.

The wireless communication module 1 6 thus remains in broadcast mode as another wireless communication module (in this case that of a user terminal) is not addressed to him as explained below. This is advantageous since, during this waiting phase, the consumption of the wireless communication module 16 is very limited. Ad frames are only shown for a short amount of time (typically 10% or less, here about 5% of the time) for each period, compared to 30% to 40% usage. time (according to typically used values) in scan mode.

The processor 22 controls the wireless communication module 26 in broadcast and scanning mode, in search sub-mode (step E6).

This step can be performed as soon as the terminal is turned on 20. However, it can be alternatively provided that this step E6 is performed only when the user indicates, by means of the user interface 21, that he wishes a connection of the user terminal 20 and the onboard system 13, or that it wishes to control a functionality of the vehicle 1 0 by means of the user terminal 20.

The wireless communication module 26 therefore performs (step E8) on the one hand a broadcast of ADV2 announcement frames and on the other hand a scanning (search sub-mode or "scanning" according to the English name) so to detect possible announcement frames sent by other devices.

The ADV2 announcement frames broadcast by the wireless communication module 26 are here ADVJND type frames (this type of frame indicates as explained above that the wireless communication module 26 is available for connection with any device) .

In this situation, and when the user terminal 20 is sufficiently close to the vehicle 10 for the wireless communication module 26 in scan mode to receive one of the announcement frames ADV1 broadcast by the wireless communication module 1 6, the wireless communication module 26 (being in search sub-mode or "scanning") transmits in step E1 0 (in response to the received announcement frame ADV1) an information request SCAN_REQ intended for the wireless communication module 16 of the onboard system 13.

It is further provided that the SCAN REQ information request includes an ADR address associated with the user terminal 20 or the wireless communication module 26. The address may be a resolvable address (or RPA for "Resolvable Private Address"). Such a resolvable address ADR comprises, for example, a random number RND and an HSH condensate obtained by applying a cryptographic function f to the random number RND and to the secret key K. Precisely, the resolvable address ADR is here the concatenation of the HSH condensate and the random number RDN: ADR = HSH | | RND, with HSH = f (RND, K).

The resolvable address ADR is for example determined (during a previous step not shown) by the processor 22.

Alternatively, the address ADR associated with the user terminal 20 or the wireless communication module 26 could be a fixed address, for example an identifier of the user terminal 20 or the wireless communication module. 26.

The wireless communication module 1 6 receives the information request SCAN_REQ (accompanied by the address ADR) in step E1 2 and transmits this information to the processor 12 of the electronic control unit 11.

The wireless communication module 1 6 then transmits in response a frame of SCAN_RSP type (step E14) containing in particular the following additional information: a local identifier of the vehicle 10 and / or a complete identifier of the vehicle 1 0 and / or a list of requested services and / or a list of supported services and / or service data and / or user-specific data.

The wireless communication module 26 receives the SCAN_RSP frame (and the additional information) in step E1 6.

For its part, the processor 12 checks in step E1 8 if the address ADR corresponds to a user terminal 20 with which the onboard system 1 3 must connect. The conditions under which an embedded system may require a connection with a user terminal depend on the applications envisaged and therefore will not be described here in detail. It may be for example a user terminal that has just entered the scope of the wireless communication module 1 6. It may also be a user terminal that has not exchanged data with the embedded system 13 for a predetermined period of time.

In the example described here where an ADR resolvable address is used, the verification of step E1 8 consists in checking, by means of the address ADR received in step E12 and the secret key K stored in the unit. 14 in association with the user terminal 20, if the received address ADR = HSH || RND is correct, that is, if we have: HSH = f (RND, K).

If the processor 12 determines that the address ADR does not correspond to a user terminal with which the onboard system 13 must enter into connection (arrow N in step E18), the previous exchanges remain without continuation and the process loops to the step E4.

If the processor 12 determines that the ADR address corresponds on the contrary to a user terminal 20 with which the onboard system 13 wishes to connect (arrow P in step E18), the process continues in step E20 at which the processor 1 2 controls the switchover of the module wireless communication 1 6 in scanning mode and in establishment sub-mode ("initiating"), precisely here in scanning mode without broadcast of announcement frames.

As indicated above, it is considered in the example described here that the onboard system 13 and the user terminal 20 have been previously paired. If this were not the case, the processor 1 2 could not resolve the address ADR received in step E12 (or, in general, could not determine on the sole basis of the information received with the request of SCAN_REQ information if the user terminal is compatible to cooperate with the embedded system 13).

In this case, it is then possible (in which the on-board system 13 and the user terminal 20 are not paired) that the processor 12 controls the switchover of the wireless communication module 16 in scanning mode, the scanning sub-mode. in order to receive the ADV2 announcement frames, to take into consideration the information contained in these ADV2 announcement frames and then possibly switch to the "initiating" mode to connect and start a pairing process. The operation could then resume, after pairing, as explained above.

It is also recalled that (as indicated above) the wireless communication module 26 is in broadcast mode and scanning from step E6. Alternatively, it could be expected that the wireless communication module 26 is in scan mode alone (without broadcasting announcement frames) from step E6, and switches to broadcast mode (or broadcast and scan mode) upon receipt of the answer SCAN_RSP in step E1 6.

Whatever the case may be, the wireless communication module 26 periodically sends ADV2 announcement frames (here of the ADVJND type), and in particular at step E22 (after step E20).

The wireless communication module 1 6, in scan mode (establishment sub-mode or "initiating") since step E20, thus receives in step E24 the announcement frame ADV2 transmitted (ie broadcast) at step E22.

The wireless communication module 1 6 can thus (under the control of the processor 12) transmit, in response to this announcement frame ADV2 (indicative here, as already indicated, of the availability of the wireless communication module 26 for a connection) , a CONNECT_REQ connection request to the communication module 26 of the user terminal 20 (step E26).

The wireless communication module 26 receives this CONNECT_REQ connection request (step E28) and a connection is thus established between the wireless communication modules 1 6, 26.

As already indicated, the embedded system 1 3 (specifically the processor 12) and the user terminal 20 (specifically the processor 22) can thus exchange data between them via the established connection, for example for mutual authentication and / or of a control of a function of the vehicle 10 by the user terminal 20.

Claims

1. A method of connecting an on-board vehicle system (13), comprising a first wireless communication module (1 6), to an electronic apparatus (20) comprising a second wireless communication module (26), the method of connection comprising the following steps:

broadcasting (E4) announcement frames (ADV1) by the first wireless communication module (1 6);

- in response to one of said broadcast frames (ADV1) broadcast, transmission (E1 0), by the second wireless communication module (26) in scanning mode, an information request (SCAN_REQ) to the first communication module (1 6);

- On receipt (E12) of the information request (SCAN_REQ), switching (E20) of the first wireless communication module (1 6) in scan mode;

- transmitting (E22) by the second wireless communication module (26) of another advertisement frame (ADV2);

at reception (E24) of said other advertisement frame (ADV2), transmission (E26), by the first communication module (1 6) in scanning mode, of a connection request (CONNECT_REQ) intended for the second module of communication (26).

2. Connection method according to claim 1, wherein the information request (SCAN REQ) comprises an address (ADR) associated with the second wireless communication module (26) or the user terminal (20).

3. Connection method according to claim 2, wherein the address (ADR) is a resolvable address.

4. Connection method according to claim 2, wherein the address is a fixed address.

5. Connection method according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said switching is performed under verification condition (E1 8) of the address (ADR) by the on-board system (1 3).

6. Connection method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the broadcast frames (ADV1) broadcast are indicative of the availability of the first wireless communication module (1 6) for a request for information and information. unavailability of the first wireless communication module (1 6) for a connection.

7. Connection method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said other announcement frame (ADV2) is indicative of availability of the second wireless communication module (26) for a connection.

8. The method of connection according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said broadcast (E4) announcement frames (ADV1) is periodic.

9. Connection method according to claim 8, wherein said announcement frames (ADV1) are broadcast, for each period, for a period less than or equal to 10% of said period.

The method of connection according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, on receipt (E12) of said information request (SCAN REQ), the first wireless communication module (1 6) also transmits a frame in response (SCAN_RSP) to the second wireless communication module (26).

1 1. An on-board vehicle system (1 3) comprising a wireless communication module (1 6) and a processor (12) adapted to control the wireless communication module (1 6) for:

- broadcast announcement frames (ADV1);

- upon receipt of an information request (SCAN_REQ) from another wireless communication module (26), switch to scan mode;

- On receipt of another advertisement frame (ADV2) issued by the other wireless communication module (26), issue a connection request (CONNECT REQ) for the other communication module (26).