Communication module, vehicle and method for operating a communication module

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a communication module (100), comprising a certificate module (110), the certificate module comprising two or more digital certificates; an eSIM module (120); and a selection module (130), the selection module being configured to select a digital certificate from the two or more digital certificates according to circumstances, so as to enable communication in a mobile network when using the selected digital certificate and the eSIM module (120).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication module, in particular a communication module for a vehicle, such as a car, a vehicle having such a communication module, and a method for operating such a communication module. In particular, the present disclosure relates to communication in a mobile network when using an eSIM. Background Art

[0002] The networking of modern vehicles, for example with the Internet, is becoming increasingly important. For example, cloud-based services are available to users in the vehicle. In order to be able to use these and other services, the vehicle includes a communication module, which communicates, for example, using a SIM card. The components required for communication, such as a SIM card, may be country-specific. Therefore, it may happen that the communication module is not available when the vehicle crosses a national border. This is inconvenient for the user of the vehicle, especially due to the increasing importance of networking the vehicle with the outside world. Summary of the invention

[0003] The object of the present disclosure is to specify a communication module, in particular a communication module for a vehicle such as a car, a vehicle having such a communication module, and a method for operating such a communication module, which can ensure the functionality of a communication function.

[0004] This object is achieved by the technical solution according to the present invention.

[0005] According to an independent aspect of the present disclosure, a communication module is provided, in particular a communication module for a transportation means, such as a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle). The communication module includes a certificate module, an eSIM module, and a selection module, wherein the certificate module includes two or more digital certificates. The selection module is configured to select a digital certificate from the two or more digital certificates according to circumstances, so as to enable communication in a mobile network by using the selected digital certificate and the eSIM module or an eSIM profile (Profile) present in the eSIM module.

[0006] eSIM (embedded subscriber identity module) is a standardized method for securely embedding subscriber information in a module of a telecommunications device. Security or data confidentiality is crucial for communication with the aid of an eSIM. For this purpose, the module contains a standardized digital certificate. There are a large number of different certificates worldwide, of which certain types of eSIM only work with certain types of certificates.

[0007] According to the present invention, two or more digital certificates are stored in the communication module. It is decided which digital certificate to use according to the situation. For example, a Chinese user using a vehicle in Germany can load and use his Chinese eSIM profile in the vehicle. Thereby, the functionality of the communication function can be ensured. In addition, a user who crosses the border with his vehicle can load and use the eSIM profile of another country, for example, in order to save roaming charges.

[0008] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "according to the situation" means selecting a digital certificate that enables a communication function in the current situation. In this regard, the current situation depends on the user and in particular on the user's eSIM profile. Thereby, the term "according to the situation" may mean selecting a digital certificate that is suitable for the user's eSIM profile. Thereby, the functionality of the communication function can be ensured.

[0009] Preferably, the two or more digital certificates are country-specific and / or region-specific digital certificates.Region-specific digital certificates may be valid in multiple countries, such as a GSMA certificate.

[0010] Preferably, the two or more digital certificates include a GSMA (GSM Association) certificate and / or a CTTL (China Telecommunication Technology Labs) certificate. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and other digital certificates that can be used for communication in a mobile network may be provided.

[0011] Preferably, the selection module is configured to select a digital certificate from the two or more digital certificates based on geography and / or based on MNO (Managed Network Operations). For example, for a certain country there is a specific certificate covering all MNOs. For other countries, it is important which MNO the customer has his account with.

[0012] Preferably, the selection module is arranged to select a digital certificate from the two or more digital certificates based on a location or geographical position of the communication module (ie based on geography) and / or based on an origin of an eSIM profile of a user or of the user.

[0013] In some embodiments, it may be determined which digital certificate to use based on the geographic location of the communication module or based on the geographic location of a user, e.g., a user boarding or using a vehicle. For example, a user driving into a second country with a vehicle authorized in a first country may load an eSIM profile for the second country in order to save roaming charges. Based on the geographic location of the communication module, a certificate valid in the first country is replaced with a certificate valid in the second country, thereby enabling communication using the eSIM profile of the second country. In some embodiments, loading of additional digital certificates may be performed automatically, e.g., when a user loads a (additional or new) eSIM profile.

[0014] In addition or alternatively, it can be decided which digital certificate to use according to the origin or home country of the user, for example, the user who boards or uses the vehicle. For example, the user can have an eSIM profile of a first country. Then, the communication module uses a certificate valid in the first country, so that it can communicate using the eSIM profile of the first country. The origin or home country of the user or eSIM profile can be determined, for example, by user input. For example, the user can select the country corresponding to his eSIM profile by voice and / or by means of manual input, for example, manual input on the touch screen of the communication module or by means of a unit connected to the communication module. Alternatively, the origin of the eSIM profile can be automatically identified, for example, by the eSIM module.

[0015] Preferably, the eSIM module is configured to load one or more eSIM profiles specific to a user. For example, the eSIM module can load a user-specific eSIM profile from an external server so as to enable personalized connectivity for the user. For example, a Chinese user using a vehicle in Germany can load his or her Chinese eSIM profile in the vehicle and use it for communication.

[0016] Preferably, the selection module is configured to check whether the digital certificate currently used is valid in the second country when the communication module crosses the border from the first country to the second country. The selection module may be further configured to select another valid digital certificate from the two or more digital certificates when it is determined that the digital certificate currently used is not valid. For example, when crossing the border from the first country to the second country, a certificate valid in the first country (e.g., a GSMA certificate) is used to replace a certificate valid in the second country (e.g., a CTTL certificate), so that the eSIM profile of the second country can be used for communication.

[0017] Preferably, the communication module is arranged for communication according to the LTE (Long-Term Evolution) standard and / or the 5G standard. In particular, in some embodiments, the communication module of the vehicle is arranged for wireless communication in a mobile network, for example with a server or a backend. Communication via other current or future communication technologies is feasible. However, the present disclosure is not limited to mobile communication standards, and non-mobile communication standards may be used.

[0018] For example, the communication module is a device capable of wireless communication in a mobile network via a local area network (LAN), such as a wireless LAN (WiFi / WLAN), or via a wide area network (WAN), such as a global system for mobile communication (GSM), a general packet radio service (GPRS), an enhanced data rate for global evolution (EDGE), a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), a high speed downlink / uplink packet access (HSDPA / HSUPA), a long term evolution (LTE), 5G or a world wide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX).

[0019] Preferably, the communication module is implemented in a vehicle or a mobile terminal. The term "vehicle" particularly includes vehicles used for passenger transportation. The vehicle may be a vehicle (e.g., a motor vehicle), a ship, or an aircraft (e.g., a jet for passenger transportation), but is not limited thereto. The term "vehicle" includes cars, trucks, buses, RVs, motorcycles, etc., used to transport people, goods, etc. In particular, the term includes motor vehicles used for passenger transportation.

[0020] The term "mobile terminal" includes in particular smartphones, but also other mobile or cell phones equipped with communication technology, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, laptops, smart watches and all current and future electronic devices.

[0021] According to another independent aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle, in particular a vehicle such as a motor vehicle, is provided, and the vehicle comprises a communication module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] According to another independent aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operating a communication module is provided, wherein the method comprises selecting a digital certificate from two or more digital certificates stored in the communication module according to circumstances; and communicating using a mobile network by using the selected digital certificate and an eSIM profile.

[0023] The method may implement aspects of the communication module described in this document.

[0024] According to another independent aspect, a software (SW) program is described. The software program can be arranged for execution on one or more processors and thereby perform the method described in this document. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in more detail below. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 Schematically illustrating a communication module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0027] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a vehicle having a communication module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, and

[0028] Figure 3 A flow chart of a method for operating a communication module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Unless otherwise indicated below, the same reference numerals are used for identical or identically functioning elements.

[0030] Figure 1 A communication module 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is schematically illustrated.

[0031] The communication module 100 includes a certificate module 110, an eSIM module 120, and a selection module 130. The certificate module includes or stores two or more digital certificates. The selection module 130 is configured to select a digital certificate from the two or more digital certificates according to the situation, so as to enable communication in a mobile network when using the selected digital certificate and the eSIM module.

[0032] The certificate module 110 and / or the eSIM module 120 and / or the selection module 130 may be implemented in a common software module and / or hardware module. Alternatively, the certificate module 110 and / or the eSIM module 120 and / or the selection module 130 may be implemented in separate software modules and / or hardware modules, respectively.

[0033] In some embodiments, the selection of the digital certificate by the selection module 130 may be performed automatically, for example when the user loads a (additional) eSIM profile. The selection module 130 may identify the eSIM profile or the type or source of the eSIM profile, and select and use a digital certificate suitable for the eSIM profile.

[0034] In some embodiments, the decision on which digital certificate to use can be made based on the geographic location of the communication module or based on the geographic location of the user, such as when boarding or using a vehicle. For example, when the communication module crosses a border from a first country to a second country, a digital certificate valid in the second country is used to replace a digital certificate valid in the first country. In this way, the eSIM profile of the second country can be used for communication.

[0035] The geographical location of the communication module 100 may be determined, for example, by means of GPS. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and other location determination methods may be used. For example, another MNO may be identified on a NAD (Network Access Device).

[0036] Typically, the two or more digital certificates are country-specific and / or region-specific digital certificates, such as a GSMA certificate and / or a CCTL certificate. A region-specific digital certificate may be valid in multiple countries, such as a GSMA certificate.

[0037] Preferably, the eSIM module 120 is configured to load a user-specific profile. For example, the eSIM module 120 can load a user-specific eSIM profile from an external server so as to enable personalized connectivity for the user of the vehicle. For example, a Chinese user using a vehicle in Germany can load and use his Chinese eSIM profile in the vehicle. In addition, a user crossing a border with his vehicle can load and use eSIM profiles of other countries, for example, in order to save roaming charges.

[0038] Figure 2 A vehicle 200 having a communication module 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is schematically shown. The vehicle 200 is shown only for exemplary purposes and the communication module may be implemented in other vehicles or mobile terminals.

[0039] The vehicle 200 comprises a communication module 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication module 100 is configured to communicate according to the LTE (Long-Term Evolution) standard and / or the 5G standard. In particular, in some embodiments, the communication module of the vehicle is configured to communicate wirelessly with, for example, a server or backend via a communication connection 10 in a mobile network.

[0040] Typically, the communication module 100 is fixedly installed in the vehicle 200. In other words, in some embodiments, the communication module 100 may not be a mobile terminal, such as a smart phone. Alternatively, the communication module 100 may be implemented in a mobile terminal.

[0041] Figure 3 A flow chart of a method 300 for operating a communication module according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0042] The method 300 includes, in block 310 , selecting a digital certificate from two or more digital certificates stored in the communication module as appropriate; and in block 320 , communicating using a mobile network using the selected digital certificate and an eSIM profile of the user.

[0043] According to the present invention, two or more digital certificates are stored in the communication module. It is decided which profile to use depending on the situation. For example, a Chinese user using a vehicle in Germany can load and use his Chinese eSIM profile in the vehicle. In addition, users crossing borders can load and use eSIM profiles of other countries, for example, in order to save roaming charges. This ensures the functionality of the communication function.

Claims

1. A communication module (100), the communication module comprising: A certificate module (110), the certificate module comprising two or more digital certificates; eSIM module (120); as well as a selection module (130), the selection module being configured to select a digital certificate from the two or more digital certificates according to circumstances, so as to enable communication in a mobile network by using the selected digital certificate and the eSIM module (120), The selection module (130) is further configured to select a digital certificate from the two or more digital certificates based on the geographical location of the communication module (100). The two or more digital certificates are country-specific digital certificates, and the selection module (130) is configured to verify whether the currently used digital certificate is valid in the second country when the communication module (100) crosses a border from a first country to a second country.

2. The communication module (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The communication module (100) is used in a vehicle (200).

3. The communication module (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The selection module (130) is further configured to select a digital certificate from the two or more digital certificates further based on a source of the eSIM profile to be used.

4. The communication module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The two or more digital certificates include a GSMA certificate and / or a CTTL certificate.

5. The communication module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The selection module (130) is further configured to select another valid digital certificate from the two or more digital certificates when it is determined that the digital certificate currently in use is not valid.

6. The communication module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The communication module (100) is configured to communicate according to the LTE standard and / or the 5G standard.

7. A vehicle comprising a communication module (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein: The transportation means is a vehicle (200).

9. A method (300) for operating a communication module (100), the method comprising: Based on the geographical location of the communication module (100), selecting (310) a digital certificate from two or more digital certificates stored in the communication module (100) as appropriate; as well as Communicating using the mobile network using the selected digital certificate and eSIM profile (320), The two or more digital certificates are country-specific digital certificates, and when the communication module (100) crosses a border from a first country to a second country, it is checked whether the currently used digital certificate is valid in the second country.

10. Storage medium having a software program which is designed to be executed on one or more processors and thereby to carry out the method (300) according to claim 9.

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