Determining position of digital key case for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to determining the position of a vehicle digital key case. A method for determining a location of a digital key case of a vehicle includes selecting, by a user, whether to store the digital key case in cloud storage or within a secure telematics unit contained within the vehicle. A digital key case is used to initiate an event within a vehicle. The background server stores data including a radio intelligence database and a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix. The digital key case is switched to the backup device based on the status of the communication link with the secure telematics unit, the radio intelligence database, and the rule-based vehicle pattern matrix.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of vehicles, and more particularly to determining the location of a vehicle digital key fob. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are common objects in everyday life. Specialized microcontrollers, telematic communication systems, laser technology, and sensors can be used in many different applications in vehicles. Microcontrollers, telematics devices, and sensors can be used to enhance the automation structure that provides customers with state-of-the-art experiences and services, for example in tasks such as body control, camera vision, information display, security, autonomous control, etc. In the past, access to a vehicle required a physical key that needed to be inserted into the door and turned to unlock the vehicle. Push-button entry has also become an option for accessing vehicles. And wireless key fobs have become available, allowing people who carry a key fob to unlock the vehicle and start the engine by simply touching the door and pressing a button.

[0003] In addition, the emergence of digital keys allows the use of smartphones to perform the same functions as car keys. Unlocking the vehicle, locking the vehicle, starting the vehicle, and a variety of other functions can be accessed through a smartphone using communication protocols such as near-field communication and ultra-wideband. Digital key information can be securely stored in a secure element integrated into the smartphone. However, while digital keys stored in a digital key bag in a smartphone provide flexibility and convenience, they also include some risks. For example, if the phone is unusable because it is lost or the battery is dead, the digital key bag may not be accessible. If the digital key bag cannot be accessed, the vehicle cannot be entered. Therefore, it is desirable to provide the ability to automatically switch the storage location of the digital key bag based on application and contextual awareness. Summary of the invention

[0004] Disclosed herein are systems and methods for determining the location of a vehicle digital key bag (also referred to as a digital key bag). As disclosed herein, a method for determining the location of a vehicle digital key bag may include: selecting by a user whether to store the digital key bag in cloud storage or in a secure telematics unit contained within a vehicle. The digital key bag may be used to initiate events within the vehicle. The method may also include: storing a radio intelligence database and a rule-based vehicle mode matrix in a backend server. The method may include: switching the digital key bag to a fallback device based on the status of a communication link with the secure telematics unit, the radio intelligence database, and the rule-based vehicle mode matrix.

[0005] Another aspect of the method may include: the cloud storage includes an Internet of Things broker based on a publish and subscribe messaging protocol including Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT).

[0006] Another aspect of the method may include sending a message to one or more backup devices using the IoT agent.

[0007] Another aspect of the method may include: wherein the backup device is in a mobile communication device.

[0008] Another aspect of the method may include: wherein the backup device is a fleet management server.

[0009] Another aspect of the method may include wherein the backup device is a security telematics unit contained within the vehicle.

[0010] Another aspect of the method may include determining whether connectivity of the secure telematics unit is below a predefined threshold.

[0011] Another aspect of the method may include wherein the radio intelligence database may be used to predict the probability of the status of the communication link at a given instance at the location of the vehicle.

[0012] Another aspect of the method may include switching the digital key fob to a second backup device based on the status of the communication link with the secure telematics unit, the radio intelligence database, and the rule-based vehicle mode matrix.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include a system for determining the location of a vehicle digital key bag. The system may include cloud storage that stores a digital key bag associated with a vehicle, wherein the digital key bag can be used to initiate an event within the vehicle. The system may also include a secure telematics unit within the vehicle that stores the digital key bag. The system may also include: a backup device that stores the digital key bag; and a backend server that can be used to store a radio intelligence database and a rule-based vehicle mode matrix. The system may include: wherein a user selects whether to store the initial location of the digital key bag in the cloud storage or in the secure telematics unit; and then based on the status of the communication link with the secure telematics unit, the radio intelligence database, and the rule-based vehicle mode matrix, the digital key bag can be switched to the backup device.

[0014] Another aspect of the system is that the cloud storage may include an Internet of Things agent based on a publish and subscribe messaging protocol including Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT).

[0015] Another aspect of the system is wherein the IoT agent can control one or more backup devices.

[0016] Another aspect of the system may include wherein the backup device is a mobile communication device.

[0017] Another aspect of the system may include: wherein the backup device is a fleet management server.

[0018] Another aspect of the system may include wherein the backup device is a security telematics unit contained within the vehicle.

[0019] Another aspect of the system may include: wherein the status of the communication link may include determining whether connectivity of the secure telematics unit is below a predefined threshold.

[0020] Another aspect of the system may include wherein the radio intelligence database is used to predict a probability of a status of a communication link at a given instance at the location of the vehicle.

[0021] Another aspect of the system may include: wherein the rule-based vehicle pattern matrix includes a set of user behavior rules based on vehicle patterns, including time of day, route, trajectory, and one or more stops.

[0022] Another aspect of the system may include wherein the digital key fob is switched to a second backup device based on a status of a communication link with the secure telematics unit, the radio intelligence database, and the rule-based vehicle mode matrix.

[0023] Another aspect of the present disclosure may include a method for determining the location of a digital key bag of a vehicle, which may include: determining a set of user behavior rules based on a set of vehicle driving patterns of the vehicle in addition to determining whether the vehicle is not in a first area. The method may continue to determine whether the vehicle is traveling in a known roaming area, wherein if the vehicle is traveling in the known roaming area, the method may calculate a set of radio conditions and a roaming area map, and switch the digital key bag to a next alternate location based on the calculation. In addition, if the vehicle is not traveling in the known roaming area, the method may include maintaining the digital key bag in its current location. However, if the method determines whether the vehicle is located in the first area, it also includes: placing the digital key bag in a user preferred home location, identifying and tracking the vehicle when it moves out of the first area, wherein if the vehicle is parked in a known location area, the method may include performing a switch to a next best digital key bag location, but if the vehicle is parked in an unknown location area, the method may include maintaining the digital key bag in the current location.

[0024] The above-mentioned features and advantages of the present disclosure and other features and attendant advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative examples and modes for implementing the present disclosure when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. In addition, the present disclosure expressly includes combinations and sub-combinations of the elements and features presented above and below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 1 is a diagram of an architecture for automatically switching digital key wallets based on patterns and radio intelligence according to the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 It is an overview flow chart of digital key bag switching according to the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 is a diagram of an architecture for controlling switching of a digital key wallet using an IoT agent according to the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 4 is a detailed flowchart of digital key bag switching according to the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 5 A flow chart of a method for determining a location of a digital key fob according to the present disclosure is depicted.

[0031] The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and may present somewhat simplified representations of various preferred features of the present disclosure as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes. Details related to such features will be determined in part by the specific intended application and use environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present disclosure allows for many different forms of embodiments. Representative examples of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings as non-limiting examples of the disclosed principles and are described in detail herein. For this reason, elements and limitations described in the abstract, background technology, summary of the invention, and detailed description sections but not explicitly stated in the claims should not be incorporated into the claims individually or collectively by implication, inference, or otherwise.

[0033] For the purposes of this description, unless otherwise stated, the use of the singular includes the plural and vice versa, the terms "and" and "or" shall be both conjunctions and disjunctions, and the words "include", "comprise", "includes", "have", etc. shall mean "including but not limited to". In addition, approximate words such as "about", "almost", "substantially", "roughly", "approximately", etc. may be used herein to mean "at, around, or close to" or "within 0 to 5% of" or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances" or their logical combinations. As used herein, a component "configured to" perform a specified function is capable of performing the specified function without modification, not merely having the potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the described hardware, when explicitly configured to perform a specified function, is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed and / or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function.

[0034] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears (e.g., the reference number "310" indicates that the element numbered is first labeled or first appears in the drawing). Figure 3 Additionally, elements having the same reference numeral but followed by a different letter of the alphabet or other distinguishing mark (e.g., an apostrophe) indicate elements that may be identical in structure, operation, or form but may be identified as being at different locations in space or recurring at different points in time (e.g., reference numerals "110a" and "110b" may indicate two different input devices that may be identical in function but may be located at different locations in a simulated venue).

[0035] Vehicles are becoming increasingly computationally advanced and equipped with multiple microcontrollers, sensors, processors, and control systems, including, for example, autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (AV / ADAS), such as adaptive cruise control, automatic parking, automatic brake hold, automatic braking, evasive steering assist, lane keeping assist, adaptive front lighting, back-up assist, blind spot detection, cross traffic alert, local hazard alert, and rear automatic braking, which may depend on information obtained from cameras and sensors on the vehicle. The way to enter these vehicles has also changed, from using a physical key to a button to enter a code, to a wireless key fob, to smartphone entry using a digital key.

[0036] The digital key stored in the digital wallet may be stored in an electronic device. The electronic device may include a mobile communication device or some type of vehicle system that is eligible to hold a digital key bag and is bound to a processor or server of the vehicle, for example, an electronic control unit such as a telematics system, an infotainment system, etc. The mobile communication device may include any portable and / or electronic device, including devices such as smartphones, watches, glasses, tablets, mixed reality head-mounted devices, etc.

[0037] However, while a mobile communication device may hold a digital key bag, its capacity may also be limited. For example, a smartphone may typically be limited to holding less than 10 different digital keys. Therefore, someone who needs to store a large number of digital keys, such as a fleet manager, may choose to store the digital keys in a digital key bag that is bound to a server or Internet of Things ("IoT") agent.

[0038] The IOT proxy can be responsible for receiving messages from publisher clients (e.g., a mobile communication device or a vehicle telematics unit), then filtering those messages to decide which subscriber is interested in the message, and then sending the message to a subscribing client (e.g., a fleet manager server). The IOT proxy can use a standard protocol for messaging, such as Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (“MQTT”). Thus, the IOT proxy can direct the transfer of a digital key bag from one location to another, for example, from a mobile communication device to the IOT proxy, from the IOT proxy to the mobile communication device, from the vehicle telematics system to the IOT proxy, and then to the fleet management server.

[0039] In some scenarios, the digital key bag can be moved from one place to another. For example, in one embodiment, the digital key bag can be located in the vehicle's secure telematics unit, but the vehicle is about to lose its cellular connectivity. Before the connectivity is lost, the software algorithm can detect that the connectivity is about to drop below a predefined threshold and initiate the transfer of the digital key bag from the vehicle telematics unit to the cloud (e.g., to an IOT agent). The IOT agent can then determine that the digital key bag is transferred to a backup device such as a mobile communication device.

[0040] In another embodiment, the digital key bag can be moved from one location to another based on historical data. For example, a user travels by car from a home location to a nearby coffee shop and then to an office location. However, the cellular signal suddenly drops whenever the vehicle is less than 500 feet from the coffee shop. In this case, a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix, also referred to as a user behavior rule set vehicle pattern matrix, can be established over time to identify the pattern of going to the coffee shop every weekday. In addition, the radio intelligence database can track areas where connectivity is reduced. Therefore, before entering the signal loss area, the software algorithm at the IOT agent can initiate the transfer of the digital key bag from the vehicle's security telematics unit to the backup device based on the rule-based vehicle pattern matrix (e.g., a trip to the coffee shop) and the radio intelligence database (e.g., an area with poor cellular signal). The backup device can be a server, an IOT agent, a mobile communication device, or other electronic device.

[0041] Thus, the present disclosure relates to the use of an IOT agent, one or more servers, and one or more backup devices, which in combination with a radio intelligence database and a rule-based vehicle mode matrix can initiate a switch or transfer of a digital key fob from one location to another. Such a transfer can be initiated by a client-server software algorithm that can monitor the vehicle's telematics unit to determine whether a transfer should be initiated, or such a transfer can be initiated from a backend server based on radio intelligence and a rule-based vehicle mode matrix that can initiate the transfer.

[0042] For example, Figure 1 1 is a diagram of an architecture 100 for automatically switching digital key bags based on mode and radio intelligence according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The architecture 100 may include an IOT agent 110, a database server 115, a vehicle 120 with a mobile digital key bag 125, a home location 130 with a smart home digital key bag 135, a stopover 140, and a backup server 145.

[0043] People may be influenced by habits. We may go to the same stores, the same restaurants, the same entertainment venues. In addition, there may be some patterns, for example, every weekday on the way to work, a person may stop at his favorite coffee shop. These actions may represent a driving pattern or a group of driving patterns. Such driving patterns can be collected in a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix database, such as in the database server 115. In addition, in a similar manner, the vehicle can also map connectivity as it travels. Therefore, a radio intelligence database can be constructed, which contains information about connectivity, such as the strength of cellular signals, the presence of wireless networks and other forms of short-range communication links.

[0044] Architecture 100 shows that vehicle 120 can start the day at home location 130. Home location 130 can also include its own cloud storage, which can include a smart home digital key bag. Thus, when vehicle 120 is at home at home location 130, the user can decide to store the vehicle's digital key in smart home digital key bag 135 for added security. Or the user can choose to store mobile digital key bag 125 in a secure telematics unit within the vehicle.

[0045] The vehicle 120 may make a daily trip from the home location 130 to a waypoint 140 that the user is accustomed to frequenting every weekday. Because the database server 115 may contain a radio intelligence database and a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix database, this information may allow for the prediction of possible connectivity issues. For example, the rule-based vehicle pattern matrix may predict that the vehicle 120 is heading to the waypoint 140 and that every Wednesday for the past month, there has been a cellular drop just before the waypoint 140. Therefore, if today is Wednesday and the vehicle 120 appears to be heading to the waypoint 140 again, the system may automatically transfer the mobile digital key bag 125 from its current location to the backup server 145 before the expected cellular drop area. Such a transfer may be controlled by the IOT agent 110 because it has access to the database server 115 as well as the mobile digital key bag 125 and the backup server 145.

[0046] Figure 22 is an overview flowchart 200 of automatically switching digital key bag locations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Flowchart 200 begins at step 210 and proceeds to step 220, where a user or customer can set a location preference for the digital key bag. The location can include a cloud location. The cloud can be a cloud of an IOT agent such as IOT agent 110, or a home location cloud such as a smart home digital key bag 135. The preferences can also include security telematics of the vehicle, which can include a mobile digital key bag 125. In one embodiment, the user can set a preference for an initial location. The user can be, for example, an individual who selects a home location 130, or the user can be a fleet manager who selects a fleet management server as a preferred initial location.

[0047] In step 230, a background server, such as database server 115, dynamically monitors a radio intelligence database and a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix. The radio intelligence database can predict the probability of a signal at a given instance at the location of the vehicle in question. The radio intelligence algorithm tracks possible communication links with the vehicle telematics unit and can output the probability of connection. In addition, the prediction can also be based on one or more categories of radio connectivity. For example, a home area can be defined as a certain distance around the vehicle's home location. The home area is likely to be well defined in terms of communication connectivity, such as the signal strength of a cellular link or the presence of a home-based cloud or other wireless network access. A second category may include smart roaming areas. Smart roaming areas may include areas that are occasionally visited and therefore may know some connectivity knowledge. A third category may include roaming areas, where such roaming may be in unfamiliar terrain and therefore connectivity may be unknown.

[0048] In addition to the backend server monitoring database, in one embodiment, the vehicle telematics system can also dynamically monitor the status and signal levels at the vehicle. For example, the vehicle telematics system or another electronic control unit can monitor the communication power level and warn the IOT agent of the power level or connection access failure as a published topic. Such a warning can occur when the power level drops below a predefined threshold, or if the connection with the client or IOT is disconnected. This topic can be subscribed by a backend server that has a certain degree of control over the vehicle in question.

[0049] Step 240 performs a comparison of whether the radio intelligence database ("RIDB") or the rule-based vehicle pattern matrix ("RBPM") predicts that the communication signal is about to drop below a predefined threshold, such that connectivity may be lost. At step 250, if the predefined threshold is crossed, a command may be initiated to switch or transfer the location of the digital key fob to a designated backup mechanism and location. For example, if Figure 1As discussed in , the backup server 145 or even the IOT agent 110 can be used as a backup location for switching digital key wallets. The flowchart 200 can then end at step 260.

[0050] Figure 3 3 is a diagram of an IOT agent-based architecture 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The architecture 300 may include an IOT agent 310, a vehicle 320, a mobile communication device 330, a backup server 340, a friend and family server 350, a fleet server 360, and a backup server 370. In addition, the backend server 370 may include a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix 373 and a radio intelligence database 375.

[0051] The IOT proxy 310 can be considered as a control element in the architecture 300. The IOT proxy 310 can act as an intermediate entity that enables MQTT clients to communicate. The IOT proxy 310 can receive messages published by clients, such as a vehicle's security telematics unit, a mobile communication device, or even a server. The IOT proxy 310 can then filter messages by topic and then distribute the filtered messages to subscribers. Therefore, the IOT proxy 310 can control where the digital key bag is located.

[0052] The IOT agent 310 can be considered the primary location of the digital key fob because it is a central device that can access various servers (e.g., the fleet server 360, the backup server 340, and the friend and family server 350). In addition, the vehicle 320 with its secure telematics unit can also be considered the primary location of the digital key fob because it is the vehicle associated with and controlled by the digital key fob. Figure 2 As discussed in , the user can decide whether the digital key bag is initially located in the IOT agent 310 or in the vehicle 320.

[0053] The mobile communication device 330 may be considered a backup option. For example, if the vehicle 320 determines that its cellular signal is weakening, such as when the cellular signal strength drops below a predetermined threshold, the vehicle telematics unit may communicate a message to downgrade the communication link to the IOT agent 310, which may then transfer the digital key bag from the telematics unit in the vehicle 320 to the mobile communication device 330. This transfer may be referred to as conditional backup.

[0054] Similarly, instead of transferring the digital key bag to the mobile communication device 330, the digital key bag can be transferred to an alternate server 340, which may be under the control of the vehicle manufacturer or dealer. As another example, if the vehicle 320 is part of a fleet, then the fleet server 360 may be the most appropriate place to place the digital key bag. Or in another example, if the vehicle 320 is intended to be shared with friends or family members, the digital key bag can be placed on a friend and family server 350 that is accessible to friends and family members.

[0055] While the IOT agent 310 may have access to the backend server 370 and its radio intelligence database 375 and rule-based vehicle pattern matrix 373, the fleet server 360 may also have access to those databases belonging to its fleet vehicles. Figure 1 As discussed in , the fleet server 360 can access radio intelligence data to predict the probability of a signal at a given instance at the location of one of its fleet vehicles. The fleet server 360 can also access a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix to predict and therefore be able to anticipate routes and destinations, as well as the need to transfer digital key fobs on demand.

[0056] Figure 4 4 is a detailed flowchart 400 of digital key bag switching according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Flowchart 400 begins at step 410 and proceeds to step 415, in which it can be determined which rule-based vehicle mode matrix is ​​applicable, which can be based on the time of day, vehicle location, route taken, trajectory of the vehicle, number of stops made, and other possible attributes. In step 420, based on the determination in step 415, it can be determined whether the vehicle is currently located in its home area. The home area can be defined as a known area around where the vehicle is typically parked, such as at the home location 130.

[0057] If the vehicle is not located in the home area, then at step 425, it may be determined whether the vehicle is in a known roaming area, which may also be referred to as a smart roaming area. A known or smart roaming area is outside the home area, but may be visited occasionally, so its communication connectivity pattern may be reasonably accurate, but not completely known. For example, Figure 1 The stopover 140 discussed in the above may represent a smart roaming area. If the vehicle is in a known or smart roaming area, then at step 430, a dynamic calculation of current radio conditions may be performed to update the known driving area map. Thus, for example, when the vehicle is approaching a workplace location where it may be appropriate to switch to a backup device (e.g., backup server 145), the digital key bag may be switched to the next backup location because the connection mode is reasonably known. In this scenario, the flowchart would then end at step 470.

[0058] However, if at step 425 the vehicle is not in a known or smart roaming area, then by default it may be in a roaming area where the connectivity pattern may be unfamiliar. Since the connectivity pattern is unknown, there is a possibility of lost connectivity, so the digital key bag needs to be in the mobile communication device associated with the vehicle. Therefore, at step 435, the location of the digital key bag needs to be verified. If the digital key bag is not in the mobile communication device, it needs to be switched to the mobile communication device applet. If the digital key bag is already in the mobile communication device, no further action is required. In this scenario, the flowchart can end at step 470.

[0059] If at step 420, it can be determined that the vehicle is in a home zone, then at step 440, the digital key bag can be switched to the user's preferred home location, such as Figure 1 In the smart home digital key bag 135 in the smart home cloud discussed in . Or the user may prefer to switch the digital key bag to the cloud in the IOT agent 110 or IOT agent 310. Or the user may prefer the digital key bag to be located in a backup device such as a mobile communication device 330.

[0060] At step 445, the vehicle continues to be tracked. For example, whether the vehicle remains in the home location. At step 450, the vehicle may continue to be tracked to determine when it leaves the home area, such as when the vehicle is more than a quarter mile from the home location. The vehicle's route may continue to be tracked to determine whether the route is consistent with a known travel pattern, such as the rule-based vehicle pattern matrix 373.

[0061] In step 455, it can be determined whether the route does match a known driving pattern in the rule-based vehicle pattern matrix. If there is a match, then in step 460, the digital key bag can be switched to a next-best digital key bag location. For example, if the vehicle is a fleet vehicle, the next-best digital key bag location can be the fleet server 360. However, if there is no match in step 455, the vehicle may be traveling in an unknown roaming area and the connectivity pattern may be unknown, so there is a possibility that connectivity may be lost. Therefore, the digital key bag needs to be in the mobile communication device associated with the vehicle. Therefore, in step 435, the location of the digital key bag needs to be verified. Therefore, if the digital key bag is not in the mobile communication device, it needs to be switched to the mobile communication device applet. If the digital key bag is already in the mobile communication device, no further action is required. In this scenario, the flowchart can end at step 470.

[0062] Figure 5A detailed flow chart of a method 500 for determining the location of a vehicle digital key bag according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. At step 505, the method may include selecting by a user whether to store the digital key bag in a cloud storage or in a secure telematics unit contained in the vehicle, wherein the digital key bag is configured to initiate an event in the vehicle. Figure 2 As discussed in , the user or customer can set their preferences regarding where the digital key bag is located. For example, the digital key bag can be located in the family cloud storage. In this way, family members can be granted access to the digital key bag. Once accessed, the digital key bag can be used to lock / unlock the vehicle, start the vehicle, access vehicle functions such as the infotainment system or other functions. In addition, if Figure 4 As discussed in step 440 of , the digital key bag can be switched to the user's preferred home location, such as in Figure 1 In the smart home digital key bag 135 in the smart home cloud discussed in . Or the user may prefer to switch the digital key bag to the cloud in the IOT agent 110 or IOT agent 310. Or the user may prefer the digital key bag to be located in a backup device such as a mobile communication device 330.

[0063] At step 510, the method may include storing a radio intelligence database and a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix in a backup server. Figure 1 As discussed in , the database server 115 may include a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix that may be built up over time that may identify various routes and stops for users, where such a set of user behavior rules may be based on vehicle patterns, including time of day, routes, tracks, stops, etc. In addition, the database server may also include a radio intelligence database that may store data associated with cellular, wireless networks, and other short-range and long-range communication links that may be used to predict the probability of a signal at a given instance at the location of the vehicle in question.

[0064] In addition, if Figure 3 As discussed in , the backend server 370 may include a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix 373 and a radio intelligence database 375. In addition, the fleet server 360 may also have access to the backend server 370 and its database.

[0065] At step 515, the method may include switching the digital key fob to a backup device based on the status of the communication link with the secure telematics unit, the radio intelligence database, and the rule-based vehicle mode matrix. Figure 4 As discussed in , the digital key wallet can be migrated to an alternate device under certain conditions. For example, Figure 2In steps 240 and 250, a comparison is performed to determine whether the radio intelligence database or rule-based vehicle pattern matrix is ​​predicting that the communication signal is dropping below a predefined threshold such that connectivity may be lost, and if the predefined threshold is crossed, a command may be initiated to switch or transfer the location of the digital key fob to a designated backup mechanism and location.

[0066] At step 520, the method may include using an IoT agent to deliver a message to one or more backup devices. Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the IOT agent can be responsible for receiving messages from publisher clients (e.g., mobile communication devices or vehicle telematics units), then filtering those messages to determine which subscribers are interested in the messages, and then sending the messages to subscribing clients (e.g., fleet manager servers). The IOT agent can use standard protocols for messaging, such as Message Queuing Telemetry Transport ("MQTT"). Thus, the IOT agent can guide the transfer of a digital key bag from one location to another, for example, from a mobile communication device to the IOT agent, from the IOT agent to the mobile communication device, from the vehicle telematics system to the IOT agent, and then to the fleet management server.

[0067] Step 525 of the method may include determining whether the connectivity of the secure telematics unit is below a predefined threshold. Figure 2 As discussed in steps 240 and 250, a comparison is performed as to whether the radio intelligence database or rule-based vehicle pattern matrix is ​​predicting that the communication signal is dropping below a predefined threshold such that connectivity may be lost, wherein, in step 250, if the predefined threshold is crossed, a command may be initiated to switch or transfer the location of the digital key fob to a designated backup mechanism and location.

[0068] Step 530 of the method may include switching the digital key fob to a second backup device based on the status of the communication link with the secure telematics unit, the radio intelligence database, and the rule-based vehicle mode matrix. Figure 4As discussed in the foregoing, in steps 430 and 460, in some cases, a suboptimal digital key bag location may be used to move the digital key bag. For example, the IOT agent 310 may receive multiple messages from the telematics unit in the vehicle 320 regarding changing connectivity issues or multiple messages from the backend server 370 regarding changes in the rule-based vehicle mode matrix or radio intelligence database 375 that require multiple migrations of the digital key bag. For example, the fleet server 360 may communicate to the IOT agent 310 that it wishes to retrieve a digital key bag from the vehicle 320 (where the vehicle 320 may have stored the digital key bag in the smart home digital key bag 135), so that the digital key bag is transferred from the smart home digital key bag 135 to the telematics unit of the vehicle 320, to the IOT agent 310, and ultimately to the fleet server 360. There is no intention to limit the location or number of times that a digital key bag may be switched or migrated.

[0069] Method 500 may then end.

[0070] The Description and Abstract sections may set forth one or more embodiments of the present disclosure as contemplated by the inventor(s) and thus, are not intended to limit the present disclosure and the appended claims.

[0071] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks that illustrate the implementation of specified functions and their relationships. For the convenience of description, the boundaries of these functional building blocks are arbitrarily defined here. Alternative boundaries can be defined as long as the specified functions and their relationships can be appropriately performed.

[0072] The foregoing description of specific embodiments will reveal the general nature of the present disclosure so fully that others can easily modify and / or adapt various applications of these specific embodiments by applying knowledge within the art without departing from the general concept of the present disclosure, without undue experimentation. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications based on the teachings and guidance given herein are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the wording or terminology herein is for descriptive purposes rather than for limiting purposes, so that the terms or wording of this specification should be interpreted by a technician in accordance with the teachings and guidance.

[0073] The breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0074] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples. These examples are presented here for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc. of those described herein) will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives all fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for determining a location of a digital key bag, comprising: selecting, by a user, whether to store the digital key fob in a cloud storage or in a secure telematics unit contained within a vehicle, wherein the digital key fob is configured to initiate an event within the vehicle; storing a radio intelligence database and a rule-based vehicle pattern matrix in a backend server; and The digital key fob is switched to a backup device based on a status of a communication link with the secure telematics unit, the radio intelligence database, and the rule-based vehicle mode matrix.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The cloud storage includes an Internet of Things agent based on a publish and subscribe messaging protocol including Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT).

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising sending a message to one or more backup devices using the IoT agent.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The backup device is in the mobile communication device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The backup device is a fleet management server.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The backup device is a secure telematics unit contained within the vehicle. 7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether connectivity of the secure telematics unit is below a predefined threshold.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The radio intelligence database is configured to predict a probability of a status of a communication link at a given instance at a location of the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising switching the digital key fob to a second backup device based on a status of a communication link with the secure telematics unit, the radio intelligence database, and the rule-based vehicle mode matrix.

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