Method for connecting a vehicle with an access point

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for connecting a vehicle (1) to an access point (2). The invention is characterized in that a wireless local area network connection (3) is automatically established between the vehicle (1) and the access point (2), the necessary login information being transmitted via the secure connection, and the encryption means being dependent on the operating mode of the vehicle (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method for connecting a vehicle to an access point. Background Technology

[0002] For example, when a vehicle is brought into the repair shop, a connection to the repair shop access point must be manually established for each vehicle. This specifically refers to wireless LAN access points, which must be manually activated by repair shop staff upon arrival at the shop.

[0003] The same applies, for example, to placing fleet vehicles or company vehicles into a special operating mode in order to, for example, set up or activate vehicle access control.

[0004] According to existing technology, vehicles and participants can be identified and distinguished through WPA2 enterprise authentication, ordinary WPA2 or WPA3 wireless LAN connections based on SSID encryption, or by using certificates or usernames.

[0005] A method for user access authentication in a packet network is known from EP 2 939 391 B1, wherein the packet network has multiple public hotspot access points. This allows authorized users to be granted access rights. In this process, the user is authenticated according to a first authentication standard, wherein the public hotspot access points are used. The user himself / herself uses an associated private network.

[0006] WO 2021 / 151486 A1 discloses a method for establishing a data connection between a terminal device in a vehicle and a central module of a fixed local network, as well as a data transmission system for performing the method.

[0007] DE 10 2005 028 663 A1 describes a communication system for enabling at least one of a plurality of components of a vehicle to communicate securely with at least one external communication partner via a wireless communication connection, wherein each of the plurality of components includes at least one communication module for data exchange.

[0008] The drawback of this method is that it relies on public hotspot access points, authenticated users, and an associated private network. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0010] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a method for connecting a vehicle to an access point, the method having the features of claim 1, and in particular the features of the characterizing portion of claim 1. Advantageous designs and improvements are given in the dependent claims.

[0011] The core of the device described in this invention lies in the automatic establishment of a wireless local area network connection between the vehicle and the access point. Necessary login information is transmitted via a secure connection, and the encryption method depends on the vehicle's operating mode. This operating mode can be, for example, a "maintenance room mode," in which login information necessary for performing the required operations can be transmitted. Alternatively, the operating mode can be a "permission management mode," which is particularly suitable for company vehicles or fleet vehicles. In this mode, different permissions can be assigned to the vehicle based on the transmitted data.

[0012] The type of encryption depends particularly on the vehicle's operating mode. Therefore, different encryption or decryption techniques can be used, with necessary login information transmitted only through a secure connection, thus preventing unauthorized access.

[0013] This method is designed to connect vehicles to access points. Access points can be assigned to locations such as repair shops, corporate networks, or other types of locations. Multiple access points can be set up and assigned to different locations.

[0014] If the vehicle is not in a specific operating mode, it is preferable not to establish a connection with the access point of the location (e.g., a repair shop). This ensures that information is exchanged only when the vehicle is in a specific operating mode.

[0015] Preferably, the operating mode can be a repair shop mode, in which a wireless LAN connection is automatically established between the vehicle and the repair shop, which serves as the access point. In other words, by evaluating the vehicle's "repair shop mode," a wireless LAN connection can be automatically established between the vehicle and the repair shop access point. For this purpose, WPA2 enterprise-level authentication can be established without requiring other manual operations.

[0016] One highly advantageous improvement to this concept is that the login information can be set to at least a certificate and / or WiFi credentials. In this way, the evaluation of the vehicle's "service area mode" can serve as a trigger for autonomously establishing a wireless LAN connection between the vehicle and the service area access point, where the necessary login information (e.g., especially WiFi credentials and certificates) can be obtained from a server via a secure connection (e.g., especially a VPN). The login information can also be securely stored in the vehicle, for example, in a security module.

[0017] One advantageous design allows for a secure VPN connection, where information is retrieved from a server. This is particularly suitable for vehicles in maintenance mode.

[0018] Another advantageous design approach is to configure the secure connection as WPA2 Enterprise Authentication, which requires no manual intervention. This can be used, for example, in different operating modes for fleet vehicles or company vehicles. In this way, fleet vehicles or company vehicles can autonomously establish a wireless LAN connection between themselves and the company access point using WPA2 Enterprise Authentication through a special operating mode, without requiring any other manual operations. This, in particular, enables personalized access control for each vehicle.

[0019] According to a highly advantageous improvement scheme, fleet vehicles and / or company vehicles can be configured to autonomously connect with the company as an access point through a special operating mode.

[0020] Here, according to an advantageous design, login information can be securely stored in the vehicle via a secure storage function. Certificates can be used, in particular, for this purpose.

[0021] Another advantageous design approach is to implement personalized access control for each vehicle. This is particularly beneficial for company vehicles or fleet vehicles, as personalized access control can be implemented for each vehicle at a relatively low time cost. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Other advantageous designs of the method for connecting a vehicle to an access point according to the present invention can also be obtained from the embodiments shown in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] in:

[0024] Figure 1 One possible implementation of the method is shown;

[0025] Figure 2 One possible implementation of the method is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] exist Figure 1 The illustration shows one possible implementation of the method, in which vehicle 1 can automatically connect to access point 2 in the repair shop. Here, a wireless LAN connection 3 is automatically established between vehicle 1 and access point 2, where necessary login information can be transmitted securely over the connection. In other words, a wireless LAN connection is autonomously established between vehicle 1 and access point 2 by evaluating the vehicle's "repair shop mode." Whether the transmission of login information is encrypted depends on the vehicle's operating mode. This operating mode could be, for example, repair shop mode. Since vehicle 1 can automatically connect to the repair shop's wireless LAN access point, manual intervention by repair shop staff is no longer required. Login information is decrypted, in particular, using WiFi credentials or certificates.

[0027] Figure 2 Another option of the method is shown, in which vehicle 1 can be connected to a company or company network. For this purpose, vehicle 1 is connected to access point 2 of the company or company network, wherein the establishment of a wireless LAN connection can be as follows: Figure 1 The above describes the process. This can improve access management for fleet or company vehicles, particularly saving time in vehicle authentication.

[0028] Therefore, this method is particularly advantageous in that a wireless LAN connection can be established independently and automatically between the corresponding vehicle and at least one access point in the maintenance workshop or company network without manual operation. This saves time significantly by eliminating the need for manual input. Furthermore, labor costs are reduced because no manual intervention is required when establishing a connection between the vehicle and the access point.

Claims

1. A method for connecting a vehicle (1) to an access point (2), Its features are, A wireless local area network connection (3) is automatically established between the vehicle (1) and the access point (2), wherein necessary login information is transmitted through a secure connection and the encryption method depends on the operating mode of the vehicle (1).

2. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The operation mode is the maintenance workshop mode, wherein the vehicle (1) automatically establishes a wireless local area network connection (3) with the maintenance workshop, which serves as the access point (2).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, Its features are, The login information is at least a certificate and / or WiFi credential.

4. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, Its features are, The secure connection is a VPN connection, wherein the information is obtained from the server.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Its features are, The secure connection uses WPA2 enterprise authentication, which can be performed without manual intervention.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Its features are, The vehicles (1) and / or company vehicles of the fleet autonomously connect to the company as an access point (2) through a special operating mode.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, Its features are, The login information is securely stored in the vehicle (1) through a secure storage function.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Its features are, Personalized permission management is implemented for each of the vehicles (1).

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