Method for authenticating a user in a motor vehicle infotainment system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for authenticating a user (B) of an infotainment system (2) of a motor vehicle (1). According to the method, the authentication of the user (B) is carried out by means of a wireless NFC communication connection (NFC-COMM) between a mobile phone (10), in particular a smartphone (11), of the user (B) containing authentication data (AD) and the infotainment system (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for authenticating a user in an infotainment system of a motor vehicle and to an arrangement comprising such a motor vehicle and a mobile phone, which is set up and programmed to carry out the method.

[0002] Current infotainment systems in motor vehicles often require the manual entry of a PLN or password for user authentication and for activating a specific user profile associated with the PIN.

[0003] However, such an authentication process is comparatively cumbersome and can be a security risk, especially if a profile switch from one user to another occurs while driving. This increases the risk of input errors or driver distraction.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for authenticating a user when logging into an infotainment system of a motor vehicle, which addresses the aforementioned disadvantage.

[0005] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.

[0006] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore to authenticate the user of the vehicle's infotainment system by means of a wireless NFC (Near Field Communication) communication link between the user's mobile phone, containing authentication data, and the infotainment system. Typically, both infotainment systems and mobile phones are suitable for such NFC communication. The manual authentication described above, in particular by PIN entry or the like, is thus largely unnecessary. This leads to increased convenience for the infotainment system user. Furthermore, the risk of driver distraction while driving is reduced.

[0007] The infotainment system can include functions such as audio and media playback, navigation, smartphone integration, and communication. This allows, in particular, radio stations to be played in the vehicle's interior, as well as streaming services or playback from a mobile phone via USB and Bluetooth connections. The infotainment system can also include navigation functions. Preferably, the infotainment system can control vehicle functions such as climate control settings, seat heating, or driving modes, ideally also via voice commands. The system is typically operated via a touchscreen, rotary / push controller, steering wheel buttons, or voice control.

[0008] According to the procedure, user authentication is carried out via a wireless NFC communication connection between a mobile phone containing authentication data, in particular a smartphone, belonging to the user and the infotainment system.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, authentication is carried out automatically after the NFC communication connection has been established. This increases user convenience.

[0010] In another preferred embodiment, user authentication is performed via challenge-response authentication between the infotainment system and the mobile phone. This type of authentication is particularly well-suited for implementation via NFC and meets high security requirements.

[0011] According to an advantageous further development of the method according to the invention, after successful authentication of the user in the infotainment system, a user profile assigned to this user can be activated.

[0012] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a mobile phone and a motor vehicle. The mobile phone contains authentication data for authentication with an infotainment system of the motor vehicle. The mobile phone also includes an NFC module for NFC communication with the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle comprises an infotainment system and an NFC reader for NFC communication with the NFC module of the mobile phone. The infotainment system and the NFC reader of the motor vehicle, as well as the mobile phone, are configured and programmed to carry out the aforementioned method according to the invention and are also coordinated with each other. The advantages of the method according to the invention, as explained above, are therefore also transferred to the arrangement according to the invention.

[0013] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0014] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0016] Each of these shows, schematically: Fig. 1 An example of an arrangement according to the invention with a motor vehicle and a mobile phone. Fig. 2 the mobile phone of the Fig. 1 in enlarged, separate view.

[0017] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of an arrangement 15 according to the invention. The arrangement 15 comprises a mobile phone 10 and a motor vehicle 1. Fig. Figure 2 shows the mobile phone 10 in a separate illustration. The mobile phone 10 is configured as a smartphone 11 and contains authentication data AD stored within it. Furthermore, the mobile phone 10 has an NFC module 12 for establishing an NFC communication connection NFC-KOMM with the motor vehicle 1.

[0018] The vehicle 1 includes an infotainment system 2. This system forms a multimedia and information unit through which the vehicle occupants can access information and control vehicle functions. The infotainment system can include functions such as audio and media playback, navigation, smartphone integration, and communication. In this way, radio stations can be played in the vehicle's interior, and content can also be streamed from a mobile phone via USB and Bluetooth connections. The infotainment system 2 can also include navigation functions.

[0019] Ideally, vehicle functions such as climate control, seat heating, or driving modes can be controlled via the infotainment system, often also via voice commands. The infotainment system can be controlled, for example, via a touchscreen, rotary / push controllers, steering wheel buttons, or voice control.

[0020] The infotainment system 2 further includes an NFC reader 3 for NFC communication with the NFC module 12 of the mobile phone 10 via the NFC communication link NFC-KOMM. The NFC reader 3 can comprise a hardware module, which is located, in particular, in a center console or in the dashboard 4 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0021] After establishing an NFC communication connection NFC-KOMM with the mobile phone 10, the NFC reading unit 3 can receive NFC signals transmitted from the mobile phone 10 or from the NFC module 12 of the mobile phone 10 to the NFC unit 3 of the motor vehicle 1, so that these can be further processed by a data processing unit (not shown) of the infotainment system 2.

[0022] The infotainment system 2 with the NFC reading unit 3 and the mobile phone 10 are configured and programmed for carrying out the method according to the invention and are also coordinated with each other for this purpose. The method according to the invention is explained below by way of example.

[0023] According to the procedure, the authentication of user B carrying the mobile phone 10 is carried out by means of a wireless NFC communication connection NFC-KOMM, which is established between the NFC module 12 of the mobile phone 10 and the NFC reading unit 3 of the infotainment system 2 as soon as the mobile phone 10 is within range of the NFC reading unit 3, which is typically the case at the latest when the mobile phone 10 is in the vehicle interior 5 of the motor vehicle 1.

[0024] In one variant of the example, the establishment of the NFC communication connection NFC-KOMM can also be triggered manually by corresponding user input from user B on the mobile phone 10.

[0025] In this example, mobile phone 10, or user B, is authenticated using challenge-response authentication (CRA) between NFC reader 3 and NFC module 12 of mobile phone 10. During CRA, mobile phone 10 generates a signed authentication token, which is then transmitted to NFC reader 3 via the NFC communication link NFC-KOMM and compared with stored data. If the comparison is successful, the authentication is considered successful, and mobile phone 10 is authorized to control the infotainment system 2.

[0026] Following such successful authentication of user B, a user profile assigned to this user B is activated in infotainment system 2.

[0027] In the event of a negative comparison, control of the infotainment system 2 by the mobile phone 10 will be denied:

Claims

[1] Method for authenticating a user (B) to an infotainment system (2) of a motor vehicle (1), according to which the authentication of the user (B) is carried out by means of a wireless NFC communication link (NFC-KOMM) between a mobile phone (10), in particular a smartphone (11), of the user (B) containing authentication data (AD) and the infotainment system (2). [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that authentication is performed automatically after the NFC communication connection (NFC-KOMM) has been established. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the authentication of the user (B) is carried out by means of challenge-response authentication (CRA) between the infotainment system (2) and the mobile phone (10). [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that after successful authentication of the user (B) in the infotainment system (2), a user profile assigned to this user (B) is activated. [5] Arrangement (15), - with a mobile phone (10) which contains authentication data (AD) for authentication to an infotainment system (2) of a motor vehicle (1) and has an NFC module (12) for NFC communication (NFC) with the motor vehicle (1), - with a motor vehicle (1) which has an infotainment system (2) and an NFC reader (3) for NFC communication (NFC-KOMM) with the NFC module (12) of the mobile phone (10), - wherein the infotainment system (2) with the NFC reading unit (3) of the motor vehicle (1) and the mobile phone (10) are set up and coordinated to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

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