METHOD FOR CONNECTING A VEHICLE TO AN ACCESS POINT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for connecting a vehicle to an access point.

[0002] For example, if a vehicle is taken to a workshop, a connection to the workshop's access points must be manually established for each vehicle. These are primarily WLAN access points, which must be manually activated by workshop staff upon arrival.

[0003] The same applies, for example, when a fleet vehicle or a company vehicle is put into a special operating mode, for example to set or activate the vehicle's rights management.

[0004] Current technology includes WPA2-Enterprise authentication, ordinary WPA2 and WPA3 WLAN connections via SSID encryption, or the use of certificates or usernames to identify vehicles and differentiate participants.

[0005] From EP 2 939 391 B1, a method for authenticating user access in a packet-based network is known, wherein the packet-based network has a multitude of public hotspot access points. This allows access to be provided for authorized users. Users are authenticated based on initial authentication criteria, using the public hotspot access point. The user themselves uses an associated private network.

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

[0007] In DE 10 2005 028 663 A1, a communication system is described for the secure communication of at least one of several components of a vehicle via a wireless communication link with at least one external communication partner, wherein the several components each comprise at least one communication module for data exchange.

[0008] Reference can also be made to US 2018 / 054843 A1, which shows a method for communication between a vehicle and a control device, whereby a WLAN connection between the vehicle and the control device is established automatically and encrypted.

[0009] Reference is also made to Joerg Geiger: "Perfectly setting up Fritzbox parental controls - CHIP, February 1, 2021, pages 1-17, URL: https: / / www.chip.de / news / Fritzbox-Kindersicherung-perfekt-einrichten_183270691.html.

[0010] The disadvantage of this method is its dependence on public hotspot access points, authenticated users, and an associated private network.

[0011] The object of the present invention is now to provide a method which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0012] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method for connecting a vehicle to an access point with the features of claim 1, and in particular in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0013] At the core of the device according to the invention, a WLAN connection between the vehicle and the access point is automatically established, with the necessary login information being transmitted via a secure connection. Encryption depends on the vehicle's operating mode, with different operating modes employing different types of encryption and assigning different access rights to the vehicle based on the transmitted login information. The operating mode could, for example, be a "workshop mode," in which the necessary login information for performing the required actions can be transmitted. Furthermore, the operating mode could be a "rights management mode," which is particularly relevant for company cars or fleet vehicles. Depending on the transmitted data, different access rights are assigned to the vehicles.

[0014] The type of encryption depends on the vehicle's operating mode. Different encryption and decryption technologies can be used, ensuring that the necessary login information is transmitted only via a secure connection and therefore cannot be stolen by unauthorized persons.

[0015] The system is designed to connect a vehicle to an access point. The access point can be assigned to a workshop, a company network, or another type of location. Multiple access points can be provided, each assigned to a different location.

[0016] If the vehicle is not in a specific operating mode, a connection to the local access point, such as a workshop, should preferably not be established. This ensures that information is only exchanged when the vehicle is in a specific operating mode.

[0017] The operating mode can preferably be a workshop mode, in which a Wi-Fi connection between the vehicle and the workshop (acting as an access point) is automatically established. In other words, by evaluating the vehicle's "workshop mode," the Wi-Fi connection between the vehicle and the workshop's access point can be established automatically. Specifically, WPA2 Enterprise authentication can be established without any further manual intervention.

[0018] According to a highly advantageous refinement of this idea, the login information can consist of at least a certificate and / or Wi-Fi credentials. The evaluation of the vehicle's "workshop mode" can then serve as a trigger for the automatic establishment of a Wi-Fi connection between the vehicle and the workshop's access point. The necessary login information, particularly Wi-Fi credentials and certificates, can be obtained from a server via a secure connection, such as a VPN. Alternatively, the login information can be securely stored within the vehicle, for example, in a secure module.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the secure connection may be a VPN connection, with the information being obtained from a server. This is particularly useful when the vehicle is, for example, in a workshop mode.

[0020] Another advantageous configuration involves using WPA2 Enterprise authentication for the secure connection, which is established without any manual intervention. This can be used, for example, for different operating modes of fleet or company vehicles. In this way, fleet or company vehicles can automatically establish a WLAN connection between themselves and the company's access point via WPA2 Enterprise authentication using a specific operating mode, without any further manual action required. In particular, this allows for vehicle-specific access control.

[0021] According to a very advantageous further development of the idea, it can be provided that the vehicles of a vehicle fleet and / or company vehicles are independently connected to the company as an access point via a special operating mode.

[0022] In an advantageous design, the login information may be securely stored in the vehicle via a backup function. Certificates, in particular, can be used for this purpose.

[0023] Another advantageous design option is to implement individualized access control for each vehicle. This is particularly beneficial for company cars or fleet vehicles, as individualized access control can be implemented for each vehicle with minimal time investment.

[0024] Further advantageous embodiments of the inventive method for connecting a vehicle to an access point also result from the exemplary embodiment, which is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0025] This shows: Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the method; Fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the method.

[0026] In the presentation of the Fig. 1A possible embodiment of the method is shown, in which a vehicle 1 can be automatically connected to an access point 2 of a workshop. A WLAN connection 3 is established automatically between the vehicle 1 and the access point 2, and the necessary login information can be transmitted via a secure connection. In other words, the evaluation of the vehicle's "workshop mode" triggers the automatic establishment of a WLAN connection between the vehicle 1 and the access point 2. Whether or not the login information can be transmitted depends on the vehicle's operating mode. This operating mode could, for example, be a workshop mode. Because the vehicle 1 can automatically establish a connection to the workshop's WLAN access point, manual intervention by a workshop employee is no longer necessary.The login information is decrypted, in particular, via WiFi credentials or certificates.

[0027] In Fig. 2 Another possible version of the procedure is shown, in which vehicle 1 can be connected to a company or company network. For this purpose, vehicle 1 is connected to the company's or company network's access point 2, with the WLAN connection being established as already described. Figure 1 This can be described. It can lead to an improvement in rights management for fleet vehicles or company vehicles, particularly saving time during vehicle authentication.

[0028] This method therefore offers the particular advantage that an independent, automated WLAN connection can be established between the vehicle and at least one access point in a workshop or company network, without requiring any manual intervention. This saves considerable time, as manual input steps are eliminated. Furthermore, it frees up workstations, since manual intervention during the connection setup between the vehicle and the access point is no longer necessary.

Claims

1. Method for connecting a vehicle (1) to an access point (2), with a WLAN connection (3) being automatically established between the vehicle (1) and the access point (2), necessary login information being transmitted via a secure connection, characterized in that encryption depends on an operating mode of the vehicle (1), different operating modes having different types of encryption, and different rights being assigned to the vehicle depending on the login information transmitted.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating mode is a workshop mode, with a WLAN connection (3) being automatically established between the vehicle (1) and the workshop as an access point (2).

3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the login information consists of at least one certificate and / or WiFi credentials.

4. Method according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the secure connection is a VPN connection, the information being obtained from a server.

5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the secure connection is a WPA2 Enterprise authentication, which is performed without any actions to be performed manually.

6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the vehicles (1) of a vehicle fleet and / or company vehicles are independently connected to the company as an access point (2) via a special operating mode.

7. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the login information is securely stored in the vehicle (1) via a backup function.

8. Method according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that for each vehicle (1) an individualized rights management system is implemented.