Method and system for controlling the activation of a screen mirroring function for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling the activation of a screen mirroring function for a vehicle (10). To this end, an activation request is transmitted by a mobile communication device (11) to a remote device (111), which request comprises an identifier of the vehicle (10) and a desired mode for activating the screen mirroring function. A user of the vehicle (10) accepts or declines the downloading of data enabling the installation of an interactive screen mirroring application through the graphical content of a human-machine interface displayed on a screen installed in the vehicle (10).

Description

DESCRIPTION Title: Method and system for controlling the activation of a screen duplication function for a vehicle The present invention claims priority from French application 2307084 filed on 04.07.2023, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for controlling the activation of a screen mirroring function for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method and system for controlling the downloading of data from an interactive application for implementing a screen mirroring function in a vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method and device for sharing content between a screen of a mobile communication device and a screen of a vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Many contemporary vehicles incorporate one or more display screens, for example with a touch interface. Such a screen is used, for example, to display information useful for driving the vehicle, for example to control and operate the infotainment system, also called IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) system and / or other systems embedded in the vehicle such as, for example, the air conditioning system and the vehicle's navigation system.

[0003] A vehicle's display screen is also increasingly used to display content from a mobile communication device, for example a smartphone, connected to the vehicle via a wireless connection such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi or via a wired connection such as a cable. USB for example. The content displayed on the screen of the mobile communication device is duplicated on the vehicle's display screen using the technique known as screen mirroring.

[0004] Launching screen mirroring from the vehicle's touchscreen is generally done by tapping on a graphical object of the icon type to run an associated interactive application, also called an interactive thumbnail (from the English "widget") allowing the implementation of screen mirroring. Such an interactive application must however be installed in the vehicle to be implemented by a vehicle computer.

[0005] Some vehicles are not equipped with such an interactive screen mirroring application from the factory, for example because the vehicle purchaser has chosen not to have such an option. The absence of such an interactive application therefore prevents users of this vehicle from benefiting from the screen mirroring function in the vehicle. Summary of the present invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to improve the control of the installation of an interactive application of a vehicle.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling the activation of a screen duplication function for a vehicle, the vehicle having a display device, the method comprising the following steps: - transmission of first data of a request for activation of the screen duplication function on the vehicle by a mobile communication device to a remote device via a first wireless connection, the first data comprising first information representative of an identifier of the vehicle and second information representative of a mode of activation of the screen duplication function; - receipt of second data representing confirmation of activation of the screen mirroring function by the mobile communication device from the remote device via the first wireless connection; - connecting the vehicle to the mobile communication device via a second wireless connection following receipt of the second data; - controlling the display of a first determined graphic content on the display device of the vehicle following the connection according to the second wireless connection, the first determined graphic content comprising a first graphic object configured for an acceptance of an installation of an interactive screen duplication application in the vehicle and a second graphic object configured for a refusal of installation of the interactive application; - receiving third data representative of a selection of the first graphic object or the second graphic object; - receiving fourth data representative of the interactive screen mirroring application by the vehicle from the remote device via a third wireless connection based on the third data.

[0009] Such a method makes it possible to download the data necessary for the installation of an interactive application implementing the screen duplication function, in the vehicle, using a mobile communication device (for example a so-called smartphone) configured to be connected to a remote device (for example a server) via a wireless connection and to require the installation of the interactive application allowing the screen duplication function for the vehicle identified by the remote device via the data transmitted by the mobile communication device. Once the authorization has been received, the downloading of the installation data of the interactive application is initiated via a wireless link, for example according to OTA technology (from the English "Over The Air" or in French "par voie aérien").

[0010] This process allows the installation of an interactive application enabling the screen duplication function at any time, particularly once the vehicle has left the factory.

[0011] According to a variant, the reception of the fourth data is implemented when the third data is representative of a selection of the first graphic object, the method further comprising an installation of the interactive application in the vehicle from the fourth data.

[0012] According to another variant, when the third data are representative of a selection of the second graphic object, the method further comprises a new display of the first determined graphic content on the display device, the new display being triggered by a new start of the vehicle following the reception of the third data representative of a selection of the second graphic object.

[0013] According to an additional variant, the first determined graphic content further comprises information of a representative duration of downloading of the fourth data.

[0014] According to a further variant, the activation mode belongs to a set of activation modes comprising: - a first activation mode comprising activation of the screen duplication function for a fixed period with monthly payment of a fixed amount, the screen duplication function being accessible via a wired connection and a wireless connection between the vehicle and a device comprising a screen whose displayed content is to be duplicated on the display device; - a second activation mode comprising activation of the screen duplication function for an indefinite period with payment of a first determined unit amount, the screen duplication function being accessible only via the wired connection between the vehicle and the device; and - a third activation mode comprising activation of the screen duplication function for an indefinite period with payment of a second determined unit amount, the screen duplication function being accessible via the wired connection and the wireless connection between the vehicle and the device.

[0015] According to an additional variant, when the activation mode corresponds to the first activation mode, the method further comprises a step of displaying a second determined graphic content before the expiry of the determined duration on the display device, the second determined graphic content comprising a third graphic object configured for acceptance of a renewal of activation of the screen duplication function and a fourth graphic object configured for refusal of the renewal of activation of the screen duplication function.

[0016] According to another variant, the first wireless connection corresponds to a wireless connection via a terrestrial cellular wireless network, the second wireless connection corresponds to a Bluetooth® connection and the third wireless connection corresponds to a wireless connection via the terrestrial cellular wireless network or to a wireless connection of a local wireless network (for example of the Wifi® type).

[0017] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a system for controlling the activation of a screen duplication function for a vehicle, the system comprising at least one computer on board the vehicle and a mobile communication device connected in wireless communication to the vehicle, the system being configured to implement the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0018] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0019] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0021] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM memory, a RAM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording medium or a hard disk.

[0022] Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

[0023] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question. Brief description of the figures

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 5, in which:

[0025] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a communication environment between a mobile communication device and a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a part of the passenger compartment of the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates a display device of the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to a first particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig. 4] schematically illustrates a data processing device, according to particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention; and

[0029] [Fig. 5] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling the activation of a screen duplication function for the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of implementation

[0030] A method and system for controlling activation of a vehicle screen duplication function will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 5. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0031] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)" (or "first(s)", "second(s)"), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to identify and distinguish different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0032] According to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention, the control of the activation of a screen duplication function in a vehicle not equipped with such a function at the factory is implemented by a system comprising the vehicle and a mobile communication device of the smartphone type, the vehicle and the mobile communication device each being configured to communicate data according to a wireless communication mode. For this purpose, first data representative of a request to activate the screen duplication function in the vehicle are transmitted by the mobile communication device (for example via a mobile application installed on the mobile communication device) to a remote device (for example a server) via a first wireless connection (for example using a terrestrial cellular network of the LTE 4G or 5G type).The first data advantageously comprises first information representative of an identifier of the vehicle (for example the VIN of the vehicle) and second information representative of a mode of activation of the screen duplication function (which is. for example selected from a set comprising several activation modes with different characteristics depending on the activation mode). In response to the request, the remote device transmits second data representing confirmation of activation of the screen duplication function to the mobile communication device via the first wireless connection. A wireless connection is then established between the vehicle and the mobile communication device according to a second wireless connection (for example of the Bluetooth® type), this connection being for example implemented automatically when the vehicle is restarted following receipt of the second data by the mobile communication device.The second wireless connection is for example used by the mobile communication device to request (for example via the mobile application) from the vehicle that it controls the display of a first graphic content determined via the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) on an on-board display device of the vehicle. The first graphic content comprises a first graphic object (for example a button or an icon) configured for acceptance of installation of an interactive screen mirroring application in the vehicle and a second graphic object configured for refusal of installation of the interactive application. The function associated with each graphic object (acceptance and refusal of installation) is obtained by selecting the graphic object in question, for example by a touch on the object when the on-board display device has a touch interface.Depending on the graphical object selected, the download of fifth data representative of the interactive screen mirroring application is initiated or not, the vehicle receiving this fifth data via a third wireless connection from the remote device when the download is initiated.

[0033] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a communication environment between a mobile communication device 11, a vehicle 10 and a remote device 111, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 10 in a communication environment 1, the vehicle 10 being for example in a road environment or on a parking area or parking lot, in a garage, etc.

[0035] The vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with an electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus.

[0036] The vehicle 10 advantageously carries a communication system configured to communicate with a remote device 111. Such a remote device 111 is for example configured to communicate with the vehicle 10 according to an OTA or FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) type connection via an infrastructure of a wireless communication network of the terrestrial cellular network type using for example a wireless communication mode of the LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G or 5G type.

[0037] According to an alternative embodiment, the vehicle 10 communicates with the remote device in OTA or FOTA mode via a wireless local area network, called WLAN (from the English “Wireless Local Area Network”), for example of the Wifi® type. The WLAN is for example connected to the “cloud” via a wired network infrastructure and / or via the wireless communication network infrastructure.

[0038] The remote device 111 is for example configured to manage the software (from the English “software”, corresponding for example to firmware or to any software necessary for the proper functioning of the vehicle 10) embedded in the vehicle 10, in particular the interactive application type software.

[0039] The remote device 111 corresponds for example to a server of the “cloud” 100 (or “cloud” in French). The wireless communication infrastructure comprises for example a set of communication devices of the cellular network antenna type 110.

[0040] The vehicle communication system 10 is further configured to communicate with one or more mobile communication devices 11 (for example a smartphone, a tablet or a connected mobile object such as a connected watch, also called a smartwatch) in direct communication mode and / or via the wireless communication network infrastructure.

[0041] A direct wireless communication mode is based, for example, on one of the following communication standards or protocols: - Wifi® according to IEEE 802.11, for example according to IEEE 802.11 n or IEEE 802.11ac, for example according to a communication mode called infrastructure according to which the vehicle 10 acts as an access point according to an ad-hoc or direct communication mode, called Wifi Direct; - Bluetooth®; - ZigBee according to IEEE 802.15.4.

[0042] The mobile communication device 11 is further configured to communicate with the remote device 111, for example via the wireless communication network infrastructure or via a wireless local area network, known as WLAN, itself connected to the “cloud” 100 via a wired and / or wireless link.

[0043] The communication system of the vehicle 10 comprises, for example, one or more communication antennas connected to a telematic control unit, called a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), itself connected to one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10. The antenna(s), the TCU and the computer(s) form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the provision of various services useful for the proper operation of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle in controlling the vehicle 10. The computer(s) and the TCU communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the CAN (Controller Area Network) or CAN FD (Controller Area Network) data bus type. Flexible Data-Rate Network or in French “Flexible Data Rate Controller Network”), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0044] A mobile application installed on the mobile communication device 11 is advantageously configured for the management of the vehicle 10, for example for the control of one or more functions (for example implemented via interactive applications (“widgets”) installed or to be installed on the vehicle 10. Such a mobile application 11 comprises for example an HMI (Human Machine Interface) configured to allow a user to request a software update of the vehicle 10, for example to add a screen mirroring function in the vehicle 10.

[0045] The vehicle 10 advantageously carries a display device 21, as illustrated in FIG. 2 according to a particular exemplary embodiment.

[0046] The display device 21 corresponds for example to a screen of the LCD type (from the English “Liquid Crystal Display” or in French “Display à cristals liquide”), for example of the TFT type (from the English “Thin-Film Transistor” or in French “Transistor en film mince”), or OLED type (from the English “Organic Light-Emitting Diode” or in French “Diode électroluminescente biologique”).

[0047] The display device 21 corresponds for example to a so-called touch screen in that a touch interface is associated with the screen of the display device 21. Such a touch interface allows a user to interact with the graphic contents displayed on this screen 21 in a tactile manner, for example by clicking via a tactile press on icons to open new pages of the displayed graphic interface, to navigate in menus by swiping the screen from top to bottom, to enlarge or reduce a window by moving two fingers apart or together, etc.

[0048] A process for controlling activation of a screen duplication function for the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more device processors forming a system configured for implementing the process. Such a system comprises a mobile communication device 11 such as a telephone intelligent and the vehicle 10, that is to say one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10.

[0049] Before implementing the process described above, the vehicle 10 is not configured for implementing a screen duplication function. The vehicle 10 has onboard hardware means enabling or configured for implementing such a function but not software means (software or firmware), i.e. the vehicle 10 does not have onboard software modules, also called interactive applications (or widgets) configured to establish wireless or wired communication with the mobile communication device 100.

[0050] An object of the above process is to update the vehicle 10 for the implementation of a screen mirroring function, for example under the control of the IVI computer of the vehicle 10 (or by another computer of the on-board system of the vehicle 10).

[0051] An interactive screen duplication application allows the IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) computer to manage the data streams received from a device 20 comprising a display screen (corresponding for example to the mobile communication device 11 or to any other mobile communication device) for displaying the content displayed on the screen of the device 20. This software module is also configured to transmit to the device 20 requests or commands received for example from the screen 21. Such requests correspond for example to commands entered by a user using the touch screen 21 as a communication interface with the device 20. This software module is for example dependent on the operating system installed on the device 20 which also incorporates a software module configured to communicate with the software module executed by the IVI computer.

[0052] In a first operation of the process, first data of a request to activate the screen mirroring function on the vehicle 10 are transmitted by the mobile communication device 11 to the remote device 111 via a first wireless connection.

[0053] The first wireless connection corresponds, for example, to a connection implemented via a terrestrial cellular network, for example LTE or LTE-Advanced (or LTE-advanced in French) also known as 4G or 5G.

[0054] The first data advantageously comprises first information representative of a vehicle identifier and second information representative of a mode of activation of the screen duplication function.

[0055] The transmission of the first data is for example controlled by a mobile application installed on the device 11, such a mobile application being for example published by the manufacturer of the vehicle 10.

[0056] The first information is for example stored in a memory of the device 11, this first information having for example been entered by the user of the mobile application (for example the owner or the driver of the vehicle 10) during the configuration of the mobile application, via an HMI (Human Machine Interface) of the mobile application using for example the touch interface of the device 11 where appropriate.

[0057] The first information is intended to uniquely identify the vehicle 10 and corresponds for example to the VIN (from the English “Vehicle Identification Number” or in French “Numéro d'identification du véhicule”).

[0058] In another example, the first information corresponds to the vehicle registration number 10.

[0059] The second information corresponds for example to an activation mode selected from a set or list of determined activation modes, each activation mode being associated with a set of activation criteria or parameters. The second information corresponds for example to an identifier of the selected activation mode, the remote device 111 having for example in memory a look-up table (LUT) making the correspondence between the identifier of the chosen activation mode and the associated parameters or criteria.

[0060] The activation mode is for example selected via the touch screen of the device 11 via the HMI of the mobile application.

[0061] The activation mode corresponds for example to one of the following activation modes: - a first activation mode for activating the screen duplication function for a determined period (for example for 6 months or 1 year) corresponding to a subscription with the monthly payment or settlement of a determined amount (monthly subscription, for example with automatic debit from a bank account whose references are transmitted in the request or known to the remote device 111 and associated with the first information). In such a first activation mode, the screen duplication function is accessible via a wired connection (for example of the USB type (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or in French “Universal Serial Bus”) and a wireless connection (for example of the Bluetooth® or Wifi® type) between the vehicle 10 and a device comprising a screen whose displayed content is to be duplicated on the display device (such as the device 20); - a second activation mode for activating the screen duplication function for an indefinite period (corresponding for example to the lifetime of the vehicle 10 or to a period valid until the sale of the vehicle 10) with payment of a first determined unit amount (corresponding for example to a purchase of a user license of indefinite duration). In such a second activation mode, the screen duplication function is only accessible via the wired connection between the vehicle 10 and the device 20; and - a third activation mode for activating the screen duplication function for an indefinite period with payment of a second determined unit amount (amount greater than the first amount). In such a third activation mode, the screen duplication function is accessible via the wired connection and the wireless connection between the vehicle 10 and the device 20, at the user's choice.

[0062] In a second operation of the process, second data representative of confirmation of activation of the screen mirroring function are transmitted by the remote device 111 and received by the mobile communication device 11 via the first wireless connection.

[0063] The second data correspond for example to an activation code validating the activation of the screen duplication function on the vehicle 10, for example following a verification by the remote device 111 of a set of criteria necessary for the activation of the duplication function, such as for example: - sufficient hardware configuration of the vehicle 10, the hardware configuration of the vehicle 10 being found by the remote device 111 knowing the identifier of the vehicle 10 via the first information; and / or - validation of payment information for the monthly subscription or purchase for an indefinite period.

[0064] In a third operation of the process, the mobile communication device 11 and the vehicle 10 connect via a second wireless connection following receipt of the second data.

[0065] The connection is for example implemented when the vehicle engine is started following receipt of the second data by the mobile communication device 11.

[0066] For example, each time the vehicle 10 is started, the vehicle 10 attempts to connect to the mobile communication device 11 by sending a connection request to the device 11.

[0067] The second wireless connection is for example of the Bluetooth® type, or even Wifi® according to another exemplary embodiment. The connection between the vehicle 10 (for example the TCU unit of the vehicle 10) and the mobile communication device 11 is thus implemented in accordance with the Bluetooth® protocol (or Wifi® where appropriate).

[0068] In a fourth operation of the process, the display of a first determined graphic content on the display device 21 of the vehicle 10 is controlled, for example by the IVI computer of the vehicle 10, following the connection between the vehicle 10 and the device 11 according to the second wireless connection.

[0069] The display control is for example triggered following a transmission by the device 11 to the vehicle 10 of a display request, the device 11 having received the second data validating the downloading (and installation) of an interactive screen duplication application on the vehicle 10.

[0070] According to another example, the control of the display is triggered by the transmission of the second data representative of confirmation of activation of the screen duplication function by the mobile communication device 11 to the vehicle 10 (which receives this second data) via the second wireless connection.

[0071] The first determined graphic content is thus displayed on the display device 21 under the control of the IVI computer.

[0072] The first graphic content corresponds for example to a page or a determined content of the HMI of the vehicle 10. This first graphic content 31 advantageously comprises, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a first graphic object 312 configured for an acceptance of an installation of an interactive screen duplication application in the vehicle 10 and a second graphic object 313 configured for a refusal of installation of the interactive application.

[0073] A graphic object corresponds for example to a virtual button (or an icon) represented by a group of determined pixels of the display device 21.

[0074] A graphical object is said to be configured to implement a function (acceptance or refusal of the installation of the interactive application for example) in that a selection of a graphical object triggers the execution of the associated function.

[0075] A selection of a graphic object is obtained for example via a control member (touchpad, rotary button, plurality of physical buttons) configured to navigate in the graphic content displayed on the display device 21 and select the selectable graphic objects.

[0076] According to another example, when the display device 21 corresponds to a touch screen, a selection of a graphic object is obtained by a touch pressure on the display device 21 at the location of the graphic object to be selected.

[0077] A selection of the first graphic object 312 thus triggers the downloading of the data necessary (called fourth data) for the installation of the application interactive screen mirroring application. A selection of the second graphical object 313 prohibits the downloading of data necessary for the installation of the interactive screen mirroring application, and for example defers this download to a later date, as described below.

[0078] According to an alternative embodiment, the first graphic content 31 further comprises an area 311 provided for the display of a message and / or additional information.

[0079] For example, the first determined content further comprises information representative of a representative duration of downloading of the fourth data, that is to say the duration necessary for downloading the fourth data from the remote device 111. This duration is for example determined by the vehicle 10 as a function of the bandwidth available on the wireless network used by the vehicle 10 to download this fourth data from the remote device 111.

[0080] According to another example, the area 311 further comprises a message explaining that the download and installation of the interactive application allowing the implementation of the screen duplication function are ready on condition that the vehicle remains immobilized during these operations which require a determined duration. The driver is thus invited to accept the download (and installation) by selecting the first graphic object 312 or to refuse the download (and installation) by selecting the second graphic object 313.

[0081] The first graphic content 31 is for example displayed in a window occupying part of the display area of ​​the display device 21, this window corresponding for example to a contextual window, also called an intrusive or pop-up window.

[0082] In a fifth operation of the process, the IVI computer of the vehicle 10 receives third data representative of a selection of the first graphic object 312 or the second graphic object 313.

[0083] The third data are for example representative of a touch press, for example a touch press 300 on the first graphic object 312, or a touch press (not shown) on the second graphic object 313 when the display device 21 is equipped with a touch interface.

[0084] A touch 300 on the first graphic object 312 or on the second graphic object 313 sends information to the IVI computer so that the latter implements a function associated with the command corresponding to the touch.

[0085] The data representative of the touch support are for example received via one or more data buses connecting the touch interface of the screen (or a computer controlling such a touch interface where applicable) and the IVI computer.

[0086] The third data are for example representative of a so-called brief tactile press, that is to say the duration of the press on the first graphic object 312 or on the second graphic object 313 is less than a threshold duration (for example equal to 500 or 1000 ms).

[0087] In a sixth operation of the process, fourth data representative of the interactive screen mirroring application are received or downloaded by the vehicle 10, from the remote device 111, via a third wireless connection depending on the third data, i.e. according to the selected graphical object.

[0088] The third wireless connection corresponds to an OTA or FOTA type wireless connection, for example via the terrestrial cellular wireless network or to a wireless connection of a local wireless network of the WLAN type (for example of the Wifi® type), which WLAN network is connected to another wired or wireless network to access the “cloud” 100.

[0089] When the third data is representative of a selection of the first graphic object 312, the vehicle 10 receives from the remote device 111 the fourth data allowing the installation of the interactive application.

[0090] The vehicle 10 remains stationary while the third data is downloaded. The interactive application is then installed in the vehicle 10 using the downloaded fourth data. The installation of the interactive application includes, for example, adding a graphical object in the HMI so that a user in the vehicle 10 can control the implementation of the screen duplication function by selecting this graphic object (which triggers the execution of the interactive screen duplication application). The installation is according to the activation mode required in the request transmitted to the first operation (first, second or third activation modes), the fourth data being a function of this required activation mode.

[0091] When the third data are representative of a selection of the second graphic object 313, the downloading of the fourth data is not triggered or initiated. The downloading of the fourth data is for example shifted in time. For this purpose, the display of the first graphic content proposing to the driver or a passenger of the vehicle 10 to trigger the downloading of the fourth data is controlled so that this first graphic content 31 is displayed again during the next restart of the vehicle 10 (i.e. during the next start-up temporally following the selection of the second graphic object 313), which allows the driver or the passenger to decide whether or not he wishes to trigger the download by selecting the first graphic object 312 or the second graphic object.

[0092] If the first graphical object 312 is selected, then the download of the fourth data is initiated, otherwise (if the second graphical object 313 is selected), the download is postponed and the first graphical content 31 displayed again following the next start of the vehicle 10.

[0093] According to an alternative embodiment, when the activation mode required with the second information included in the request of the first operation of the process corresponds to the first activation mode, the process further comprises an operation of controlling the display of a second determined graphic content so that this second graphic content is displayed before the expiry of the determined duration provided for in the first activation mode.

[0094] According to this variant, the second determined graphic content is for example displayed on the display device 21 a few days, or even a few weeks, before the end of the subscription to the screen duplication function associated with the first mode activation. The second determined graphic content is configured to propose renewing the subscription taken for the screen mirroring function before the initial subscription expires. Such second graphic content advantageously comprises a third graphic object configured for acceptance of a renewal of activation of the screen mirroring function and a fourth graphic object configured for refusal of the renewal of activation of the screen mirroring function.

[0095] A selection of the third graphic object results in the transmission of a request to renew the subscription according to the first activation mode to the remote device 111 which implements a renewal process with the downloading of ad hoc update data of the interactive application.

[0096] A selection of the fourth graphic object results in a subsequent new display of the second graphic content, for example the next time the vehicle 10 is started to again offer renewal of the subscription.

[0097] If the driver or another user wishes to change the activation mode of the screen duplication function (for example to switch from the first mode to the second or third mode or to switch from the second mode to the third mode), the operations described above are repeated with the new transmission of an activation request with second information representative of the new desired activation mode. The interactive application is then updated from update data received from the remote device 111.

[0098] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a device 4 configured for implementing the activation of a screen duplication function for a vehicle, for example for the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 4 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer.

[0099] According to a particular embodiment, the device 4 corresponds to a mobile communication device such as the device 11. According to another embodiment In particular, the device 4 corresponds to a data processing device such as the remote device 111.

[0100] The device 4 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 3 and / or the steps of the method described with regard to figure 5. Examples of such a device 4 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a server. The elements of the device 4, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 4 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0101] The device 4 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 40 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 4. The processor 40 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 4 further comprises at least one memory 41 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

[0102] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 41.

[0103] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 4 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0104] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 4 comprises a block 42 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example a remote server or the “cloud”, a mobile communication device, a TCU. The interface elements of the block 42 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French); - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French); - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

[0105] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 4 comprises a communication interface 43 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board system) via a communication channel 430. The communication interface 43 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 430. The communication interface 43 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0106] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 4 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a screen. display 440, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 450 and / or other peripherals 460 (projection system) via output interfaces 44, 45, 46 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 4.

[0107] Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling the activation of a screen duplication function for a vehicle carrying a display device, for example the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a system comprising the vehicle 10 (or one or more devices carried in the vehicle 10 such as device 4 of Figure 4) connected in wireless communication to a mobile communication device such as the device 11.

[0108] In a first step 51, first data of a request to activate the screen duplication function on the vehicle are transmitted by a mobile communication device to a remote device via a first wireless connection, the first data comprising first information representative of an identifier of the vehicle and second information representative of a mode of activation of the screen duplication function.

[0109] In a second step 52, second data representative of confirmation of activation of the screen duplication function are received by the mobile communication device from the remote device via the first wireless connection.

[0110] In a third step 53, the vehicle connects to the mobile communication device via a second wireless connection following receipt of the second data.

[0111] In a fourth step 54, the display of a first determined graphic content is controlled so that this first graphic content is displayed on the display device of the vehicle following the connection according to the second wireless connection of step 53, the first determined graphic content comprising a first graphical object configured to accept installation of an interactive screen mirroring application in the vehicle and a second graphical object configured to refuse installation of the interactive application.

[0112] In a fifth step 55, third data representative of a selection of the first graphic object or the second graphic object are received.

[0113] In a sixth step 56, fourth data representative of the interactive screen mirroring application are received by the vehicle from the remote device via a third wireless connection based on the third data.

[0114] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to figures 1 to 3 apply to the steps of the method of figure 5.

[0115] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method of communicating data representative of an interactive screen duplication application which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for the implementation of such a method.

[0116] The present invention also relates to a system comprising a plurality of devices 4 of FIG. 4 connected in communication with each other, for example a device 4 embedded in a vehicle and a device 4 corresponding to a mobile communication device.

[0117] According to one variant, the system further comprises a device 4 corresponding to a remote device such as a server.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for controlling the activation of a screen duplication function for a vehicle (10), said vehicle (10) having a display device (21), said method comprising the following steps: - transmission (51) of first data of a request for activation of said screen duplication function on said vehicle (10) by a mobile communication device (11) to a remote device (111) via a first wireless connection, said first data comprising first information representative of an identifier of said vehicle (10) and second information representative of a mode of activation of said screen duplication function; - receiving (52) second data representative of confirmation of activation of said screen duplication function by said mobile communication device (11) from said remote device (111) via said first wireless connection; - connection (53) of said vehicle (10) to said mobile communication device (11) via a second wireless connection following reception (52) of said second data; - display control (54) of a first determined graphic content (31) on said display device (21) following said connection (53) according to the second wireless connection, said first determined graphic content (31) comprising a first graphic object (312) configured for acceptance of an installation of an interactive screen duplication application in said vehicle (10) and a second graphic object (312) configured for refusal of installation of said interactive application; - reception (55) of third data representative of a selection of the first graphic object (312) or of the second graphic object (313); - receiving (56) fourth data representative of said interactive screen duplication application by said vehicle (10) from said remote device (111) via a third wireless connection as a function of said third data.

2. Method according to claim 1, for which said reception of the fourth data is implemented when said third data is representative of a selection of said first graphical object (312), said method further comprising an installation of said interactive application in said vehicle (10) from the fourth data.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, for which, when said third data are representative of a selection of said second graphic object (313), said method further comprises a new display of said first determined graphic content on said display device (21), said new display being triggered by a new start of said vehicle (10) following the reception (55) of said third data representative of a selection of said second graphic object (312).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, for which said first determined graphic content (31) further comprises information of a duration representative of downloading of said fourth data.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, for which said activation mode belongs to a set of activation modes comprising: - a first activation mode comprising an activation of said screen duplication function for a determined duration with monthly payment of a determined amount, said screen duplication function being accessible via a wired link and a wireless link between said vehicle (10) and a device (20) comprising a screen whose displayed content is to be duplicated on said display device (21); - a second activation mode comprising an activation of said screen duplication function for an indefinite period with payment of a first determined unit amount, said screen duplication function being accessible only via the wired connection between said vehicle (10) and said device (20); and - a third activation mode comprising an activation of said screen duplication function for an indefinite period with payment of a second determined unit amount, said screen duplication function being accessible via the wired link and the wireless link between said vehicle (10) and said device (20).

6. Method according to claim 5, for which, when said activation mode corresponds to said first activation mode, said method further comprises a step of displaying a second determined graphic content before expiry of said ZI determined duration on said display device (21), said second determined graphic content comprising a third graphic object configured for acceptance of a renewal of activation of said screen duplication function and a fourth graphic object configured for refusal of the renewal of activation of said screen duplication function.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, for which: - said first wireless connection corresponds to a wireless connection via a terrestrial cellular wireless network; - said second wireless connection corresponds to a Bluetooth connection; and - said third wireless connection corresponds to a wireless connection via the terrestrial cellular wireless network or to a wireless connection of a local wireless network.

8. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

9. Computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. System for controlling the activation of a screen duplication function for a vehicle, said system comprising at least one computer on board said vehicle (10) and a mobile communication device (11) connected in wireless communication to said vehicle (10), said system being configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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