Method for managing user access to a motor vehicle
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022011114
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-10-26
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Method for managing a user's access to a motor vehicle Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the automotive field and more particularly concerns a method for managing a user's access to a motor vehicle. Prior art
[0002] Nowadays, it is known to use a device worn by a user of a vehicle to enable him to unlock access to the passenger compartment of said vehicle from the outside and / or to trigger reception services (lights, seat adjustments, etc.). The device may be a key, a badge or, increasingly often, the user's smartphone.
[0003] In a known, old and widespread solution, communication between the device and the vehicle is carried out over a low frequency (LF) wireless link to detect the device and then radio frequency (RF) to authenticate the device. A more recent solution uses a Bluetooth® or Bluetooth Low Energy® (BLE®) wireless link. Finally, another even more recent solution is based on ultra-wide band (Ultra Wide Band) communication.
[0004] In this latter solution, it is known to use a main computer and a plurality of secondary computers. The main computer is embedded in the vehicle and has the role of controlling each secondary computer. Each secondary computer is placed in a different location in the vehicle, for example at each corner of the vehicle and in its center and includes an antenna allowing communication with the device on a UWB communication link.
[0005] The UWB communication protocol allows, in a known manner, communication in two modes: a so-called "passive" communication mode and a so-called "active" communication mode. In the passive mode, a secondary computer emits signals in its close environment and receives reflected signals in order to be able to detect the presence of an obstacle which may be an object or a person, in particular the user of the vehicle carrying the device. This mode is called passive because there is no exchange of data between the computer and the obstacle. In the active mode, a secondary computer communicates with the device in order to exchange data, in particular to authenticate it.
[0006] In this prior art solution, the main computer controls each secondary computer in order to place it either in passive mode or in active mode. Each secondary computer is programmed to perform a set of predetermined tasks depending on whether it has been placed in passive mode or active mode by the primary computer.
[0007] Thus, in this solution, the main computer must modify the operating mode of each secondary computer, one by one, so that it can switch to the other mode, which can be time-consuming and therefore inefficient when vehicle functions must be activated as quickly as possible (unlocking, reception, etc.), which presents a disadvantage. Then, the static programming of each secondary computer according to the passive mode or the active mode does not allow the secondary computer to propose new functionalities and to send new data to the device outside of those which are programmed, which presents another disadvantage.
[0008] A simple, reliable and effective solution to at least partially remedy these drawbacks would therefore be advantageous. Statement of the invention
[0009] To this end, the invention firstly relates to a method for managing functions of a motor vehicle for a user of said vehicle, said user carrying an authentication device making it possible to trigger said functions by communicating in ultra-wide frequency band, in particular from outside the vehicle, said vehicle comprising a main computer and a plurality of secondary computers, each secondary computer comprising a memory area in which a plurality of configurations are stored, each configuration defining a different operating mode by being identified by an identifier, each operating mode comprising the use of a passive and / or active mode of the ultra-wide frequency band, said method, implemented by at least one of the secondary computers, comprising the steps of:
[0010] - reception of a configuration request sent by the main computer, said query containing the identifier of a configuration,
[0011] - determination, in the memory area of said secondary computer, of the configuration associated with the received identifier,
[0012] - setting the secondary computer with the determined configuration,
[0013] - detection of at least one event corresponding to a trigger beacon or to a message received from the main computer,
[0014] - obtaining, in the memory area of said secondary calculator, at least one script comprising instructions in passive and / or active mode associated with the at least one trigger tag and / or the at least one message for which an event has been detected,
[0015] - execution by the secondary computer of the at least one script obtained.
[0016] The configuration can use the UWB passive mode, the UWB active mode or a combination of the UWB passive mode and the UWB active mode. The method according to the invention thus allows the main computer to manage each secondary computer independently via a common request format, in particular to determine a different operating mode for each secondary computer which can then operate autonomously depending on the events detected. Each secondary computer can thus launch a predetermined script depending on a specific event. In addition, the use of configurations stored in the memory area of each secondary computer makes it possible in particular to avoid having to reconfigure said secondary computer to switch it between the passive mode and the active mode or vice versa.In addition, the use of configurations stored in the memory area of each secondary computer advantageously allows the use of scripts combining both passive and active modes. Both types of transmission / reception, passive and active, can both be used to measure a distance or to evaluate a channel via a CIR (Channel Impulse Response) measurement. Thus, managing these two types of requests in a common and central manner makes it possible to optimize (via scripts) the services provided to the client by potentially responding to several clients from a single UWB communication resulting from a single request. This thus makes it possible to reduce the number of UWB communications, to reduce the battery consumption of the vehicle and the device (smartphone or keyfob) which can normally have significant consumption during the UWB reception phases.This also improves response times for functions served by different clients since only one communication takes place.
[0017] Advantageously, the detection of the at least one event is carried out from signals received in ultra-wide frequency band.
[0018] Advantageously, the signals received in ultra-wide frequency band were sent by the device.
[0019] The invention also relates to a computer program product characterized in that it comprises a set of program code instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, configure the processor(s) to implement a method as presented previously.
[0020] The invention also relates to a secondary computer for managing functions of a motor vehicle for a user of said vehicle, said user carrying an authentication device making it possible to trigger said functions by communicating in ultra-wide frequency band, in particular from outside the vehicle, said vehicle comprising a main computer and said secondary computer, the secondary computer comprising a memory area in which is stored a plurality of configurations, each configuration defining a different operating mode being identified by an identifier, each operating mode comprising the use of a passive and / or active mode of the ultra-wide frequency band, the secondary computer being configured to:
[0021] - receive a configuration request sent by the main computer, said query containing the identifier of a configuration,
[0022] - determine, in the memory area of said secondary computer, the configuration associated with the received identifier,
[0023] - configure with the determined configuration,
[0024] - detect at least one event corresponding to a trigger tag or to a message received from the main computer,
[0025] - obtain, in the memory area, at least one script comprising instructions in passive and / or active mode associated with at least one trigger beacon and / or at least one message for which an event has been detected,
[0026] - execute the at least one script obtained.
[0027] Advantageously, the secondary computer is configured to detect the at least one event from signals received in ultra-wide frequency band.
[0028] Advantageously, the secondary computer is configured to detect the at least one event from signals sent by the device in ultra-wide frequency band.
[0029] The invention also relates to a main computer for a motor vehicle, said main computer being configured to send, over a communication link, to a secondary computer, as presented previously, of said vehicle, a configuration request comprising the identifier of a configuration, said configuration defining an operating mode, said operating mode comprising the use of a passive and / or active mode of the ultra-wide frequency band.
[0030] Advantageously, the main computer is configured to send configurations and / or scripts to a secondary computer.
[0031] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a main computer as presented previously and a plurality of secondary computers as presented previously. Brief description of the drawings
[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:
[0033] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates one embodiment of the system according to the invention.
[0034] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an embodiment of the secondary computer according to the invention.
[0035] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an embodiment of the method according to the invention. Description of the embodiments
[0036] [Fig.l] represents an example of vehicle 1 according to the invention.
[0037] Vehicle 1
[0038] The vehicle 1 comprises a main computer 10 and four secondary computers 20. Alternatively, the vehicle 1 could comprise more or less than four secondary computers 20.
[0039] The main computer 10 is connected to the four secondary computers 20 by a communication network 30 which can be of the wired or wireless type.
[0040] Main calculator 1 0
[0041] The main computer 10 is configured to send, via the communication network, to a secondary computer of said vehicle, a configuration request comprising the identifier of a configuration.
[0042] The configuration identifier makes it possible to identify a configuration stored in the memory area of a secondary computer 20. Each configuration defines an operating mode which involves the use of a passive and / or active mode of the ultra-wide frequency band by said secondary computer 20.
[0043] The main computer 10 is preferably configured to send configurations and / or scripts to each of the secondary computers 20 in order to update them.
[0044] The main computer comprises a processor capable of implementing a set of instructions making it possible to carry out these functions.
[0045] Secondary calculator 20
[0046] Each secondary computer 20 allows the management of functions of the vehicle 1 for a user 40 of said vehicle 1. The functions can be triggered by the user 40 via an authentication device 41 and via a secondary computer 20 or directly by the secondary computer 20, or even by the main computer 10.
[0047] The device 41 is configured to communicate with the secondary computers 20 on an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication link, in particular from outside the vehicle 1. Conversely, each secondary computer 20 is configured to communicate with the device 41 on a UWB communication link, via an antenna 20A, and with the main computer 10 via the communication network 30, for example via a wired CAN bus type known per se.
[0048] [Fig.2] shows an example of a secondary computer 20 according to the invention.
[0049] Each secondary computer 20 comprises a memory area 21 in which a plurality of configurations of said secondary computer 20 are stored.
[0050] Each configuration is characterized by an identifier and defines a different operating mode. Each operating mode uses the passive mode of the ultra-wide band or the active mode of the ultra-wide band or a combination of said passive mode and said active mode. Each operating mode constitutes a state machine that can be executed by the secondary computer 20.
[0051] Each secondary computer 20 is configured to receive configurations and / or scripts sent by the main computer 10 in order to update itself.
[0052] Each secondary computer 20 is configured to receive a configuration request sent by the main computer 10 and comprising a configuration identifier.
[0053] Each secondary computer 20 is configured to determine, in its memory area 21, the configuration associated with the identifier received in the configuration request.
[0054] Each secondary computer 20 is configured to be parameterized with the determined configuration.
[0055] Each secondary computer 20 is configured to detect at least one event.
[0056] The event may correspond to a trigger beacon such as, for example, the reception of a message sent in a UWB signal sent by the device 41 or the detection, via UWB signals in passive mode, of the position of the device 41 in a predetermined zone around the vehicle 1. The trigger beacon triggers the execution of a script stored in the memory zone 21.
[0057] The event may also be a message received from the main computer 10 which makes it possible to trigger a script comprising instructions in predetermined passive and / or active mode.
[0058] Each secondary computer 20 is configured to obtain, in its memory area, at least one script comprising instructions in passive and / or active mode associated with at least one trigger beacon and / or at least one message for which an event has been detected.
[0059] Each secondary computer 20 is configured to execute the at least one script obtained.
[0060] Each secondary computer 20 comprises a processor 22 capable of implementing a set of instructions making it possible to carry out these functions.
[0061] Example of implementation
[0062] In a preliminary maintenance step E0, the main computer 10 sends a plurality of configurations and scripts to each secondary computer 20 which receives them and stores them in its memory area 21.
[0063] In standard operation of the vehicle 1, the main computer 10 manages each secondary computer 20 independently in a step E1 by sending it via the communication network 30 the identifier of a configuration in a configuration request REQ.
[0064] Each secondary computer 20 receives in a step E2 the configuration request REQ sent by the main computer 10 then determines, in its memory zone 21, the configuration CONFIG associated with the identifier received in a step E3.
[0065] Each secondary computer 20 is then configured in a step E4 with the determined CONFIG configuration.
[0066] When a secondary computer 20 detects, in a step E5, an event EVENT corresponding to a trigger tag of a script stored in the memory area or to a message received from the main computer 10, said secondary computer 20 obtains, in its memory area 21, the SCR script comprising instructions in passive and / or active mode associated in a step E6 then executes said SCR script obtained in a step E7.
[0067] Thus the secondary computer 20 no longer depends on the main computer 10 to react to an event, it will draw from its memory zone the script which corresponds to the detected event, the script being able to switch the communication between the secondary computer 20 and the device 41 into passive, reinforced passive (increase in the transmission frequency) or active ultra wideband communication mode.
[0068] Application examples
[0069] In the examples below, a plurality of configurations and a plurality of scripts have been previously stored in the memory area 21 of each secondary computer 20.
[0070] First example
[0071] In a first example, the main computer 10 sends a configuration request to one of the secondary computers 20 so that said secondary computer 20 operates in a first pure passive mode in which it transmits at low frequencies.
[0072] The secondary computer 20, thus configured, detects the device 41 by polling using UWB signals that it emits, in a manner known per se. This detection is an event which corresponds to a trigger beacon which triggers an associated authentication script in two stages.
[0073] Initially, the script switches the secondary computer 20 into a second pure passive mode, at high frequencies, which makes it possible to eliminate fixed objects, other than the user 40 of the device 41, in order to ensure that the device 41 is indeed an authentication device suitable for communicating with the vehicle 1, which is approaching or moving away from the vehicle 1.
[0074] In a second step, the script switches the secondary computer 20 into a pure active mode where said secondary computer 20 communicates with the device 41 in order to authenticate it.
[0075] Once authenticated, reception functions of the vehicle 1 can for example be implemented such as, for example, unlocking the openings of the vehicle 1, lighting, adjustment of the seats according to the user profile, etc.
[0076] Second example
[0077] In a second example, the main computer 10 sends a configuration request to one of the secondary computers 20 so that said secondary computer 20 operates in a pure passive mode with a device 41 already authenticated carried by a user 40 of the vehicle 1.
[0078] When the secondary computer 20, thus configured, detects by polling, using UWB signals that it emits, that the device 41 is moving away from the vehicle 1 and that the openings of the vehicle 1 are not locked, this detection is an event which corresponds to a trigger beacon which triggers a dialogue script with the device 41.
[0079] Initially, the script switches the secondary computer 20 into a pure active mode where said secondary computer 20 communicates with the device 41 in order to warn that the openings have not been locked. The user can then send a closing command to the secondary computer 20 which transmits it to the main computer 10 which then commands the locking of the openings.
[0080] In another example, a script may define an operating mode that involves the secondary computer 20 operating in a hybrid mode combining passive mode and active mode, without passing through a trigger beacon or message from the primary computer 10 before each UWB mode change.
[0081] The method according to the invention thus allows a main computer 10 to control differently and independently a plurality of secondary computers 20 from simple configuration identifiers, which allow a state machine to be launched on each secondary computer 20, or else directly from simple control messages without needing to re-parameterize the processor 22 of each secondary computer 20 each time.
Claims
Claims
1. Method for managing functions of a motor vehicle (1) for a user (40) of said vehicle (1), said user (40) carrying an authentication device (41) making it possible to trigger said functions by communicating in ultra-wide frequency band, in particular from outside the vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising a main computer (10) and a plurality of secondary computers (20), each secondary computer (20) comprising a memory area (21) in which a plurality of configurations (CONFIG) are stored, each configuration (CONFIG) defining a different operating mode by being identified by an identifier, each operating mode comprising the use of a passive and / or active mode of the ultra-wide frequency band, said method, implemented by at least one of the secondary computers (20),comprising the steps of: - receiving (E2) a configuration request (REQ) sent by the main computer (10), said request (REQ) comprising the identifier of a configuration (CONFIG), - determining (E3), in the memory area (21) of said secondary computer (20), the configuration associated with the identifier received, - configuring (E4) the secondary computer (20) with the determined configuration, - detecting (E5) at least one event (EVENT) corresponding to a trigger beacon, - obtaining (E6), in the memory area (21) of said secondary computer (20), at least one script (SCR) comprising instructions in passive and / or active mode associated with the at least one trigger beacon, said script being able to switch communication between the secondary computer (20) and the device (41), on a communication link, in passive or active ultra-wideband communication mode,- execution (E7) by the secondary computer (20) of the at least one script (SCR) obtained.,
2. Method according to claim 1, in which the detection (E5) of the at least one event (EVENT) is carried out from signals received in ultra-wide frequency band.
3. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the signals received in ultra-wide frequency band were sent by the device (41).
4. A computer program product characterized in that it comprises a set of program code instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, configure the processor(s) to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.
5. Assembly of a main computer (10) and at least one secondary computer (20), configured to implement the method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said user (40) carries an authentication device (41) making it possible to trigger said functions by communicating in ultra-wide frequency band, in particular from outside the vehicle (1), said vehicle (1) comprising the assembly of a main computer (10) and at least one secondary computer (20), the secondary computer (20) comprising a memory area (21) in which a plurality of configurations (CONFIG) are stored, each configuration (CONFIG) defining a different operating mode by being identified by an identifier, each operating mode comprising the use of a passive and / or active mode of the ultra-wide frequency band,the secondary computer (20) being configured to: - receive a configuration request (REQ) sent by the main computer (10), said request (REQ) comprising the identifier of a configuration (CONFIG), - determine, in the memory area (21) of said secondary computer (20), the configuration (CONFIG) associated with the identifier received, - configure itself with the determined configuration (CONFIG), - detect at least one event (EVENT) corresponding to a trigger tag, - obtain, in the memory area (21), at least one script (SCR) comprising instructions in passive and / or active mode associated with the at least one trigger tag, - execute the at least one script (SCR) obtained.,
6. Set of at least one main computer and one secondary computer (20) according to the preceding claim, said secondary computer being configured to detect the at least one event (EVENT) from signals received in ultra-wide frequency band.
7. Assembly of a main computer and at least one secondary computer (20) according to the preceding claim, said secondary computer (20) being configured to detect the at least one event (EVENT) from signals sent by the device (41) in ultra-wide frequency band.
8. Assembly of a main computer (10) and at least one secondary computer (20) according to one of claims 5 to 7, said main computer (10) being configured to send, over a communication link, to a secondary computer (20) of said vehicle (1), a configuration request (REQ) comprising the identifier of a configuration (CONFIG), said configuration (CONFIG) defining an operating mode, said operating mode comprising the use of a passive and / or active mode of the ultra-wide frequency band.
9. Set of a main computer (10) and at least one secondary computer (20) according to the preceding claim, said main computer (10) being configured to send configurations and / or scripts to a secondary computer (20).
10. Motor vehicle (1) comprising a set of a main computer (10) and at least one secondary computer (20) according to any one of claims 5 to 9, comprising a plurality of secondary computers (20).