Method and device for remotely controlling the opening of vehicle windows

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling the opening / closing of a window (101) of a vehicle (10) configured to communicate with a mobile communication device (11) via a wireless connection. For this purpose, a window (101) opening / closing request issued by the mobile communication device (10) is received via the wireless connection. The opening / closing of the window (101) is controlled, for example by a computer in the vehicle (10), based on parameters included in the request, based on the result of an authentication check of the request sender, and based on speed data representative of the rotational speed of one or more wheels of the vehicle (10). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling the remote opening of vehicle windows Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling the opening of windows of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method and a device for communication between a vehicle and a mobile communication device for controlling the remote opening of one or more windows of the vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Vehicles, especially when parked outside, are subject to climatic constraints.

[0003] For example, in the event of strong sunshine, the temperature inside a vehicle parked outside increases rapidly, the temperature being higher the higher the outside temperature.

[0004] Thus, when a person enters a vehicle that has been exposed to solar radiation for a certain period of time, this person may become unwell. To avoid this, it is possible to start the vehicle's interior air conditioning system, exit the vehicle while the interior temperature drops before re-entering the vehicle's passenger compartment. However, such a practice consumes energy, which is a source of pollution. Another solution is to open the vehicle's windows and wait a few moments for the interior temperature to drop. However, such a solution may require a significant amount of time before the interior temperature becomes bearable, which can be inconvenient when the person wishing to use their vehicle is in a hurry.

[0005] 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 natural ventilation inside a vehicle.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling the opening of windows of a vehicle, said vehicle being configured to communicate with a mobile communication device via a wireless connection, the method comprising the following steps: - receiving a request to open at least one window of a set of windows of the vehicle, the request being sent by the mobile communication device, the request comprising authentication data of a sender of the request; - opening control of the at least one window according to at least one opening parameter included in the request, the opening control being a function of a result of a check of the authentication data and of speed data representative of the rotation speed of at least one wheel of the vehicle.

[0009] Remotely controlling the opening of one or more windows of the vehicle allows the vehicle to be ventilated in advance, i.e. before it needs to be used. This allows time for outside air to enter the vehicle to lower the temperature in the vehicle before using the vehicle for travel. Authentication control of the sender of the request transmitted to request the opening of the window(s) prevents attempts by unauthorized persons to break into the vehicle.

[0010] According to one variant, the request comprises: - identification data of at least one window; - data representative of an opening level of the at least one window; and - data representative of temporal information associated with the opening of the at least one window.

[0011] According to another variant, the opening of the at least one window is triggered only when the speed data is representative of a zero rotation speed and when the authentication data is representative of a person authorized to use the vehicle.

[0012] According to an additional variant, the method further comprises the steps of: - detection of an attempt to open a vehicle door; - closing control of at least one window following detection; - transmission of intrusion alert data representative of the detection to the mobile communication device via the wireless connection.

[0013] According to another variant, the method further comprises a step of transmitting image data representative of at least part of an environment outside the vehicle to the mobile communication device via the wireless connection, the image data being obtained from at least one camera of the vehicle, an acquisition of the image data being triggered following the detection of the attempt to open a door of the vehicle.

[0014] According to an additional variant, the opening control of the at least one window is furthermore a function of precipitation data received from a rain detection sensor on board the vehicle.

[0015] According to another variant, the method further comprises the steps of: - authentication of a vehicle user based on authentication data; - transmission of the request to the vehicle depending on the authentication result.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling the opening of windows of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0017] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a system comprising a device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention, and a mobile communication device connected in wireless communication to the device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a system comprising a vehicle as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention and a mobile communication device connected in wireless communication to the vehicle as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0020] According to a variant, the system further comprises a data processing device, for example an authentication server, connected in wireless communication to the vehicle as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention or to the device as described above according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0021] According to a sixth 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.

[0022] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and 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.

[0023] According to a seventh 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.

[0024] On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

[0025] 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 an Internet-type network.

[0026] 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

[0027] 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 4, in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a vehicle connected in wireless communication to a mobile communication device, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a system configured for controlling the remote opening of one or more windows of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a device configured to control an opening of one or more windows of the vehicle of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] [Fig.4] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a control process of an opening of one or more windows of the vehicle of the vehicle of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Description of the examples of embodiment

[0033] A method and a device for controlling the opening of one or more windows of a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 4. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0034] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the control of the opening (and reciprocally the closing) of one or more windows of a vehicle configured to communicate with a mobile communication device (for example a smartphone) via a wireless connection is for example implemented by a plurality of computers on board the vehicle. For this purpose, a request to open one or more windows of the set of windows of the vehicle, sent by the mobile communication device, is received via the wireless connection. Such a request comprises before tagmenting data adapted to identify the sender of the request (for example to identify the mobile communication device or its owner). Such a request further comprises, for example, one or more parameters for controlling the opening of the window(s) identified in the request, this or these parameters being signaled by data identifying the window(s) to be opened, data describing a level of opening of each window and / or data signaling temporal information associated with the opening (opening time, duration of opening before closing, etc.).The opening of the window(s) is controlled, for example by a computer of the window opening / closing control system, according to the parameters, according to a result of a check of the authentication data (for example implemented by a computer of the vehicle or by a remote device connected in communication to the vehicle) and according to speed data representative of a rotation speed of one or more wheels of the vehicle.

[0035] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a communication environment for a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] [Fig.l] illustrates a communication environment 1 of a vehicle 10, which vehicle is configured to communicate data with a mobile communication device 11 via a wireless link.

[0037] The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with 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.

[0038] The vehicle 10 corresponds for example to a so-called connected vehicle, that is to say a vehicle connected in wireless communication with a wireless network infrastructure, for example an infrastructure of a terrestrial cellular network or connected to the mobile communication device 11 according to a direct wireless link, for example in point-to-point mode (from the English “peer-to-peer”).

[0039] The wireless network infrastructure corresponds for example to a terrestrial mobile network infrastructure, for example of the LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G or 5G type. Such a wireless communication infrastructure allowing wireless data communication between the vehicle 10 and the remote data processing device 110 and / or the mobile communication device 11 comprises for example one or more communication devices 12 of the relay antenna type (cellular network).

[0040] When the vehicle 10 is in direct communication with the mobile communication device 11, the connection is for example of the Wifi® or Bluetooth® type.

[0041] The mobile communication device 11 corresponds for example to a device of mobile telecommunication, for example a smartphone, a tablet or a connected object such as a smartwatch.

[0042] For this purpose, the vehicle 10 has a communication system configured to communicate: - with one or more remote devices 110 from the “cloud” 100 (or “cloud” in French) and / or the mobile communication device 11 via the wireless communication network infrastructure; and / or - with the mobile communication device 11 in direct communication mode.

[0043] The remote device 110 corresponds for example to a device configured to process server-type data, for example data stored in the memory of the remote device 110 and / or data received from the vehicle 10 and / or data received from the mobile communication device 11 and / or data received from another remote device.

[0044] The communication system of the vehicle 10 comprises, for example, one or more communication antennas connected to a telematic control unit, called TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit”), itself connected to one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10. The antenna(s), the TCU unit and the computer(s) form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or the passengers of the vehicle in the control of the vehicle 10, for example to implement the control and / or the command of the motorized opening of the window(s) of 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), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard) data bus type.

[0045] The vehicle 10 also carries, for example, one or more of the following devices or systems: - a set of sensors associated with the wheels of the vehicle 10 (for example one sensor per wheel, or one sensor per drive wheel), each sensor corresponding for example to a wheel sensor configured to measure the rotation speed of each of the wheels of the vehicle 10, these sensors being for example controlled or associated with an ESP system (from the English “Electronic Stability Program” or in French “Programme de sécurité électronique”, also called ESC system (from the English “Electronic Stability Control” or in French “Control électronique de la sécurité”)) embedded in the vehicle 10; and / or - a system for controlling or monitoring the motorized opening / closing of the windows 101, 102 of the vehicle 10, such a system comprising, for example, a computer controlling electric motors configured to operate the opening and closing of the windows of the vehicle 10; and / or - a system for controlling or monitoring the locking / unlocking of the vehicle doors / openings, such a system comprising a computer controlling locking mechanisms and a set of sensors configured to detect an attempt to open a door (for example a sensor for detecting the actuation of a door opening handle); and / or - one or more sensors configured to detect precipitation (for example rain), such a sensor corresponding for example to a precipitation sensor of the automatic windshield wiping system, also called CDPL sensor (Rain and Light Detection Sensor); and / or - one or more cameras configured for the acquisition of at least part of the external environment around the vehicle 10, for example one or more cameras of a parking assistance system.

[0046] A process for controlling the opening of window(s) 101, 102 of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by the vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more computers on board the vehicle 10.

[0047] According to one variant, the process is implemented by a system comprising the vehicle 10 and the mobile communication device 11 connected in wireless communication to the vehicle 10. According to this variant, certain operations of the process are implemented by the mobile communication device and other operations by one or more computers of the vehicle 10.

[0048] According to another variant, the process is implemented by a system comprising the vehicle 10, the mobile communication device 11 and the remote device 110. According to this variant, certain operations of the process are implemented by the mobile communication device 11, other operations by one or more computers of the vehicle 10 and at least one operation is implemented by the remote device 110 connected in wireless communication to the vehicle 10 and to the mobile communication device 11.

[0049] Examples of implementations of such a process are described in more detail with reference to [Fig.2] below.

[0050] Examples of hardware implementation of a calculator, mobile communication device and / or remote device are described in more detail with reference to [Fig.3] below.

[0051] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a system for controlling the opening or closing of one or more windows 101, 102 of the vehicle 10 and the process implemented by such a system, according to various particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0052] The system 2 described with respect to [Fig. 2] comprises the vehicle 10. According to an alternative embodiment, the system 2 further comprises the mobile communication device 11 connected in communication to the vehicle 10 via a wireless connection. According to yet another alternative embodiment, the system 2 further comprises a remote device 110, such as a server, connected in communication to the vehicle 10 and to the mobile communication device 11.

[0053] The process described below is described with reference to the opening of a window 101. The same process applies in an identical manner to the opening of several windows 101, 102 of the vehicle 10.

[0054] Controlling the opening of a window 101 includes controlling the opening but also controlling the closing of the window 101, if applicable.

[0055] In a first operation of the process, a mobile application installed on the mobile communication device 11 is executed and the content of a graphical human-machine interface (HMI) is displayed on at least a portion of the display screen of the mobile communication device 11.

[0056] One or more graphic contents such as text zones, virtual buttons, icons, hypertext links are for example displayed on the screen of the mobile communication device, a tactile press on each content of at least a part of these graphic contents triggering an associated operation or function.

[0057] The graphic contents correspond for example to one or more of the following contents, according to all possible combinations: - an area 211 displaying an illustration of the vehicle 10 or a list configured to select the window(s) whose opening must be controlled according to the present process, for example by selecting the targeted window(s) by clicking, via touch, at the location of the window(s) when the vehicle 10 is represented graphically; and / or - an area 212 adapted to select the level or degree of opening of the window(s) selected in area 211. The level of opening is for example configured for each window selected via a scroll bar type graphic component allowing the level or degree of opening to be chosen between 0 (window closed) and 100 (window fully open). According to a variant, area 212 comprises a drop-down menu allowing the level to be selected from a set of determined and predefined levels (for example 3 or 4 levels, for example the levels: “completely closed”, “completely closed”, “half-height opening”, “opening for air flow”, etc.); and / or - an area 213 comprising for example one or more drop-down menus and / or one or more fields for entering one or more time information associated with the opening of the buttons, for example the duration for which a window must remain open (before automatic closing once the duration has elapsed), the time at which the window must open, etc.; and / or - a dialog area 214 for displaying one or more messages and / or one or more icons to the user holding the mobile communication device, for example a message or an icon indicating that the opening request has been transmitted to the vehicle 10 for implementation or that the delivery of the request has failed, a message or an icon to confirm successful authentication or to inform of the failure of the authentication of the sender of the request, a message or an icon to inform the user holding the mobile communication device of a detection of an attempted intrusion into the vehicle 10, a message or an icon to inform the user holding the mobile communication device of a detection of precipitation (rain for example) on the vehicle, etc.; and / or - an area comprising a button or icon to request the sending of the opening request and / or a button or icon to request the cancellation and / or interruption of the command to open the window(s); and / or - an area comprising a button or icon to request immediate closing of all the windows of the vehicle 10.

[0058] In a second operation of the process, the request to open the window 101 is transmitted by the mobile communication device 11 to the vehicle 10 to trigger the control of the opening of the window 101 by the vehicle 10.

[0059] Such a transmission is for example triggered by a tactile press on a button or an icon provided for this purpose in the HMI.

[0060] This window opening control request is for example transmitted in a direct communication mode via a direct link between the vehicle 10 and the mobile communication device 11, or via the communication infrastructure of the wireless terrestrial network comprising the antenna 12.

[0061] This request to open window(s) is received by the vehicle 10, for example by a TCU 201 unit (also called a radio frequency servitude box, noted BSRF) via an antenna of the vehicle 10.

[0062] Such a request advantageously comprises data adapted to authenticate the sender of the request, i.e. identification or authentication data of the sender.

[0063] This data corresponds, for example, to an identifier in a specific format or to a certificate issued by a certification authority.

[0064] The request further includes, for example, the following data: - identification data for each window selected via the HMI, such data corresponding for example to a value coded on 2, 3 or 4 bits, each window of the vehicle 10 being identified by a unique identifier, all of the identifiers being known to the vehicle 10 and for example stored in a memory accessible by the computer 202 implementing the opening control in the vehicle 10; - data representative of an opening level of each window, this data corresponding for example to a level value between 0 and 10 or between 0 and 100, or a set of identifiers known to the vehicle and coded for example on 2, 3 or 4 bits and identifying an opening level in a set of determined and predefined levels; and - data representing the time information associated with the opening of each window (length of time the window is kept open before closing, planned opening time (time), etc.).

[0065] According to an optional and particular embodiment, the request to open (or close) window(s) is received by the vehicle 10 after implementation of an authentication operation of the sender of the request.

[0066] Such an authentication operation 221 is for example implemented by the remote device 110 which receives the request to open the window from the mobile communication device 11 to retransmit it to the vehicle 10 when the authentication of the transmitter is successful, that is to say when the transmitter is authenticated as corresponding to a person authorized to use the vehicle 10 (for example the driver or the owner of the vehicle 10).

[0067] In such an authentication operation 221, the remote device 110 receiving the request and the authentication data compares for example the authentication data with data identifying the person(s) authorized to use the vehicle 10.

[0068] Authentication is for example obtained via the transmission of a code (for example a 4 or 6 digit code) via a messaging tool (for example by SMS) by the remote device 110 to the mobile communication device 11, this code having to be entered in a determined field of the HMI of the mobile application by the user. The entry of such a code triggers the automatic transmission of confirmation data to the remote device 110 which then validates the authentication.

[0069] According to another example, authentication is obtained by asking the user to identify himself in a provided area of ​​the HMI with his fingerprint, which triggers the transmission of the identity confirmation data to the remote device 110.

[0070] When the result of the comparison indicates that the authentication data cor respond to a person identified as authorized to use the vehicle 10, then the remote device 110 retransmits the request to open the window(s) to the vehicle 10 to implement the control of the opening of the window 101.

[0071] Otherwise, the remote device 110 does not retransmit the request to open window(s) and the process ends.

[0072] According to an alternative embodiment, the request does not pass through the remote device 110, the request being received by the TCU 201 which retransmits it to a computer (not shown) which implements the authentication, for example by comparing the data identifying the issuer (for example data from a certificate) with data identifying one or more persons authorized to use or control the vehicle 10, this data being stored in a memory of the vehicle 10 accessible by the computer.

[0073] In a third operation of the process, a computer 202 of the vehicle 10 configured to control the opening of the window 101 receives the request from the TCU via a data bus connecting the computers of the vehicle 10 to each other.

[0074] In a fourth operation of the process, the computer 202 checks whether the vehicle 10 is moving or stationary. Such a check is implemented on the basis of speed data received from one or more wheel sensors 204, the speed data being representative of the rotational speed of each wheel associated with a sensor providing the speed data. A wheel sensor corresponds for example to a sensor configured to measure the rotational speed of the wheel, the data transmitted by the sensor (for example to the computer controlling the ESP system which retransmits this data to the computer 202) then correspond to rotational speed data.

[0075] When the speed data are representative of a zero rotation speed, the vehicle 10 is considered to be stationary and the opening of the window 101 is triggered under the control of the computer 202.

[0076] When the speed data is representative of a non-zero rotation speed, the vehicle 10 is considered to be in motion and the opening of the window 101 is not triggered despite the request received. This avoids an untimely opening requested remotely by a person who does not know that the vehicle 10 is in motion.

[0077] Thus, the opening of the window 101 is only triggered when the speed data is representative of a zero rotation speed and when the authentication data is representative of a person authorized to use the vehicle 10.

[0078] The opening of the window 101 is controlled by the computer 202 which transmits one or more commands to the computer 203 in charge of controlling the window opening / closing system.

[0079] The control of the opening of the window is advantageously a function of opening parameters included in the received request, the parameters corresponding to identification parameters of the window(s) to be opened, parameters representative of the opening level for each window and optionally parameters representative of the time information(s) associated with each opening.

[0080] These parameters are transmitted to the computer 203 by the computer 202.

[0081] According to a particular exemplary embodiment, the opening of the window 101 required by the received opening request is for example interrupted before the window 101 has reached the required opening level upon receipt of a request to interrupt the opening sent by the mobile communication device 11 according to the wireless connection.

[0082] Such an interruption request is for example generated by the mobile communication device 11 when the mobile communication device 11 (for example a processor of the device 11) detects a tactile press on a button or an icon of the HMI displayed on the screen of the device 11 and intended to trigger an emergency interruption of the remote opening of the window 101 at the request of the user holding the mobile communication device in his hands to remotely control the automatic maneuver.

[0083] According to a particular embodiment, the control of opening of the window 101 is furthermore a function of precipitation data received from the precipitation sensor (or from the computer controlling such a sensor) 204.

[0084] According to this particular embodiment, the computer 202 does not trigger the opening of the window 101 when precipitation (rain) is detected on the basis of the data received from the precipitation sensor 204 when the request is received.

[0085] When precipitation is detected after triggering the opening of the window, the computer 202 transmits a command or a request to the computer 203 to interrupt the opening and to request the automatic closing of all the open windows.

[0086] When the windows are in the closed state, the computer 203 transmits a confirmation of closing of the windows to the computer 202.

[0087] During the window closing operation, the anti-pinch function is for example kept activated by the computer 203 to avoid any accident.

[0088] When precipitation is detected, data representative of the detection of such precipitation is for example transmitted by the vehicle 10 to the mobile communication device via the wireless connection for display of graphic content on the screen of the device 11 to inform the user.

[0089] Data representative of the closing of the windows are furthermore, for example, transmitted by the vehicle 10 to the mobile communication device via the wireless connection for displaying graphic content on the screen of the device 11 to inform the user that the windows of the vehicle 10 have been closed.

[0090] When the opening level of the windows is controlled by a graphic object of the scroll bar type 212, the closed level is for example represented with this scroll bar.

[0091] According to another particular embodiment, when the computer 205 detects an attempt to open one or more doors of the vehicle 10 while one or more windows are open or in the process of being opened, the computer 205 transmits to the computer 202 data representative of an intrusion attempt.

[0092] Following receipt of this data representing an attempted intrusion, the computer 202 transmits to the computer 203 a command or a request to interrupt the opening and to request the automatic closing of all the open windows.

[0093] When the windows are in the closed state, the computer 203 transmits a confirmation of closing of the windows to the computer 202.

[0094] During the window closing operation, the anti-pinch function is for example kept activated by the computer 203 to avoid any accident.

[0095] Following detection of the intrusion attempt, the vehicle 10 transmits intrusion attempt detection data to the mobile communication device for displaying graphic content on the screen of the device 11 to inform the user that an intrusion attempt has been detected.

[0096] Following the window closing operation, the vehicle 10 transmits window closing data following the detection of an attempted intrusion to the mobile communication device for displaying graphic content on the screen of the device 11 to inform the user that the windows of the vehicle 10 have been closed.

[0097] When the opening level of the windows is controlled by a graphic object of the scroll bar type 212, the closed level is for example represented with this scroll bar.

[0098] According to another embodiment, the process further comprises the acquisition of image data of the external environment around the vehicle 10 by one or more cameras of the vehicle 10 (for example a camera installed at the front of the vehicle having in its field of vision the external environment in front of the vehicle 10, a camera installed at the rear of the vehicle 10 having in its field of vision the external environment behind the vehicle 10 and / or one or more side cameras (for example in the exterior side mirrors) having in their field of vision of the external environment on the sides of the vehicle 10. The acquisition of image data is for example implemented for a determined duration, for example for a duration equal to 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 seconds.

[0099] The acquisition of image data is for example triggered as follows: - the reception of a request sent by the mobile communication device 11, for example when the user remotely controlling the opening of the window 101 via the device 11 wants to check beforehand that the security conditions required for opening are met (person near the vehicle 10); and / or - the detection of an attempted intrusion, the computer 202 transmitting an image acquisition request to the computer 206 controlling the camera system 207.

[0100] The computer 202 then transmits a request to the TCU 201 for the transmission of the image data to the mobile communication device 11 and / or to a remote server of the “cloud” 100.

[0101] When the image data is transmitted to the remote device, data representative of the availability of this image data is transmitted to the mobile communication device 11. A hypertext link is displayed for example on the screen of the device 11 via the HMI so that the user can access this image data by clicking on the link.

[0102] This allows the user to check whether one or more people are in the vicinity of the vehicle 10, for example in the event of intrusion detection. The user is then able to implement the necessary actions if necessary.

[0103] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates a device 3 configured for controlling the opening of one or more windows of a vehicle, for example of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 3 corresponds for example to a computer on board the vehicle 10.

[0104] According to another example, the device 3 corresponds to a mobile communication device, for example to the device 11. According to yet another example, the device 3 corresponds to a server-type data processing device, for example to the remote device 110.

[0105] The device 3 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figures 1 and 2 and / or the steps of the method described with regard to [Fig.4]. Examples of such a device 3 include, but are not limited to, an electronic computer such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a TCU, a computer, a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, a server. The elements of the device 3, individually or in combination, can be integrated in a single integrated circuit, in several integrated circuits, and / or in discrete components. The device 3 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0106] The device 3 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 30 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 3. The processor 30 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 3 further comprises at least one memory 31 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.

[0107] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 31.

[0108] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 3 comprises a block 32 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example one or more remote servers. The interface elements of the block 32 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”).

[0109] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 3 comprises a communication interface 33 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers or servers) via a communication channel 330. The communication interface 33 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 330. The communication interface 33 corresponds for example to a wired network of the Ethernet type (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0110] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 3 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 340, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 350 and / or other peripherals 360 (for example a haptic actuator) via respective interfaces output 34, 35 and 36. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 3.

[0111] [Fig.4] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling the opening of one or more windows of a vehicle, for example the vehicle 10, such a vehicle being configured to communicate with a mobile communication device via a wireless connection, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a computer on board the vehicle 10 or by the device 3 of [Fig.3].

[0112] In a first step 41, a request to open at least one window of a set of windows of the vehicle is received, the request being sent by the mobile communication device, the request comprising authentication data of a sender of the request.

[0113] In a second step 42, the opening of the at least one window is controlled according to at least one opening parameter included in the request, the opening control being a function of a result of a check of the authentication data and of speed data representative of the rotation speed of at least one wheel of the vehicle.

[0114] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to [Fig.l] or 2 apply to the steps of the method of [Fig.4].

[0115] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for controlling a vehicle which would include secondary steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0116] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, comprising the device 3 of [Fig.3].

[0117] The present invention also relates to a system comprising the vehicle 10 and the mobile communication device connected in wireless communication to the vehicle 10. According to a variant, the system further comprises the remote device 110 connected in communication to the vehicle 10 and to the mobile communication device 11.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for controlling the opening of windows of a vehicle (10), said vehicle (10) being configured to communicate with a mobile communication device (11) via a wireless connection, said method comprising the following steps: - receiving (41) a request to open at least one window (101, 102) of a set of windows of said vehicle (10), said request being transmitted by said mobile communication device (11), said request comprising authentication data of a transmitter of said request; - controlling (42) the opening of said at least one window (101, 102) according to at least one opening parameter included in said request, said opening control being a function of a result of a check of said authentication data and speed data representative of the rotation speed of at least one wheel of said vehicle (10).

2. Method according to claim 1, for which said request comprises: - identification data of said at least one window; - data representative of an opening level of said at least one window (101, 102); and - data representative of temporal information associated with the opening of said at least one window (101, 102).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, for which the opening of said at least one window (101, 102) is triggered only when said speed data are representative of a zero rotation speed and when said authentication data are representative of a person authorized to use said vehicle (10).

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the steps of: - detecting an attempt to open a door of said vehicle (10); - controlling the closing of said at least one window (101, 102) following said detection; - transmitting intrusion alert data representative of said detection to said mobile communication device (11) via said wireless connection.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising a step of transmitting image data representative of at least a portion of an external environment of said vehicle (10) to said mobile communication device (11) via said wireless connection, said image data being obtained from at least one camera of said vehicle (10), an acquisition of said image data being triggered following the detection of the attempt to open a door of said vehicle (10).

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, for which said control of opening of said at least one window is furthermore a function of precipitation data received from a rain detection sensor on board said vehicle.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising the steps of: - authenticating a user of said vehicle (10) as a function of said authentication data; - transmitting said request to said vehicle (10) as a function of the result of said authentication.

8. Device (3) for controlling the opening of windows of a vehicle (10), said device (3) comprising a memory (31) associated with at least one processor (30) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (3) according to claim 8. System for controlling the opening of windows of a vehicle (10), said system comprising the vehicle (10) according to claim 9, a mobile communication device (11) connected in wireless communication to said vehicle (10) and a data processing device (110) 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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