Method and device for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board vehicle navigation system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling access to a connected service of an embedded vehicle navigation system (10). To this end, the method comprises storing the value of an activation variable in the vehicle's memory, receiving, via a wireless connection, initial data representing at least one address defining an access path to a remote device (111) associated with the connected service, and storing at least one address in an address container of the vehicle. This address container further includes at least one address defining an access path to a remote device associated with the connected service. Access to the connected service is then controlled based on the value of the activation variable and at least one address associated with the connected service. (See Figure 1 for an abbreviation.)

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board vehicle navigation system. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling access to a connected service of an embedded navigation system in a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method and device for updating an access address to a connected service. Technological background

[0002] To plan a journey using a vehicle, it is known to use a navigation system, such a system being, for example, installed in the vehicle or implemented in a mobile device, for example a mobile phone, itself installed in the vehicle. Such a system uses mapping data such as digital road maps indicating the different road routes that the vehicle can take to go from point A to point B.

[0003] This map data is used, for example, to suggest to a driver the shortest, fastest, most economical route or the one that does not use a highway, etc. It can also be used by certain functions or driver assistance systems, known as ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System), to guide or control the vehicle in its environment to reach its destination.

[0004] Information on current traffic conditions, map updates, or weather conditions is used, among other things, to plan a route. Access to this information is sometimes provided by a service provider, such as the vehicle manufacturer or the navigation system manufacturer. A user, for example, can access this information on current traffic conditions, map updates, or weather conditions through a subscription to this type of service. This is referred to as information from a connected service. The navigation system uses this information to calculate a route or to announce an event along a calculated route.

[0005] The retrieval of this connected service information can generally be implemented via the downloading of data by the navigation system, using a wireless communication method, also called OTA (Over The Air), from remote devices very often called servers. To access a server of a connected service, it is necessary to know the connection information of that server, such as an address defining a path to that server. This address is stored in the memory of a device and accessible by the navigation system.

[0006] The absence of connection information to a connected service of a connected navigation system, such as in particular an address defining an access path to this server from which the information of the connected service is obtained, does not allow the navigation system to calculate the best route or to announce to a user certain events on the calculated route. Summary of the present invention

[0007] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to improve access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: - storing the value of an activation variable in the vehicle's memory; - reception via a wireless connection of initial data representative of at least one initial address defining an access path to a remote device associated with the connected service; - storage of at least one first address in a memory of the vehicle, called an address container, the address container also including at least one second address defining an access path to a remote device associated with the connected service; - control of access to the connected service based on the value of the activation variable and at least one address associated with the connected service.

[0010] Such a method allows reliable access to a connected service using the first and second recorded addresses. If at least one of the first addresses is not received, the navigation system has at least one second address defining an access path to a remote device enabling access to the connected service. The activation variable provides information regarding whether the navigation system's access to the connected service is enabled.

[0011] According to a variant of the method, the activation variable is equal to a first value to indicate that the connected service is activated and to a second value to indicate that the connected service is not activated.

[0012] The activation variable thus plays the role of a boolean variable representing the activation of access to the connected service.

[0013] According to one variant, the process comprises the following steps: - receipt of second data representing an update of at least a second address; - update to at least one second address.

[0014] At least a second address is thus updated, for example via a wireless connection or via a wired connection at the dealership. The access information for a connected service can then change without degrading the operation of the navigation system, which can continue to use the information from that connected service.

[0015] According to a variant of the method, access to the connected service is controlled: - based on at least one first address and the value of the activation variable if at least one first address is stored, - based on at least one second address and the value of the activation variable if no first address is stored.

[0016] The at least second address then corresponds to a "backup" address stored in a memory accessible to the navigation system.

[0017] According to one variant of the method, access to the connected service allows the navigation system to receive third data representing information belonging to a set of information comprising: - Information relating to the current and / or historical state of road traffic, - Toll, fuel and energy prices, - meteorological information and / or information relating to climatic events, - updates to the navigation system map, and - updates to the vehicle's embedded software.

[0018] Such third data allows the navigation system to determine a route based on this information and to communicate it to a user.

[0019] According to one variant of the method, the wireless connection is established with a mobile communication device.

[0020] According to one variant of the method, access to the connected service is controlled following a subscription to the connected service via the mobile communication device.

[0021] A user may, for example, have a mobile communication device to subscribe to the connected service without necessarily being in the vehicle.

[0022] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to an access control device for a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0023] 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.

[0024] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0025] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or an intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0026] According to a fifth 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 process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0027] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk drive.

[0028] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, in particular, be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0029] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0030] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 3, in which:

[0031] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a vehicle and its environment of communication, according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention;

[0032] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a device configured to control access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] [Fig. 3] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling access to a connected service of a vehicle navigation system of [Fig. 1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of embodiment examples

[0034] A method and a device for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description that follows.

[0035] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow for the identification and distinction of 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.

[0036] According to a particular and non-limiting example of an embodiment of the present invention, access control to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle is for example implemented by one or more processors of an on-board system of the vehicle.

[0037] To this end, the method comprises storing the value of an activation variable in the vehicle's memory, receiving, via a wireless connection, initial data representing at least one address defining an access path to a remote device associated with the connected service, and storing at least one address in the vehicle's address container. This address container further includes at least one second address defining an access path to a remote device associated with the connected service. Access to the connected service is then controlled based on the value of the activation variable and at least one address associated with the connected service.

[0038] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle and its communication environment, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle 10, for example a motor vehicle, in a communication environment 1, the vehicle 10 being, for example, in a road environment or in a parking area, in a garage, etc. According to other examples, the vehicle 10 corresponds to a coach, a bus, a truck, a utility vehicle or a motorcycle, that is to say, a vehicle of the motorized land vehicle type.

[0040] 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.

[0041] The electric vehicle 10 advantageously incorporates a communication system configured to communicate with one or more remote devices 111 via a wireless communication network infrastructure.

[0042] The vehicle communication system 10 is also configured to communicate with one or more mobile communication devices 11 in direct communication mode and / or via the wireless communication network infrastructure. The mobile communication device 11 corresponds, for example, to a smartphone, a tablet, or a connected mobile object such as a smartwatch.

[0043] A direct wireless communication method relies, for example, on one of the following communication standards or protocols: - Wifi® according to IEEE 802.11, for example according to IEEE 802.1 In or IEEE 802.1 lac, for example according to a communication mode called infrastructure according to which the electric 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.

[0044] The vehicle 10 and / or the mobile communication device 11 are further configured to communicate with one or more remote devices 111, for example via the wireless communication network infrastructure.

[0045] The remote device(s) 111 each correspond, for example, to a server in the "cloud" 100. The wireless communication infrastructure includes, for example, a set of communication devices of the cellular network antenna type 110 of LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G or 5G type.

[0046] The communication system of the vehicle 10 includes, for example, one or more communication antennas connected to a telematic control unit, called a TCU (from the English "Telematic Control Unit"), itself connected to one or more computers of the vehicle's on-board system 10. The antenna(s), the TCU and the computer(s) form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the implementation of various services useful for the proper functioning 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 CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458) or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3) type communication bus.

[0047] The vehicle 10 is further advantageously connected wirelessly to a remote device such as the remote device 111 via the "cloud" 100, such a remote device being, for example, configured to communicate with the vehicle 10 via an OTA connection. The remote device 111 is, for example, configured to send representative data: - information relating to the current and / or historical state of road traffic, - toll, fuel and energy prices, - meteorological information and / or information relating to climatic events, - updates to the navigation system's mapping, and - software updates (from the English "software", corresponding for example to firmware or any software necessary for the proper functioning of the vehicle's on-board navigation system 10) on-board of the vehicle (10).

[0048] The remote device 111 has an address, called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). A URL is a string of characters indicating the location of a resource on the Internet and the method for accessing it; in addition, an address defines a path to the remote device 111 associated with the connected service.

[0049] Thus, the remote device 111 transmits a set of data to the vehicle 10. The data transmission is carried out, for example, at regular intervals (for example, every minute, every hour, every week or every month) or when the navigation system connects to it, in particular by using a URL address stored in the memory of a device of the navigation system or in the memory of a device on board the vehicle 10 and accessible via the communication bus; this memory is also called an "address container".

[0050] Data transmission from the remote device 111 is notably restricted or subject to conditions. Indeed, not every navigation system has access to all the data from the remote device 111.

[0051] A process for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of the vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by one or more processors of an on-board system of the vehicle 10, for example by a computer of an infotainment system also called IVI system (from the English "In-Vehicle Infotainment" or in French "Infodivertissement étoilé") of the vehicle 10 or a computer of the vehicle's on-board navigation system 10.

[0052] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, access validation is received by the vehicle 10 following a subscription to the connected service via the mobile communication device 11. A user has, for example, subscribed to a subscription to obtain access to the connected service using an application installed on the mobile communication device 11.

[0053] This access validation is received for example via a wireless connection established with the mobile communication device 11.

[0054] The process of accessing the connected service is then controlled and implemented following a subscription to the connected service via the mobile communication device 11.

[0055] In a first operation, a value of an activation variable is stored. The activation variable is, for example, recorded in a memory of a device of the vehicle 10 accessible by the navigation system, for example via the data bus.

[0056] According to a particular embodiment, the activation variable is equal to a first value to indicate that the connected service is activated and to a second value to indicate that the connected service is not activated.

[0057] The first value is, for example, 1, while the second value is 0. The activation variable is, for example, equal to 0 by default and becomes equal to 1 when the user has subscribed to the connected service, that is, when access to the connected service is valid. The activation variable then acts as a Boolean variable representing the activation of access to the connected service. According to other examples, other values ​​are assigned to the activation variable, for example, strings of characters.

[0058] In a second operation, first representative data of at least a first address defining an access path to a remote device 111 associated with the connected service are received via the first wireless connection.

[0059] At least one first address is for example received by the mobile communication device 11 via the application installed on this device, then sent to the vehicle 10 in the form of first data.

[0060] A first address is a URL address, allowing the navigation system to connect to the remote device 111 in order to receive various data. This address is the current address of the remote device 111, and is therefore up-to-date at the time the first data is received.

[0061] In a third operation, at least one first address is stored in a memory of the vehicle 10, called an address container.

[0062] Such an address container contains the addresses linked to different services, thus enabling the vehicle navigation system 10 to connect to one or more remote devices 111.

[0063] The address container further includes at least one second address defining a path to a remote device 111 associated with the connected service.

[0064] Such a second address has, for example, been previously recorded in the memory of a device of the vehicle's on-board system 10, either at the factory or during a previous visit to a dealership or workshop.

[0065] According to a particular embodiment, in a fourth operation, second data representing an update of at least a second default address are received.

[0066] According to a first example, this second data is received via a second wireless connection, this wireless connection being, for example, separate from the wireless connection with the mobile communication device 11 described previously. Thus, the second data is, for example, received directly from a remote device 111, without any connection to the mobile communication device 11. It is, for example, sent by the remote device 111 following an update of the default address, for example, following a change of provider of the connected service.

[0067] According to a second example, this second data is received via a wired connection, for example when connecting a device in a dealership or workshop to a socket of the vehicle 10, for example a diagnostic socket, a dedicated socket or a communication interface.

[0068] These second data points thus allow, in a fifth operation, the updating of at least one second address based on these second data points. Indeed, if a second address has been registered for some time, for example one or more months, it is possible that this second address is no longer up to date, for example, if an address of a remote device 111 has been modified. In this fifth operation, at least one second address is then updated, this at least one second address being registered in place of at least one previously registered second address. Updating a second address therefore provides a more current second, so-called "backup" address.

[0069] In a sixth operation, access to the connected service is controlled according to the value of the activation variable and at least one address associated with the connected service, such an address being stored in the address container.

[0070] According to a particular embodiment, access to the connected service is controlled: - depending on at least one first address and the value of the activation variable if at least one first address is stored, - depending on at least one second address and the value of the activation variable if no first address is stored.

[0071] Thus, when access to the connected service is validated, the navigation system accesses the remote device 111 via at least one first address.

[0072] If at least one first address has not been recorded or is incorrect, the navigation system accesses the remote device 111 via at least one second address which then acts as a "backup" address.

[0073] Access control to the connected service is then made more reliable, the vehicle navigation system 10 having at least one first and at least one second address in memory of a device of the vehicle's embedded system 10 to access the remote device 111.

[0074] The use of an activation variable to characterize the validation of access to the connected service makes it possible to store information relating to this access easily using little memory of a device of the vehicle's embedded system 10.

[0075] According to a particular embodiment, activating access to the connected service allows the vehicle's navigation system 10 to receive, in a seventh operation, third data representing information belonging to a set of information comprising: - Information relating to the current and / or historical state of road traffic, - Toll, fuel and energy prices, - meteorological information and / or information relating to climatic events, - updates to the navigation system map, and - updates to the vehicle's embedded software 10.

[0076] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a device 2 configured for access control to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, for example, vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The device 2 corresponds, for example, to a computer or a device of the on-board navigation system of vehicle 10.

[0077] Device 2 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite [Fig. 1] and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 3]. Examples of such a device 2 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, or a server. The elements of device 2, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 2 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or modules. software (or computer software) or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0078] The device 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 2. The processor 20 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 2 further comprises at least one memory 21, corresponding, for example, to volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0079] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 21.

[0080] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 2 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0081] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 comprises a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 22 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency RF interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the 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", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0082] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 includes a communication interface 23 which enables communication with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the type CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3).

[0083] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 240, touch or not, one or more speakers 250 and / or other peripherals 260 (projection system) via output interfaces 24, 25 and 26 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 2.

[0084] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, for example of vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a device of the on-board navigation system of vehicle 10 or by device 2 of Figure 2.

[0085] In a first step 31, a value of an activation variable is stored in a memory of the vehicle 10.

[0086] In a second step 32, first representative data of at least a first address defining an access path to a remote device 111 associated with the connected service are received via a wireless link.

[0087] In a third step 33, at least one first address is stored in a memory of the vehicle 10, called an address container, the address container further comprising at least one second address defining an access path to a remote device 111 associated with the connected service.

[0088] According to one variant, in a fourth step 34, second data representing an update of at least a second address are received.

[0089] According to this variant, in a fifth step 35 at least a second address is updated.

[0090] In a sixth step 36, access to the connected service is controlled according to the value of the activation variable and at least one address associated with the connected service.

[0091] According to another variant, in a seventh operation 37, third data are received. The third data are representative of information belonging to a set of information comprising: - Information relating to the current and / or historical state of road traffic, - Toll, fuel and energy prices, - meteorological information and / or information relating to climatic events, - updates to the navigation system map, and - updates to the vehicle's embedded software 10.

[0092] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to [Fig.1] apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.3].

[0093] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board vehicle navigation system, which would include secondary steps without departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0094] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-powered vehicle, comprising device 2 of [Fig.2].

Claims

Demands

1. A method for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle (10), said method comprising the following steps: - storing (31) a value of an activation variable in a memory of the vehicle (10); - receiving (32) via a wireless connection first data representing at least one first address defining an access path to a remote server (111) associated with said connected service; - storing (33) said at least one first address in a memory of said vehicle (10), called an address container, said address container further comprising at least one second address defining an access path to a remote server (111) associated with said connected service; - controlling (36) access to said connected service based on the value of said activation variable and at least one address associated with said connected service and stored in the memory of said vehicle.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said activation variable is equal to a first value to indicate that the connected service is activated and to a second value to indicate that the connected service is not activated.

3. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, which comprises the following steps: - receiving (34) second data representing an update of said at least one second address; - updating (35) said at least one second address.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein access to the connected service is controlled: - based on said at least one first address and said value of the activation variable if at least one first address is stored, - based on said at least one second address and said value of the activation variable if no first address is stored.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein access to the connected service allows said navigation system to receive (37) third data representative of information belonging to a set of information comprising: - information relating to a current and / or historical state of road traffic, - toll, fuel and energy prices, - meteorological information and / or information relating to climatic events, - updates to a navigation system map, and - updates to vehicle embedded software (10).

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said wireless connection is established with a mobile communication device (11).

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein access to the connected service is controlled following a subscription to said connected service via the mobile communication device (11).

8. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when such instructions are executed by a processor.

9. Device (2) for controlling access to a connected service of an on-board navigation system of a vehicle, said device (2) comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (2) according to claim 9.

Images