Method, device and system for wireless communication between a vehicle and a remote device using several wireless communication media

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling wireless communication between a vehicle (10) and a remote device (112). To this end, the vehicle (10) receives a notification from the remote device (112) indicating the availability of a software update. The vehicle (10) transmits to the remote device (112) initial data representing a plurality of wireless communication media (101, 102) available for receiving the software update. This initial data includes the available data rate for each wireless communication medium. The vehicle (10) receives the software update data from the remote device (112), distributed across the wireless communication media (101, 102) according to the available data rates on each of these wireless communication media (101, 102). (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Method, device and system for wireless communication between a vehicle and a remote device using several wireless communication media Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods, devices and systems for wireless communication for a vehicle, for example but not exclusively for a motor vehicle. The present invention also relates to a method, a device and a system for communicating software update data of the vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Contemporary vehicles have numerous computers, each of which performs one or more functions, such as, for example, the management of driving assistance, anti-skid, electronic brake distribution or even the control of actuators to ensure optimal operation of the vehicle as well as the safety and comfort of passengers.

[0003] These calculators are also called ECUs ("Electronic Control Units"). These calculators carry software that is executed to perform the functions for which they are responsible. Updates to this software are sometimes necessary, for example to improve a function or to correct an error, also called a "bug" in IT. These updates can be critical, particularly for the software that ensures the proper functioning of the vehicle and the safety of the vehicle's passengers. Monitoring these updates is therefore particularly important, as failure to install available updates can lead to risks of malfunction for the systems to be updated and / or safety risks for the electric vehicle and its passengers.

[0004] Such updates are generally implemented via the downloading of data for updating one or more software programs by the vehicle, using a wireless communication mode, also called OTA (from the English “Over The Air” or in French “by air”).

[0005] As on-board software is becoming increasingly numerous and increasingly complex, particularly in the context of driving assistance, the volume of data to be downloaded to update the vehicle's software components is likely to be significant. Bandwidth requirements are therefore significant to ensure sufficiently rapid data downloading, particularly when the vehicle is in motion. 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 wireless data communication between a vehicle and a remote device, for example a server.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method of wireless communication between a vehicle and a remote device, the method comprising the following steps: - reception, by the vehicle via a wireless link, of a notification of availability of vehicle software update data on the remote device; - transmission, by the vehicle via the wireless link to the remote device, of first data representative of a plurality of wireless communication media available for reception of the software update data, the first data comprising available throughput information for each wireless communication media of the plurality of wireless communication media; - receiving, by the vehicle from the remote device, the software update data distributed over at least two wireless communication media of the plurality of wireless communication media based on the available throughput information.

[0009] Such a method makes it possible to distribute the transmission of software update data by the remote device (for example a server) to a vehicle over several wireless communication media, taking into account the speeds available for each of these media.

[0010] Using multiple wireless communication media instead of a single one allows for more bandwidth and faster data communication. Furthermore, it also improves the quality of data communication by distributing transmission across multiple media, thereby avoiding being dependent on the availability of a single wireless communication medium.

[0011] According to one variant, the plurality of wireless communication media comprises: - a first wireless communication medium corresponding to a wireless communication channel of a wireless local area network; and - a second wireless communication medium corresponding to a wireless communication channel of a terrestrial wireless cellular network.

[0012] According to another variant, a first part of the software update data is received via the first wireless communication medium and a second part of the software update data is received via the second wireless communication medium, the second part corresponding to the complement of the first part of the software update data.

[0013] According to another variant, the method further comprises the steps of: - merging the first part and said first part to reconstruct the software update data; and - vehicle software update by executing software update data by the vehicle.

[0014] According to an additional variant, the method further comprises the following steps: - detection, by the vehicle, of a reception fault on a wireless communication medium of the at least two wireless communication mediums; - transmission, by the vehicle to the remote device, of second data representative of a request for transmission of software update data remaining to be transmitted via at least one other wireless communication medium of the at least two wireless communication mediums; and - reception, by the vehicle from the remote device, of the software update data remaining to be transmitted via at least one other wireless communication medium.

[0015] According to another variant, the method further comprises a step of distributing, by the remote device, software update data between the first wireless communication medium and the second wireless communication medium according to the available flow rate information to obtain the first and second parts.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for controlling wireless communication between a vehicle and a remote device, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured to implement 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 wireless communication system comprising a vehicle as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention and a remote device connected in wireless communication to the vehicle, the system being configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0019] According to a fifth 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.

[0020] Such a computer program can use any programming language. grammation, and be in the form of source code, object code, or code intermediate between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0021] According to a sixth 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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

[0025] 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 3, in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates a communication system and environment wireless for vehicle, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] illustrates a device configured to control wireless communication in the system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method of wireless communication between a vehicle and a remote device of the system of [Fig.l], according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Description of the exemplary embodiments

[0029] A method and device for wireless communication between a vehicle and a remote device will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the following description.

[0030] The terms "first(s)", "second(s)" (or "first(s)", "second(s)"), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to enable different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below to be identified and distinguished. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0031] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle communicates data with a remote device, for example a cloud server, using a wireless communication mode. For this purpose, the vehicle, for example one or more computers of the vehicle, receives a notification from the remote device indicating to the vehicle that software update data (of one or more software programs implemented by one or more computers of the vehicle) are available on the remote device, i.e. waiting for or ready for downloading / transmission by / to the vehicle. The notification is sent by the remote device and received by the vehicle using a wireless link, for example via a wireless communication medium as defined below.The vehicle transmits back to the remote device, via the wireless link, first data representative of a plurality of wireless communication media available for receiving the software update data. The first data comprises, for example, data identifying different wireless communication media compatible with the communication means of the vehicle. The first data advantageously comprises a set of throughput information, i.e., throughput information available for each wireless communication medium of the plurality of wireless communication media identified via the first data. A wireless communication medium corresponds, for example, to a wireless communication channel defined by a set of parameters such as the frequency or frequency band, the communication protocol used, modulation parameters, etc.The vehicle finally receives the software update data transmitted by the remote device, the software update data being distributed over two or more of the wireless communication media identified by the first data, the distribution being a function of the available throughput information transmitted by the vehicle.

[0032] Such a method allows the transmission of update data over several different wireless communication media in parallel, which allows more bandwidth to be benefited from.

[0033] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a wireless communication environment 1 between a remote device 112 and a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The vehicle 10 advantageously carries a communication system configured to communicate with a remote device 112 according to several wireless communication modes, that is to say according to several wireless communication media.

[0036] The remote device 112 corresponds to a server-type data processing and storage device (for example a “cloud” server 100), the remote device 112 being configured to make available to a set of vehicles (including the vehicle 10) sets or sets of software update data for all or part of the set of vehicles and at least the vehicle 10 according to the example of [Fig.l].

[0037] The remote device 112 is configured to communicate with the vehicle 10 according to a wireless communication mode of the OTA or FOTA type (from the English “Firmware Over-The-Air” or in French “firmware by radio link”) via one or more wireless communication network infrastructures, and more particularly according to several wireless communication media.

[0038] A wireless communication medium is for example defined by a wireless network infrastructure, by a wireless communication protocol and / or by a wireless communication channel (defined by channel parameters).

[0039] The remote device 112 is for example configured to manage the software (from the English “software”, corresponding for example to a firmware or to any software necessary for the proper functioning of the vehicle 10) embedded in the vehicle 10, for example the driving assistance software, infotainment software, interactive application type software, that is to say any type of software embedded in a vehicle.

[0040] The vehicle 10 corresponds to a so-called connected vehicle, that is to say a vehicle equipped with one or more communication interfaces, in particular wireless, for the communication (transmission and / or reception) of data with one or more remote devices such as the remote device 112 and / or other connected vehicles.

[0041] For this purpose, the vehicle 10 has a communications system on board, for example comprising one or more communications antennas connected to a telematic control unit, called a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), itself connected to one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10. The antenna(s), the TCU and the computer(s) form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the provision of various services useful for the proper operation of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle in controlling the vehicle 10. The computer(s) and the TCU communicate and exchange data. data between them via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the data bus type CAN (from the English "Controller Area Network" or in French "Réseau de contrôles"), CAN FD (from the English "Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate" or in French "Réseau de contrôles à débit de données flexible"), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0042] The vehicle communication system 10 is advantageously configured for data communication using several wireless communication media, for example: - a first wireless communication medium corresponding to a wireless communication channel 101 of a wireless local area network, called WLAN; and - a second wireless communication medium corresponding to a wireless communication channel 102 of a terrestrial wireless cellular network.

[0043] The wireless local area network corresponds for example to a Wifi® type network according to one of the standards IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g (frequency band 2.4 - 2.5 GHz), IEEE 802.1 In (frequency band 2.4 and / or 5 GHz), IEEE 802.1 lac (frequency band 5.15 - 5.35 GHz or 5.47 - 8.875 GHz), IEEE 802.11ax (2.4 GHz, 5GHz or 6 GHz) or 802.1 Ip (frequency band 5.85 - 8.925 GHz for the implementation of V2X type communications (from the English "Vehicle-to-Everything" or in French "Vehicle to Everything"), the maximum transfer rate (or throughput) varying according to the standard implemented.

[0044] Such a wireless local network comprises, for example, a wireless access point 110 connected to a router 111 (for example, via a wired Ethernet-type connection), the router being connected to the “cloud” 100 via a backbone of the wired or optical fiber type, for example.

[0045] The terrestrial wireless cellular network corresponds for example to: - a mobile telephone network of the LTE (Long Term Evolution) 4G or 5G type, the infrastructure of such a network comprising a set of relay antennas 120 (for example one relay antenna per cell of the cellular network) connected to the “cloud” via a wired connection; - a cellular network called C-V2X (from the English "Cellular - Vehicle to Everything") based on 4G based on LTE (from the English "Long Term Evolution" or in French "Evolution à long terme") or 5G, the infrastructure of such a network comprising UBR (roadside unit) acting as a relay between the vehicle 10 and the "cloud" 100. , for example IEEE802.11 i.e. according to the type of terrestrial cellular network using for example a wireless communication mode of the LTE type (from the English "Long Term Evolution" or in French "Evolution à long terme") 4G or 5G.

[0046] A wireless communication process between the vehicle 10 and the remote device 112 is advantageously implemented by one or more device processors forming a system configured for implementing the process. Such a system comprises the remote device 112 and the vehicle 10, i.e. one or more computers of the on-board system of the vehicle 10.

[0047] In a first operation, the vehicle 10 receives from the remote device 112, via a wireless link, a notification of the availability of software update data for the vehicle present on the remote device.

[0048] The notification corresponds to a set of data transmitted by the remote device to inform a set of vehicles, including vehicle 10, of the availability of one or more software updates of one or more software programs embedded in the vehicles, including vehicle 10.

[0049] The notification is for example transmitted in a so-called broadcast mode to all connected vehicles having access to the software update service, the notification including for example information on the type of update and on the system(s) or software impacted by the update.

[0050] According to a variant, the notification is only transmitted to the vehicles impacted by the software update(s) having access to the software update service, in a so-called multicast mode, i.e. the vehicles carrying the software(s) targeted by the update.

[0051] The data representative of the notification are for example transmitted according to a default wireless communication mode, for example according to the wireless communication medium 102 corresponding to the terrestrial cellular mobile telephone network of the 4G or 5G type.

[0052] The notification is for example transmitted at regular intervals, for example every day or every 4 hours.

[0053] The software update data takes, for example, the form of a set of data packets (from the English “data packets package”) of a determined data volume (for example 200, 500, 1000 MB (megabytes or in English “Megabytes”, noted Mb)).

[0054] In a second operation, the vehicle 10 having received the notification triggers an operation of detecting the available wireless communication media (from the English “bearer”), that is to say a detection of the wireless communication networks to which the vehicle 10 has access. Such an operation comprises for example an authentication process with the network, as known to those skilled in the art.

[0055] According to the example of [Fig.l], two wireless communication supports 101, 102 are accessible by the vehicle 10, namely: - a first wireless communication medium 101 corresponding to a channel of wireless communication of a wireless local area network; and - a second wireless communication medium 102 corresponding to a wireless communication channel of a terrestrial wireless cellular network.

[0056] According to other embodiments, the vehicle 10 accesses more than 2 wireless communication media, for example: - one or more wireless communication media of a wireless local area network, for example on different frequency bands (for example the band corresponding to 2.4 GHz and the band corresponding to 5 GHz) or according to several communication protocols (for example 802.1 lac and 802.1 Ip); - one or more wireless communication media of one or more terrestrial wireless cellular networks, for example a wireless communication media of a mobile telephone network and a wireless communication media of a C-V2X type network.

[0057] During this operation, the vehicle 10, by means of its communication system and for example more specifically by a module corresponding to a load balancer, tests the different wireless communication media to determine a set of parameters, such as for example: - the bandwidth available for each of the wireless communication media accessible by the vehicle 10, for example for the first wireless communication media 101 and for the second wireless communication media 102; - the throughput, for example in kbits / s, Mbits / s or MB / s (or Mb / s in English); - the connection rate; - the download speed from the remote device 112.

[0058] This or these parameters are determined by the vehicle 10 according to any methods known to those skilled in the art, for example as described in “techniques for estimating the available bandwidth of wireless networks”, thesis by Abdelaziz Amamra, published on November 17, 2008 or in “Power control for wireless networks”, thesis by Dat-Duong Phan, published on February 11, 2015.

[0059] In a third operation, the vehicle 10 transmits to the remote device 112 first data representative of the plurality of wireless communication media available for receiving the software update data. This first data advantageously includes, for each wireless communication medium detected and tested, information representative of the available flow rate.

[0060] These first data are for example transmitted by the vehicle 10 via the wireless communication medium 102 corresponding to the terrestrial cellular mobile telephone network of the 4G or 5G type used by the remote device 112 to transmit the notification of availability of the software update.

[0061] The transmission of the first data is for example implemented automatically by the vehicle 10 following receipt of the notification, without intervention by a user of the vehicle 10.

[0062] According to an alternative embodiment, the transmission of the first data is triggered by an action of a user of the vehicle 10, for example the driver. According to this alternative, the consent or authorization of the user for the downloading of the software update is for example required. The authorization process comprises for example a display of a message on a touch screen of the vehicle 10 informing the user of the availability of the software update. The user can authorize or refuse the download by clicking on virtual buttons displayed on the touch screen, the reception (by the computer implementing the process on the vehicle 10 side) of data representative of a tactile press on the button provided to validate or accept the download triggering the transmission of the first data.

[0063] In a fourth operation of the process, the remote device 112 having received the first data implements a distribution of the software update data between the different wireless communication media identified in the first data, according to the number of wireless communication media identified in the first data, or according to at least two wireless communication media among the wireless communication media identified in the first data.

[0064] The distribution is for example a function of the available flow rate for each of these wireless communication media, the distribution being for example proportional to the available flow rate.

[0065] For example, if the throughput (or bandwidth according to a variant) available via the first wireless communication medium 101 is greater than the throughput (or bandwidth according to a variant) available via the second wireless communication medium 102, then the remote device 112 associates a quantity of data to be transmitted according to the first wireless communication medium 101 greater than the quantity of data to be transmitted according to the first wireless communication medium 102.

[0066] For example, if the data quantity of all data packets forming the software update is equal to 500 MB, the remote device 112 allocates 300 MB of the 500 MB for transmission via the first wireless communication medium 101 and the remote device 112 allocates 200 MB of the 500 MB for transmission via the second wireless communication medium 102.

[0067] Conversely, if the throughput of the first wireless communication medium 101 is lower than the second wireless communication medium 102, the remote device 112 allocates more data to the second medium 102 than to the first medium 101.

[0068] According to an alternative embodiment, the remote device 112 selects 2 or more wireless communication media from among the wireless communication media identified in the first data when the number of wireless communication media identified in the first data is greater than or equal to 3. This alternative is for example implemented when the remote device detects a problem on one of the wireless communication media identified in the first data.

[0069] In a fifth operation of the process, the remote device 112 transmits the software update according to the data volume distribution carried out in the fourth operation.

[0070] The vehicle 10, via its communication system, thus receives from the remote device 112 the software update data distributed over at least two wireless communication media of the plurality of wireless communication media identified in the first data as a function of the available flow rate information.

[0071] According to the example of [Fig.l], a first part of the software update data package is received via the first wireless communication medium 101 and a second part of the software update data package is received via the second wireless communication medium 102. The second part corresponds to the complement of the first part of the software update data in the update data package.

[0072] According to the particular example above in which the data volume of the software update package is equal to 500 MB, 300 MB (the first part) of data is transmitted via the first wireless communication medium 101 and 200 MB (the second part) of data is transmitted via the second wireless communication medium 102.

[0073] The transmission of the first part and the transmission of the second part of the software update data are for example initiated simultaneously, the reception duration of the first part and the reception duration of the second part varying respectively according to the flow rate / bandwidth available on the first wireless communication medium 101 and on the second wireless communication medium 102.

[0074] According to a particular embodiment, if the vehicle 10 detects a problem or a connection fault on one or the other of the first 101 and second 102 wireless communication medium during the reception respectively of the first part or of the second part, the vehicle 10 transmits, to the remote device 112 according to the wireless communication medium not presenting a problem or a connection fault, second data representative of a request for transmission of the software update data remaining to be transmitted via at least one other wireless communication medium of the at least two wireless communication mediums.

[0075] For example, if during the reception of the first part (respectively the second part) of the wireless update data the first wireless communication medium 101 (respectively the second wireless connection medium 102) encounters a problem or a connection fault detected by the vehicle 10 (for example loss of the wireless link, significant decrease in the available throughput / bandwidth (for example decrease of more than 50, 60 or 70%)),then the vehicle 10 transmits a request to the remote device 112 via the second wireless communication medium 102 (respectively the first wireless communication medium 101) so that the remote device 112 transmits the data of the first part (respectively the second part) not yet transmitted via the second wireless communication medium 102 (respectively the first wireless communication medium 101) with the second part (respectively the first part) of the software update data.

[0076] According to a variant of this embodiment, the vehicle 10 requires a new transmission of the first part (respectively the second part) of the software update data via the second wireless communication medium 102 (respectively the first wireless communication medium 101) in the event of a fault / problem detected on the first wireless communication medium 101 (respectively the second wireless communication medium 102).

[0077] According to this embodiment, the vehicle 10 thus receives from the remote device 112 the software update data remaining to be transmitted via the wireless communication medium(s) not encountering the detected fault.

[0078] In a sixth operation of the process, the vehicle 10 merges the data of the first part and the second part to reconstitute or reconstruct the software update data package. The merging is for example implemented as the data of the first and second parts are received or once all the data of the first part and the second part have been received.

[0079] In a seventh operation of the process, the vehicle 10 implements the software update from the received or downloaded update data.

[0080] The update is for example implemented by each computer of the vehicle 10 responsible for executing software targeted by the software update hosted on the remote device 112.

[0081] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a device 2 for data processing and / or data communication, according to various particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. The device 2 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer or a TCU unit. According to other examples, the device 2 corresponds to a remote device of the server type such as the remote device 112.

[0082] The device 2 is for example configured for the implementation of at least part of the operations described with regard to [Fig. 1] and / or the steps of the method described with regard to [Fig. 3]. Examples of such a device 2 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a TCU, a computer, a server, a laptop or even a mobile communication device. The elements of the device 2, individually or in combination, can be integrated in a single integrated circuit, in several integrated circuits, and / or in discrete components. The device 2 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0083] The device 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 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 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 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.

[0084] 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 21.

[0085] 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 (from the English “Telematic Control Unit” or in French “Telematic Control Unit”), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0086] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary 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: - 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 (or in French LTE-advanced), 5G; - 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”).

[0087] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 comprises a communication interface 23 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other computers of the on-board 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 CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0088] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 240, touch-sensitive 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 other of the external devices is integrated into the device 2.

[0089] [Fig. 3] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method of wireless communication between a vehicle and a remote device, for example between the vehicle 10 and the remote device 112, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a vehicle 10, that is to say by one or more computers of the vehicle 10 connected to a communication system (for example a TCU associated with one or more antennas) of the vehicle 10, for example by the device 2 of [Fig. 2].

[0090] In a first step 31, the vehicle receives, via a wireless link, a notification of the availability of software update data for the vehicle on the remote device.

[0091] In a second step 32, the vehicle transmits, via the wireless link to the remote device, first data representative of a plurality of wireless communication media available for receiving the software update data, the first data comprising available flow rate information for each wireless communication medium of the plurality of wireless communication mediums.

[0092] In a third step 33, the vehicle receives, from the remote device, the software update data distributed over at least two wireless communication media of the plurality of wireless communication media according to the available flow rate information.

[0093] According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to [Fig.l] apply to the steps of the method of [Fig.3].

[0094] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for updating software of 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.

[0095] The present invention also relates to a system comprising a vehicle, for example an automobile or more generally an autonomous land-based motor vehicle, and one or more remote devices connected in wireless communication to the vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication between a vehicle (10) and a remote device (112), said method comprising the following steps: - receiving (31), by said vehicle (10) via a wireless link, a notification of availability of software update data of said vehicle (10) on said remote device (112); - transmitting (32), by said vehicle (10) via said wireless link to said remote device (112), first data representative of a plurality of wireless communication media (101, 102) available for reception of said software update data, said first data comprising available throughput information for each wireless communication medium of said plurality of wireless communication media (101, 102);- reception (33), by said vehicle (10) from said remote device (112), of said software update data distributed over at least two wireless communication media of said plurality of wireless communication media (101, 102) as a function of the available throughput information.;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of wireless communication media comprises: - a first wireless communication media (101) corresponding to a wireless communication channel of a wireless local area network; and - a second wireless communication media (102) corresponding to a wireless communication channel of a terrestrial cellular network without

3. ni. The method of claim 2, wherein a first portion of said software update data is received via said first wireless communication medium (101) and a second portion of said software update data is received via said second wireless communication medium (102), said second portion corresponding to the complement of said first portion of the software update data.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of: - merging said first part and said first part to reconstruct said software update data; and - software updating said vehicle (10) by executing, by said vehicle (10), said software update data.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the following steps: - detection, by said vehicle (10), of a reception fault on a wireless communication medium (101) of said at least two wireless communication mediums (101, 102); - transmission, by said vehicle (10) to said remote device (112), of second data representative of a request for transmission of software update data remaining to be transmitted via at least one other wireless communication medium (102) of said at least two wireless communication mediums (101, 102); and - reception, by said vehicle (10) from said remote device (112), of the software update data remaining to be transmitted via said at least one other wireless communication medium (102).

6. A method according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a step of distributing, by said remote device (112), said software update data between said first wireless communication medium (101) and said second wireless communication medium (102) to obtain said first and second portions.

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

8. Device (2) for controlling wireless communication between a vehicle and a remote device, said device (2) comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (2) according to claim 8. Wireless communication system comprising the vehicle (10) according to claim 9 and a remote device (112) 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 6.

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