Communication system between a mobile device and a vehicle multimedia system, associated infotainment installation

Abstract

Communication system between a mobile device and a multimedia system of a vehicle, associated infotainment installation The invention relates to a communication system (30) on board a vehicle (10) comprising several distinct zones (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D), each comprising a multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D).The communication system (30) is connected to the multimedia systems and comprises: - a radiocommunication module including a radio transceiver, for estimating a location of a mobile device (38) and deducing therefrom a zone associated with the device (38), for which a distance (DZ) with said location is the lowest, - a control module for connecting the mobile device (38) to the multimedia system of the associated zone if the distance (DZ) is less than a first threshold (S1) and only if no other device is already connected to the multimedia system of the associated zone; and for then disconnecting said device (38) if the distance (DZ) is greater than a second threshold (S2), greater than the first threshold. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Communication system between a mobile device and a multimedia system of a vehicle, associated infotainment installation

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system intended to be installed on board a vehicle, said vehicle comprising several distinct zones, the distinct zones comprising at least one multimedia system, the communication system being intended to be connected to the at least one multimedia system installed on board said vehicle.

[0002] The invention also relates to an infotainment installation intended to be installed on board a vehicle comprising several distinct zones, the infotainment installation comprising at least one multimedia system arranged in a respective zone and a communication system, the communication system being as defined above.

[0003] The invention relates to the field of vehicles, in particular automobiles, more particularly the field of communication systems between mobile devices and multimedia systems on board vehicles.

[0004] Document US 2018 / 0060253 A1 discloses a method of pairing between a set of display devices of an infotainment system on board a vehicle and a mobile device entering said vehicle. The mobile device is then associated with one of the display devices according to several possible communication modes, and typically via a short-range radio link such as a Bluetooth link.

[0005] However, with such a system, the management of the connection between the infotainment system and the mobile device is not always optimal.

[0006] The aim of the invention is then to propose a communication system intended to be installed on board a vehicle which allows improved management of the connection of a mobile device.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a communication system intended to be installed on board a vehicle comprising several distinct zones, the distinct zones comprising at least one multimedia system, the communication system being intended to be connected to the at least one multimedia system installed on board said vehicle, and comprising:

[0008] - a radiocommunication module including a radio transceiver, the radiocommunication module being configured to estimate a location of a mobile device and deduce therefrom an area among the distinct areas associated with the device mobile, said associated area being that for which a distance with the estimated location of the mobile device is the lowest,

[0009] - a control module configured to connect the mobile device to the at least one multimedia system of the associated area if the distance between the estimated location of the mobile device and said associated area is less than a first threshold, and only if no other mobile device is already connected to the at least one multimedia system of the associated area, and to then disconnect said mobile device if the distance between the estimated location of the mobile device and said associated area is greater than a second threshold, the second threshold being greater than the first threshold.

[0010] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the communication system comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations: - the first threshold is approximately equal to 1 meter; - the control module is configured to limit the device connection mobile to a single multimedia system of at least one multimedia system; - the control module is configured to limit the connection of each at least one multimedia system to a single mobile device; - the radio communication module is arranged in the same area as the at least one multimedia system; - the second threshold is greater than a distance between the radiocommunication module and a point on the vehicle furthest from the radiocommunication module;

[0011] the second threshold preferably being substantially equal to 3 meters; - the control module is configured to disconnect the mobile device from the at least one multimedia system of the associated zone following a request from a user; - the control module is configured to disconnect the mobile device only following a request from the user if the distance between the estimated location of the mobile device and said associated area is less than the second threshold; and - the radiocommunication module is configured to estimate, according to a telecommunications standard, the estimated location of the mobile device with an error of less than 50 cm.

[0012] The invention also relates to an infotainment installation intended to be installed on board a vehicle comprising several distinct zones, the installation comprising at least one multimedia system arranged in a respective zone and a communication system, the communication system being as defined above.

[0013] These characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0014] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a vehicle comprising several separate zones and an infotainment system, the infotainment system comprising several multimedia systems and a communication system, the communication system including a radio communication module and a control module; and

[0015] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the vehicle areas and the multimedia systems of the vehicle of [Fig.l], each multimedia system being arranged in a respective zone.

[0016] In the remainder of the description, the expression “substantially equal to” defines a relationship of equality to plus or minus 20%, preferably to plus or minus 10% and more preferably to plus or minus 5%.

[0017] In [Fig.l], a vehicle 10 comprises a passenger compartment 12, and inside the passenger compartment 12, a seat 14 for a driver 16, as well as a steering wheel 18 for driving the vehicle 10, as known per se.

[0018] The vehicle 10 comprises several distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D and an infotainment installation 22.

[0019] Those skilled in the art will understand that the vehicle 10 is understood in the broad sense as a vehicle 10 allowing a driver 16, also called a pilot, as well as in addition one or more passengers, to move. The vehicle 10 is then typically chosen from the group consisting of: a motor vehicle, such as a car, a bus or a truck; a railway vehicle, such as a train or a tram; a naval vehicle, such as a boat; and an aeronautical vehicle, such as an aircraft.

[0020] In the example of [Fig.2], the vehicle 10 has four distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D typically corresponding to four seats of the vehicle 10. The definition of the distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D is not limited to the respective seats of a vehicle but represents, for example, a row of seats, a boat cabin or a free space.

[0021] The zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are distinct from one another, and are therefore not superimposed on one another. The zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are preferably disjointed from one another. The zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are advantageously adjacent to one another to form overall a total zone corresponding substantially at least to the interior of the passenger compartment 12.

[0022] The infotainment system 22 comprises a set of multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D and a communication system 30.

[0023] One of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D is present in each said distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D. Each multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D is for example a speaker, such as a speaker integrated into a seat 14 or even in a rising trim, jack, USB-C or HDMI connectors.

[0024] Alternatively, each multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D is a screen broadcasting infotainment content. Such screens are typically included behind the front seats and / or on the dashboard of the vehicle 10.

[0025] The multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D are connected to the communication system 30 in different ways. The connection is a physical connection, for example wired; or a wireless connection, for example radioelectric.

[0026] The communication system 30 is on board the vehicle 10, and comprises a control module 32 and a radiocommunication module 34, the radiocommunication module 34 including a radioelectric transceiver 36.

[0027] The communication system 30 is for example arranged in a respective zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D including a respective multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D.

[0028] The communication system 30 is configured to automate the connection between one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D of the vehicle 10 and a mobile device 38 entering or approaching this vehicle 10.

[0029] In the example of [Fig.l], the communication system 30 comprises an information processing unit 40, formed for example by a processor 42, and a memory 44 associated with the processor 42.

[0030] In the example of [Fig.l], the control module 32 is produced in the form of software, or a software brick, executable by the processor 42. The memory 44 is then capable of storing control software.

[0031] In a variant not shown, the control module 32 is produced in the form of a programmable logic component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or in the form of an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0032] The control module 32 is capable of connecting one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D and the mobile device 38 if the latter is in a region delimited by a first threshold SI, visible in [Fig.2].

[0033] In other words, the control module 32 is configured to connect the mobile device 38 to the at least one multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D of the associated zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D if a distance DZ between an estimated location of the mobile device 38 and said associated zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D is less than the first threshold SL. The estimation of the location of the mobile device 38 is described below.

[0034] Any connection will then be made automatically between the communication system 30 and the mobile device 38 as soon as the connection conditions described below are met. are fulfilled.

[0035] According to the invention, the control module 32 is configured to connect said mobile device 38 to the at least one multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D of the associated zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D only if no other mobile device 38 is already connected to the at least one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D of the associated zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D.

[0036] The control module 32 is capable of disconnecting one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D and the mobile device 38, previously connected to each other, if said mobile device 38 is outside a region delimited by a second threshold S2, visible in [Fig.2].

[0037] In other words, the control module 32 is configured to then disconnect said mobile device 38 if the distance DZ between the estimated location of the mobile device 38 and said associated zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D is greater than the second threshold S2, the second threshold S2 being greater than the first threshold S1.

[0038] The control module 32 is configured so that the number of connections between one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D and the mobile device 38 is limited to a single connection in order to prevent several sources, such as several mobile devices 38, from seeking to simultaneously broadcast content on the same multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D. The control module 32 is then configured to limit the connection of the mobile device 38 to a single multimedia system of the at least one multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D.

[0039] Thus, the number of connections between the mobile device 38 and one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D is also limited to a single connection to prevent the case where the mobile device 38 would block the availability of a plurality of multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D.

[0040] As an optional addition, the control module 32 is configured to disconnect the mobile device 38 and one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D at the request of the user, i.e. following a request from the user. This request is capable of being issued in various possible ways, for example via an icon displayed on a display screen of one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, or via a physical button, or even via an option proposed by the mobile device 38.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the control module 32 is configured to disconnect the mobile device 38 and one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D already connected to each other, only following a request from the user if the distance DZ between the estimated location of the mobile device 38 and said associated zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D is less than the second threshold S2.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, the control module 32 is configured to require confirmation from the user before disconnecting the mobile device 38 and the system. multimedia 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D via an application downloadable on the mobile device 38 or on the multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D.

[0043] Alternatively, the control module 32 generates a text and / or voice message on the mobile device 38 and / or one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D to indicate that the connection is effective.

[0044] The radio transceiver 36 is capable of executing a connection protocol between the communication system 30 and the compatible mobile device 38, via a short-range radio link, such as a Bluetooth® link.

[0045] The first threshold SI corresponds to a distance between one of the distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D and the mobile device 38 below which the control module 32 connects said mobile device 38 to one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D contained in this zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D. The first threshold SI is, for example, substantially equal to 1 meter.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will understand that the first threshold SI is less than or equal to a radio range of the radio transmitter-receiver 36.

[0047] In addition, in order to maintain a stable connection, the entire surface area covered by the first threshold SI advantageously comprises at least the entire vehicle 10, in order to avoid disconnection of a mobile device 38 already connected to one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D and still present in the vehicle 10.

[0048] Furthermore, the surface covered by the first threshold SI is not limited to the surface of the vehicle 10 and the control module 32 is able to connect the mobile device 38 to one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D if said mobile device 38 is located at a distance less than the first threshold SI from one of the distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D of the vehicle 10, without however being on board the latter.

[0049] Thus, it is understood that the surface covered by the first threshold SI does not have a predefined shape, and is, for example, square, rectangular, oval or round in shape.

[0050] The second threshold S2 corresponds to a distance between one of the distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D and the mobile device 38 from which the control module 32 disconnects the mobile device 38 already connected to one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D contained in this zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D. Advantageously, this second threshold S2 is configurable to be adapted to each possible use of the communication system 30. The second threshold S2 is strictly greater than the first threshold S1, in order to maintain a stable connection.

[0051] In addition, in order to maintain a stable connection, the surface covered by the second threshold S2 comprises the entire vehicle 10 in order to avoid disconnection of a mobile device 38 still present in it.

[0052] For example, the second threshold S2 is set so that two mobile devices 38 of two users who change places when leaving the vehicle 10 are, in a firstly, disconnected from the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D to which they were connected. The control module 32 is configured to be able to implement this disconnection. Then, once the users re-enter the vehicle 10, the control module 32 connects their mobile devices 38 to one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D corresponding to their new distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D in the vehicle 10. With this in mind, the second threshold S2 is set so that the region covered by this second threshold S2 comes very close to the borders of the vehicle 10, while remaining higher than the first threshold S1.

[0053] Advantageously, the second threshold S2 is greater than a distance between the radiocommunication module 34 and a point of the vehicle 10 furthest from the radiocommunication module 34.

[0054] Thus, it is understood that the surface covered by the second threshold S2 does not have a predefined shape and is, for example, square, rectangular, oval or round in shape.

[0055] Furthermore, in [Fig.2], the regions delimited by the first threshold SI and the second threshold S2 are only represented for information purposes, these first and second thresholds SI and S2 being furthermore optionally configurable by the user.

[0056] The first threshold S2 is, for example, substantially equal to 3 meters.

[0057] The radiocommunication module 34 is configured to estimate a location of the mobile device 38. The estimated location is for example expressed in the form of polar coordinates D and G in a reference frame with a longitudinal axis X along a direction of extension of the vehicle 10 and a transverse axis Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, the reference frame being centered on the communication system 30, in particular on the radioelectric transceiver 36 included in the radiocommunication module 34.

[0058] The radiocommunication module 34 uses for example a radio link telecommunication standard between the mobile device 38 and the radio transmitter-receiver 36 to estimate the location of the mobile device 38. Advantageously, the telecommunication standard allows an estimation accuracy of less than 50 cm in order to avoid any detection problem for distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D having surfaces of the order of a square meter, such as for seats 14 of the vehicle 10.

[0059] For example, the chosen telecommunications standard is the Bluetooth standard, or Ultra Wideband, or even Mmwave5G.

[0060] In addition, the radiocommunication module 34 is configured to deduce, from the estimated location of the mobile device 38, a respective distance from the mobile device 38 with each of the predefined distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D. The radiocommunication module 34 is further configured to deduce therefrom a distance DZ between the estimated location of the mobile device 38 and an area associated with the mobile device 38, the area associated with the mobile device 38 being the zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D closest to the mobile device 38. In addition, the distance DZ is considered zero if the mobile device 38 is in the associated zone. Those skilled in the art will of course understand that if the estimated location of the mobile device 38 is located inside one of the predefined distinct zones 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, then the zone associated with the mobile device 38 is the one inside which this estimated location is located, and the distance DZ between the estimated location of the mobile device 38 and said associated zone is then zero.

[0061] The radiocommunication module 34 is therefore configured to estimate the location of a mobile device 38 and deduce therefrom the zone associated with the device 38, for which the distance DZ with said location is the lowest.

[0062] The control module 32 is then configured to connect the mobile device 38 to the multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D of the associated zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D if the distance DZ is less than the first threshold S1 and only if no other device is already connected to the multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D of the associated zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D; and to then disconnect said device 38 if the distance DZ is greater than the second threshold S2, greater than the first threshold SL

[0063] Advantageously, the radiocommunication module 34 is arranged in the same zone 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D as the at least one multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D.

[0064] The mobile device 38 is capable of receiving information and transmitting information to a user. Said mobile device 38 is for example a telephone, a tablet or a computer.

[0065] As an optional addition, the mobile device 38 is provided with an application linked to the communication system 30, from which at least the first threshold SI and / or the second threshold S2 are configurable.

[0066] In addition, the application on the mobile device 38 is configured to provide information on the status of the communication system 30 such as, for example, the availability status of all the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D of the vehicle 10 or a list of supported mobile devices.

[0067] The radio transceiver 36 is a device capable of exchanging short-range signals. For example, the transceiver device 36 exchanges signals from the control module 32. In addition, the transceiver device 36 transmits signals to the mobile device 38 and receives signals from said mobile device 38.

[0068] It is then understood that the communication system 30 according to the invention makes it possible to refuse the connection of the mobile device 38 to one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, on board a vehicle 10 if said multimedia system 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D is already connected to another mobile device 38.

[0069] Furthermore, the invention also makes it possible to disconnect the mobile device 38 and one of the multimedia systems 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, previously connected to each other, if the latter are spaced too far apart.

Claims

Claims

1. Communication system (30) intended to be on board a vehicle (10) comprising several distinct zones (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D), the distinct zones (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) comprising at least one multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D), the communication system (30) being intended to be connected to the at least one multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D) on board said vehicle (10) and comprising: - a radiocommunication module (34) including a radioelectric transceiver (36), the radiocommunication module (34) being configured to estimate a location of a mobile device (38) and deduce therefrom a zone among the distinct zones (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) associated with the mobile device (38), said associated zone (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) being that for which a distance (DZ) with the estimated location of the mobile device (38) is the lowest,- a control module (32) configured to connect the mobile device (38) to the at least one multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D) of the associated area (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) if the distance (DZ) between the estimated location of the mobile device (38) and said associated area (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) is less than a first threshold (SI), characterized in that the control module (32) is configured to connect said mobile device (38) to the at least one multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D) of the associated area (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) only if no other mobile device is already connected to the at least one multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D) of the associated area (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D), and to then disconnect said mobile device (38) if the distance (DZ) between the estimated location of the mobile device (38) and said associated zone (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) is greater than a second threshold (S2), the second threshold (S2) being greater than the first threshold (SI).,

2. Communication system (30) according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold (SI) is substantially equal to 1 meter.

3. A communication system (30) according to any preceding claim, wherein the control module (32) is configured to limit the connection of the mobile device (38) to a single multimedia system of the at least one multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D).

4. Communication system (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control module (32) is configured to limit the connection of each at least one multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D) to a single mobile device (38).

5. Communication system (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio communication module (34) is arranged in the same area (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) as the at least one multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D).

6. Communication system (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second threshold (S2) is greater than a distance between the radiocommunication module (34) and a point of the vehicle (10) furthest from the radiocommunication module (34); the second threshold (S2) preferably being substantially equal to 3 meters.

7. Communication system (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control module (32) is configured to disconnect the mobile device (38) from the at least one multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D) of the associated zone (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) following a request from a user.

8. Communication system (30) according to claim 7, wherein the control module (32) is configured to disconnect the mobile device (38) only following a request from the user if the distance (DZ) between the estimated location of the mobile device (38) and said associated zone (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) is less than the second threshold (S2).

9. Communication system (30) according to any one of the claims, in which the radio communication module (34) is configured to estimate, according to a telecommunications standard, the estimated location of the mobile device (38) with an error of less than 50

10. cm. Infotainment installation intended to be installed on board a vehicle (10) comprising several distinct zones (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D), the installation comprising at least one multimedia system (25A, 25B, 25C, 25D) arranged in a respective zone (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) and a communication system (30), characterized in that the communication system (30) is according to one of the preceding claims.

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