Method for managing a digital model of a part of an automotive vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing a digital model of an automotive part implemented by a computer system (1), comprising the following steps: (E01) Storage of digital models (Mi) in a database (22) of a server (2); (E1) In response to an action (Oi) performed by a user, transmission to the server of an association request (RA) including an identifier (Uj) of the user; (E2) association, in a distributed register (4), of said identifier and a digital token (NFTi) identifying a digital model; (E6) Upon receipt by the server of an export request (Re) including an identifier (Uj) of a user, transmission of a file (Fi) containing a digital model (Mi) stored in the database and identified by a digital token (NFTi) associated in the distributed register (4) with said identifier; the file being encoded in a format usable by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device.Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for managing a digital model of a part of a motor vehicle

[0001] The invention relates to the field of motor vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for managing digital models of parts of a motor vehicle, particularly in the context of online marketplace services, dematerialization of spare parts services and marketing and advertising in virtual environments, for example, video games or virtual worlds.

[0002] In a virtual universe, it is common for a user to be able to equip a motor vehicle with special virtual car parts, either because they have a rare or even unique aesthetic appearance, or because they have a particular functionality.

[0003] This is particularly true in the world of video games, where a player's specific performance, reaching a particular experience level, or success in a challenge, or even an online purchase, can be rewarded with a specific virtual car part, such as a lighting device, a steering wheel, rims, or a spoiler. It is also the case in some video games where the player can customize all or part of the virtual vehicle. Furthermore, it is the case in marketing campaigns, where a brand can offer loyal users a virtual car part associated with that brand, such as a part with a particular appearance or design (or "skin") corresponding to that brand.

[0004] While these various use cases enhance the user's gaming experience and create a link between a brand and a consumer, their scope is limited to the virtual world in which they are embedded. However, there is a need to extend these experiences into real life, particularly by allowing the user or player to obtain a real automotive part, identical to the one they purchased, so that they can integrate it into their vehicle in real life.

[0005] This need is, however, complex to satisfy. On the one hand, the design of a virtual automotive part is very different from that of a real automotive part, particularly with regard to the mechanical, electronic, thermal constraints required by a real automotive part, the interfaces between a part and the rest of a motor vehicle, and the performance, safety, and even regulatory requirements of this part.

[0006] On the other hand, it is necessary to prevent the emergence of counterfeits, whether virtual counterfeits, which could be marketed by users dishonest, or that they are real counterfeits that would come from fraudulent virtual parts and that would present a risk both in terms of traceability and in terms of security, or that they are counterfeits.

[0007] The invention thus falls within this context and aims to meet this need.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a method for managing a digital model of a part of a motor vehicle implemented by a computer system, the method comprising the following steps: a. Storing a plurality of digital models of automotive parts in a database on a computer server; b. In response to an action performed by a user from a computer terminal, transmission to the computer server of an association request including a user identifier; c. Upon receipt of said association request, association, in a distributed ledger, of said user identifier and a digital token identifying a digital model stored in the database and generated from the action performed by the user; d. Upon receiving by the server an export request issued from a computer terminal and including a user identifier, transmission to said computer terminal of a file containing a digital model stored in the database and identified by a digital token associated in the distributed register with said user identifier; the file being encoded in a format usable by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device.

[0009] The invention thus aims, on the one hand, to create a database of digital models of real automotive parts, generated by an automotive supplier. Each model may correspond to a variation of one or more aesthetic aspects of the same part, for example, according to a design defined from a graphic load or a given model, and / or to a variation of one or more structural or functional characteristics, for example, according to a performance range. The database may contain several models of the same part and / or several models of different parts.

[0010] Furthermore, each model is associated in the database with one or more actions that a user can perform in a virtual or real environment. An action could thus be, by way of non-limiting example, the recognition of a promotional code given to the user; the reading of a graphic element, such as a QR code; the acquisition of a trophy in a video game; a purchase in a virtual world; the unlocking of an experience level by a player in a video game; or the accumulation of a given number of points by a player in a video game. Another action could be a transaction of a digital model of a part between two users, or even the modification of a digital model already owned by a user.

[0011] When such an action is detected, either directly by the server or by the transmission of a code identifying this action to the server, the server records the assignment of the digital model associated with this action to the user identified in the association request. This record is made in a distributed ledger, so as to prevent any falsification. The user can then exchange or sell the digital model that has been assigned to them, or even modify this digital model within design limits authorized by the equipment manufacturer that designed this model.

[0012] The user can also download a model file that can be interpreted by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device, thus enabling them to manufacture, directly or indirectly via an authorized subcontractor, the automotive part represented by this model, for integration into their vehicle. The file could, for example, be an STL or G-code file. Since this file is directly retrieved from the server's database, it is possible to prevent counterfeiting and therefore guarantee the traceability of the manufactured part and the user's safety.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, and by way of non-limiting example, "computer system" means any combination of a computer terminal, namely a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, test equipment, a computer server, a controller, a processor, a computing engine, and / or any combination of such equipment appropriate to the method according to the invention, and a computer server connected to a distributed ledger by wireless communication means. In the invention, the database may be stored in the server's memory or distributed across several servers.

[0014] In the invention, the computer server may be equipped with an interface through which digital models can be loaded, manually or automatically, from another computer server; and / or with a digital model selection interface from which a digital model can be selected and downloaded by a user from a computer terminal.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, and by way of non-limiting example, "automotive part" means all or part of an automotive component or equipment, such as an engine component, a thermal or air conditioning component, a transmission or propulsion component, an optical or lighting equipment.

[0016] In the context of the present invention, and by way of non-limiting example, a "digital model of a part" means a set of elementary digital objects representing said part. The digital model may, for example, be A 3D model, namely one or more structured meshes, each containing a plurality of interconnected vertices to define a plurality of faces or volumes that approximately represent the surfaces and / or volumes of the part. The 3D model may be stored in a digital file as a list of vertices, each associated with spatial coordinates and connections to other vertices, it being understood that any other suitable form of storage may be considered. Alternatively, the digital model may be an unstructured set of points, namely a point cloud devoid of any information regarding the connections between the points.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, and by way of non-limiting example, the term "token" means a unique and non-fungible code associated with a digital model, for example via a unique identifier of the digital model, and recorded in a distributed ledger or any other immutable database. The token may, for example, be a cryptographic token, also known as an NFT (Non-Fungible Token), recorded on a blockchain and managed by a smart contract protocol. The digital model associated with a token thus forms a digital asset, and each transaction carried out on this digital model can be recorded on the distributed ledger, with the smart contract updating the owner of the digital model according to the information relating to that transaction.

[0018] In particular, it may be provided that the step of storing a digital model of a part in the database is followed by a prior step of generating, by a smart contract, a token associated with this digital model and of associating, by the smart contract in the distributed ledger, this token with an identifier of the equipment manufacturer who designed this digital model.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the association step includes a substep of encrypting a file identifier to generate said digital token; and the file transmission step includes the following substeps: a. upon receipt by the server of said export request issued from a computer terminal and including a user identifier, transmission to said computer terminal of a digital token associated in the distributed ledger with said user identifier; b. decryption, at the level of said computer terminal, of a file identifier from this digital token; c. transmission via the computer terminal to the server of said decrypted identifier; d. transmission by the computer server of said file containing the digital model stored in the database and identified by said decrypted identifier.

[0020] In this embodiment, the user identifier may be provided for, including a public key derived from a public-private key pair generated on the computer terminal, for example, by a hash function applied to the user's identifier and password. The private key of this pair can thus be stored in the user's cryptographic wallet, provided on the computer terminal or on a physical device connected to the computer terminal, or stored on a remote encryption server. The public key can be freely transmitted by the computer terminal for encryption operations, while the private key remains on the computer terminal for decryption purposes when combined with the public key.

[0021] It is thus possible to encrypt a file identifier in the database within the token using the public key, so that only the owner of the digital model can decrypt the token with their private key and download the file containing this digital model in order to manufacture it. These features therefore constitute strong protections against counterfeiting of the part represented by this digital model.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the user's action is performed in a virtual environment with which the user can interact via the computer terminal. The virtual environment is provided with at least one condition for assigning a digital model of a given motor vehicle part. Where applicable, the method includes a step for verifying, based on the user's action, that the user has met each assignment condition, and the association request is transmitted only if the user has met one of the assignment conditions.

[0023] In this example, the action can thus be an action performed in a virtual environment, such as a video game or a virtual world (or metaverse), executed indifferently on the computer terminal, the computer server, or another server. This action can therefore result in the acquisition of a trophy in the video game, a purchase in a virtual world, the unlocking of an experience level by a player in a video game, or the accumulation of a given number of points by a player in a video game. This action then triggers the assignment of a digital model of a part associated with this action to the user, this assignment being recorded in the distributed ledger.

[0024] Where appropriate, the process may include, after the association step, a display step on the user's computer terminal, at within a virtual representation of a motor vehicle in the virtual environment, the digital model is identified by the digital token that has been associated with the identifier. In other words, the user can thus virtually integrate the car part they have just obtained into a virtual motor vehicle with which they can interact in the virtual environment.

[0025] In another embodiment, alternative or cumulative, the user action is a transaction operation of a digital model of a part of a motor vehicle belonging to a previous user. Where applicable, the association request includes the identifiers of the previous user and of said user.

[0026] In this example, the action thus corresponds to an exchange or sale of the digital model between two users or between an organization and a user. These characteristics make it possible to record the transaction in the distributed ledger.

[0027] In yet another alternative or cumulative embodiment, the process comprises: a. at the end of the association step, a display step on the user's computer terminal of an interface for modifying the digital model identified by the digital token that has been associated with the identifier; b. Following modifications made by the user to said digital model via the modification interface, a step of registering, in the server's database, a new digital model corresponding to the digital model modified by the user; and c. a further step of association, in the distributed ledger, of said user identifier and a digital token identifying said new digital model stored in the database and generated from said new digital model.

[0028] This example thus offers the user the possibility of modifying a digital model they possess, in particular to personalize it, and of generating a new digital model that they can both store in the server's database and transform into a digital asset, validly registered in the distributed ledger. It is understood that a new digital token is generated for this new digital model.

[0029] Advantageously, each digital model is stored in the server's database by being associated with one or more modification limits. Where applicable, the method includes, prior to the step of displaying the modification interface, a step of transmitting to the computer terminal the modification limit(s) associated with the digital model identified by the digital token that has been associated with the identifier, and the saving step is conditional upon validation modifications made by the user to the digital model with regard to the modification limit(s) associated with that digital model.

[0030] These characteristics make it possible to limit the creative freedom of the user and thus prevent modifications from degrading the expected performance of the corresponding automotive part, or even from introducing safety problems.

[0031] It may be envisaged that the step of validating the modifications be an automatic step, implemented by finite element analysis algorithms, or FEA, and / or a step involving manual verification by an expert.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, the process may comprise the following steps: a. upon receipt by the server of an export request issued from a computer terminal and including a user identifier, transmission by the computer server to said computer terminal of a list of digital models stored in the database and each identified by a digital token associated in the distributed ledger with said user identifier; b. following the selection by the user, on said computer terminal, of a digital model from said list of digital models, transmission by the computer terminal to the server of an export request including a user identifier and an identifier of the selected digital model; c. upon receipt by the server of said export request, transmission by the computer server to said computer terminal of a file containing the digital model stored in the database and identified by said identifier of the selected digital model; the file being encoded in a format usable by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device.

[0033] Advantageously, said file encodes all the instructions necessary for manufacturing, by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device, the part according to the digital model contained in this file. In this example, the file is encoded in g-code format.

[0034] Advantageously, the process includes a manufacturing step, using an additive or subtractive manufacturing device, of the part according to the digital model contained in said file, based on said file. The additive manufacturing device could, for example, be an MJF (Multi-Fusion Jet) type 3D printer. Alternatively, the subtractive manufacturing device could be an SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) type 3D printer.

[0035] Advantageously, each digital model of an automotive part stored in the server's database includes a unique three-dimensional element associated with said model. The unique three-dimensional element could, for example, be a QR code. 3D. This unique three-dimensional element ensures the traceability of the automotive part that has been designed.

[0036] The invention also relates to a computer system capable of implementing the process according to the invention.

[0037] The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, lead the latter to implement the steps of the process according to the invention.

[0038] The invention further relates to a computer-readable storage medium comprising portions of code from a computer program intended to be executed by a processor to implement the steps of the process according to the invention.

[0039] The invention also relates to a part of a motor vehicle designed using the method according to the invention.

[0040] The present invention is now described by means of purely illustrative and in no way limiting examples of the scope of the invention, and from the accompanying drawings, in which the various figures represent:

[0041] [Fig-1] represents, schematically and partially, a method for managing a digital model of a part of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0042] [Fig.2] represents, schematically and partially, a computer system for the implementation of the process of [Fig. 1];

[0043] [Fig.3] represents, schematically and partially, a view of a virtual environment displayed on a computer terminal during the implementation of the process of [Fig.1].

[0044] It should be noted that in these figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0045] Of course, various other modifications can be made to the invention within the scope of the annexed claims.

[0046] A method for managing a digital model of a part of a motor vehicle implemented by a computer system such as that shown in [Fig.2] is represented in [Fig.1].

[0047] The computer system shown in [Fig. 1] comprises a computer terminal 1, such as a desktop or laptop computer. A user of the computer terminal 1 can interact with a virtual environment EV running on the terminal 1, such as a video game as shown in [Fig. 3]. Alternatively, the computer terminal may be a smartphone, a tablet, a virtual reality headset, or any other terminal capable of displaying the virtual environment. Alternatively, the virtual environment may be a virtual world or a simulation environment. Alternatively, the virtual environment can be run on a computer server where terminal 1 is a client.

[0048] The computer system also includes a computer server 2 equipped with a computer memory 21 in which a database 22 is stored.

[0049] The computer system also includes an additive or subtractive manufacturing device 3.

[0050] The computer terminal 1, the computer server 2, and the manufacturing device 3 are capable of exchanging information with each other via a wireless communication network. Furthermore, the computer server 2 is connected to a distributed ledger 4 of the blockchain type on which transactions can be recorded by one or more smart contracts 41 manipulating digital, cryptographic, non-fungible tokens (NFTs). By way of non-limiting example, the ledger 4 could be an Ethereum network or a Tezos blockchain.

[0051] In a first step E01 of the process, a plurality of digital models M of automotive parts are stored in the database 22 of the computer server 2. Each model may be generated beforehand by an equipment manufacturer, from different parts and / or by variations of one or more aesthetic aspects and / or one or more structural or functional characteristics of the same part. Each digital model Mi thus generated is then uploaded by the equipment manufacturer, either manually or automatically from another computer server (not shown).

[0052] Each digital model M; includes a 3D QR code, which, when present on a part corresponding to this digital model M;, ensures the conformity and traceability of this part.

[0053] In addition, for each digital model M;, a file F; in g-code format, enabling the manufacture of a part conforming to this model M;, is also stored in the database 22, without however being directly associated with the corresponding digital model Mi.

[0054] In a second step E02, storing each model M in the database 22 triggers the generation, by a smart contract 41, of an NFT token containing the identifier of the equipment manufacturer that designed this digital model. The generation of this NFT token is recorded by the smart contract 41 in the distributed ledger 4. The digital model M thus forms a digital asset that can be the subject of transactions, each transaction then being recorded on the distributed ledger 4 by the smart contract 41, which updates the associated NFT token with the owner of the digital model M according to the information relating to that transaction.

[0055] In the example described, the information enabling the retrieval of a file F; corresponding to the model M;, such as the identifier of the file F; or a download address of the file Fi, is encrypted in the NFT token;.

[0056] Furthermore, each digital model Mi is associated, in the database 22, or in another database of the same server or of another server, with one or more actions O; which can be operated by a user in the virtual environment EV.

[0057] In the example described, the virtual environment EV, as represented in [Fig. 3], is a racing simulation video game. An action O, operable in the virtual environment EV and associated with a model M, could thus be the acquisition of a trophy T following a race victory. Other actions operable in a video game or in another type of virtual environment could be considered without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058] Similarly, it may be envisaged that the action O; of the user is operable at least partially in the real world, such as for example reading a graphic element, such as a QR code or a barcode, from a smartphone, purchasing a virtual or real object, from a real or online store or from another user.

[0059] Thus, in a step El, when such an action O; is performed or triggered by the user, it is detected either directly by the computer terminal 1 or by the server on which the virtual environment EV is executed, notably through verification of assignment conditions. An association request RA, including an identifier of the detected action O; and an identifier Uj of the user, is then transmitted, either by the computer terminal 1 or by the server on which the virtual environment EV is executed, to the computer server 2.

[0060] In a step E2, upon receiving said association request RA, the computer server 2 retrieves the identifier of the digital model M; stored in the database 22 and associated with the action O; detected. It then transmits to the smart contract 41 managing the digital token NFT; associated with this model M; a transaction TMi relating to the model M; and signed both by the current owner of the model M;, namely the equipment manufacturer in the context of a first transaction, or by the previous user, and by the user who performed the action O;.

[0061] For example, the transaction may be encrypted using a public key PKj, derived from a public key pair PKj and private key SKj of the user, transmitted by the computer terminal 1.

[0062] In a step E3, the smart contract 41 thus updates the NFT token with the model owner Mi with the user identifier Uj contained in the association request Ra and thus records the model assignment on the distributed ledger 4 digital model M; to this user. The user can then exchange or sell the digital model Mi that has been assigned to them, or even modify this digital model M;.

[0063] In addition, the information enabling the retrieval of the file F; is decrypted, either on server 2 if it is the first transaction, or on the terminal of the former owner, and then re-encrypted in the NFT token;, using the public key PKj of the user U. In other words, only the new owner of the digital model M;, as recorded in the distributed ledger 4, can decrypt the NFT token with his private key SKj and can thus access the file containing this digital model in order to manufacture it.

[0064] In a step E4, the representation of the motor vehicle in the virtual EV environment is updated by integrating the digital model M; which has been unlocked by the user, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0065] Furthermore, the user can download the file F; corresponding to this model M;, in particular in order to manufacture directly, or indirectly via an authorized subcontractor, the automotive part represented by this model, to integrate it into his motor vehicle.

[0066] For these purposes, the computer server 2 includes a digital model selection interface from which the digital model M; can be selected and downloaded by the user from the computer terminal 1. In a step E5, the selection of the model M; thus triggers the issuance of an export request Re of the model M;, to the server 2 and including the user's identifier Uj.

[0067] In a step E6, upon receipt by server 2 of said export request Re, server 2 transmits to the computer terminal 1 the NFT digital token; or at least the encrypted information enabling the retrieval of the file F; which is stored therein.

[0068] In step E7, this information is decrypted at the computer terminal 1 using the user's private key SK. In step E8, the file identifier F is thus transmitted from the computer terminal 1 to the server 2, and in step E9, the file F is transmitted from the server 2 to the computer terminal 1.

[0069] The file F; can then be transmitted to the device 3 to be interpreted and to give rise to the manufacture of the part corresponding to the model M;, in a step E10.

[0070] The preceding description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives it has set for itself, namely to extend the experience of a user in a virtual environment to have a real automotive part, conforming to the one he has acquired, in order to be able to integrate it into his motor vehicle in real life, while scrupulously respecting the design of the part and avoiding the appearance of counterfeit.

[0071] In any event, the invention cannot be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends in particular to all equivalent means and to any technically operative combination of these means.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for managing a digital model of a part of a motor vehicle implemented by a computer system (1), the method comprising the following steps a. (E01) Storage of a plurality of digital models (M; ) of automotive parts in a database (22) of a computer server (2); b. (El) In response to an action (O;) performed by a user from a computer terminal (1), transmission to the computer server of an association request (RA) including an identifier (Uj) of the user; c. (E2) Upon receipt of said association request, association, in a distributed ledger (4), of said user identifier and a digital token (NFT;) identifying a digital pattern stored in the database and generated from the action performed by the user; d. (E6) Upon receipt by the server of an export request (Re) issued from a computer terminal (1) and including an identifier (Uj) of a user, transmission to said computer terminal of a file (F;) containing a digital model (Mj) stored in the database and identified by a digital token (NFT;) associated in the distributed ledger (4) with said identifier of the user; the file being encoded in a format usable by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device.

2. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the association step (E2) comprises a substep of encrypting a file identifier (F;) to generate said digital token (NFT;); and in that the file transmission step (E6) comprises the following substeps: a. upon receipt by the server of said export request (Re) issued from a computer terminal (1) and including an identifier (Uj) of a user, transmission to said computer terminal of a digital token (NFT;) associated in the distributed ledger (4) with said identifier of the user; b. decryption, at the level of said computer terminal, of a file identifier from this digital token; c. transmission by the computer terminal to the server of said decrypted identifier; d. transmission by the computer server of said file containing the digital model stored in the database and identified by said decrypted identifier.

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the action (Oi) of the user (Uj) being carried out in a virtual environment (EV) with which the user can interact through the computer terminal (1) and the virtual environment being provided with at least one condition for assigning a digital model (Mj) of a part of a given motor vehicle, the method includes a step of verifying, from said action carried out by the user, the validation by the user of each assignment condition and in that the association request (Ra) is transmitted only in the event of validation by the user of one of the assignment conditions.

4. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises, at the end of the association step (E2), a display step on the user's computer terminal (1), within a virtual representation of a motor vehicle in the virtual environment (EV), of the digital model (Mj) identified by the digital token (NFT;) which has been associated with the identifier.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, the action (Oi) of the user being a transaction operation of a digital model (Mj) of a part of a motor vehicle of a user prior to said user, the association query (Ra) includes the identifiers (Uj) of the prior user and of said user.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, after the association step (E2), a step of displaying on the user's computer terminal (1) an interface for modifying the digital model (Mj) identified by the digital token (NFT) that has been associated with the identifier; after modifications made by the user to said digital model through the modification interface, a step recording, in the database (22) of the server (2), of a new digital model corresponding to the digital model modified by the user; and a new association step (E2), in the distributed ledger (4), of said user identifier (Uj) and a digital token identifying said new digital model stored in the database and generated from said new digital model.

7. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each digital model (Mi) is stored in the database (22) of the server (2) by being associated with one or more modification limits, and in that it includes, prior to the step of displaying the modification interface, a step of transmitting to the computer terminal (1) the modification limit(s) associated with the digital model identified by the digital token (NFT;) which has been associated with the identifier, and in that the recording step is conditioned on a validation of the modifications made by the user to said digital model with regard to the modification limit(s) associated with this digital model.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said file (Fi) encodes all the instructions necessary for the manufacture, by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device, of the part according to the digital model contained in this file.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a manufacturing step by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device (3), from said file (Fj), of the part according to the digital model (Mj) contained in this file.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each digital model (Mi) of an automotive part stored in the database (22) of the server (2) comprises a unique three-dimensional element associated with said model.

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