Method and device for determining the usage rate of a set of applications within a category of applications during a journey undertaken by a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for determining the usage rate of a set of mobile applications during a journey in a vehicle (10), a mobile device (101) being connected in communication with an infotainment system, referred to as the IVI system, of the vehicle. Specifically, the method comprises incrementing a first time counter at the beginning of the journey, receiving at least one request to allocate a resource from the IVI system from a mobile application within the set of mobile applications to share data between the mobile application and the IVI system, and incrementing a second time counter upon allocation of the resource to the mobile application. The incrementing of the second and first time counters is stopped upon receipt of confirmation of the completion of resource allocation to the mobile application and the end of the journey.The utilization rate is then determined from the first and second time counters. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for determining the utilization rate of a set of applications within a category of applications during a journey undertaken by a vehicle. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for determining a rate of use of a set of applications of a category of applications during a journey made by a vehicle, in particular but not exclusively a motor vehicle. Technological background

[0002] Nowadays, many vehicles offer on-board driver assistance and / or infotainment systems. These on-board systems allow, for example, the driver of a vehicle to be guided by means of a navigation or guidance system using geolocation and mapping information received from on-board sensors and / or servers, or to interact with the on-board systems and to broadcast multimedia content such as videos or sounds via screens or speakers on-board in the vehicle.

[0003] Many vehicle users have mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. These mobile devices most often allow them to perform some of the functions provided by the vehicle's embedded systems autonomously, or even to offer applications different from those installed in the vehicle.

[0004] In order to access resources present in the vehicle, such as a screen, an audio system, or a microphone, device duplication applications are increasingly common in mobile devices and vehicles. Indeed, the aforementioned vehicle resources offer numerous advantages; for example, a large screen is ideally positioned so that a vehicle occupant can see it and easily interact with it if it is touch-sensitive; speakers are placed in multiple locations throughout the passenger compartment to ensure even sound distribution; and the microphone is positioned in front of the driver's face to better capture their voice.

[0005] However, the use of applications installed on the mobile device and using the vehicle's resources, also called "mirroring" or "screen mirroring" in the case of screen sharing, is sometimes redundant with the applications of the vehicle's embedded system. Furthermore, the improvement of the interface allowing the use of Using vehicle resources via applications installed on the mobile device requires in-depth knowledge of the practices of different users. Summary of the present invention

[0006] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to evaluate the utilization rate of certain applications using resource duplication.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to improve knowledge of user practices regarding the use of applications that rely on resource duplication.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for determining the usage rate of a set of mobile applications belonging to the same category of mobile applications during a journey made by a vehicle, a mobile device being connected in communication with an infotainment system, referred to as the IVI system, of the vehicle, the mobile device being configured to run applications from the set of mobile applications, the method being implemented by at least one processor and being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - receiving initial data representative of the start of the journey and incrementing a first time counter associated with the journey; - receipt of second data representative of at least one request to allocate a resource from the IVI system to a mobile application from the set of mobile applications to share data between the mobile application and the IVI system; - allocation of the resource to the mobile application and incrementing of a second time counter associated with the mobile application category; - receipt of third data representing the end of resource allocation to the mobile application and cessation of the incrementation of the second time counter; - reception of fourth data points representing the end of the journey and stopping the incrementing of the first time counter; - determination of the utilization rate from the first and second time counters.

[0010] Knowing the usage rate of applications within the application set allows us to understand user expectations regarding the use of these applications. A high usage rate of these applications also reveals a gap in the range of applications directly installed in the vehicle's IVI system and therefore an area for development in this category of application, for example by the vehicle manufacturer or an equipment supplier developing the IVI system.

[0011] According to one variant, the method further includes a transmission of the utilization rate and / or the first and second time counters to a remote server.

[0012] According to another variant, when the second data are representative of a plurality of requests for allocation of a resource of the IVI system, the steps of allocating the resource and receiving third data are repeated for each request of the plurality.

[0013] According to yet another variant, the application category belongs to a set of application categories comprising: - a category of applications associated with navigation, - a category of applications associated with the distribution of video and / or audio media content, - a category of applications associated with speech recognition.

[0014] According to a further variant, the resources belong to a set of resources comprising: - a touch screen, - an audio broadcasting system, - a microphone.

[0015] According to another variant, the process further comprises the following steps: - receipt of fifth data points representing a preemption request for the resource from the IVI system; - allocation of the resource to the IVI system and stopping the incrementing of the second time counter; - receipt of sixth data points representing the end of resource allocation to the IVI system; - reallocation of the resource to the mobile application and incrementing of the second time counter.

[0016] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for determining the rate of use of a set of applications of a category of applications during a journey made by a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

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

[0018] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a system comprising the vehicle as described above according to the third aspect of the present invention and a mobile communication device connected to the vehicle via screen mirroring.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

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

[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 process according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0022] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium can include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit-type ROM, or a magnetic recording means or a hard disk drive.

[0023] On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be transmitted via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or radio frequency, by self-directing laser beam, or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention can, in particular, be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0024] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question. Brief description of the figures

[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 5, in which:

[0026] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates part of a vehicle passenger compartment, according to a example of a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig.2] illustrates a device configured to determine a rate of use of a set of applications of a category of applications during a journey made by the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.3] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a process of determination of a rate of use of a set of applications of a category of applications during a journey made by the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.4] illustrates a data exchange diagram during a process of determining the utilization rate of a set of applications within a category of applications during a journey undertaken by the vehicle of [Fig. 1], according to a first, specific, and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention; and

[0030] [Fig. 5] illustrates a data exchange diagram during a process of determination of a rate of use of a set of applications of a category of applications during a journey made by the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0031] A method and device for determining the rate of use of a set of applications of a category of applications during a journey made by a vehicle will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 5. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description that follows.

[0032] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to allow for the identification and distinction of different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates part of a vehicle 10 passenger compartment, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Vehicle 10 corresponds to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, an electric motor(s), or a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle such as a car, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle. Finally, the vehicle corresponds to an autonomous or non-autonomous vehicle, that is to say, a vehicle operating according to a predetermined level of autonomy or under the total supervision of the driver.

[0035] The vehicle 10 is configured to communicate, i.e. to transmit and receive, data with a mobile communication device 101 when the latter is connected in wired communication (for example via a USB connection (from the English "Universal Serial Bus" or "Universal Serial Bus" in French)) or wirelessly (for example via a Wifi® or Bluetooth® type connection) to the vehicle 10.

[0036] The vehicle 10 carries for this purpose a communication system comprising one or more wireless communication interfaces and / or one or more wired communication interfaces.

[0037] The wireless communication interface(s) are, for example, implemented by a telematic control unit, called a TCU (Telematic Control Unit). According to one variant, the wireless communication interface(s) are implemented by the computer of the infotainment system, called the IVI computer (In-Vehicle Infotainment) of the vehicle 10, for example the IVI computer includes a radio (wireless) communication interface or module dedicated to data communication with the mobile communication device 101 for the implementation of resource duplication.

[0038] The vehicle 10 also includes an embedded system corresponding to a display system comprising one or more display devices, for example a touchscreen 12, controlled by a computer configured to control the display of content from a graphical HMI, particularly on the touchscreen 12. The computer corresponds, for example, to the IVI computer of the vehicle 10. The connection between the computer and the touchscreen 12 corresponds, for example, to an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) type connection. The touchscreen 12 is, for example, located in the dashboard 11 of the vehicle 10.

[0039] The various systems of the vehicle 10, as well as the communication interfaces, are each controlled by one or more computers. These computers form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the implementation of various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle in controlling the vehicle 10 via the control of the system(s) embedded in the vehicle 10.Computers communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458), LIN (Local Interconnect Network), or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3) type communication bus.

[0040] When the mobile communication device 101 is connected in communication with the vehicle 10, for example with the IVI computer, according to the resource duplication mode, the graphic content displayed on the screen of the mobile communication device is also displayed on the touch screen 12 of the vehicle 10 and / or the sound or audio content broadcast by the mobile communication device is also broadcast via loudspeakers 13 of the vehicle 10, and / or sounds in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 are captured by a microphone of the mobile communication device and also by a microphone 14 of the vehicle 10, the microphone 14 of the vehicle 10 being for example placed in a ceiling light 15 or in a steering wheel 16 of the vehicle 10.

[0041] . According to the resource duplication technology, software modules configured for data communication between the mobile communication device 101 and the vehicle 10 are installed and run on the mobile communication device 101 and the IVI system of the vehicle 10 to manage the data streams received from the mobile communication device 101 and the data streams destined for the mobile communication device 101.

[0042] The mobile communication device 101 corresponds to a device comprising its own resources such as a display screen, for example touch screen, and / or one or more speakers and / or a microphone as well as wireless radio communication means configured to communicate with the vehicle 10 according to a wireless communication mode, for example according to the Bluetooth® or Wifi® protocol, for example Wifi Direct, or according to a wired communication mode, for example USB, as known to a person skilled in the art.

[0043] The mobile communication device 101 thus corresponds, for example, to a smartphone or a touch tablet.

[0044] A set of mobile applications are installed on the mobile communication device 101 so that the latter can run each of these mobile applications. These mobile applications belong to different categories of applications, for example: - a category of applications associated with navigation, - a category of applications associated with the distribution of video and / or audio media content, - a category of applications associated with speech recognition.

[0045] According to a particular embodiment, protocol data differs according to each of the application categories, making it possible to identify the category of an application in execution.

[0046] [Fig.4] illustrates a data exchange diagram during a process of determining a usage rate of a set of applications of a category of applications during a journey made by the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a first particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] In a first operation (not shown), initial data is received by the IVI system, for example by the IVI system computer 'S1Vi'. This initial data represents the beginning of a journey undertaken by the vehicle 10. This initial data corresponds, for example, to data transmitted during startup. of an engine of vehicle 10 or of a power-up of part of the vehicle 10's on-board systems.

[0048] A first time counter associated with the journey is then incremented. Note that it is, for example, reset to zero before the incrementing begins. If the counter is not reset to zero, a journey duration is then determined later by comparing the values ​​of this first time counter at the beginning and end of the journey.

[0049] In a second operation, a user 'U' activates the playback of audio content by an application running on the mobile device 101 from a human-machine interface associated with the mobile device 101, for example via a touch screen 101e of the mobile device 101. Note that the mobile device 101 is connected to the IVI system by a wired or wireless link, a pairing phase is then carried out beforehand according to any method known to a person skilled in the art.

[0050] The processor of the mobile device 'DM' then receives data 401 representing the user's touch input on a graphic object displayed on the touchscreen 101e, which activates the playback of audio content, for example, music. According to this particular embodiment, the mobile application belongs to a set of mobile applications belonging to the same category of mobile applications associated with the distribution of audio content.

[0051] In a third operation, second data 402 representing a request to allocate a resource from the IVI system are received from the mobile application running on the mobile device 101, for example from the 'DM' processor of the mobile device, to share data between this mobile application and the IVI system, for example destined for the IVI computer 'S1Vi'. The second data then corresponds to a request to allocate the speakers 13 of the vehicle 10 or even of the audio distribution system comprising these speakers 13, the speakers 13 of the vehicle 10 or the audio distribution system then being the resource of the IVI system to be allocated.

[0052] It should be noted that the data exchanged between the application running on the mobile device 101 and the IVI system's computer is, for example, exchanged via interfaces installed respectively on the mobile device 101 and on the IVI system, thus ensuring compatibility of the exchanges between the mobile application running on the mobile device and the IVI system. Such interfaces are known to those skilled in the art, such as Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto®.

[0053] In a fourth operation, the resource consisting of the vehicle's speakers 13 or the audio distribution system including the speakers is allocated to the mobile application, and data 403 is transmitted from the IVI 'Sivi' computer to the mobile device's 'DM' processor confirming the allocation of the resource to the mobile application running on the device. Mobile 101. A second time counter associated with the aforementioned mobile application category is then incremented. This second counter allows the time during which the resource is allocated to the mobile application currently running on the mobile device 101 to be counted.

[0054] Note that several applications from different categories can be installed on the mobile device 101. Several second counters are then incremented depending on the applications being run, each second counter being associated with a specific application category. In other words, if applications belonging to several application categories are run during the same journey of the vehicle 10, then several second counters are incremented during that journey, each second counter being incremented when an application from the application category associated with the second counter uses a resource of the vehicle 10's IVI system.

[0055] In a fifth operation, data 404 representing the audio content are transmitted from the 'DM' processor of the mobile device to the IVI 'S1Vi' computer, the IVI 'S1Vi' computer then controls the speakers 13 of the vehicle 10 via signals 405, which generate via the speakers 13 an audio rendering 405 for the user 'U'.

[0056] In a sixth operation, third data points representing the completion of resource allocation to the mobile application running on the mobile device 101 are received; these correspond, for example, to: • a request from the user to stop the streaming of audio content, this request being issued for example via the HMI of the mobile device 101, or • a preemption of the resource by another system, for example by a priority on-board system of vehicle 10, or • deactivation of the IVI system, for example by pressing a button that controls the deactivation of the IVI system only or by switching off the vehicle's ignition 10 when the journey is over, or • a loss of connection between the 101 mobile device and the IVI system.

[0057] The incrementing of the second time counter is then stopped. The value of the second time counter is, for example, stored in a memory of the IVI system.

[0058] In a seventh operation, fourth data representing the end of the journey are received, for example when the journey is finished and the driver of the vehicle turns off the ignition or switches off an engine of the vehicle 10.

[0059] The incrementing of the first time counter is then stopped. The value of the first time counter is, for example, also recorded in the memory of the IVI system.

[0060] Optionally, in an eighth operation, the values ​​of the first and second time counters are transmitted to a remote server by the IVI system computer 'S1Vi' via the communication system of vehicle 10. Such a remote server then makes it possible to retrieve and centralize data representative of usage time of a set of mobile applications belonging to the same category of mobile applications during journeys made by vehicles of a set of vehicles including vehicle 10.

[0061] In a ninth operation, the utilization rate of the set of mobile applications, including the mobile application running on the mobile device 101, is determined for the journey undertaken by the vehicle 10. This rate is, for example, equal to the ratio between the value of the second time counter and the value of the first time counter. This ninth operation is performed either by the IVI 'Sivi' computer of the vehicle 10, or by the remote server if the values ​​of the first and second time counters are transmitted to it during the eighth operation.

[0062] In the case where the eighth operation has not been carried out, i.e. the values ​​of the first and second time counters have not been transmitted to the remote server, the rate calculated by the IVI 'S1Vi' computer is, for example, transmitted to the remote server in a tenth operation.

[0063] [Fig.5] illustrates a data exchange diagram during a process of determining a usage rate of a set of applications of a category of applications during a journey made by the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a second particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] As with the first specific embodiment, in a first operation (not shown), initial data is received by the IVI system, for example by the IVI system's computer 'Sivi'. This initial data represents the beginning of a journey undertaken by the vehicle 10. This initial data corresponds, for example, to data emitted during the starting of an engine of the vehicle 10 or the activation of a portion of the vehicle 10's on-board systems.

[0065] A first time counter associated with the journey is then incremented. Note that it is, for example, reset to zero before the incrementing begins. If the counter is not reset to zero, a journey duration is then determined later by comparing the values ​​of this first time counter at the beginning and end of the journey.

[0066] In a second operation, a user 'U' connects the mobile device 101 to the IVI system of the vehicle 10, for example via a cable linking the mobile device 101 to a connector or interface associated with the IVI system. Data 501 is then received by the IVI system computer 'S1Vi', this data being representative of the connection of the mobile device 101 to the IVI system. The reception of this data generates, for example, a display control on the screen 12 of the IVI system on which is then represented a graphic object allowing to activate a screen duplication function when the user activates it, for example via a touch press on this graphic object.

[0067] In a third operation, the user 'U' activates screen duplication between the screen 12 of the IVI system and the screen 101e of the mobile device by, for example, touching the graphic object displayed on the screen 12. Second data 502 are then received by the IVI computer 'S1Vi' representing this touch and therefore a request to allocate a resource of the IVI system to a mobile application running on the mobile device 101, the resource being here the touch screen 12.

[0068] In a fourth operation, data 503 representing a screen duplication request, therefore representing the allocation of the resource consisting of the screen to a mobile application, are emitted by the IVI computer 'Sivi' to the processor of the mobile device 'DM'.

[0069] A second time counter is then incremented, this one being associated with a set of mobile applications belonging to the same category of mobile applications associated with the broadcasting of video content.

[0070] In a fifth operation, data 504 representing a video stream are emitted by the processor of the mobile device 'DM' to the IVI computer 'S1Vi', the IVI system then passes into a first state El according to which the screen 12 broadcasts images corresponding to those displayed on the screen 101e of the mobile device 101.

[0071] In a sixth operation, user 'U' engages reverse gear on vehicle 10, which, according to this second particular embodiment, is equipped with a reversing camera. The IVI system then requires the use of screen 12 to project a representative image of the environment behind vehicle 10. Thus, fifth data points 505, representing a preemption request for the resource, here screen 12, are received from the IVI system. The resource, here screen 121, is then allocated to the IVI system.

[0072] Consequently, in a seventh operation, third data 506 representing the end of resource allocation to the running mobile application are transmitted by the IVI computer 'Sivi' to the 'DM' processor of the mobile device, and the incrementing of the second time counter is stopped. The 'DM' processor of the mobile device then sends data 507 representing the end of video streaming to the IVI computer 'S1Vi'.

[0073] The IVI system then enters a second state E2 in which the screen 12 displays images corresponding to those transmitted by the reversing camera of the vehicle 10.

[0074] In an eighth operation, user 'U' engages forward gear on vehicle 10. The IVI system therefore no longer requires the use of screen 12 to project a representative image of the environment behind vehicle 10. Thus, sixth data points 508, representing the end of a preemption request for the resource, here screen 12, are received from the IVI system. In other words, these sixth data points 508 represent the end of resource allocation to the IVI system. The resource, here screen 121, is then free to be reassigned to the application running on the mobile device 101.

[0075] In a ninth operation, the resource is reallocated to the mobile application, and data 509, representing a screen duplication request and thus representing the allocation of the resource consisting of the screen to the mobile application running on the mobile device 101, are sent by the IVI computer 'S1Vi' to the processor of the mobile device 'DM'. The second time counter is then incremented again, and the times of resource allocation to the mobile application running on the mobile device are then added together.

[0076] In a tenth operation, data 510 representing a video stream are emitted by the processor of the mobile device 'DM' to the IVI computer 'Sivi', the IVI system then passes into a third state E3 similar to the first state El according to which the screen 12 broadcasts images corresponding to those displayed on the screen 101e of the mobile device 101.

[0077] In an eleventh operation, third data points representing the completion of resource allocation to the mobile application running on the mobile device 101 are received. The incrementing of the second time counter is then stopped. The value of the second time counter is, for example, recorded in a memory of the IVI system.

[0078] In a twelfth operation, fourth data representing the end of the journey are received, for example when the journey is finished and the driver of the vehicle turns off the ignition or switches off an engine of the vehicle 10.

[0079] The incrementing of the first time counter is then stopped. The value of the first time counter is, for example, also recorded in the memory of the IVI system.

[0080] Optionally, in a thirteenth operation, the values ​​of the first and second time counters are transmitted to a remote server by the IVI system computer 'S1Vi' via the vehicle's communication system 10. Such a remote server then makes it possible to retrieve and centralize representative time data use of a set of mobile applications belonging to the same category of mobile applications during journeys made by vehicles of a set of vehicles including vehicle 10.

[0081] In a fourteenth operation, the utilization rate of the set of mobile applications, including the mobile application running on the mobile device 101, is determined for the journey undertaken by the vehicle 10. This rate is, for example, equal to the ratio between the value of the second time counter and the value of the first time counter. This ninth operation is performed either by the IVI 'S1Vi' computer of the vehicle 10, or by the remote server if the values ​​of the first and second time counters are transmitted to it during the eighth operation.

[0082] In the case where the thirteenth operation has not been carried out, i.e. the values ​​of the first and second time counters have not been transmitted to the remote server, the rate calculated by the IVI 'Sivi' calculator is, for example, transmitted to the remote server in a fifteenth operation.

[0083] Such a process makes it possible to better understand a user's needs, particularly their expectations regarding certain functionalities, which are provided by applications installed on a mobile device. Understanding these needs or expectations then allows for a better definition of the development directions for the functionalities of the IVI system, enabling the development or updating of the IVI systems installed in vehicles. Functionalities provided by the IVI system itself are then more easily accessible to the user.

[0084] Furthermore, knowledge of the resource requirements of mobile applications makes it possible to improve both the interface between the mobile device and the IVI system and the provision of resources that meet a user's expectations.

[0085] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a device 2 configured to determine a usage rate of a set of applications from a category of applications during a journey made by a vehicle, for example vehicle 10. The device 2 corresponds for example to a device on board the vehicle 10, for example a computer of the IVI system, or to a remote server connected in communication with the IVI system of the vehicle 10.

[0086] Device 2 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite [Fig. 1], 4 and 5, and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 3]. Examples of such a device 2 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop computer. The elements of device 2, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 2 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0087] The device 2 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 20 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 2. The processor 20 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 2 further comprises at least one memory 21, corresponding, for example, to volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0088] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 21.

[0089] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 2 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0090] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 comprises a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of the block 22 comprise one or more of the following interfaces: - radio frequency RF interface, for example of the Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or of the Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or of the Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced; - USB interface (from the English "Universal Serial Bus" or "Universal Serial Bus" in French); - HDMI interface (from the English "High Definition Multimedia Interface", or "High Definition Multimedia Interface" in French); - LIN interface (from the English "Local Interconnect Network", or in French "Réseau interconnecté local").

[0091] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 includes a communication interface 23 which allows communication to be established with other devices (such as other computers in the embedded system) via a communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 230. The communication interface 23 corresponds, for example, to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by ISO 17458) or Ethernet (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3).

[0092] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 240, touch or not, one or more speakers 250 and / or other peripherals 260 (projection system) via output interfaces 24, 25 and 26 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 2.

[0093] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for determining the usage rate of a set of mobile applications belonging to the same category of mobile applications during a journey made by a vehicle, for example, by vehicle 10 of Figure 1. The vehicle is equipped with a communication interface configured for data communication between an infotainment system, referred to as the IVI system, of the vehicle and a mobile communication device, for example, the mobile communication device 101 of Figure 1, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a device embedded in vehicle 10 or by device 2 of Figure 2.

[0094] In a first step 31, initial data representing the start of a journey are received and a first time counter associated with the journey is incremented.

[0095] In a second step 32, second data is received. The second data represents at least one request to allocate a resource from the IVI system to a mobile application from the set of mobile applications to share data between the mobile application and the IVI system.

[0096] In a third step 33, the resource is allocated to the mobile application and a second time counter associated with the category of mobile applications to which the mobile application belongs is incremented.

[0097] In a fourth step 34, third data representing the end of resource allocation to the mobile application are received and the incrementation of the second time counter is stopped.

[0098] In a fifth step 35, fourth data representing an end of the journey are received and the incrementing of the first time counter is stopped.

[0099] In a sixth step 36, the utilization rate is determined from the first and second time counters.

[0100] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to Figures 1, 4 and 5 apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.3].

[0101] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a method for determining the usage rate of a set of mobile applications belonging to the same category of mobile applications during a journey undertaken by a vehicle in a system comprising the vehicle and a mobile communication device, which would include secondary steps without falling outside the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

[0102] The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, comprising device 2 of [Fig.2].

[0103] The present invention also relates to a system comprising the vehicle 10 and the mobile communication device 101 connected in communication to the vehicle 10.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for determining the usage rate of a set of mobile applications belonging to the same category of mobile applications during a journey undertaken by a vehicle (10), a mobile device (101) being connected in communication with an infotainment system, referred to as the IVI system, of the vehicle, said mobile device (101) being configured to run applications of said set of mobile applications, said method being implemented by at least one processor and being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - receiving (31) first data representing a start of said journey and incrementing a first time counter associated with said journey; - receiving (32) second data representing at least one request to allocate a resource from the IVI system to a mobile application of said set of mobile applications to share data between said mobile application and the IVI system;- allocation (33) of said resource to said mobile application and incrementing of a second time counter associated with said category of mobile applications; - receipt (34) of third data representing the end of the allocation of said resource to said mobile application and stopping the incrementing of said second time counter; - receipt (35) of fourth data representing the end of said journey and stopping the incrementing of said first time counter; - determination (36) of said usage rate from the first and second time counters.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission of said utilization rate and / or first and second time counters to a remote server.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the second data are representative of a plurality of requests for allocation of a resource of said IVI system, the allocation (33) and receipt (34) steps third data points are repeated for each query of said plurality.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said category of applications belongs to a set of categories of applications comprising: - a category of applications associated with navigation, - a category of applications associated with the distribution of video and / or audio media content, - a category of applications associated with speech recognition.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the resources belong to a set of resources comprising: - a touch screen, - an audio broadcasting system, - a microphone.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the following steps: - receiving fifth data representing a preemption request for said resource from said IVI system; - allocating said resource to said IVI system and stopping the incrementing of the second time counter; - receiving sixth data representing the end of the allocation of said resource to the IVI system; - re-allocating the resource to the mobile application and incrementing the second time counter.

7. Computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when such instructions are executed by at least one processor.

8. Device (2) for determining a rate of use of a set of applications of a category of applications during a journey made by a vehicle (10), said device (2) comprising a memory (21) associated with at least one processor (20) configured for the implementation of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (2) according to claim 8. System comprising the vehicle according to claim 9 and a mobile communication device (101) connected in communication to said vehicle (10).

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