Method and device for controlling a vehicle immobilizer system
The described method for controlling vehicle immobilizer systems verifies driver authorization through license validity, addressing security risks by ensuring only valid drivers can start the vehicle, enhancing safety and security without additional hardware.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2024008462
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle immobilizer systems rely solely on detecting an authentication device, which can lead to security risks if the person possessing it is not authorized or qualified to drive, lacking additional control mechanisms.
Implementing a method that includes receiving initial representative data for user identification, verifying the validity status of a driving license via a remote device, and controlling the immobilizer system based on this data to prevent unauthorized vehicle starts, with optional alerts and updates to a list of authorized users.
Enhances vehicle and road safety by ensuring only authorized drivers can start the vehicle, improving security without additional hardware costs.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Method and device for controlling a vehicle immobilizer system. Technical field
[0001] The invention relates to methods and devices for controlling the immobilizer system of a vehicle, particularly but not exclusively of a motor vehicle. The invention also relates to a method and device for checking the validity of the driver's licenses of vehicle users. Technological background
[0002] Modern vehicles are equipped with an immobilizer system configured to allow or prevent the vehicle from starting, depending on whether or not an authentication device is detected. This device includes an authentication key designed to unlock the immobilizer system. Such a device takes the form of a key or a card that the person wishing to use the vehicle must possess. The immobilizer system is thus configured to block the power supply to the electric motor of an electric vehicle or to prevent the ignition system from functioning and to lock the engine of an internal combustion engine vehicle if the authentication device is not detected.
[0003] The vehicle start control is thus limited to the detection of the authentication device without any other control, which can generate security risks when the person in possession of the authentication device is not authorized or qualified to drive a vehicle. Summary of the present invention
[0004] One object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the control of the starting of a vehicle.
[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle's immobilizer system, the method being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - receipt of initial representative data for the identification of a prospective vehicle user; - reception of second data representing the validity status of a driving licence of the applicant user based on the first data, the second data being obtained from a remote device connected wirelessly to the vehicle; - control of the immobilizer system based on the second set of data.
[0007] Identifying a user wishing to use the vehicle allows the validity status of their driver's license to be obtained, for example from a remote server-type device or from the vehicle's memory, which is used to control the vehicle's immobilizer system and ultimately to control the vehicle's starting. This makes it possible, for example, to block the vehicle from starting when the driver's license of the user applying to use the vehicle is not valid, thus improving the safety of the vehicle and road users.
[0008] According to one variant, the validity state belongs to a set of validity states comprising: - a valid driving licence status, and - an invalid driving licence status, the immobilizer system being controlled to allow the vehicle to start when the validity status matches the valid status, and the immobilizer system is controlled to prevent the vehicle from starting when the valid state corresponds to the invalid state.
[0009] According to another variant, the method further includes a step of transmitting a first alert to a mobile communication device when the validity state corresponds to the invalid state.
[0010] According to yet another variant, the method further includes a step of transmitting a request to receive the second data to a remote device via a wireless connection, the request comprising the first data and third data representing vehicle identification, the second data being received from said remote device via the wireless connection in response to the request.
[0011] According to another variant, the method further includes a step of comparing said first data with fourth data representative of a list of identified users of the vehicle, the step of transmitting a request being implemented when a result of the comparison indicates that the candidate user does not belong to the list of identified users.
[0012] According to a further variant, the method further includes a step of transmitting a second alert to a mobile communication device when the result of the comparison indicates that the candidate user does not belong to the list of identified users.
[0013] According to yet another variant, the method further includes a step of updating the list of identified users to add the candidate user from the first data when the result of the comparison indicates that the candidate user does not belong to the list of identified users.
[0014] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a control device for an immobilizer system of a vehicle, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured for the implementation of the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.
[0015] 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.
[0016] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.
[0017] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or an intermediate form between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.
[0018] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the present invention.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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
[0022] 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 4, in which:
[0023] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a data communication environment for a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a process for generating a list of identified users of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] [Fig.3] illustrates a device configured to control an immobilizer system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] [Fig.4] illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a method for controlling an immobilizer system of the vehicle of [Fig.1], according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements
[0027] A method and a control device for a vehicle immobilizer system will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 4. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the following description.
[0028] 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.
[0029] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a communication environment 1 of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] Vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, with electric motor(s), or even a hybrid vehicle with an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. Vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, such as a car, a truck, a bus, or a motorcycle.
[0031] The vehicle 10 corresponds to a so-called connected vehicle in that it carries a communication system configured to communicate with one or more remote devices 101 via a wireless communication network infrastructure. The remote device 101 corresponds, for example, to a server or a computer in the "cloud" 100.
[0032] The communication system of a connected vehicle includes, for example, one or more communication antennas connected to a telematics control unit, known as a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), which is itself connected to one or more computers of the connected vehicle's embedded system. The antenna(s), the unit The TCU and the computer(s) form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for implementing various services useful for the proper functioning of the connected vehicle and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the connected vehicle in controlling the connected vehicle and / or for diagnosing the operation of one or more components of the connected vehicle. The computer(s) and the TCU communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example, a CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to ISO 17458) or Ethernet (according to ISO / IEC 802-3) type communication bus.
[0033] The mobile communication infrastructure enabling wireless data communication between, on the one hand, the vehicle 10 and / or the data processing device and, on the other hand, each of the remote devices 101, comprises, for example, one or more communication devices 102 of the relay antenna type (cellular network). In a communication mode using such a network architecture, the data is, for example, transmitted by the vehicle connected to the remote device 101 of the "cloud" 100 via a relay antenna 102 (the antenna 102 being, for example, connected to the "cloud" 100 via a wired link and the remote device 101 being itself connected to the network infrastructure of the "cloud" 100 via a wired and / or wireless network).
[0034] The wireless communication system enabling the exchange of data between, on the one hand, the connected vehicle 10 and / or the data processing device 11 and, on the other hand, the remote device 101 corresponds, for example, to: - a vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication system, for example based on the 3GPP LTE-V or IEEE 802.1 lp standards of ITS G5; or - a cellular network communication system, for example an LTE (Long-Term Evolution) network, LTE-Advanced (also called LTE 3G, 4G or 5G); or - a Wifi type communication system according to IEEE 802.11, for example according to IEEE 802.1 In or IEEE 802.1 lac.
[0035] The remote device 101 is, for example, configured to host or store data associated with a set of driver's licenses for a set of users. This data includes, for example, data representing the validity status of each driver's license and user identification data associated with each driver's license.
[0036] The remote device 101 includes, for example, such data for each vehicle in a vehicle set. According to this example, each vehicle is identified via a unique identifier, which corresponds, for example, to the vehicle identification number, known as the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and / or via a unique registration number corresponding, for example, to the vehicle registration number. According to this example, a group or list of identified users is associated with each vehicle, and in particular with vehicle 10. This list of identified users comprises all users authorized to drive vehicle 10, each user being identified via a unique identifier (for example, a number or authentication key, an identity (first and last name), a facial image, etc.).Data relating to driving licences is also associated with each identified user in the list of identified users; this data includes, for example, data representing the validity status of the driving licence.
[0037] The state of validity corresponds, for example, to: - a valid driver's license status, or - an invalid driver's license status.
[0038] The validity status is entered, for example, by each user (for example, via a mobile application installed on a mobile communication device 11 such as a smartphone) or via a human-machine interface (HMI) of the vehicle 10, for example, a graphical HMI displayed on a touch screen of the vehicle 10. According to one variant, the data identifying each user of the list of identified users and the data of the associated driving licenses are entered by the owner of each vehicle, in particular of the vehicle 10, via the mobile communication device 11 or the HMI of the vehicle 10.
[0039] According to one embodiment, the data relating to each driving licence, in particular the data representing validity, are received from a server adapted to store driving licence data, such a server being for example controlled by an administration in charge of issuing driving licences and recording the current status of validity (which changes according to for example traffic offences committed by the holder of the driving licence).
[0040] The mobile communication device 11 is configured to communicate with the remote device(s) 101 via the wireless communication network infrastructure.
[0041] A control process for an immobilizer system of the vehicle 10 is implemented in the vehicle 10, for example by one or more processors of one or more control units, for example a control unit dedicated to controlling the immobilizer system. According to alternative embodiments, part of the operations of the the process described below is implemented by or in relation to remote device 101.
[0042] The process is for example implemented via an interactive application of the vehicle 10, which interactive application is implemented in the form of software executed by the computer, the interactive application being configured for data communication with the remote device 101 via the wireless communication interface of the vehicle 10.
[0043] Such an implementation has the advantage of not requiring any specific equipment other than the computer and the wireless communication means of the vehicle 10.
[0044] In a first operation of the process, initial representative identification data for a prospective user of vehicle 10 are received. The prospective user corresponds to a user wishing to use vehicle 10 to make a journey.
[0045] The first data corresponds, for example, to authentication data received from a vehicle unlocking and starting control device 10, such as a key, a badge, a card or a smartphone storing an authentication key in memory.
[0046] The vehicle unlocking and starting control device 10 corresponds, for example, to a keyless entry system associated with a Keyless Entry and Start (CEES) system. The CEES system is associated with the keyless entry system, which exchanges information such as the authentication key in the form of radio frequency signals with the vehicle to lock or unlock the vehicle remotely, and also to start it without having to insert a key into the ignition.The function provided by the keyless entry system in cooperation with the ADML system is, for example, implemented and performed by a keyless entry remote control, a smart device such as a smartphone, or an NFC (Near-Field Communication) device (e.g., a badge) which communicates with the vehicle by exchanging the information necessary to lock, unlock, or start the vehicle. The keyless entry system or the smart device providing the keyless entry function communicates with the ADML system by exchanging radio frequency signals emitted according to a communication standard such as Bluetooth® in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, Wi-Fi® (based on an IEEE 802.11 standard) in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band, or Zigbee (based on the IEEE 802.15 standard).4) in the 2.4 GHz frequency band or NFC (based on ISO / IEC 14443 technology) in the 13.56 MHz frequency band.
[0047] In this example, the authentication key is unique and associated with the candidate user, which allows him to be identified.
[0048] According to alternative embodiments, the first data includes, in addition to or as an alternative to the authentication key, one or more of the following data: - image data of the candidate user's face, this image data being acquired by a camera in the vehicle 10, for example, a camera in a driver attention monitoring system when the candidate user sits in the driver's seat; and / or - representative data of a fingerprint when the vehicle 10 is equipped with a fingerprint reader (for example, arranged on the driver's side front door to unlock and open the vehicle 10); and / or - representative data of the first name and / or last name of the candidate user, this data being acquired by a microphone arranged in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10 when the candidate user pronounces his name, such a microphone being for example associated with a voice interface system of the vehicle 10.
[0049] In a second operation of the process, second data points representing the validity status of a candidate user's driver's license are received. These second data points are a function of, and associated with, the first data points. These second data points are obtained, or were obtained during a previous operation, from the remote device 101 connected wirelessly to the vehicle 10.
[0050] The validity state belongs to a set of validity states comprising: - a valid driver's license status, and - an invalid driver's license status.
[0051] According to a first embodiment, a request is generated by the computer and transmitted to the remote device 101 via a wireless connection to receive the second set of data associated with the applicant user. The request includes the first set of data and third pieces of data representing vehicle identification, with optionally fifth pieces of data representing characteristics of the vehicle 10. The third set of data corresponds, for example, to the VIN of the vehicle 10 or the vehicle registration number of the vehicle 10.
[0052] According to this first embodiment, the validity status of the candidate user's driving licence is systematically checked with the remote device 101, which is for example controlled by the manufacturer of the vehicle 10 offering the vehicle immobilizer control service 10 according to the validity status of the driving licence of any user of the vehicle 10, in connection with a software module installed in the vehicle 10.
[0053] According to this first embodiment, the remote device 101 transmits the second data relating to the validity status of the applicant user's driving licence to the vehicle 10 via a wireless communication method, which vehicle 10 receives them via its wireless communication interface, the second data then being transmitted to the computer which receives them via the vehicle 10's on-board network.
[0054] According to a variant of this first embodiment, the remote device 101 first compares the first data to fourth data representative of a list of identified users of the vehicle 10. Each identified user in the list corresponds to a user with permission to use the vehicle 10, this list having been generated for example by the owner of the vehicle 10 and stored in the memory of the remote device 101 in a previous operation.
[0055] When the result of the comparison indicates that the candidate user corresponds to an identified user from the list, the remote device 101 transmits the second data associated with this candidate user to the computer of the vehicle 10 which receives them.
[0056] When the comparison result indicates that the candidate user does not correspond to any identified user in the list, the remote device 101 generates an alert, referred to as a second alert, for example, for the owner of the vehicle 10. The remote device 101 transmits this second alert to a mobile communication device such as device 11 belonging to the owner of the vehicle 10, who is, for example, identified by the remote device 101 as the recipient of the alerts. The second alert includes, for example, the initial data identifying the candidate user. The owner of the vehicle 10, thus alerted, can then decide to add the candidate recipient to the list of identified users in real time, for example, via a user interface of a mobile application installed on the mobile communication device 11 and connected to the remote device 101.Alternatively, the owner of vehicle 10 may decide not to add the applicant user to the list of identified users and take the necessary steps to block the applicant user's use of vehicle 10.
[0057] According to a second embodiment, these second data are received by the computer from a memory of the vehicle 10 accessible by the computer.
[0058] According to this second embodiment, the first data are, for example, compared to the fourth data representing the list of identified users of the vehicle 10, which is stored in the memory of the vehicle 10. This fourth data is, for example, automatically received from the remote device 101 via a wireless connection, for example using an OTA (Over The Air) communication method, for example from periodically or with each update of the list at the remote device level 101.
[0059] According to this second embodiment, when the result of the comparison indicates that the candidate user corresponds to an identified user from the list, the computer retrieves the second data associated with this candidate user from memory.
[0060] According to this second embodiment, when the result of the comparison indicates that the candidate user does not correspond to any identified user in the list, the query described previously with regard to the first embodiment is generated by the computer and transmitted to the remote device 101 via a wireless connection to receive the second data associated with the candidate user.
[0061] Upon receiving the request, the remote device 101 retrieves the second data associated with the identified user and transmits it to the vehicle's computer 10 via the wireless connection. This second data is, for example, retrieved from another server storing such data or is recorded in a database accessible by the remote device 101. Alternatively, in this scenario, the second alert is generated by the remote device 101 and transmitted to the mobile communication device 11 as described previously with regard to the first embodiment.
[0062] In a third operation of the process, the vehicle 10 immobilizer system is controlled according to the second data associated with the candidate user.
[0063] The immobilizer system is controlled to allow the vehicle 10 to start when the validity state corresponds to the valid state. The immobilizer system is controlled to prevent the vehicle 10 from starting when the validity state corresponds to the invalid state, for example by blocking the power supply to the engine and / or the starter.
[0064] According to one embodiment, an alert, referred to as the first alert, is generated by the computer and transmitted to the mobile communication device 11 when the validity state corresponds to the invalid state, the mobile communication device 11 being, for example, the smartphone of the owner of the vehicle 10. The mobile communication device 11 is identified as the recipient of the first alerts to be transmitted. Such a first alert informs the recipient, for example, the owner of the vehicle 10, that the driver's license of a person wishing to use the vehicle 10 is not valid.
[0065] An invalid or non-valid driving licence corresponds, for example, to: - a revoked driving licence, for example following one or more traffic offences; or - a driver's license that does not exist, for example a fake driver's license and / or a driver's license that was never issued; or - an expired or expired driver's license; or - a driving licence valid for one or more categories of vehicles but not valid for vehicle category 10.
[0066] When the list of identified users is stored in the memory of the vehicle 10 and the second data is received from the remote device 101, the list is for example updated with the current validity status received.
[0067] Such a process makes it possible to condition the starting of the vehicle 10 on a valid driving licence, simply via a software module installed in the vehicle 10 in relation to the remote device 101. This makes it possible to improve the control and security of the vehicle 10 at lower costs, without adding any additional hardware.
[0068] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a process for generating a list of identified users for vehicle 10, according to particular and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.
[0069] The process is for example implemented via an interactive application of the vehicle 10, controlled by a computer of the vehicle 10's embedded network, or by a system comprising a mobile application installed on a mobile communication device such as the device 11 and the interactive application of the vehicle 10, interacting and communicating wirelessly with the remote device 101.
[0070] In a first operation 201 of the process, a user 20, corresponding for example to the owner of the vehicle 10, generates the list of identified users via the HMI of a mobile application installed on a mobile communication device (for example via the touchscreen of the mobile communication device) or directly via the HMI of an interactive application of the vehicle 10 (for example via the touchscreen of the vehicle 10). To this end, the user 20 enters representative identification data for each identified user.
[0071] In a second operation 202, the data representing the list are transmitted (by the mobile communication device or by the vehicle 10) to the remote device 101 according to a wireless communication mode.
[0072] In a third operation 203, the remote device 101 retrieves data representing the validity status of driver's licenses for each identified user in the list and associates this data with the identification data of each corresponding identified user, for example in a lookup table, known as a LUT (Look-Up Table), which the remote device 101 maintains. The data representing the validity status of driver's licenses is obtained, for example, from another server to which the remote device 101 is connected via communication.
[0073] In a fourth operation 204, the remote device 101 transmits, using a wireless communication method (for example, OTA type) to the vehicle 10 the data associated with the user list, that is to say the data of the validity status of the driving licence in correspondence with the identification data of each identified user in the list.
[0074] In a fifth operation 205, the vehicle 10 stores in memory the data associated with the list, i.e. the identification data and the data relating to the validity status of the corresponding driving licence.
[0075] Updating the list, for example adding or removing an identified user, is implemented in a similar way by reproducing the operations described above.
[0076] Figure 3 schematically illustrates a control device 3 for a vehicle immobilizer system, for example, vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The device 3 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the vehicle, such as a computer. According to alternative embodiments, the device 3 corresponds to a mobile communication device such as device 11 or to a server such as remote device 101.
[0077] Device 3 is, for example, configured to carry out the operations described opposite Figures 1 to 2 and / or the steps of the process described opposite [Fig. 4]. Examples of such a device 3 include, but are not limited to, embedded electronic equipment such as a vehicle's on-board computer, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, a computer, or a server. The elements of device 3, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. Device 3 can be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.
[0078] The device 3 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 30 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the process and / or for executing instructions from the software embedded in the device 3. The processor 30 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 3 further comprises at least one memory 31, for example, volatile and / or non-volatile memory, and / or includes a memory storage device that may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic disk, or optical disk.
[0079] The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored on memory 31.
[0080] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 3 comprises a block 32 of interface elements for communicating with external devices such as connected vehicles and / or measuring devices. The interface elements of the block 32 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").
[0081] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 3 includes a communication interface 33 which enables communication with other devices (such as other servers, databases) via a communication channel 330. The communication interface 33 corresponds, for example, to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 330. The communication interface 33 corresponds, for example, to a wired Ethernet network (standardized by ISO / IEC 802-3).
[0082] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 3 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 340, touch or not, one or more speakers 350 and / or other peripherals 360 (projection system) via output interfaces 34, 35 and 36 respectively. According to a variant, one or more of the external devices is integrated into the device 3.
[0083] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a method for controlling a vehicle's immobilizer system, for example, vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by one or more processors of a device embedded in the vehicle 10, such as a computer, or by the device 3 of Figure 3.
[0084] In a first step 41, initial representative identification data of a candidate user of the vehicle are received.
[0085] In a second step 42, second data representing the validity status of a driving licence of the applicant user are received according to the first data, the second data being obtained from a remote device connected by wireless communication to the vehicle.
[0086] In a third step 43, the immobilizer system is controlled according to the second data.
[0087] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of Figures 1 to 2 apply to the steps of the process in [Fig.4].
Claims
Demands
1. Method for controlling an immobilizer system of a vehicle (10), said method being implemented by at least one processor and comprising the following steps: - receiving (41) first data representing the identification of a prospective user of said vehicle (10); - receiving (42) second data representing the validity status of a driving licence of said prospective user based on the first data, said second data being obtained from a remote device (101) connected wirelessly to said vehicle (10); - controlling (43) said immobilizer system based on said second data.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said validity state belongs to a set of validity states comprising: - a valid state of said driving licence, and - an invalid state of said driving licence, the immobilizer system being controlled to allow a starting of said vehicle (10) when the validity state corresponds to the valid state, and the immobilizer system being controlled to prohibit a starting of said vehicle (10) when the validity state corresponds to the invalid state.
3. A method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of transmitting a first alert to a mobile communication device (11) when said validity state corresponds to the invalid state.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, further comprising a step of transmitting a request to receive said second data to said remote device (101) via a wireless connection, said request comprising said first data and third data representing the identification of said vehicle (10), said second data being received from said remote device (101) via the wireless connection in response to said request.
5. A method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of comparing said first data with fourth data representative of a list of identified users of said vehicle (10), said step of transmitting a request being implemented when a result of the comparison indicates that the candidate user does not belong to said list of identified users.
6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising a step of transmitting a second alert to a mobile communication device (11) when the result of the comparison indicates that the candidate user does not belong to said list of identified users.
7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a step of updating said list of identified users to add said candidate user from said first data when the result of the comparison indicates that the candidate user does not belong to said list of identified users.
8. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when such instructions are executed by a processor.
9. Control device for a vehicle immobilizer system (10), said device comprising a memory (31) associated with at least one processor (30) configured to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (3) according to claim 9.
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