Method for connecting a vehicle to an access point

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for connecting a vehicle (1) to an access point (2). The invention is characterized in that a WLAN connection (3) between the vehicle (1) and the access point (2) is established independently, wherein required logon information is communicated via a secure connection and wherein encryption depends on an operating mode of the vehicle (1).

Description

[0001] Method for connecting a vehicle to an access point

[0002] The invention relates to a method for connecting a vehicle to an access point.

[0003] For example, if a vehicle is brought into a workshop, a connection to the workshop's access points must be manually established for each vehicle. These are, in particular, Wi-Fi access points, which must be manually activated by the workshop employees during the workshop visit.

[0004] The same applies, for example, if a fleet vehicle or a company vehicle is put into a special operating mode in order to, for example, set or activate the vehicle rights management.

[0005] State-of-the-art technology includes WPA2 Enterprise authentication, standard WPA2 and WPA3 WLAN connections via SSID encryption, or the use of certificates or user names to identify vehicles and distinguish between participants.

[0006] EP 2 939 391 B1 discloses a method for authenticating user access in a packet data network, wherein the packet data network comprises a plurality of public hotspot access points. This allows access to be provided to authorized users. User authentication is performed based on initial authentication criteria, using the public hotspot access point. The user himself uses an associated private network.

[0007] WO 2021 / 151486 A1 discloses a method for establishing a data connection between a terminal in a vehicle and a central module of a stationary local area network, as well as a data transmission system for carrying out the method.

[0008] DE 102005 028 663 A1 describes a communication system for securely communicating at least one of several components of a vehicle via a wireless communication connection with at least one external communication partner, wherein the several components each comprise at least one communication module for exchanging data.

[0009] The disadvantage is that the method depends on public hotspot access points, authenticated users and an associated private network.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a method which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0011] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for connecting a vehicle to an access point having the features in claim 1, and in particular in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims.

[0012] At the core of the device according to the invention, a WLAN connection is automatically established between the vehicle and the access point, with the necessary login information being transmitted via a secure connection and the encryption depending on the vehicle's operating mode. The operating mode can be, for example, a "workshop mode," in which the necessary login information for performing the required actions can be transmitted. Furthermore, the operating mode can be a "rights management mode," which is particularly relevant for company vehicles or fleet vehicles. Depending on the transmitted data, different rights can be assigned to the vehicles.

[0013] The type of encryption depends primarily on the vehicle's operating mode. Different encryption and decryption technologies can be used, with the necessary login credentials being transmitted only over a secure connection and therefore unable to be stolen by unauthorized persons.

[0014] The method is designed to connect a vehicle to an access point. The access point can be assigned, for example, to a workshop, a company network, or another location. A plurality of access points can be provided, each assigned to a different location.

[0015] If the vehicle is not in a specific operating mode, a connection to the location's access point, such as a workshop, cannot be established. This ensures that information is only exchanged when the vehicle is in a specific operating mode.

[0016] Preferably, the operating mode can be a workshop mode, where a Wi-Fi connection is automatically established between the vehicle and the workshop as an access point. In other words, by evaluating the vehicle's "workshop mode," the Wi-Fi connection can be established independently between the vehicle and the workshop's access point. For this purpose, WPA2 Enterprise authentication can be established without any further manual actions.

[0017] According to a very advantageous development of the idea, the login information can be provided in the form of at least a certificate and / or Wi-Fi credentials. Thus, the evaluation of the vehicle's "workshop mode" can serve as a trigger for the independent establishment of a Wi-Fi connection between the vehicle and the workshop's access point. The necessary login information, such as Wi-Fi credentials and certificates, can be obtained from a server via a secure connection, such as a VPN. The login information can also be stored securely in the vehicle, for example, in a secure module.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the secure connection can be a VPN connection, with the information being retrieved from a server. This is particularly useful when the vehicle is in workshop mode, for example.

[0019] A further advantageous embodiment can provide for the secure connection to be a WPA2 Enterprise authentication, which is performed without any manual actions. This can be used, for example, for different operating modes of fleet vehicles or company vehicles. Thus, the fleet vehicles or company vehicles can independently establish a Wi-Fi connection between the respective vehicle and the company access point via a special operating mode using WPA2 Enterprise authentication without any further manual actions. In particular, this allows for the implementation of rights management tailored to the respective vehicle.

[0020] According to a very advantageous development of the idea, it can be provided that the vehicles of a vehicle fleet and / or company vehicles are independently connected to the company as an access point via a special operating mode.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the login information can be securely stored in the vehicle via a security function. Certificates can be used for this purpose, in particular.

[0022] A further advantageous embodiment can provide for individualized rights management for each vehicle. This is particularly advantageous for company vehicles or fleet vehicles, as individualized rights management can be implemented for each vehicle with minimal time expenditure.

[0023] Further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention for connecting a vehicle to an access point also emerge from the exemplary embodiment which is described in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0024] Showing:

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the method;

[0026] Fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the method. The illustration in Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of the method, wherein a vehicle 1 can be automatically connected to an access point 2 of a workshop. A WLAN connection 3 is automatically established between the vehicle 1 and the access point 2, wherein the necessary login information can be transmitted via a secure connection. In other words, by evaluating the "workshop mode" of the vehicle, a WLAN connection is automatically established between the vehicle 1 and the access point 2. Encryption, whether the login information can be transmitted or not, depends on the operating mode of the vehicle. The operating mode can be, for example, a workshop mode.Because Vehicle 1 can automatically establish a connection to the workshop's Wi-Fi access point, manual intervention by a workshop employee is no longer necessary. The login credentials are decrypted, particularly via Wi-Fi credentials or certificates.

[0027] Figure 2 shows another possible method, where vehicle 1 can be connected to a company or a company network. For this purpose, vehicle 1 is connected to the company's or company network's access point 2, and the Wi-Fi connection can be established as described in Figure 1. This can improve rights management for fleet vehicles or company vehicles, particularly saving time during vehicle authentication.

[0028] The method therefore offers the particular advantage of enabling an independent, automated Wi-Fi connection to be established between the respective vehicle and at least one access point in a workshop or company network, without requiring any manual intervention. This can save time, in particular, because manual input steps are eliminated. Furthermore, workstations can be saved, as manual intervention is no longer necessary when establishing the connection between the vehicle and the access point.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for connecting a vehicle (1) to an access point (2), characterized in that a WLAN connection (3) between the vehicle (1) and the access point (2) is established automatically, wherein necessary login information is transmitted via a secure connection and wherein encryption depends on an operating mode of the vehicle (1).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating mode is a workshop mode, wherein a WLAN connection (3) is automatically established between the vehicle (1) and the workshop as an access point (2).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the login information is at least one certificate and / or WiFi credentials.

4. Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the secure connection is a VPN connection, wherein the information is obtained from a server.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the secure connection is a WPA2 Enterprise authentication which is carried out without any manual actions.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the vehicles (1) of a vehicle fleet and / or company vehicles are independently connected to the company as an access point (2) via a special operating mode.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the registration information is securely stored in the vehicle (1) via a security function.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an individualized rights management is implemented for each vehicle (1).

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