Method for managing a digital model of a part of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing a digital model of a motor vehicle part, which digital model is implemented by a computer system (1), the method comprising the following steps: (E01) Storing digital models (Mi) in a database (22) of a server (2); (E1) In response to an action (Oi) carried out by a user, transmitting, to the server, an association request (RA) including an identifier (Uj) of the user; (E2) Associating, on a distributed ledger (4), the identifier and a digital token (NFTi) identifying a digital model; (E6) Upon receipt by the server of an export request (Re) including an identifier (Uj) of a user, transmitting a file (Fi) containing a digital model (Mi) stored in the database and identified by a digital token (NFTi) associated with that identifier on the distributed ledger (4); the file being encoded in a format that can be used by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device.

Description

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0010] Furthermore, each model is associated in the database with one or more actions that a user can perform in a virtual or real environment. Examples of such actions include, but are not limited to, recognizing a promotional code given to the user; scanning a graphic element, such as a QR code; acquiring a trophy in a video game; making a purchase in a virtual world; unlocking an experience level in a video game; or accumulating a given number of points in a video game. Another action could be a transaction of a digital model of a part between two users, or even modifying a digital model already owned by a user.

[0011] When such an action is detected, either directly by the server or by transmitting a code identifying the action to the server, the server records the assignment of the digital model associated with that action to the user identified in the association request. This record is kept in a distributed ledger to prevent tampering. The user can then exchange or sell the assigned digital model, or even modify it within the design limits authorized by the equipment manufacturer that designed the model.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0028] This example allows the user to modify an existing digital model, notably to personalize it, and to generate a new digital model that can be stored in the server's database and transformed into a digital asset, validly registered in the distributed ledger. It is thus understood that a new digital token is generated for this new digital model.

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

[0030] These features help to limit the user's creative freedom and thus prevent modifications from degrading the expected performance of the corresponding automotive part, or even introducing safety problems.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0046] We have represented a process for managing a digital model of a part of a motor vehicle implemented by a computer system such as the one shown in.

[0047] The computer system shown includes a computer terminal 1, such as a desktop or laptop computer. A user of computer terminal 1 can interact with a virtual environment EV running on terminal 1, such as a video game as shown in the image. Alternatively, the computer terminal could be a smartphone, a tablet, a virtual reality headset, or any other device capable of displaying the virtual environment. Alternatively, the virtual environment could be a virtual world or a simulation environment. As a further alternative, the virtual environment could run on a computer server of which terminal 1 is a client.

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

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

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

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

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

[0053] Furthermore, for each digital model M i , a file F i in g-code format, allowing the manufacture of a part conforming to this model M iis also stored in database 22, but is not directly associated with the digital model M. i corresponding.

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

[0055] In the example described, the information needed to find a file F i corresponding to model M i , such as the file identifier F i or a download address for the Fi file, are encrypted in the NFT token i .

[0056] Furthermore, each digital model M i is associated, in database 22, or in another database on the same server or another server, with one or more O actions i likely to be operated by a user in the EV virtual environment.

[0057] In the example described, the virtual environment EV, as represented, is a racing simulation video game. An action O i operable in the EV virtual environment and able to be associated with an M model iThis could include acquiring a T trophy after winning a race. Other actions that could be performed in a video game or other type of virtual environment could be considered, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058] Similarly, we can consider that the action O i the user is operable at least partially in the real world, such as reading a graphic element, like a QR code or a barcode, from a smartphone, purchasing a virtual or real object, from a real or online store or from another user.

[0059] Thus, in a step E1, when such an action O i is operated or triggered by the user; it is detected either directly by the computer terminal 1 or by the server on which the EV virtual environment is running, notably through verification of assignment conditions. An association request R A, including an O action identifier i detected and a U identifier j The user's information is then transmitted, either by the computer terminal 1, or by the server on which the EV virtual environment is run, to the computer server 2.

[0060] In step E2, upon receipt of said association request R A , the computer server 2 retrieves the identifier of the digital model M i stored in database 22 and associated with action O i detected. It then transmits to smart contract 41 managing the NFT digital token i associated with this M model i a transaction T Mi relating to the M model iet signée à la fois par le propriétaire actuel du modèle Mi, à savoir l’équipementier dans le cadre d’une première transaction soit par l’utilisateur précédent, et par l’utilisateur ayant opéré l’action Oi.

[0061] For example, the transaction can be encrypted using a public key (PK). j , derived from a PK public key pair j and SK private key j of the user, transmitted by the computer terminal 1.

[0062] In step E3, smart contract 41 thus updates the NFT token i with the owner of the model Mi with the user ID Uj contained in the association query R a and thus records on the distributed register 4 the assignment of the digital model M i to that user. The user can then exchange or sell the digital model Mi that was assigned to them, or even modify this digital model M i .

[0063] Furthermore, the information needed to locate file F i are decrypted, either on server 2 if it is the first transaction, or on the previous owner's terminal, and then re-encrypted in the NFT token i using the PK public key j of user U. In other words, only the new owner of the digital model M i , as recorded in distributed ledger 4, can decrypt the NFT token iwith his SK private key j and can thus access the file containing this digital model in order to manufacture it.

[0064] In step E4, the representation of the motor vehicle in the EV virtual environment is updated by integrating the digital model M i which was unlocked by the user, as shown in.

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

[0066] For these purposes, the computer server 2 includes a digital model selection interface from which the digital model M i can be selected and downloaded by the user from the computer terminal 1. In step E5, the selection of model M iThis triggers the issuance of an R export request. e of the M model i , destined for server 2 and including the identifier U j of the user.

[0067] In step E6, upon receipt by server 2 of said export request R e Server 2 transmits the NFT digital token to computer terminal 1 i or at least the encrypted information needed to recover file F i which are stored there.

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

[0069] File F ican then be transmitted to device 3 to be interpreted and to result in the manufacture of the part corresponding to model M i , in step E10.

[0070] The preceding description clearly explains how the invention achieves its objectives, namely to extend the user's experience in a virtual environment to allow them to have a real automotive part, identical to the one they have purchased, so that they can integrate it into their motor vehicle in real life, while scrupulously respecting the design of the part and avoiding the appearance of counterfeits.

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

Claims

A method for managing a digital model of a part of a motor vehicle implemented by a computer system (1), the method comprising the following steps (E01) Storage of a plurality of digital models (M i ) of automotive parts in a database (22) of a computer server (2); (E1) In response to an action (O i ) operated by a user from a computer terminal (1), transmission to the computer server of an association request (R A ) including an identifier (U j ) of the user; (E2) Upon receipt of said association request, association, in a distributed ledger (4), of said user identifier and a digital token (NFT) i ) identifying a numerical model stored in the database and generated from the action performed by the user; (E6) Upon receipt by the server of an export request (R e) issued from a computer terminal (1) and including an identifier (U j ) of a user, transmission to said computer terminal of a file (F i ) containing a numerical model (M i ) stored in the database and identified by a digital token (NFT) i ) associated in the distributed register (4) said user identifier; the file being encoded in a format usable by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the association step (E2) comprises a substep of encrypting a file identifier (F i ) to generate said digital token (NFT i ); and in that the file transmission step (E6) comprises the following sub-steps: upon receipt by the server of said export request (R e ) issued from a computer terminal (1) and including an identifier (U j) of a user, transmission to said computer terminal of a digital token (NFT) i ) associated in the distributed ledger (4) said user identifier; decryption, at said computer terminal, of a file identifier from this digital token; transmission by the computer terminal to the server of said decrypted identifier; transmission by the computer server of said file containing the digital model stored in the database and identified by said decrypted identifier. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the action (O i ) of the user (U j ) being operated in a virtual environment (VE) with which the user can interact through the computer terminal (1) and the virtual environment being provided with at least one condition for assigning a digital model (M i) of a given part of a motor vehicle, the process includes a verification step, based on the user's action, to confirm the user's validation of each assignment condition, and in that the association request (R a ) is transmitted only if the user validates one of the allocation conditions. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises, at the end of the association step (E2), a display step on the user's computer terminal (1), within a virtual representation of a motor vehicle in the virtual environment (EV), of the digital model (M i ) identified by the digital token (NFT i ) which has been associated with the identifier. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the action (O i ) of the user being a transaction operation of a digital model (M i) of a part from a motor vehicle belonging to a previous user, the association request (R a ) includes the identifiers (U j ) of the previous user and of said user. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, at the end of the association step (E2), a step of displaying on the user's computer terminal (1) an interface for modifying the digital model (M i ) identified by the digital token (NFT i ) which has been associated with the identifier; following modifications made by the user to said digital model through the modification interface, a step of registering, in the database (22) of the server (2), a new digital model corresponding to the digital model modified by the user; and a further step of associating, in the distributed register (4), said user identifier (U j) and a digital token identifying said new digital model stored in the database and generated from said new digital model. A method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each digital model (M i ) is stored in the database (22) of the server (2) by being associated with one or more modification limits, and in that it includes, prior to the step of displaying the modification interface, a step of transmitting to the computer terminal (1) the modification limit(s) associated with the digital model identified by the digital token (NFT) i ) which has been associated with the identifier, and in that the registration step is conditional upon validation of the modifications made by the user to said digital model with regard to the modification limit(s) associated with this digital model. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said file (F i ) encodes all the instructions necessary for the manufacture, by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device, of the part according to the digital model contained in this file. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a manufacturing step by an additive or subtractive manufacturing device (3), from said file (F i ), of the part according to the digital model (M i ) contained in this file. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each digital model (M i ) of an automotive part stored in the database (22) of the server (2) includes a unique three-dimensional element associated with said model.

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