Method and device for selecting a communication mode of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for selecting a communication mode of a first vehicle (11) travelling in a road environment (1) and configured to communicate data according to a first communication mode and a second communication mode. To this end, data are received which represent a dynamic mapping representing coverage levels of a set of areas (1001) of a territory according to the first communication mode and according to the second communication mode. Second data which represent the current position of the first vehicle (11) are received. A communication mode is selected from the first communication mode and the second communication mode on the basis of the mapping data and the data regarding the current position of the first vehicle (11).

Description

DESCRIPTION Title: Method and device for selecting a vehicle's communication mode The present invention claims priority from French application No. 2409932 filed on 18.09.2024, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and devices for optimizing the selection of a communication mode for a vehicle equipped with dual connectivity, comprising a terrestrial communication mode and a non-terrestrial communication mode. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and device for selecting a communication mode for a vehicle traveling in a road environment. Technological background

[0002] Continuous vehicle connectivity has become a major issue in the transportation sector.

[0003] To ensure continuous connectivity with an infrastructure, it is common practice to typically combine two communication modes for a vehicle: a first, terrestrial communication mode with extensive coverage, and a second, non-terrestrial communication mode, enabling vehicle connectivity in areas not covered by the first mode. This provides the vehicle with continuous connectivity.

[0004] However, switching from one communication mode to another can result in a temporary loss of connection, corresponding to the time it takes to establish the connection. This loss of connection can have a significant impact on the user experience, for example, an interruption of access to a video or audio streaming service that causes inconvenience for the user and negatively impacts the user experience.

[0005] It is known from prior art that it is possible to anticipate switching in the case where network coverage is a fixed data point. However, certain variable factors can affect this network coverage; for example, weather conditions can affect the network coverage of a communication mode such as satellite communication. 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] One object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the switching from one communication mode to another during the movement of a vehicle.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for selecting the communication mode of a first vehicle traveling in a road environment, the first vehicle being configured to communicate data according to a first communication mode of the terrestrial network type and according to a second communication mode of the non-terrestrial network type. The method is implemented by at least one processor and comprises the following steps: - reception of initial data representing a dynamic map showing coverage levels of a set of areas in a territory according to the first mode of communication and according to the second mode of communication, the initial data being generated from switching information between the first mode of communication and the second mode of communication obtained from a set of second vehicles circulating in the territory; - reception of second data representing a current position of the first vehicle; - selection of the communication mode of the first vehicle based on the first and second data from the first communication mode and the second communication mode.

[0009] Collecting dynamic mapping data representing coverage levels for a set of areas within a territory, according to the first and second communication modes, provides dynamic information that reflects the actual state of coverage levels for each communication mode and across a set of geographic areas. The coverage level represented in the mapping data allows visualization, for each communication mode, of information about that mode's coverage within a given geographic area. Switching information received from a set of second vehicles provides field data from vehicles actually operating in the territory and enables the creation of dynamic maps, for example, by associating geographic coordinates identifying the current position with the timing information of a switch.Selecting a communication mode for the first vehicle based on the aforementioned first and second data allows for initiating a communication mode switch while avoiding any temporary loss of connection, for example by choosing the one with an adequate level of coverage, while still benefiting from the coverage of the current communication mode.

[0010] The first vehicle thus dynamically anticipates a switchover between networks avoiding a loss of connection, and ensuring continuous and reliable connectivity, thereby improving the user experience and the performance of the first vehicle.

[0011] According to one variant, the selection includes a step of detecting an approach of the first vehicle to an area of ​​the set of areas.

[0012] According to another variant, detection is based on third data representative of a navigation route of the first vehicle obtained by a first vehicle navigation system, the route crossing the area.

[0013] According to yet another variant, the switching information represents a number of switches from the first communication mode to the second switching mode and a number of switches from the second communication mode to the first switching mode for each of the zones in the zone set, the selection including a first switch of the first communication mode to second communication mode when the number of switches from first communication mode to second communication mode in the zone exceeds a predefined threshold, and a second switch from second communication mode to first communication mode when the number of switches from second communication mode to first communication mode in the zone exceeds a predefined threshold, the first or second switch being implemented when the first vehicle is at a predetermined distance from the zone.

[0014] According to another variant, the first mode of communication is a terrestrial cellular mobile network type of communication.

[0015] According to another variant, the second mode of communication is a satellite communication type mode.

[0016] According to another variant, the initial data is received from a remote device via a wireless connection.

[0017] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which includes instructions adapted for the execution of 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.

[0018] Such a computer program can 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.

[0019] According to a third 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.

[0020] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage means, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a ROM of type microelectronic circuit, or a magnetic recording device or a hard drive.

[0021] 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 a network such as the Internet.

[0022] 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.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle communication mode selection device, the communication device comprising a memory associated with at least one processor configured for implementing the steps of the process according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0024] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, comprising a device as described above according to the fourth aspect of the present invention. 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 3, in which:

[0026] [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a communication mode selection environment for a first vehicle, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] [Fig. 2] illustrates a device configured for selecting a communication mode for the first vehicle in Figure 1, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] [Fig. 3] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a process for selecting a communication mode for the first vehicle of figure 1, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Description of examples of achievements

[0029] A method and device for selecting a communication mode for a vehicle will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description that follows.

[0030] The terms "first," "second" (or "firsts," "seconds"), etc., are used in this document by arbitrary convention to identify and distinguish 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.

[0031] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the selection of a communication mode for a first vehicle traveling in a road environment is implemented by a device embedded in the first vehicle, for example, by one or more processors of one or more computers of the first vehicle or by one or more processors of a wireless communication device included in the first vehicle and moving with the first vehicle. The first vehicle is advantageously configured to communicate data according to two wireless communication modes via the embedded computer(s) or the embedded wireless communication device: a first communication mode referred to as "terrestrial," and a second communication mode referred to as "non-terrestrial."

[0032] For the sake of clarity, the implementation of the steps of the process of the invention "by the first vehicle" includes the implementation of steps by one or more processors of one or more computers of the first vehicle or by one or more processors of a wireless communication device included in the first vehicle and moving with the first vehicle.

[0033] To this end, initial data representing a dynamic map showing coverage levels for a set of areas within a territory, according to the first and second communication modes, are obtained, for example, from a remote server-type device to which the first vehicle is wirelessly connected via one or the other communication mode. This initial data is generated from switching information between the first and second communication modes, such as data providing switching location information from the first mode to the second mode or vice versa, this data being obtained from a set of second vehicles circulating within the territory.Such switching information is transmitted, for example, during a communication mode switch by at least one second vehicle from the set of second vehicles to the remote server-type device to which the set of second vehicles is wirelessly connected, or stored in the memory of the remote server-type device. Second data points representing the current position of the first vehicle are obtained, for example, from a navigation system on board the first vehicle or from a navigation system of a wireless communication device included in the first vehicle and moving with the first vehicle. A communication mode is then selected based on the first and second data points, for example, if the coverage level of the first vehicle's current communication mode does not ensure reliable connectivity.

[0034] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a road environment 1 associated with a wireless communication network, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] The road environment 1 of Figure 1 comprises a first vehicle 11 and a set of second vehicles consisting of a plurality of second vehicles, for example four vehicles 12, 13, 14, 15 as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0036] The set of second vehicles illustrated in Figure 1 consists of four vehicles, 12, 13, 14, and 15, for the sake of clarity. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to a set of second vehicles consisting of four vehicles and extends to a set of second vehicles consisting of one or more vehicles, for example, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, or more second vehicles.

[0037] Vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 each correspond to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus.

[0038] The first vehicle 11 travels on a road traffic lane 150, for example a road, following a navigation route proposed by the navigation system, for example a GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation system of the first vehicle 11. According to a variant, the first vehicle travels on the road traffic lane 150 without guidance from the GPS navigation system.

[0039] The first vehicle 11 and the set of second vehicles 12, 13, 14 and 15 are configured to communicate wirelessly according to two communication modes, a terrestrial communication mode TN (TN: Terrestrial Network), called the first communication mode, and a non-terrestrial communication mode NTN (NTN: Non Terrestrial Network), called the second communication mode.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the first communication mode is a terrestrial TN communication mode of the cellular network type, for example a 4G cellular network based on LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced, or 5G, or a C-V2X cellular network based on LTE-based 4G or 5G. According to another example, the first terrestrial communication mode is a communication mode of the Wifi® type (according to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, for example, according to one of the IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g standards (2.4–2.5 GHz frequency band)). IEEE 802.11n (frequency band 2.4 and / or 5 GHz), IEEE 802.11ac (frequency band 5.15 - 5.35 GHz or 5.47 - 8.875 GHz), IEEE 802.11ax (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6 GHz) or 802.11p (frequency band 5.85 - 8.925 GHz for the implementation of V2X type communications (from the English "Vehicle-to-Everything" or in French "Véhicule vers tout").

[0041] In one embodiment, the second communication mode is a non-terrestrial NTN communication mode of the type via a satellite connection in low Earth orbit (LEO). In another example, the second communication mode is a non-terrestrial NTN communication mode of the type via a satellite connection in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO).

[0042] The first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle assembly 12, 13, 14 and 15 each include a communication system or interface comprising, for example, one or more communication antennas connected to a telematic control unit, called a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), itself connected to one or more computers of the vehicle's on-board system 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. The antenna(s), the TCU and the computer(s) form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the implementation of various services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and for assisting the driver and / or passengers of the vehicle 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 in the control of the vehicle 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.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.

[0043] The first vehicle 11 and the set of second vehicles 12, 13, 14 and 15 each further comprise a geolocation system receiver enabling each vehicle 11, 12 to obtain data representative of its geographical position at any time, for example in the form of coordinates (latitude and longitude), via a satellite link with a set of satellites. The geolocation system corresponds, for example, to a system of the GPS (Global Positioning System), Galileo, or GLONASS type. The geographical position obtained for each vehicle 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 from a geolocation system is said to be absolute in that the coordinates are expressed in the same frame of reference for each vehicle 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, namely the world reference point.

[0044] The first vehicle 11 and the set of second vehicles 12, 13, 14 and 15 communicate with a remote server-type device 110 either through a terrestrial network infrastructure communication device 101 enabling terrestrial communication mode, for example a cellular network infrastructure communication device of the 4G or 5G antenna type, or through a non-terrestrial network infrastructure communication device 102, for example a satellite among a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), or a satellite in geostationary orbit (GEO).

[0045] In one embodiment, the first vehicle 11 and the second vehicle group 12, 13, 14, and 15 are equipped with a navigation system associated with an infotainment system, known as IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment), which controls the navigation system's user interface. The navigation system is configured to calculate a set of routes or paths between a starting point (beginning of the journey) and an arrival point (destination of the journey) using road mapping data of the road environment in which the vehicle 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are traveling, as known to a person skilled in the art. The navigation system corresponds, for example, to a navigation system integrated into the vehicle 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 or implemented by a mobile communication device (for example, a smartphone). "Smartphone") in the form of a mobile application, the mobile communication device being embedded in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and for example connected by wired or wireless communication (for example by Bluetooth® or Wifi®) to the vehicle 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0046] Network infrastructure communication devices 101, 102 are configured to communicate with a cloud communication infrastructure 100, referred to as "cloud", and to establish communication with server 110. Conversely, server 110 is configured to communicate with vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 via cloud 100.

[0047] For clarity, only one communication link to the terrestrial network infrastructure communication device 101 and the non-terrestrial network infrastructure communication device 102 is shown for the set of second vehicles 12, 13, 14 and 15, however each of the vehicles in the set of second vehicles 12, 13, 14 and 15 communicates in a terrestrial communication mode to the terrestrial network infrastructure 101 and in a non-terrestrial communication mode to the non-terrestrial network infrastructure 102.

[0048] A communication mode selection process for the first vehicle 11 circulating in the road environment 1 is implemented by one or more computers of the first vehicle 11, i.e. by one or more processors of this or these computers, or by a mobile communication device on board the first vehicle 11.

[0049] In a first operation of the process, initial data representing a dynamic map showing coverage levels of a set of 1001 zones of a territory according to the first mode of communication and according to the second mode of communication are obtained, for example received from the remote device 110 via a wireless connection or from a memory of the device implementing the process.

[0050] This first data is generated from switching information between the first communication mode and the second communication mode, this switching information being transmitted from the set of second vehicles 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 using a communication mode (terrestrial or non-terrestrial) with the server(s) 110 via the cloud 100.

[0051] Switching information includes, for example: - switching timestamp data, and / or - the geographical location of the second vehicle at the time of switching, and / or - identification of the communication mode to which the switchover is performed, and / or - the received signal strength for both communication modes at the time of switching.

[0052] For example, switching information includes the geographic location of the second vehicle and the identification of the communication mode to which the switch is made. In another example, switching information includes the timestamp of the switch, the geographic location of the second vehicle, and the identification of the communication mode to which the switch is made.

[0053] This switching information is transmitted by each of the second vehicles of the set of second vehicles 12, 13, 14 and 15, for example at the time of a switchover if a communication link with the server(s) 110 is established, or stored in memory and transmitted as soon as the communication link with the server(s) 110 is re-established.

[0054] From this communication mode switching information, for example sent in real time, the 110 server(s) dynamically generate the first data.

[0055] The initial data corresponds, for example, to: - representative data from a set of 1001 zones of the territory; and - representative data of a coverage level for a zone 1001 of the set of zones.

[0056] The data representing a set of areas correspond, for example, to - a set of closed zones 1001, each zone 1001 being delimited by a boundary. - a set of non-closed zones, defined by geographical segments intersecting road traffic routes 150.

[0057] A boundary of a 1001 zone corresponds, for example, to: - a scatter plot, each point representing a switch within the switching history - a geographic line generated from a point cloud, each point representing a switch from the switching history.

[0058] For example, zone 1001 is defined by a switching ratio, from the first terrestrial communication mode to the second non-terrestrial communication mode, or vice versa, greater than a predefined threshold ratio.

[0059] The switching ratio is calculated by the server(s) 110 by determining the number of switching operations relative to the number of second vehicles traveling on a portion of lane 150 over a defined period. For example, to calculate the ratio, the server(s) 110 obtain the number of second vehicles traveling on lane 150 over a given period and, using switching data, calculate the number of switching operations among these second vehicles during that same period. A ratio is thus calculated.

[0060] In one embodiment, the threshold ratio is equal to 50%, 75% or 90%.

[0061] Data representative of a coverage level corresponds, for example, to: - data indicating the communication method to be used in a 1001 zone, or - data representing the communication method with the best signal quality in a 1001 zone.

[0062] For example, the coverage level of a 1001 zone indicates that, across the entire 1001 zone, the preferred communication mode is the non-terrestrial mode, as the 110 server(s) have determined that the switching ratio from the terrestrial to the non-terrestrial mode exceeds the predefined threshold. In another example, the 110 server(s) determine, based on received signal strength data from switching information, that the non-terrestrial mode offers better signal quality in a 1001 zone. The coverage level in this This embodiment is an indication that the non-terrestrial communication mode offers better signal quality in area 1001.

[0063] This initial data is updated regularly by the 110 server(s) according to a given time period, as switching information is received from secondary vehicles 12 to 15. For example, the initial data is updated every 10 minutes. In another example, the initial data is updated hourly.

[0064] This initial data is then accessible by the first vehicle 11 via the wireless network infrastructure once all components of the chain enabling data communication between the first vehicle 11 and the "cloud" 100 are operational. In another example, the map data is stored in memory accessible by the navigation system's controller (e.g., a computer), with only map data updates being downloaded from the server 110, either automatically or upon request from the first vehicle 11.

[0065] In a second operation of the process, second data points representing the current position of the first vehicle 11 are obtained. For example, these data points come from the geolocation system receiver of the first vehicle 11.

[0066] When the process is implemented by a mobile communication device on board the first vehicle 11, the second data is obtained via the receiver of the integrated geolocation system.

[0067] In a third operation of the process, a communication mode is selected based on the first and second data from among the first communication mode and the second communication mode.

[0068] For example, from its current position and mapping data, the first vehicle 11 determines a distance from the first vehicle 11 to an area 1001.

[0069] The distance between the first vehicle 11 and zone 1001 is: - the distance between the first vehicle 11 and the intersection of traffic lane 150 with the boundary of zone 1001, or - the shortest direct distance between the first vehicle 11 and the boundary of zone 1001, or - the distance between the first vehicle 11 and the center of zone 1001, the center being defined as the center of the smallest circle including zone 1001.

[0070] If this distance is less than a threshold, for example a threshold equal to a distance of 500m, the first vehicle 11 uses the first data relating to area 1001 to select the appropriate communication mode.

[0071] For example, if the initial data indicates that in zone 1001 the first vehicle 11 must use the non-terrestrial communication mode, and the current communication mode of the first vehicle 11 is the terrestrial mode, the first vehicle 11 initiates its switch from the terrestrial communication mode to the non-terrestrial communication mode while continuing to travel towards zone 1001. Thus, the first vehicle 1001 switches communication modes without experiencing a temporary loss of connection.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the first vehicle 11 transmits its switching information, after a switchover, to the server 110 via its wireless connection, thus enabling the switching history to be fed for the generation or updating of the first data by the server 110.

[0073] According to a particular embodiment, the detection of the proximity of the first vehicle 11 is a function of third data representative of a navigation route of the first vehicle 11 obtained by a navigation system of the first vehicle 11, this route crossing the zone 1001.

[0074] For example, the navigation route is a GPS guidance route to a destination entered into the navigation system of the first vehicle 11. The first vehicle 11 anticipates that the route selected by the GPS navigation system crosses an area for which the mapping data indicates a level of insufficient coverage for the current communication mode, and anticipates the switching of communication modes.

[0075] According to a particular embodiment, the switching information represents the number of switching operations between the first and second communication modes for each of the zones 1001 in the zone set. The selection operation includes a first switching from the first to the second communication mode when the number of switching operations from the first to the second communication mode in zone 1001 exceeds a predefined threshold, and a second switching from the second to the first communication mode when the number of switching operations from the second to the first communication mode in zone 1001 exceeds a predefined threshold. The first or second switching is implemented when the first vehicle 11 is at a predetermined distance from zone 1001.

[0076] In one example, the initial data is received from a remote device via a wireless connection.

[0077] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a device 2 configured to select a communication mode for a vehicle, for example, the first vehicle 11, or for example, the second vehicles 12, 13, 14, 15, according to various specific and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention. The device 2 corresponds, for example, to a device embedded in the first vehicle 11 (for example, a computer), a device embedded in the second vehicles 12, 13, 14, 15, or a mobile communication device embedded in the first vehicle 11 and / or in the second vehicles 12, 13, 14, 15.

[0078] Device 2 is, for example, configured to carry out at least some of the operations described opposite Figure 1 and / or the steps of the process described opposite Figure 3. Examples of such a device 2 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a Y1 vehicle, an electronic control unit such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), a TCU, a controller, a computer, a server, or a mobile communication device (e.g., embedded in a vehicle and connected to that vehicle via wired or wireless communication). 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 may be implemented as electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules, or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0079] 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 Device 2. The processor 20 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. Device 2 further comprises at least one memory 21, 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] According to various specific and non-limiting embodiment examples, 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.

[0082] According to a specific and non-limiting embodiment, device 2 includes a block 22 of interface elements for communicating with external devices. The interface elements of block 22 include 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, 5G; - 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").

[0083] According to another particular and non-limiting embodiment, the device 2 includes a communication interface 23 which enables communication 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 LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) network.

[0084] According to a particular and non-limiting embodiment, 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 device 2.

[0085] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps in a communication mode selection process for a vehicle traveling in an environment road vehicle, for example the first vehicle 11, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented, for example, by a computer or set of computers in the vehicle or by a mobile communication device embedded in the vehicle, for example by the device 2 in Figure 2.

[0086] In a first step 31, initial data representing a dynamic map showing coverage levels of a set of areas within a territory according to the first communication mode and according to the second communication mode are received. This initial data is generated from switching information between the first and second communication modes obtained from a set of second vehicles circulating within the territory.

[0087] In a second step 32, second data representing a current position of the first vehicle are received.

[0088] In a third step 33, a communication mode of the first vehicle is selected, based on the first and second data, from among the first communication mode and the second communication mode.

[0089] According to one variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to Figure 1 apply to the steps of the process in Figure 3.

[0090] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to a vehicle communication method that 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.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Method for selecting the communication mode of a first vehicle (11), said first vehicle (11) being configured to communicate data according to a first communication mode of the terrestrial network type and according to a second communication mode of the non-terrestrial network type, said method being implemented by at least one processor, said method comprising the following steps: - reception (31) of first data representative of a dynamic mapping representing coverage levels of a set of zones (1001) of a territory according to said first mode of communication and according to said second mode of communication, said first data being generated from switching information between said first mode of communication and said second mode of communication obtained from a set of second vehicles (12, 13, 14, 15) circulating on said territory; - reception (32) of second data representative of a current position of the first vehicle (11); - selection (33) of the communication mode of the first vehicle (11) according to said first and second data from said first communication mode and said second communication mode.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selection comprises a step of detecting the approach of the first vehicle (11) to a zone (1001) of said set of zones 3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said detection is a function of third data representative of a navigation route of said first vehicle (11) obtained by a navigation system of said vehicle (11), said route crossing said zone.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said switching information is representative of a number of switches from the first communication mode to the second switching mode and a number of switches from the second communication mode to the first mode. switching for each of said zones (1001) of said set of zones (1001), said selection comprising a first switching from the first communication mode to the second communication mode when a number of switchings from the first communication mode to the second communication mode of said zone (1001) exceeds a predefined threshold, and a second switching from the second communication mode to the first communication mode when the number of switchings from the second communication mode to the first communication mode of said zone (1001) exceeds a predefined threshold, said first switching or said second switching being implemented when said first vehicle (11) is at a predetermined distance from said zone (1001).

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first mode of communication is a terrestrial cellular mobile network type communication mode.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second mode of communication is a satellite communication type mode.

7. Method according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the first data is received from a remote device via a wireless connection.

8. Computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when said program is executed by a processor.

9. A vehicle communication mode selection device (11), said communication device comprising a memory associated with at least one processor configured for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Vehicle (11) comprising a device (2) according to claim 9.

Images