Method for triggering a command in a motor vehicle by means of a data exchange between a control device and an identifier element

Abstract

The present invention essentially relates to a communication system comprising a communication device mounted in a motor vehicle and at least one mobile device (SP, CID, smart watch), said communication system being intended for providing a data exchange between the communication device and the at least one mobile device (SP, CID, smart watch), characterized in that: the communication device comprises a low-frequency communication interface (BF) and a wireless communication interface (11) using the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol in “advertising” state; and in that the communication device is capable of communicating with said at least one mobile device either in low-frequency mode using the BLE protocol or using only the BLE protocol.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising: a communication device which is fitted in a motor vehicle; and at least one mobile device, said communication system being configured to ensure an exchange of data between the communication device and the at least one mobile device, the communication device comprising a low-frequency communication interface and a wireless communication interface according to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol in an advertising state, wherein the communication device communicates with said at least one mobile device, firstly in low-frequency mode and according to the BLE protocol, and secondly according to the BLE protocol alone, and wherein after a triggering event, the wireless communication interface according to the BLE protocol switches from the advertising state to a scanning state.

2. The communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile device is a smartphone comprising a wireless communication interface according to the BLE protocol in the advertising state.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one mobile device is a mobile communication and information device (CID) comprising: a low-frequency communication interface; and a wireless communication interface according to the BLE protocol in a standby state.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triggering event occurs in the motor vehicle.

5. A method comprising: an exchange of data between a communication device and at least one mobile device, the communication device comprising a low-frequency communication interface and a wireless communication interface according to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol in an advertising state; after a triggering event in the vehicle, the wireless communication interface according to the BLE protocol switches from the advertising state to a scanning state; after the triggering event, the low-frequency communication interface of the motor vehicle sends a signal; and after receipt of the signal by a low-frequency communication interface of a mobile communication and information device (CID), a BLE interface of the (CID) switches from a standby state to the advertising state.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triggering event is an activation of a handle of a door of the vehicle.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the triggering event is an activation of a button for starting, and of the vehicle.

8. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the triggering event consists of a predetermined time that has elapsed.

9. The method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising after an action on the mobile device, the BLE interface of the mobile device switches into an initiating state.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mobile device is provided with a tactile interface, and the action on the mobile device is activation via the tactile interface.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mobile device is provided with a remote control button, and the action on the mobile device is activation of the remote control button.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a smart watch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from examining the following detailed description and the appended drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the method according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the method according to the invention in which a first type of identifier element is used;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates the second embodiment of the method according to the invention in which a second type of identifier element is used;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of the method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) FIGS. 1 to 4 follow the same formalism, with each figure showing in the left-hand column the mode observed for the identifier element, and in the right-hand column the mode observed of the BLE protocol for the control device, also designated as the communication device, in the vehicle, during implementation of the corresponding embodiment of the method according to the invention. In each column, the events follow one another chronologically according to the different successive modes adopted by the identifier element or the control device. The situations shown at the same height in the left-hand column and in the right-hand column are observed simultaneously.

(7) FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the method according to the invention, designated as the RKE mode. This embodiment can use any identifier element of the mobile device type, in particularly of the electronic key or electronic badge type (designated by the common acronym CID for “Client IDentifier”) or smartphone (SP).

(8) In the initial configuration of this embodiment, the identifier element is in a state 111 corresponding to the BLE standby mode, if the mobile device concerned is of the CID type, and in a state corresponding to the BLE advertising mode, if the mobile device concerned is of the smartphone type; the control device of the vehicle is in a state 121 corresponding to the BLE advertising mode.

(9) When a characteristic event has taken place, in this case consisting of pressing a button 101, or a combination of buttons, of the mobile device, corresponding to the expression by a user of a command in the motor vehicle, for example a command to unlock the doors or a command to start the vehicle, in a state 112 the identifier element then adopts a BLE initiating mode, with the control device being maintained in a state 122 in BLE advertising mode. In the case when the mobile device is of the CID type, pressing a button corresponds to pressing a remote control button; in the case when the mobile device is of the smartphone type, pressing a button corresponds to activation of a tactile interface of the smartphone concerned. If the command corresponds to a wish to park the vehicle, then the button must be kept pressed throughout the duration of the parking operation.

(10) Adoption of the states 112 and 122 respectively by the identifier element and by the control device then permits an exchange of control information according to the BLE protocol. The exchange of control information serves the purpose of checking whether the identifier element and the control device are authorized to establish a connection according to the BLE protocol between one another. If the identifier element and the control device have previously been associated in order to recognize one another, a connection of this type can be authorized.

(11) The exchange of control information thus makes it possible in a following step to lead to a connection between the identifier element and the control device, which adopt respectively a state 113 and a state 123 in BLE connected mode. Once they are connected, the identifier element and the control device exchange data by means of which the control device receives a command from the identifier element, which command it triggers in a step 124.

(12) In an alternative embodiment, not represented, with an identifier of the smartphone SP type, the latter can already be in BLE passive scanning or active scanning mode, whereas the vehicle is still in the advertising state. In this embodiment, the identifier of the smartphone SP type then goes into BLE initiating mode after the button has been pressed.

(13) FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the method according to the invention designated as the PEPS mode, in which the identifier element involved is of the CID type.

(14) In the initial configuration of this embodiment, the identifier element is in a state 211 corresponding to the BLE standby mode, and the control device is in a state 221 corresponding to the BLE advertising mode.

(15) When a characteristic event 201 has taken place, in this case consisting of action on a door handle, typically grasping said handle in order to try to open the door, or consisting of pressing a starter button of the vehicle (said starter button being able to be placed for example on the dashboard of the vehicle, but also on the smartphone in the form of a key or a combination of keys), corresponding to the expression of the will of a user for a command in the motor vehicle, for example a command to unlock the doors or a command to start the vehicle, the vehicle emits a low frequency signal to the identifier element of the CID type. The low-frequency signal contains a wake-up message. Thus, the woken CID then adopts a BLE advertising mode in a state 212, with the control equipment for its part adopting a BLE scanning mode in a state 222.

(16) In a following step, the identifier element of the CID type is maintained in a state 213 in BLE advertising mode, whereas, in a state 223, the control device adopts a BLE initiating mode.

(17) The adoption of the states 213 and 223 respectively by the identifier element of the CID type and by the control device then authorises an exchange of control information according to the BLE protocol. In this case also, the exchange of control information serves the purpose of checking whether the identifier element and the control device are authorized to establish between one another a connection according to the BLE protocol. It should be noted that, if the identifier element and the control device have previously been paired, the control device then advantageously goes from the advertising state 221 to the initiating state 223, without going via the scanning state 222.

(18) The exchange of control information thus makes it possible to lead, in a following step, to a connection between the identifier element of the CID type and the control device, which adopt respectively a state 214 and a state 224 in BLE connected mode. In this example, it is the identifier element of the CID type which act as a slave E, and the control equipment which acts as a master M, in the exchanges of data which will follow. Once connected, the identifier element of the CID type and the control device exchange data by means of which the control device receives a command from the identifier element, which command it triggers in a step 225.

(19) In an improved embodiment, the low-frequency signal also contains an authentication challenge in relation to the CID. In this case, the response to this challenge is sent in the advertising frame, and the order for execution of the command takes place if the response to the challenge is the one expected, whilst keeping the vehicle in the scanning mode.

(20) FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the method according to the invention, designated as the PEPS mode, as in the previous example which has just been described, but in which the identifier element involved is of the smartphone SP type.

(21) In the initial configuration of this embodiment, the identifier element is in a state 311 corresponding to the BLE advertising mode, the control device also being in a state 321 corresponding to the BLE advertising mode.

(22) When a characteristic event 301 has taken place, in this case consisting of action on a door handle, typically grasping said handle in order to try to open the door, or consisting of pressing a starter button of the vehicle, corresponding to the expression of the will of a user for a command in the motor vehicle, for example a command to unlock the doors or a command to start the vehicle, in a state 312 the identifier element of the smartphone type then adopts a BLE advertising mode, with the control equipment going into a BLE scanning mode in a state 322.

(23) In a following step, the identifier element of the smartphone type is maintained in a state 313 in BLE advertising mode, whereas, in a state 323, the control device adopts a BLE initiating mode.

(24) The adoption of the states 313 and 323 respectively by the identifier element of the smartphone type and by the control device then authorizes an exchange of control information according to the BLE protocol. In this case also, the exchange of control information serves the purpose of verifying whether the identifier element and the control device are authorized to establish between one another a connection according to the BLE protocol. In this case also, it should be noted that if the identifier element and the control device have previously been paired, the control device then advantageously goes from the advertising state 221 to the initiating state 223, without going via the scanning state 222.

(25) The exchange of control information thus makes it possible to lead, in a following step, to a connection between the identifier element of the smartphone type and the control device, which adopt respectively a state 314 and a state 324 in BLE connected mode. In this example, it is the identifier element of the smartphone type which acts as a slave E, and the control device which acts as a master M in the exchanges of data which will follow. Once connected, the identifier element of the CID type and the control device exchange data by means of which the control device receives a command from the identifier element, which command it triggers in a step 325.

(26) In an alternative embodiment, not represented, the objective is to carry out intervention of the CID as a master M, and intervention of the vehicle as a slave E.

(27) In this embodiment, after a characteristic event has taken place, in this case consisting of action on a door handle, typically grasping said handle in order to try to open the door, or consisting of pressing a starter button of the vehicle, corresponding to the expression of the will of a user for a command in the motor vehicle, for example a command to unlock the doors or a command to start the vehicle, the vehicle emits a low-frequency signal to the identifier element of the CID type. The low-frequency signal contains a wake-up message. Thus, the woken CID then adopts a BLE scanning mode, with the control device maintaining a BLE advertising mode.

(28) In a following step, the identifier element of the CID type adopts a BLE initiating mode, whereas the device is maintained in BLE advertising mode.

(29) Adoption of the initiating and advertising states respectively by the identifier element of the CID type and by the control device then authorises an exchange of control information according to the BLE protocol. In this case also, the exchange of control information serves the purpose of verifying whether the identifier element and the control device are authorized to establish between one another a connection according to the BLE protocol. It should be noted that if the identifier element and the control device have previously been paired, the identifier element of the CID type then advantageously goes from the advertising state to the initiating state, without going via the scanning state.

(30) The exchange of control information thus makes it possible to lead, in a following step, to a connection between the identifier element of the CID type and the control device, which are placed in BLE connected mode. In this example, it is the identifier element of the CID type which acts as a master M, and the control device which acts as a slave E in the exchanges of data which will follow. Once connected, the identifier element of the CID type and the control device exchange data, by means of which the control device receives a command from the identifier element, which command it triggers.

(31) Also, in yet another embodiment, in the case when an acting identifier element of the smartphone SP type is used in the place of the CID, the embodiment described on the basis of FIG. 3 is modified accordingly, in order to proceed with intervention by the smartphone SP as a master M, and by the vehicle as a slave E, as was carried out in the case of the CID described on the basis of FIG. 2.

(32) Thus, when a characteristic event has taken place, in this case consisting of action on a door handle, typically grasping said handle in order to try to open the door, or consisting of pressing a starter button of the vehicle, corresponding to the expression of the will of a user for a command in the motor vehicle, for example a command to unlock the doors or a command to start the vehicle, the identifier element of the smartphone type which is initially in the passive scanning or active scanning mode goes into the initiating mode, after updating of the state of the handle and/or of the button indicated in the advertising frame of the control device.

(33) The exchange of control information thus makes it possible to lead, in a following step, to a connection between the identifier element of the smartphone type and the control device, which adopt respectively a BLE connected mode.

(34) In this example, it is the identifier element of the smartphone type which acts as a master M, and the control device which acts as a slave E, in the exchanges of data which will follow. Once connected, the identifier element of the smartphone SP type and the control device exchange data by means of which the control device receives a command from the identifier element, which command it triggers.

(35) FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the method according to the invention, designated as the WL (Welcome Lighting) mode. This embodiment uses an identifier element of the smartphone SP type.

(36) In the initial configuration of this embodiment, the identifier element is in an initial state, not represented, corresponding to the BLE advertising mode; after a predetermined time has elapsed, this state goes into a state 411 corresponding to the BLE scanning mode, and the control device is in a state 421 corresponding to the BLE advertising mode.

(37) When a characteristic event has taken place, in this case consisting of entry 401 of the identifier element into an area of automatic detection (corresponding to an area situated in the immediate vicinity of said vehicle, typically approximately twenty meters at the most) of said identifier element by the control device of the vehicle, in a state 412 the identifier element then adopts a BLE initiating mode, with the control device being maintained in a state 422 in BLE advertising mode.

(38) Adoption of the states 412 and 422 respectively by the identifier element of the smartphone type and by the control device then authorizes an exchange of control information according to the BLE protocol.

(39) The exchange of control information then makes it possible to lead, in a following step, to a connection between the identifier element and the control device, which adopt respectively a state 413 and a state 423 in BLE connected mode. In this example, it is the identifier element of the smartphone type which acts as a master M, and the control device which acts as a slave E, in the exchanges of data which will follow. Once connected, the identifier element and the control device exchange data by means of which the control device receives a command from the identifier element, which command it triggers in a step 424.

(40) In an alternative of this last operative mode, the smartphone is replaced by an identifier element of the CID type. The latter is in an initial state corresponding to the BLE standby mode, instead of the advertising state in the case of the smartphone. The remainder of the elements described for the smartphone remain identical with the CID.

(41) In an additional embodiment, not represented, with an identifier of the smartphone SP type, the latter can initially be in BLE passive scanning or active scanning mode, whereas the vehicle is still in the advertising state. In this embodiment, the identifier of the smartphone SP type then goes into BLE initiating mode, after a characteristic event has taken place, in this case consisting of entry of the identifier element into an area of automatic detection (corresponding to an area situated in the immediate vicinity of said vehicle, typically approximately twenty meters at the most) of said identifier element by the control device of the vehicle, the control device being maintained in a BLE advertising mode.

(42) In all the examples described, once the command has been triggered, if the mobile device is of the CID type, it goes back into a BLE standby state, and if it is of the smartphone type, it goes back into an advertising state.

(43) As a result of use of the BLE protocol, the method according to the invention thus provides many advantages in comparison with the solutions which exist in the prior art, i.e.: reduced size of the data packets exchanged; reduced frequency spectrum range (approximately 2.4 GHz), which limits the risks of interference with other exchanges of data which may intervene for other applications associated with the vehicle; long distance (approximately 100 m) for which connection between the identifier element and the control device is possible; strength of the data transfers, because of use in the BLE protocol of a 24-bit CRC; secure exchanges (Full AES-128 encryption); reduced reaction time for establishment of a secure connection (typically approximately 10 ms).