EP1640923A1 - Method for automatic activation and provision of location dependent services as well as a mobile end unit, an identification module and a system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for automatic activation and provision of location dependent services for example toll for road use. The method uses a mobile end unit (MD) with several identification modules (M1, M2, M3). The method works as follows: 1. Triggering of the selection of an identification module, which communicates with the service. 2. Automatic authentication, authorization by means of the selected identification module. 3. Utilization of the service. This means that tolls and fees can automatically be paid to different service providers in different locations.

Description

The invention relates to a method for providing location-dependent services by means of a mobile device with a plurality of identification modules, a system for providing the service, a mobile device and an identification module thereto.

The ever-increasing volume of freight transport leads to considerable traffic burdens and entails high investments for maintenance and expansion. These growing costs will be distributed (in the near future) to all (heavy-duty) vehicles by the introduction of a distance-related (lorry) toll, in this form a special feature of a service.

Corresponding toll systems are being developed which, unlike the use of vignettes, calculate and charge the fees, for example, for the kilometer-exact use of the motorway. A satellite-supported free-flow system also ensures that the flow of traffic during toll collection is not hindered. Preferably, these systems should not require speed limits, stopping of vehicles, or binding to prescribed lanes.

Most automatic log-on systems are based on an innovative combination of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Global Positioning System (GPS). The centerpiece of the automatic log-on is a vehicle unit, the so-called OBU (On-Board Unit). With the help of GPS satellite signals and other positioning sensors, the OBU automatically determines the distance traveled by the driver, calculates tolls based on the set vehicle and tariff parameters and then transmits this data by mobile phone to a billing center for further processing.

For the truck driver, the automatic log-on means the least possible effort: He does not have to book his route himself, and the most important vehicle data are already known to the device.

Prerequisite for the participation in the automatic registration is the registration and authentication of a participant and his vehicles subject to toll. After registration, the vehicle owner receives a vehicle card for each vehicle on which the most important vehicle data is stored.

The alternative to the automatic system is manual entry. Here, the user books his planned route at a toll booth terminal or via an Internet portal.

Registration of a participant and their vehicles is the easiest way to automatically charge tolls. As a registered user, one obtains an authentication means, for example a personal password for security. The vehicle registration will be on one Vehicle map, on which your most important vehicle data are stored, completed. Upon registration, user preferences may also advantageously be defined, such as preferred payment methods, frequently used standard destinations, etc.

Registered users and participants in the automatic system will usually be offered the following payment methods: direct debit, fuel card system, payment by credit card, credit card, cash or similar.

Such a toll collection system by means of mobile radio between an OBU with an identification card and a fixed infrastructure is described in the European patent application EP 0 982 685 A3.

In particular, the system described therein requires a device in a vehicle for recording route information with a receiving system for receiving wirelessly transmitted information for detecting the current geographical position of the vehicle, if necessary with a computing unit for calculating the geographical vehicle position or fees.

This system is based on a service, the toll service, and an operator, the road operator. A more complex scenario arises when there are a plurality of operators and services, e.g. in the collection of tolls on routes that pass through the highways of several different operators.

• Auslösung einer Auswahl eines Identifizierungsmoduls welches zu einer Dienstleistung korrespondiert und
• der automatische Authentisierung, Autorisierung mittels des ausgewählten Identifizierungsmoduls, sowie
• der evtl. automatischen Inanspruchnahme dieser Dienstleistung.

This problem is solved by a method for providing location-dependent telebatik services by means of a mobile device a plurality of identification modules, the method comprising the following steps:

• Triggering a selection of an identification module which corresponds to a service and
• automatic authentication, authorization using the selected identification module, as well as
• the possibly automatic use of this service.

The invention further consists in a system with a mobile device for providing location-dependent services, which has an identification module and is designed so that authentication and authorization of a user can be performed with the identification module and subsequently a service can be claimed, the service preferably is a telematics service, the mobile device has a plurality of identification modules and the mobile device is configured such that a selection of an identification module which corresponds to a service is triggered and automatically the authentication, authorization and use of this service is performed.

And the invention is the mobile device for providing location-dependent services.

The invention is also an identification module that is designed for use in such a mobile device for providing location-dependent services, so that the mobile device can carry out a selection between a plurality of identification modules and automatically the authentication and authorization, as well as Claiming the service may possibly be carried out automatically.

The detection of e.g. Toll contributions for roads of different operators, e.g. in France, toll payments by a wide range of motorway operators (Cofiroute, others) could thus be made via a single system, with automatic switching taking place according to the invention.

Furthermore, payments already considered could also be made e.g. to be dealt with for entry into a city through these systems. Here, the switchover to the various (local) operators, in particular the correspondingly connected mobile network operators, could take place via an implementation according to the invention.

Preferably, in such a scenario, the OBU is suitably a plurality of authentication means, e.g. To record and manage SIM cards.

It is additionally conceivable that not only another SIM card is used as a function of e.g. a beacon is switched, but also another phone number is activated, to which a corresponding message, of course, to be sent with a corresponding, destination-dependent data format.

In general, the method according to the invention is conceivable not only for toll collection, but also for other logistics services or navigation services. For example, in different regions or countries, different providers of updated traffic guidance information (traffic jams, construction sites, blockages, etc.) could be establish their services. Again, a switch to the appropriate communication relationship such as beacon-based or coordinate-based / position-dependent could take place.

There is provided a function for detecting the switching. This function is called via the evaluation of direct triggers (input at the operator terminal, voice input, receipt of an identifier of a beacon via light or radio, receipt of an identifier via time or coordinate (position) or a combination of both).

Furthermore, there is a device for holding a plurality of SIM cards, from which the individual SIM cards for certain services are activated. Depending on the beacon or position, or service, etc. certain numbers or general services are activated. Furthermore, certain parameters and the formatting of these parameters are specified depending on the result of the recognition and evaluation function, after which the communication or the service has to be made.

The configurable and automatic selection between multiple providers, wherein a provider provides an authentication means, such as e.g. a SIM card is used to service provided services is similar to e.g. Mobile operators.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the application scenario where:

Figure 1 shows a map with different areas and a vehicle, which is connected to the claimed telematics system.

Figure 2 shows the vehicle with the claimed mobile device.

FIG. 3 shows the claimed method.

Figure 4 shows components of the claimed mobile device.

The vehicle A in FIG. 1 moves from a first area G1 into a second area G2 in the illustrated scenario. The two areas are provided with (telematics) services by two different providers. Each provider has its own identification module, M1 and M2. In Figure 2, the vehicle A is shown with the mobile device MD. The mobile device comprises the mentioned identification modules M1 and M2, as well as another M3.

When changing territory, the mobile device moves as shown in Figure 3. For example, a trigger determined by preferences triggers an exploration of the ambient conditions 1. These triggers may be location or time dependent, such as e.g. Border violations, GPS (Global Positioning System) information or Galileo triangulations, signaling devices (on roads, e.g., beacons), UMTS or GPS antennas / cells, etc. An availability analysis may also be such a trigger or a necessity analysis. These signaling devices allow, for example, the separation between different providers.

The mobile device MD as shown in FIG. 2 comprises a plurality of identification modules, preferably SIM cards. This device MD could be for example a UMTS or GPRS mobile. The existing infrastructure could be used to provide a telematics service, in particular toll collection. Telematics services include For example, logistics services such as fleet management, navigation services or their combination.

An example of a combination would be when a vehicle is to deliver a particular item that is available at different locations to a given location. One service determines where the part is available, another which vehicle is available (eligible), and a third service determines the routes between the destination and the availability locations. Afterwards a selection could be made etc.

For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 3, the mobile device selects and makes use of one or more suitable services 3.

The determination of a suitable service and thus of a suitable provider can depend on many parameters. For example, toll may exist. Optional services such as traffic guidance services etc. could be defined by preferences of triggers.

Preferably, the identification means also refer to information about services provided by a provider.

Advantageously, other vehicle components such as e.g. a navigation system contributes information that enables the selection and use of a service.

FIG. 4 shows the components LS and Al of the mobile device MD. The internal T2 from eg an application program and external trigger T1 and T3 from eg a system for detecting the signal information from a beacon or the position of the vehicle from the GPS receiver cause one of the components to make the logic / selection module a choice for one (or more) of the identification modules M1, M2 and M3. An identification module M1, M2 or M3 is subsequently used by the authentication module / access module shown in the figure for the service.
Usually, such modules are realized by means of software or firmware and can also be integrated into other components of the mobile device.

Claims (12)

A method (Fig. 3) for providing location-dependent services by means of a mobile device (MD) with an identification module, the method comprising the following steps: Authentication and authorization of a user with the identification module, - use of a service, characterized in that the mobile device comprises a plurality of identification modules and the method comprises the further steps of: - Triggering a selection (1) of an identification module (M1, M2, M3) of several, which corresponds to a service and - automatic authentication, authorization and use of this service (2, 3). The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the triggering by an external trigger (T1, T3) takes place, for example by the signaling of an installed signaling device. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the triggering is performed by an internal trigger (T2), for example by an application. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the triggering by trigger, derived from a position determination takes place, for example with GPS information. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the service is a toll fee collection and the probable toll route is determined. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the case of several suitable services, a preferred alternative is automatically selected on the basis of the current position or of the available service providers and their offer. A system with a mobile device (MD) for providing location-dependent services, which has an identification module (M1, M2, M3) and is designed so that authentication and authorization can be carried out with the identification module and a service can be used characterized in that the mobile device has a plurality of identification modules (M1, M2, M3) and the mobile device is configured such that a selection of an identification module which corresponds to a service is triggered by a trigger (T1, T2, T3) and automatically the authentication, authorization and use of this service is performed. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the mobile device is configured such that it requires further services of a mobile infrastructure such as GSM, GPRS, GPS, UMTS. A mobile device (MD) for providing location-dependent services, which has an identification module (M1, M2, M3) and is designed so that authentication and authorization of a user can be carried out with the identification module and a service can be used, characterized in that the mobile device has a plurality of identification modules (M1, M2, M3) and the mobile device is configured in such a way that a selection of an identification module results in a service Corresponds triggered and automatically the authentication, authorization, and the service is claimed. The mobile device according to claim 9, characterized in that it is an on-board unit. An identification module (M1, M2, M3) for a mobile device (MD) for providing location-dependent services, which is designed so that the authentication and authorization of a user can be performed with the identification module and a service can be claimed, characterized in that a selection of an identification module which corresponds to a service is supported by the mobile device MD, which has a plurality of identification modules (M1, M2, M3), and the authentication, authorization and utilization of this service can be carried out automatically. The identification module according to claim 11, characterized in that it is a machine-readable card such as chip card, barcode, magnetic stripe, RFID or a SIM card.

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