GB2529388A - A method for identifying a user of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for identifying the user of a vehicle is disclosed. It comprises displaying at least one code, such as a barcode or QR code, on a display of the vehicle S1, the code comprising at least first identification data of the vehicle and second identification data of the display on which the code is displayed; scanning and decoding the code using a mobile terminal of the user S2, thus determining the identification data; forwarding the data to a server S3; identifying the user and assigning user-specific data by the server S4; and forwarding the user-specific data from the server to the vehicle S5. The user-specific data may comprise a pre-selected list of applications having graphical user interfaces capable of being displayed on the display. It may also comprise pre-selected preference settings or login data for at least one application. The second identification data may characterize the position of the display in the vehicle and/or the dimensions or capabilities of the display. By identifying the position of the display, user preferences can be adapted so that they are appropriate for the particular display in use.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GB1412742.7 RTTVT Date:24November 2014 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Facebook Bluetooth Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.govuk A Method for Identifying a User of a Vehicle The invention relates to a method for identifying a user of a vehicle.

A method for identifying a user of a vehicle, in particular, a passenger vehicle can be found in WO 2013/189510 Al. Therein, at least one code is displayed on a display of the vehicle, the code comprising at least identification data of the vehicle. The code can be a bar code or a two-dimensional bar code in the form of a quick response code (OR code).

The displayed code is scanned and decoded by means of a mobile terminal of the user thereby determining the identification data from the code. For example, the mobile terminal can be a smart phone, a mobile phone, or a tablet PC. Moreover, the determined identification data are forwarded from the mobile terminal to a server via a network connection which can be a wireless network connection. Additionally, the user is identified by means of the server on the basis of the identification data received by the server.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for identifying a user of a vehicle, by means of which method easy and comfortable operation of the vehicle can be realized.

This object is solved by a method having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.

The invention relates to a method for identifying a user of a vehicle, in which method at least one code is displayed on a display of the vehicle. The code comprises at least first identification data of the vehicle as well as second identification data of the display on which the code is displayed. The displayed code is scanned and decoded by means of a mobile terminal of the user whereby the identification data are determined from the code.

In other words, by scanning and decoding the displayed code the first identification data as well as the second identification data are determined. The determined identification data are forwarded from the mobile terminal to a server via a network connection. On the basis of the identification data received by the server, the user is identified and user-specific data are assigned to the identified user by means of the server. This means the user is identified and the user-specific data are assigned to the identified user not only under consideration of the first identification data of the vehicle, but also under consideration of the second identification data of the display, the second identification data characterizing the display on which the code is displayed. Furthermore, the user-specific data are forwarded from the server to the vehicle via a network connection.

The idea behind the invention is that it has been shown that, in conventional vehicles, several situations can occur in which the operation of the vehicle can be cumbersome for the user. For example, currently, connected services of a vehicle require acceptance of terms of services as well as user login for using certain software applications which are also referred to as "apps". However, the entering of user credentials in a vehicle environment can turn out to be cumbersome. Moreover, for different apps, for example, Facebook and Personal Radio, the user has to enter their user name and password separately, which could lead to further frustration. By means of the method according to the present invention the displayed code which is, for example, a OR code and the user-specific data can be used to realize a particularly simpler, easier and smoother login and authentication process.

Moreover, in conventional vehicles, due to the lack of an easier and smoother way of user identification, current app service lists and preference settings are tied to a vehicle identification instead of a user profile. Available apps are enabled according to a so-called black and white list based on vehicle type, capabilities of the display which is, for example, a head unit, market or country parameters, as well as initial settings.

Furthermore, many personal settings, history and favourite information are stored and fixed for a vehicle. This would not yield a good user experience when a car is shared by multiple people and/or when a car has multi-screens for passengers, like split-view, rear-seat entertainment screens, etc. The method according to the present invention allows individual user identification inside a vehicle under consideration, and can enable personalized application service retrieval and settings of the display or screen on which the code is displayed and, thus, under consideration of the position of the user inside the vehicle as well as under consideration of the capability of the display. Additionally, the method according to the present invention can also streamline the personal experience when the user rents a car with connected services, renews a car lease or purchases a new car by seamlessly retrieving their personal service list of apps and preference settings with code enabled user identification. In other words, the user can experience and use their personalized software applications and preferences or preference settings no matter which car the user uses since every car having connected services can identify the user, retrieve the user-specific data and run or execute the respective apps with pre-selected settings which are, for example, contained in the user-specific data which are, for example, stored in a memory of the server. Preferably, the respective network connection is a wireless network via which the vehicle and the server can communicate via, for example, the internet.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the user-specific data comprises a pre-selected list of software applications having respective graphical user interfaces capable of being displayed on a display. Thereby, software applications to be executed on a processing unit of the vehicle can be enabled on the basis of whether or not the respective graphical user interfaces with the software applications assigned to the user or a user profile can be displayed on the specific display on which the code is displayed.

A further idea behind the invention is that codes such as QR codes are broadly used in commercial tracking and identification applications. Such a code can also be used for user login for connecting to a software application or service when a registered user scans the prompted code from, for example, a client app by means of a camera of the mobile terminal which communicates with a service backend. The mobile terminal can be, for example, a smart phone, a mobile phone or a tablet PC equipped with a camera by means of which the displayed code can be scanned. Moreover, connected application services are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in modern vehicles. Such applications services can be accessed by users not only in multiple car line platforms, but also possibly in multiple seats in a vehicle. In another words, the application services can be accessed from different seats and, thus, from different displays or screens in the vehicle.

Since the second information data characterize the display on which the code is displayed, the display itself and, thus, the position or the seat from which the user tries to access the application services can be identified. As a consequence, the vehicle application user experience can be enhanced since the software applications, in particular, the respective graphical user interfaces can be adapted to the display on which the code is displayed and at least one of said graphical user interfaces is to be displayed.

Furthermore, to enhance the vehicle app user experience, a mobile terminal companion app can be developed and used to configure app preference settings and to extend the vehicle app functionality when the user is away from the vehicle. Typically, the user has to get registered and then logs in at least once before they can start using the smart phone app. By means of the method according to the present invention, said login or login procedure can be conducted in a very smooth and comfortable way.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the user-specific data comprise pre-selected preference settings which, for example, can be set automatically when the user is identified. For example, said preference settings can be adapted to the display on which the code is displayed since the display can be identified by means of the second identification data.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the user-specific data comprises login data to be used by at least one software application to execute at least one login procedure. Thereby, the user does not need to manually enter their login data so that the operation vehicle is very comfortable and easy.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second information data characterize a position of the display in the vehicle and/or at least one dimension of the display and/or a capability of the display and/or a resolution of the display. Hence, the software applications and, thus, the respective graphical user interfaces to be displayed on the display can be adapted to the display so that the users' application experience can be enhanced. By means of the information incorporating the position of a display in a car with multiple-screen the option is given to show personalized information only on the display showing the code. Therewith in a multiple-screen vehicle on each display can be shown individual, user related information. Knowing the position of a display a driver distraction can be minimized by limiting information on a driver related display.

Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawing. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figure and/or shown in the figure alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination, but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

The only figure shows a flow diagram illustrating a method for identifying user of a vehicle, in which method a code comprising first identification data of the vehicle and second identification data of a display of the vehicle is shown on the display.

The Fig. shows a flow diagram illustrating a method for identifying a user of a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle. In a first step Si of said method, at least one code is displayed on a display of the vehicle. For example, the display can be a so-called head unit or a backseat screen mounted on a backrest of a seat of the vehicle. Moreover, the display can be a split-view screen. The code comprises first identification data of the vehicle and second identification data of the display on which the code is displayed. For example, the code is a two-dimensional bar code in the form of a QR code (quick response code) which is displayed on the display.

In a second step S2 of the method, the display code is scanned and decoded by means of a mobile terminal of the user. For example, the mobile terminal is a smart phone comprising at least one camera by means of which the code is scanned. The mobile terminal further comprises a processing unit by means of which the scanned code is decoded whereby the first identification data and the second identification data are extracted and determined from the code. For example, the first identification data of the vehicle comprise a vehicle identification such asa VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

In a third step S3 of the method, the determined first identification data and second identification data are forwarded from the mobile terminal to a server via a network connection which is, for example, a wireless network connection. For example, the determined identification data are forwarded to a backend comprising the server. In a fourth step S4 of the method, the backend and, thus, the server receive the identification data, identify the user, and assign user-specific data to the identified user on the basis of the received identification data. In a fifth step S5 of the method, the user-specific data are forwarded from the backend, i.e. the server, to the vehicle via a network connection. For example, the user-specific data are stored in a memory of the server (backend). For example, the determined identification data are converted into a decoded string, which is forwarded to the vehicle backend. For example, in order to identify the user and assign the user-specific data to the identified user, the backend receives the decoded string and compares the string with at least one string stored in the memory of the server. The stored string is assigned to the user-specific data. If the received string corresponds to the stored string, the user-specific data assigned to the stored string are assigned to the received string and forwarded to the vehicle.

For example, the user-specific data can be used for login procedures so that a user does not need to enter their respective login data manually.

For example, a code encoder such as a QR code encoder is implemented in an application system in order to generate the code or a code image representing the first identification data of the vehicle and the second identification data of the screen on which the code is displayed. For example, the screen or display on which the code is displayed is a so called head unit or head unit screen, a split-view screen, a right front unit screen, or a left front unit screen. The code string or the identification data could be as simple as the VIN plus an ID (identification) of a seat assigned to the display. Software of the backend can keep track of which vehicle and screen or display generated the code and when the code is generated. Application software can be structured so as to allow an individual app to not only be enabled according to the aforementioned black and white list, but also turned on and off based on a user's preference setting. A database can be established in the backend to store and track a user's profile and personalization setting including an app service list, preferences and favourites as well as the user's credential for subscribed apps. Preferably, a code reader is implemented or added in the mobile terminal, a mobile terminal app, or the vehicle homepage mobile terminal version to allow the mobile terminal's camera to scan and decode the code. Said mobile terminal app runs on the mobile terminal and is also referred to as a client app. The client app or vehicle homepage shall be able to facilitate the user registration and authentication linking the app backend server. For example, the vehicle homepage can have a separate server which can communicate with an app service backend via a defined B2B interface protocol. The app system shall be developed to retrieve the user's selected app service list and other preference settings, and to handle the automatic login or authentication for the subscribed apps accordingly based on the successful matching between the code string generated for a particular vehicle screen at the time and the decoded string forwarded from the smart phone client.

In the following, a general procedure is described in which a particularly easy and comfortable configuration can be realized by means of said method. Assume that the vehicle is online and connected to the backend server of the vehicle, the user has logged in their smart phone client app or vehicle homepage with a registered user account and personal settings and/or selections and/or relevant credential of the user are already set-up. When the user starts the app service on an in-vehicle display or screen from a seat in an app service enabled car, no matter whether it is the users own car, a friend's car or a rental car, no matter if the user tries to access the app from the driver's seat or a passenger seat, the system shall provide the option allowing the user either to login or to use the default app list and setting which is configured based on the predefined black and white list. When the user chooses to login, the code is generated and prompted on said screen (display). The user should start a scan function of their mobile terminal client app or vehicle homepage to scan and decode the prompted code which is, for example, a QR code. Then, the mobile terminal decodes the code and forwards the decoded string to the vehicle backend. The vehicle backend tries to match the received string code with the one generated for a particular vehicle screen at that moment. Once the match is successful, the user is identified and a user pre-selected app list and preference setting are automatically retrieved for the user in consideration of other form factors such as vehicle model, market, display capability, screen size, etc. Now, the user can start using the apps in their selection list. If the user picks a certain app, for example, Facebook or personal radio, which requires further login, the vehicle backend can retrieve the corresponding credential from the user's profile and automatically handles the login process. The user no longer needs to enter their credentials to use a specific app. If the user performs certain customization or creates personal settings, for example, addition or deletion of app list, favourites, search history, etc. while using the app, this information will continue being tracked and recorded to enhance the future personal app services.

By means of said method, a particularly fast, smooth and automated login and authentication process across different vehicle platforms and in multi-seats can be realized thereby enhancing the user's experience of the vehicle. The process, i.e. said method, can typically be completed in a matter of two seconds. The method can save further input of the user credentials for the subscriber services while enabling a particularly broad range of personalization features. Using a graphical code such as OR code can provide a particularly great security to the user since there is no need to type in the user credentials in front of other persons who are in the same vehicle. In comparison with other identification systems such as bio-matrix sensors and/or Bluetooth and/or NEC (near field communication) technology, said method can be realized in a time-and cost-efficient way since said authentication systems are particularly hard to implement or particularly costly to realize for personal app services across platforms or in multi-seats.

In other words, the code is a graphic information or optical code which can be generated and displayed on a specific vehicle screen or a display when the user tries to access the app service. The code information, i.e. the determined information data, instead of graphic image is sent to the server over secured network. This request gets registered at the server so that the server knows which vehicle and seat is requesting the service at that moment. Advantageously, an expiration time may be set for security reasons. The mobile terminal, which the user has already authenticated the server, can read and decode the graphic information and send the decoded information to the server whether matching is conducted.

The graphic encoding and decoding can be done with standard algorithms or a proprietary one. The user profile, i.e. the user-specific data or preference data are stored at the server. The VIN does not have to be assigned to or stored in the user profile. The user can retrieve their preference settings selectively just based on the vehicle model or type the VIN is associated with. The user can achieve this feature when using a friend's car, a rental car, or a leased car as long as the connected services are enabled for that car. This means the user profile, or preference setting(s), can be stored in a database where the vehicle service backend and the mobile terminal server can both access and retrieve information. The vehicle connection service and mobile terminal authentication could be run physically either on the same server or in separate servers, but it is advantageous to establish a protocol between two services to communicate the user access information. Eor example, the following matching process can be conducted: the mobile terminal server forms the vehicle backend that an authenticated user is trying to log on a particular VIN and/or seat which is decoded from the code. The vehicle backend looks up the access log requested from the vehicle, and if the VIN and/or the seat is found in the log and not expired yet, the match is made and the user settings and/or preferences relating to the user service request and the vehicle type can then be retrieved and sent to the vehicle via an already established in-vehicle communication.

Furthermore, if the user is trying to access additional personal services, for example, Facebook or personal radio, the vehicle backend can handle the login process using the stored credential in the user profile and skip the credential entering process. The user- specific data (user setting and/or preferences) from the user profile is transferred via in-vehicle communication to the requesting vehicle where the screen or display customization and personalization is determined and conducted.

List of reference signs Si first step S2 second step S3 third step S4 fourth step S5 fifth step

Claims (5)

1. Claims A method for identifying a user of a vehicle, the method comprising: -Displaying at least one code on a display of the vehicle, the code comprising at least first identification data of the vehicle and second identification data of the display on which the code is displayed; -Scanning and Decoding the displayed code by means of a mobile terminal of the user thereby determining the identification data from the code; -Forwarding the determined identification data from the mobile terminal to a server via a network connection; -On the basis of the identification data received by the server: Identifying the user and assigning user-specific data to the identified user by means of the server; and -Forwarding the user-specific data from the server to the vehicle via a network connection.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the user-specific data comprise a pre-selected list of software applications having respective graphical user interface capable of being displayed on the display.
3. 3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the user-specific data comprise pre-selected preference settinga
4. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user-specific data comprise login data to be used by at least one software application to execute at least one login procedure.
5. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second information data characterize a position of the display in the vehicle and/or at least one dimension of the display and/or a capability of the display.