EP2726322A1

EP2726322A1 - Method and system for customizing,on the fly, a vehicle offered for hire

Info

Publication number: EP2726322A1
Application number: EP12744035.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Julien ROUYER; Sandrine RESSAYRE; Franck THIEULENT; Francis AARON; Romain DE LA VILLE; Clément LAMBRINOS; Yousra CHEBBI; Aymeric AUGUSTIN; Raphaël BARROIS; Antoine GERON; Sylvain GERON
Original assignee: Bluecarsharing SAS
Current assignee: Bluecarsharing SAS
Priority date: 2011-06-30
Filing date: 2012-07-02
Publication date: 2014-05-07
Also published as: FR2977221A1; WO2013001254A1; FR2977221B1; US20140207312A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (300) for configuring a vehicle on the fly and comprising the following steps: identifying (302, 304) a user using means of identification, loading (308), from a central site through a wireless communications network and/or from a means of identification, at least one value, known as the preferred value, of at least one parameter concerning the setup of at least one element of said vehicle, the value being associated with said identified user, and adjusting said element of the vehicle in accordance with said preferred value. The invention also relates to a system and to an installation for configuring a vehicle on the fly and to a vehicle comprising such a system.

Description

"Method and system for personalization on the fly of a vehicle

offered for rent »

The present invention relates to a personalization process / configuration on the fly of a vehicle offered for rental. It also relates to a system and an installation configuration on the fly of such a vehicle.

The field of the invention is the field of renting a vehicle offered for rental and more particularly an electric vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to the field of the configuration of a vehicle proposed for rental.

State of the art

We currently know vehicles operating with one or more electric batteries and sites, so-called rental, to take a rental vehicle or return a rented vehicle at the end of rental.

These sites generally include a charging station for charging the batteries of the rented vehicle during the parking of the vehicle.

A fleet of vehicles offered for rental generally includes identical vehicles.

Car rental agencies offer vehicles of different categories offering different levels of services.

However, for the same vehicle offered for rental to different users over time, the configuration of the vehicle remains the same for each of these users. When the vehicle is rented, the user must therefore devote a considerable amount of time to adjusting the various elements of the vehicle such as the position of the seat, the orientation of the mirrors, etc. Such settings necessarily involve a loss of time that is not negligible when it is a short term rental or when the user does not know the process of adjusting the various elements of the vehicle. Some users prefer to avoid this waste of time and make these adjustments while driving with the vehicle which represents a risk of high accident.

Other users prefer to avoid or reduce wasted time and do not use certain services offered in the vehicle.

An object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and an on-the-fly configuration system of a vehicle.

Finally, another object of the invention is to provide a method and a system for configuring on the fly a vehicle avoiding a loss of time and accident risks while allowing the user to have all the services proposed at the level of the vehicle. Presentation of the invention

The invention proposes to achieve at least one of the aforementioned objects by an on-the-fly configuration method of a vehicle comprising the following steps:

- identification of a user,

loading, from a central site through a wireless communication network and / or from an identification means, at least one so-called preferred value of at least one adjustment parameter of at least one element of the vehicle, the value being associated with said identified user, and

adjusting said vehicle element according to said preferred value.

The method according to the invention therefore makes it possible, according to an identifier of a user, to load, particularly from a remote site, a preferred value for a setting parameter of a vehicle element and to adjust this vehicle element without that a potentially long and arduous intervention of the user is necessary. Thus, the method according to the invention allows for personalization on the fly of a vehicle.

With the method according to the invention, the configuration / personalization of a vehicle is performed automatically as soon as the user identifies. Thus, the method according to the invention avoids the user a loss of time or risk of accident when taking a vehicle offered for rental.

The invention also avoids the user to give up the use of a service offered in the vehicle. Indeed, the user does not have to look how to adjust a particular element of the vehicle since these adjustments are made directly by the method according to the invention.

The method according to the invention can be implemented when the user arrives at the vehicle pick-up site between the moment he identifies himself, for example on a rental terminal or a charging station, or directly with the customer. of the vehicle.

The identification may be an identification by reading an RFID chip or a biometric identification. The identification can however be done by other means such as a key or a keyboard for entering an identifier.

The method according to the invention may further comprise at least one step of recording a preferred value of at least one parameter in at least one storage means located at the central site and / or the identification means.

In a first exemplary embodiment, at least one registration step can be performed during a prior use of the vehicle or another vehicle, said recording step comprising a transmission of data relating to the preferred value to the site. through the communication network and / or the means of identification. In this case, the user having the vehicle or another vehicle makes an adjustment of the element concerned, for example his favorite radio stations or the inclination of the seats or the orientation of the mirrors. Sensors measure the control values and communicate them to the central site for example through a communication module. The central site then stores these values as preferred values in a database in association with the user's identifier and optionally with the identifier of the vehicle or a vehicle type. In a second exemplary embodiment, at least one registration step can be performed by a remote connection to said central site from a communication device outside the use of a vehicle. In this case, the remote site is accessible through a user or subscriber interface, allowing the user to enter one or more preferred values for one or more parameters. Such a recording step can be performed at any time and more particularly when the user subscribes to a rental service.

Advantageously, at least one preferred datum may relate to at least one parameter chosen from the following list:

- orientation of a rearview mirror of said vehicle,

- positioning of a vehicle seat,

- display of data on a display screen,

a preferred data source, such as a radio station frequency,

- navigation addresses,

- steering wheel orientation,

- welcome message,

- audio and / or video content, and

- number / phone data.

The step of adjusting at least one element may comprise a step of modifying the position of the element. It may also include a step of storing the preferred value in the memory of the element, in particular in a predetermined location of the memory of the element.

In the latter case, the method may comprise a step of erasing the stored preferred values. This step is triggered in particular when the vehicle is notified of the end of rental by the central site. This ensures the confidentiality of the user's personal data. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an on-the-fly configuration system of a vehicle, comprising:

at least one means for identifying a user,

at least one means, called communication means, performing the loading, from a central site through a wireless communication network and / or from an identification means, of at least one so-called preferred value of a setting parameter of at least one element of said vehicle, the value being associated with said identified user, and

at least one means for adjusting said vehicle element according to said preferred value.

Advantageously, the communication means may also be arranged to record a preferred value of at least one parameter in at least one storage means located at the central site, during a prior use of the vehicle or of another vehicle.

The system according to the invention may further comprise, for at least one element to be configured, at least one sensor for measuring a preferred value.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising an on-the-fly configuration system according to the invention. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an on-the-fly configuration installation of a vehicle comprising:

at least one configuration system according to the invention; and

at least one remote site comprising:

at least one database arranged for storing at least one datum, said to be preferred, relating to an adjustment parameter of at least one vehicle, in association with at least one user identifier, and ora communication module with at least one configuration system according to any one of claims 6 to 8 through a wireless communication network. The invention is particularly applicable to the management of a fleet of interchangeable electric vehicles for rental and for which a plurality of rental stations is provided.

Other advantages and characteristics will appear on examining the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments, and the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a management system of a fleet of vehicles offered for rental;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a system according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a configuration / customization phase of a vehicle according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a recording phase of a configuration of a vehicle according to the invention.

It is understood that the embodiments which will be described in the following are in no way limiting. It will be possible, in particular, to imagine variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described subsequently isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention with respect to the state of the art. This selection comprises at least one feature preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.

In particular, all the variants and embodiments described are combinable with each other if nothing stands in the way of this combination at the technical level. Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a global management system of a fleet of electric vehicles offered for rental.

The system 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a central site 102 (also called a central unit in the remainder of the description) connected to several sites - or stations - 104i-104 _n , said to be leased through a communication network 106 wireless, for example GPRS, or a wired network, for example of the DSL type. Preferably, each station is connected to the central site via the two separate networks, which allows a continuous connection even if one of the networks is faulty.

Each rental station includes a subscription terminal 108 for the registration of a new subscriber, a rental terminal 110 for the rental of a vehicle and a plurality of charging terminals 112-116, each charging terminal being designed to charge a vehicle with an electric battery at a parking space.

The central site 102 can be connected directly to each of the terminals of a rental station 104 through the network 106 or only to the subscription terminal and / or to the rental terminal and / or charging terminals 112-116. .

At least two terminals of a rental station are connected to each other through a wired connection (not shown).

The central site 102 is also arranged to connect to an electric vehicle comprising a connection box with one or more elements of the vehicle and / or a communication interface with the user, via a GPRS network. Each vehicle is therefore equipped with a GSM chip.

The central site 102 is also arranged to exchange information with a portable communication device such as a PDA, a mobile phone, etc., carried by a rental service operator and also connected to the central site via a GPRS network.

The system makes it possible to manage a plurality of vehicles, each comprising a control unit capable of communicating with the central body and with various organs of the vehicle, and a user interface.

The users are able to interact with the different terminals as well as with the various elements of the vehicles. In addition, the vehicle rental service with the system according to the invention can also be performed using the operators and their mobile terminal such as a PDA, which can intervene in the service.

The central site 102 furthermore comprises a database 118 in which preferred values of one or more parameter parameters of one or more elements of a vehicle are stored in association with an identifier of a user and possibly an identifier. vehicle or type of vehicle.

The database 118 is updated with each addition, deletion or modification of a new preferred value communicated either from a vehicle or through a connection through a user interface 120 accessible to the user through a user interface. communication network, such as the Internet.

The central site 102 further comprises a communication module 122 with one or more vehicles through the network 106 directly or indirectly via a terminal.

We will now describe with reference to Figure 2 the elements of an on-the-fly configuration system of a vehicle according to the invention.

The system 200 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a communication module 202 enabling the configuration system 200 to communicate with the central site directly, in particular using a GPRS network, or via a terminal of charge, rental or subscription. The system 200 further comprises a control module 204 for controlling at least one adjusting means 206i-206 _n associated with an element / member 208i-208 _n of a vehicle (not shown) and making it possible to adjust or configure this element according to instructions received from the control module 204. Each adjustment means may be an automated mechanical means such as a motor for adjusting the position of a mirror 208i of a seat 208 ₂ or a steering wheel 208 ₃ or an electrical / electronic means for adjusting an analog / digital audio and / or video content player of the type of a radio 208 ₄ or a navigation system (GPS) 208 _n .

The system 200 further comprises at least one sensor means 210 - 210 _n for each member / member 208 for measuring at least one value of an adjustment parameter of an element / member 208 of the vehicle and to communicate this value to control module as the preferred value.

The system 200 further comprises means 212 for storing data at the vehicle level and means 214 for identifying a user by reading an RFID or biometric type identifier. When the identification module 214 is disposed at the level of the vehicle, it communicates with the communication module 202.

We will now describe, with reference to Figure 3, an example configuration / personalization of a vehicle.

When the user takes possession of a vehicle, for example at the beginning of the rental, he identifies himself. For this purpose, it presents an identification badge RFID by means of identification 214 during a step 302. An identifier is read during a step 304. The identifier read is communicated to the communication module 202 which communicates it to the site. central in a step 306. If the identifier read is not recognized by the central site steps 302 to 306 are repeated.

If the identifier read is recognized by the central site and preferred values exist for this identifier then the central site transmits to the communication module 202 the preferred values for this user during a step 308. The preferred values received by the communication module 202 are stored at the vehicle in a predetermined location of the vehicle memory during a step 310, which may be optional, especially for elements whose position is to be adjusted.

The control module then controls each of the adjustment means concerned, if necessary, to adjust the element / member concerned during a step 312 as a function of the preferred value received. Step 312 is particularly necessary for the elements whose position one wishes to change. The vehicle is thus configured and personalized.

We will now describe, with reference to Figure 4, an example of recording, from the vehicle, a preferred value for a setting parameter of a vehicle element / member.

When the user wishes to modify, add a new preferred value it adjusts the element / member 208 of the vehicle during a step 402.

The adjustment value is then stored measured by a sensor means and stored at the vehicle during a step 404.

The user is then asked to confirm that he wishes to memorize this value as a preferred value permanently during a step 406.

If no, the process is stopped.

If so, the preferred value and the identifier of the user are transmitted to the central site during a step 408 and the value is stored in a step 410, in a user profile associated with the identifier, and in a field associated with the parameter it allows to adjust.

During an intermediate step 412 and performed before the sending step 408, the user can be questioned to determine whether he wishes to permanently record a new preferred value for the same element / organ or for an element / organ different.

If so, steps 402 to 406 are repeated for each new preferred value or each element / organ of the vehicle that the user wishes to customize / configure.

If not, the process proceeds to step 408. The overall method according to the invention firstly comprises a first initialization sequence in which, the user having rented a first vehicle:

selects at least one preferred configuration of a parameter for a vehicle member on a vehicle interface element and requests the backup of this configuration,

the first vehicle sends data relating to this configuration of the parameter to an external element (central organ or RFID card), and

the outer element stores the data relating to the preferred configuration of the parameter so that it is associated with the user.

The overall method then comprises a personalization sequence of a second vehicle, distinct or not from the first vehicle, in which, once a second vehicle is assigned to a user:

the external element, that is to say the central site or the RFID card, transmits, possibly following a request, to the second vehicle at least one piece of data relating to a configuration relating to the user concerning a parameter d 'an organ of the vehicle, and

the second vehicle modifies, if necessary, the configuration of the parameter of the vehicle component so that it corresponds to the user's preferred configuration.

The bodies of the vehicle on which one can act are for example:

an on-board computer for a type of presentation, a greeting, for example, use of the user's first name or display of preferred data during the driving, backup of personal data,

- an FM tuner, for example, favorite radio stations,

- a GPS, for example favorite navigation options, frequently used addresses,

a rear-view mirror,

- a seat, etc.

Note that for some parameters, it is not necessary to use the initialization method, some information is intrinsically stored by the central body and or an identification card type RFID assigned to the user when the user has registered with the rental or use service of the vehicle, such as his first name or the type of user he is - subscriber of the month, year, occasional user or service staff.

For some organs, such as the on-board computer, the GPS or the FM tuner, the step of modifying the configuration consists of recording data in the memory of these organs. In the context of this type of configuration, it is even possible to consider assigning the user a memory space on the servers of the central organ allowing the user to memorize a few pieces of music that will be loaded back into the vehicles. that he will use later. The user can indeed plug into the computer a USB device that could allow him to load the music he has elsewhere.

Note that in a particular embodiment of the invention, the onboard computer further fills the GPS and FM tuner functions.

For certain parameters relating to certain members, the vehicle comprises a sensor of the position of the member and a motorized movable member causing the movement of the member. In this case, during the initialization sequence, it is possible to measure the position of the vehicle member and, during the personalization sequence, the movement of the movable element is controlled.

It can also be envisaged that, when the system detects that the rental of the vehicle by the user is complete, certain configurations favorites are changed, including the data stored in some parts of the vehicle are erased.

Some of the components of the system described with reference to Figure 2 may be components already present in the vehicle otherwise.

In general, the vehicle concerned may comprise a communication unit, connected to a GPRS network and making it possible to communicate with the central unit.

The vehicle may further comprise one or more means of identification, namely RFID readers for identifying the user by means of a personalized card. Each reader can have a particular function, for example to ensure the opening of the load hatch, the opening of the doors, the start, or a single reader can perform several or all the aforementioned functions. The means of identification could also be different from what has been described (barcode, keyboard, etc.).

The vehicle further comprises a control unit (or box), connected to the CAN bus of the vehicle to obtain information concerning various members thereof, and to different organs of the vehicle that it can control. The housing can also be connected to the identifier reader and to a communication unit comprising at least one GPRS antenna for interfacing these organs with the remote central body. The preferred values for the elements whose position is to be modified are generally sent to this housing, which is able to control at least some mechanical and / or electrical devices of the vehicle.

The vehicle may also include an on-board computer, also connected to the communication unit and able to communicate with the central body by this means. This computer is an interface with the user, unlike the case whose action is transparent to him. The on-board computer is only connected to the vehicle body via the GPRS network and the central unit. He fulfills the functions GPS, FM tuner. It includes for this purpose in particular a USB key to allow a user to connect a USB key. It also allows you to call a call center if there is a problem. Preferred values relating to the user interface elements are generally sent to this computer, which stores these values in predetermined locations in its memory.

Note that the control unit and the onboard computer could also be confused or communicate by other means than those described, for example internally to the vehicle. Similarly, the GPS and FM tuner may not be integrated into the on-board computer. They could also not be integrated into the vehicle.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

Claims

A method (300) for on-the-fly vehicle configuration, comprising the steps of:

identification (302, 304) of a user by identification means,

loading (308), from a central site (102) through a wireless communication network (106) and / or from an identification means, of at least one so-called preferred value of at least one a setting parameter of at least one element (208) of said vehicle, the value being associated with said identified user, and

adjusting said vehicle element (208) according to said preferred value.

2. Method (300, 400) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one step (400) for recording a preferred value of at least one parameter in at least one storage means located on the central site (102) and / or the identification means.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one recording step (400) is performed during a prior use of the vehicle or of another vehicle, said recording step (400) comprising a transmitting (408) data relating to the preferred value to the central site (102) through the communication network (106) and / or to the identification means.

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one recording step is performed by a remote connection to said central site (102) from a telecommunications device outside the use of a vehicle .

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one preferred value relates to at least one parameter chosen from the following list:

- orientation of a rearview mirror (208i) of said vehicle,

positioning a seat (208 ₂ ) of the vehicle,

- display of data on a display screen,

- preferred data source, such as a radio station,

- navigation addresses,

- steering wheel orientation (208 ₃ ),

- welcome message,

- audio and / or video content, and

- number / phone data.

The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting step comprises a step of modifying the position of at least one element of the vehicle.

The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the setting step includes a step of storing preferred values in the memory of at least one item.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising a step of deleting the preferred values of the memory of the element, in particular triggered by an end of lease notification transmitted to the vehicle by the central site.

A system (200) for on-the-fly vehicle configuration, comprising:

at least one means (214) for identifying a user,

at least one means (202), called a communication means, carrying out the loading of at least one so-called preferred value of an adjustment parameter of at least one element (208) of said vehicle, associated with said identified user, since a central site (102) through a wireless communication network (106) and / or from an identification means, and at least one means (206) for adjusting said element (208) of said vehicle as a function of said preferred value.

The system (200) of claim 9, characterized in that the communication means (202) is further arranged to record a preferred value of at least one parameter in at least one storage means (118) located on the central site (102) and / or the identification means, during a prior use of the vehicle.

11. System according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises, for at least one element (208) configurable, at least one sensor (210) for measuring a preferred value.

Vehicle comprising an on-the-fly configuration system according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

An on-the-fly configuration installation (100) of a vehicle comprising:

at least one configuration system (200) according to any one of claims 6 to 8; and

at least one remote site (102), called central, comprising:

at least one database (118) arranged for storing at least one datum, said to be preferred, relating to an adjustment parameter of at least one vehicle, in association with at least one user identifier, and

a communication module (122) with at least one configuration system (200) according to any one of claims 9 to 11 through a wireless communication network (106).