END TO END SYSTEM FOR SERVICE DELIVERY TO AND FROM A VEHICLE USING A DONGLE

• US 20160098876A1
• Filed: 09/25/2015
• Published: 04/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems LLC (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems LLC (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Oz, Seval, Zhai, Yao
• Granted Patent: US 10,002,479 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/265 Personal security, identity or safety
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/28 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading, distribution or shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00341 keyless data carrier having more than one limited data transmission ranges
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00396 starting with prompting the keyless data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00492 whereby the code is a rolling code
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00769 with data transmission performed by wireless means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/63 Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00571 operated by interacting with a central unit
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication

Abstract

A dongle module to be installed in a vehicle is discussed. The dongle module has memory buffers and processors. The dongle module also has a first transceiver that couples the on-board diagnostic (OBD) port of the vehicle to communicate with a fault and diagnostic module of the vehicle. A second transceiver uses wireless communications to communicate with one or more client devices. An RF transmitter transmits RF signals to Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) module of the vehicle. A mapping module either include a first map calculating chip to calculate map coordinates of the vehicle, or periodically receive map coordinates from a client device. A security module is configured either to receive, or to implement an algorithm to determine, a rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle. The security module also receives commands to be transmitted by the RF transmitter to the RKE module to be executed.

Claims

1. A dongle module configured to be installed in a vehicle, the dongle module comprising:

one or more memory buffers;

one or more processors;

a first transceiver configured to couple to an on-board diagnostic (OBD) port of the vehicle and to communicate with a fault and diagnostic module of the vehicle;

a second transceiver configured to use wireless communications to communicate with one or more client devices, including a first client device and a second client device;

a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter configured to transmit RF signals to command a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) module of the vehicle;

a mapping module configured to either i) include a first map calculating chip configured to receive map locating signals and to calculate map coordinates of the vehicle, or ii) periodically request from the first client device, via the second transceiver, the map coordinates of the vehicle, and to store the map coordinates of the vehicle in the one or more memory buffers, where the mapping module is configured to send map coordinates of the vehicle to a backend cloud based server;

a security module configured to receive, via the second transceiver, either of i) a current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle from the second client device, or ii) a first algorithm and a first data from the second client device, where the first algorithm is implemented in a first routine of the security module running on the one or more processors, the first algorithm being configured to use the first data to determine the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle, and to store the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle in the one or more memory buffers;

wherein the security module is also configured to receive from the second client device, via the second transceiver, one or more commands including a first command, where the security module sends the first command and the current rolling security key to the RKE module through commanding the RF transmitter to transmit RF signals to the RKE module of the vehicle, the transmitted RF signals include the received first command and the current rolling security key; and

wherein the RKE module of the vehicle is configured to validate the current rolling security key and then execute the first command.

2. The dongle module of claim 1, wherein the second transceiver is configured to use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communication between the second transceiver and the one or more client devices, where the client devices includes but is not limited to a smart phone;

wherein the first client device is located inside or in a vicinity of the vehicle such that the map coordinates of the vehicle and map coordinates of the first client device are essentially equal;

wherein the first client device includes a second map calculating chip configured to receive the map locating signals and to calculate the map coordinates of the client device, and where in response to a request from the mapping module, the first client device is configured to periodically send the map coordinates of the first client device, via the second transceiver, to the mapping module; and

wherein the second client device is further configured to use cellular communication to communicate with a backend cloud based system having one or servers and one or more databases and either of

i) to receive the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle from the backend cloud based system, the current rolling security key is determined by implementing the first algorithm and using the first data in a second routine running on processors of the backend cloud based system, where then the second client device sends the current rolling security key, via the second transceiver, to the security module, or

ii) to receive the first algorithm and the first data from the backend cloud based system, where then the second client device sends the first algorithm and the first data, via the second transceiver, to the security module, where the security module is configured to determine the current rolling security key of the RKE module.

3. The dongle module of claim 2, wherein the second transceiver has a cellular communication circuit, where the second transceiver is configured to bypass the client devices and use cellular communication to directly communicate with the backend cloud based system such that either i) the security module receives the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle from the backend cloud based system, the current rolling security key is determined by implementing the first algorithm and using the first data in the second routine running on the processors of the backend cloud based system, or ii) the security module receives the first algorithm and the first data from the backend cloud based system and to determine the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle by implementing the first algorithm and using the first data in the first routine running on the one or more processors of the dongle, and to store the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle in the one or more memory buffers;

and

wherein the mapping module is configured to request the map coordinates of the vehicle from the first map calculating chip when the vehicle is turned off or when the vehicle is locked, and to store the map coordinates of the vehicle in the one or more memory buffers.

4. The dongle module of claim 2, wherein the first transceiver is configured to receive displacement data including velocity of the vehicle from the OBD port of the vehicle, where the mapping module couples to the first transceiver and is configured to periodically receive and store the displacement data in the one or more memory buffers;

and

wherein when the map locating signals are not available, the mapping module is configured to i) retrieve a last known map coordinates of the vehicle from the one or more memory buffers,

     2) retrieve the displacement data since a time that the last known map coordinates are calculated from the one or more memory buffers, and then use the last known map coordinates and the displacement data, to calculate a current map coordinates of the vehicle.

5. The dongle module of claim 2, further including

a barometer configured to measure a height of the vehicle;

wherein the map locating signals received by the first and second map calculating chips are Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, and the map coordinates are GPS coordinates, where the first map calculating chip is configured to receive the GPS signals and determine the GPS coordinates of the target vehicle, and where the second map calculating chip is configured to receive the GPS signals and determine the GPS coordinates of the first client device; and

wherein the mapping module is configured to receive barometer data and translate the height into levels of building to allow the GPS coordinates of the vehicle to include a number of levels up or down relative to a ground level.

6. The dongle module of claim 2, wherein the security module has two or more algorithms stored in its memory locally in the dongle module or cooperates with the databases of the backend cloud based system for downloading the two or more algorithms from the backend servers, where each of the algorithms is configured to calculate valid rolling security keys of the RKE modules associated with one or more different types of vehicles and first algorithm calculates valid rolling security keys for a different type of vehicle than the second algorithm;

and

wherein the security module is configured to receive, via the second transceiver, either of i) a current rolling security key of the RKE module of one of the two or more different types of vehicles, or ii) an algorithm and data for determining the current rolling security key of the RKE module of one of the two or more different types of vehicles.

7. A system-for-geo-proximity-access to a target vehicle comprising:

one or more cloud based servers having a first group of one or more processors and one or more ports, and configured to cooperate with one or more cloud based databases;

a Global Positioning System (GPS) based proximity and control module running on the first group of one or more processors and configured to execute instructions to ensure a secure access by a service delivery person associated with a service delivery vehicle to the target vehicle;

wherein the GPS-based proximity and control module is configured to i) receive, via a first cellular communication, current GPS coordinates of the target vehicle from a first client device associated with the target vehicle, and ii) receive, via a second cellular communication, current GPS coordinates of the service delivery vehicle from a second client device associated with the service delivery person, where the current GPS coordinates of the service delivery vehicle and the current GPS coordinates of the target vehicle are stored in the one or more cloud based databases;

wherein the GPS-based proximity and control module is further configured to use the current GPS coordinates of the service delivery vehicle and the current GPS coordinates of the target vehicle to monitor a distance between the service delivery vehicle and the target vehicle; and

wherein the GPS-based proximity and control module is further configured to receive the second cellular communication from a communication circuit of the second client device associated with the service delivery person, the GPS-based proximity and control module is then configured to send one or more commands to an on-board dongle module installed in the target vehicle, where the one or more commands include;

     1) to wake-up the on-board dongle module in the target vehicle while in a close proximity established by a first threshold distance between the delivery vehicle and the target vehicle,

     2) cause the target vehicle to give an alert via any of i) honking a horn, ii) flashing lights of the target vehicle, and iii) activating a security alarm of the target vehicle while in a close proximity established by a second threshold distance between the delivery vehicle and the target vehicle,

     3) to unlock or open a door including a trunk of the target vehicle for the service delivery person to perform one or more services, and

     4) after establishing a fourth threshold distance between the delivery vehicle and the target vehicle, to lock the doors of the target vehicle.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the onboard dongle module is installed in the target vehicle and includes:

one or more memory buffers,

a second group of one or more processors,

a first transceiver configured to couple to an on-board diagnostic (OBD) port of the target vehicle and to communicate with a fault and diagnostic module of the target vehicle to receive displacement data including velocity of the target vehicle from the OBD port of the delivery vehicle, where the displacement data is periodically received and stored in the one or more memory buffers of the on-board dongle module,

a second transceiver configured to use wireless communications to communicate with one or more client devices including the first client device associated with the target vehicle and the second client device associated with the service delivery person,

a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter configured to transmit RF signals to command a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) module of the target vehicle,

a mapping module to either i) include a first map calculating chip configured to receive GPS signals and to calculate GPS coordinates of the target vehicle, or ii) periodically receive from the first client device, via the second transceiver, the GPS coordinates of the target vehicle, and to store the GPS coordinates of the target vehicle in the one or more memory buffers of the on-board dongle module,

a security module to receive, via the second transceiver, either of i) a current rolling security key of the RKE module of the target vehicle from the second client device, or ii) a first algorithm and a first data from the second client device, where the first algorithm is implemented in a first routine running on the second group of one or more processors of the on-board dongle module, the first algorithm being configured to use the first data to determine the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the target vehicle, and to store the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the target vehicle in the one or more memory buffers of the on-board dongle module,

wherein the security module of the dongle module is also configured to receive, via the second transceiver, the one or more commands from the second client device, where the security module sends the one or more commands and the current rolling security key to the RKE module through commanding the RF transmitter to transmit RF signals to the RKE module of the target vehicle, the transmitted RF signals include the received commands and the current rolling security key, and

wherein the RKE module of the target vehicle validates the current rolling security key and then executes the commands.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communication is used between the second transceiver of the on-board dongle module of the target vehicle and the one or more client devices, the client devices including but not limited to a smart phone;

wherein the first client device associated with the target vehicle is located inside or in a vicinity of the target vehicle such that the GPS coordinates of the target vehicle and GPS coordinates of the first client device are essentially the same;

wherein the first client device includes a second map calculating chip configured to receive the GPS signals and to calculate the GPS coordinates of the first client device, and where the first client device is configured to periodically send the GPS coordinates of the first client device, via the second transceiver, to the mapping module of the on-board dongle module of the target vehicle; and

wherein the second client device is further configured to use the second cellular communication to communicate with the cloud based servers to either i) receive the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the target vehicle from the GPS based proximity and control module, the current rolling security key is determined by implementing the first algorithm and using the first data in a second routine running on first group of processors associated with the GPS based proximity and control module, where then the second client device sends the current rolling security key, via the second transceiver, to the security module of the on-board dongle module, or ii) receive the first algorithm and the first data from the GPS based proximity and control module, where then the second client device sends the first algorithm and the first data, via the second transceiver, to the security module of the on-board dongle module, where the security module of the on-board dongle module is configured to determine the current rolling security key of the RKE module.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second transceiver of the on-board dongle module of the target vehicle is configured to bypass the client devices and use a third cellular communication to directly communicate with the cloud based servers such that either i) the security module of the on-board dongle module receives the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the target vehicle from the GPS based proximity and control module, the current rolling security key is determined by implementing the first algorithm and using the first data in the second routine running on the processors of the cloud based servers, or ii) the security module of the on-board dongle module receives the first algorithm and the first data from the cloud based servers and to determine the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the target vehicle by implementing the first algorithm and using the first data in the first routine running on the second group of one or more processors of the on-board dongle module, and to store the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the target vehicle in the one or more memory buffers of the on-board dongle module;

wherein through the third cellular communication the security module of the on-board dongle module is configured to receive, via the second transceiver, the one or more commands from the GPS-based proximity and control module, where the RF transmitter of the on-board dongle module is configured to transmit the commands and a current rolling security key to the RKE module of the target vehicle; and

wherein the mapping module of the on-board dongle module is configured to request to receive the GPS coordinates of the target vehicle from the first client device when the target vehicle is turned off or when the target vehicle is locked, and to store the map coordinates of the target vehicle in the memory buffers of the on-board dongle module.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the GPS based proximity and control module on the cloud based servers is configured to receive the current GPS coordinated of the target vehicle from either of:

i) the mapping module of the on-board dongle, via the third cellular communication between the on-board dongle module and the cloud based GPS based proximity and control module, where the mapping module of the on-board dongle retrieves the current GPS coordinates of the target vehicle from the one or more memory buffers of the on-board dongle module;

ii) the first client device, via the first cellular communication between the first client device and the cloud based GPS based proximity and control module, where the mapping module of the on-board dongle module retrieves the current GPS coordinates of the target vehicle from the one or more memory buffers of the on-board dongle module and, via the second transceiver, sends the current GPS coordinates of the target vehicle to the first client device;

or

iii) the first client device, via the first cellular communication between the first client device and the cloud based GPS based proximity and control module, where the first client device associated with the target vehicle is configured to determine the GPS coordinates of the target vehicle when an engine of the target vehicle is turned off or when the target vehicle is locked and then sends the GPS coordinates of the target vehicle to the GPS based proximity and control module such that the GPS based proximity and control module receives the GPS coordinates of a time when the target vehicle'"'"'s engine is turned off or when the target vehicle is locked.

12. The system of claim 8, further including:

a barometer in the on-board dongle module configured to measure a height of the target vehicle;

wherein when the GPS signals are not available, the mapping module of the on-board dongle module is configured to retrieve a last known GPS coordinates of the target vehicle from the one or more memory buffers of the on-board dongle module, and to retrieve the displacement data since a time the last known GPS coordinates are calculated from the one or more memory buffers of the on-board dongle module, and then using the last known GPS coordinates and the displacement data, calculates the current GPS coordinates of the target vehicle; and

wherein the mapping module of the on-board dongle module is configured to receive barometer data and translate the height into levels of building, where the GPS coordinates of the vehicle includes a number of levels up or down relative to ground.

13. The system of claim 9, further including an electro-mechanical activation circuit coupled a trunk or a lock of the target vehicle and configured to open a trunk or unlock doors, wherein the security module of the on-board dongle module is configured to receive, via the second transceiver, an open trunk or unlock doors command from the cloud based GPS-based proximity and control module, where in response, the security module of the dongle module is configured to send a signal through one of a wired connection or a wireless communication to the electro-mechanical circuit to open the trunk or unlock the target vehicle.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the GPS-based proximity and control module is configured to receive a first virtual key via a first port and one of 1) a request for a service to be performed on the target vehicle, 2) data, or 3) both, from the second client device associated with the service delivery person, where the first virtual key having a first shelf life and is stored in a first database associated with the cloud based servers, and where the first virtual key is used by the GPS-based proximity and control module for a first authentication of communications from the second client device;

wherein the GPS-based proximity and control module is further configured to receive a security token associated with both a user and the target vehicle from the first client device associated with the target vehicle, the security token having a second shelf life, where the security token is used for a verification of the user and target vehicle;

wherein the GPS-based proximity and control module is configured to send to the second client device associated with the service delivery person the security token for verification and one or more commands regarding the target vehicle to be executed, after the first authentication and in an overlap window of time between the first shelf life and the second shelf life, where the GPS-based proximity and control module is configured to send the one or more commands regarding the target vehicle to the on-board dongle module installed in the target vehicle, where in response to the commands, the on-board dongle module is configured to cause an electro-mechanical operation in the target vehicle to any of i) open up a door, a window, or a trunk of the target vehicle, ii) unlock the door or the trunk of the target vehicle, and iii) any combination of these two, so that the service delivery person can perform the services; and

wherein the on-board dongle module of the target vehicle is configured to receive the commands and the security token via the second client device, where the RF transmitter of the on-board dongle module to transmit the commands to the RKE module of the target vehicle, where the security token is a rolling security key of the RKE module that is included in the transmitted signals and is used by the RKE module for verifying the authentication of the commands.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the commands include one or more of unlocking doors, opening windows, opening trunks, closing trunks, turning engine on, turning engine off, opening and closing a sunroof or moon roof.

16. A method of geo-proximity access for service delivery to a target vehicle, comprising:

configuring one or more cloud based servers having a first group of one or more processors and one or more cloud based databases;

executing a GPS-based proximity and control module on the first group of one or more processors;

executing instructions to ensure a secure access by a service delivery person associated with a service delivery vehicle to the target vehicle;

receiving current GPS coordinates of the target vehicle from a first client device associated with the target vehicle;

receiving current GPS coordinates of the service delivery vehicle from a second client device associated with the service delivery person;

monitoring a distance between the service delivery vehicle and the target vehicle;

waking-up an on-board dongle module of the target vehicle while establishing a close proximity by a first threshold distance between the service delivery vehicle and the target vehicle;

causing the target vehicle to give an alert via any of i) honking a horn, ii) flashing lights of the target vehicle, and iii) activating a security alarm of the target vehicle while in a close proximity established by a second threshold distance between the service delivery vehicle and the target vehicle;

unlocking or opening a door including a trunk of the target vehicle for the service delivery person to perform one or more services with the target vehicle, where the one or more services on the target vehicle to be performed include any of package exchange with the target vehicle, vehicle maintenance to the target vehicle, cleaning the target vehicle, and vehicle repair of the target vehicle; and

locking the target vehicle after establishing a fourth threshold distance between the service delivery vehicle and the target vehicle.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the on-board dongle module is installed in the target vehicle and has one or more memory buffers, a second group of one or more processors, a first transceiver, a second transceiver, a RF transmitter, a mapping module, and a security module, the on-board dongle module further performing:

coupling the first transceiver of the on-board dongle module to an on-board diagnostic (OBD) port of the target vehicle and communicating with a fault and diagnostic module of the target vehicle;

receiving displacement data including velocity of the target vehicle by the first transceiver, where the displacement data is periodically received and stored in the one or more memory buffers of the on-board dongle module;

configuring the second transceiver of the on-board dongle module to use wireless communications to communicate with one or more client devices including the first client device associated with the target vehicle and the second client device associated with service deliver person;

configuring the RF transmitter of the on-board dongle module to transmit RF signals to command a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) module of the target vehicle;

performing by the mapping module of the on-board dongle module one of i) receiving GPS signals and calculating GPS coordinates of the target vehicle, or ii) receiving the GPS coordinates of the target vehicle from the first client device associate with the target vehicle;

storing the GPS coordinates of the target vehicle in the one or more memory buffers of the on-board dongle module;

performing by a security module of the on-board dongle module one of i) receiving a current rolling security key of the RKE module of the target vehicle from the second client device associated with the service delivery person, or ii) determining the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the target vehicle, where after receiving a first algorithm and a first data from the second client device associated with the service delivery person, implementing the first algorithm by the security module and using the first data to determine the current rolling security key of the RKE module;

receiving by the security module one or more commands from the second client device associated with a service delivery person;

sending the received commands to the RKE module by transmitting the received commands and the current rolling security key from the RF transmitter to the RKE module of the target vehicle; and

validating the current rolling security key by the RKE module of the target vehicle and then executing the commands.

18. The method of claim 16, further including:

receiving learning commands by the security module of the on-board dongle module from an automated program in the GPS-based proximity and control module of cloud based servers outside the target vehicle to teach the on-board dongle module to become a key fob; and

registering and validating the on-board dongle module with the RKE module of the target vehicle.

19. The method of claim 16, further including:

communicating directly between the GPS based proximity and control module and the on-board dongle module using cellular communication;

sending the current GPS coordinates of the target vehicle to the GPS based proximity and control module;

receiving directly one of i) the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle from the GPS based proximity and control module, or

     2) the first algorithm and the first data from the cloud based servers and to determine the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle by implementing the first algorithm and using the first data in the first routine running on the second group of one or more processors of the dongle module; and

receiving directly the command to be executed on the target vehicle, where transmitting, via RF transmitters, a command and the current rolling security key to the RKE module of the target vehicle, where the command to be executed by the RKE module of the vehicle after verification of the current rolling security key.

20. The method of claim 16, further including:

communicating indirectly between the GPS based proximity and control module and the on-board dongle module through the first client device and the second client device;

where sending, through the first client device associated with the target vehicle, the current GPS coordinates of the target vehicle to the GPS based proximity and control module;

where receiving, through the second client device associated with the service delivery person, one of i) the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle from the GPS based proximity and control module, or

     2) the first algorithm and the first data from the cloud based servers and to determine the current rolling security key of the RKE module of the vehicle by implementing the first algorithm and using the first data in the first routine running on the second group of one or more processors of the dongle module; and

receiving, through the second client device associated with the service delivery person, the command to be executed on the target vehicle, where transmitting, via RF transmitters, a command and the current rolling security key to the RKE module of the target vehicle, where the command to be executed by the RKE module of the vehicle after verification of the current rolling security key.