Methods of communicating of a vehicle with a network, methods of subscribing a vehicle to a mobile network operator, computer-readable storage media and systems are described below.

Methods of communicating of a vehicle with a network, methods of subscribing a vehicle to a mobile network operator, computer-readable storage media and systems are generally known.

In typical internet-based data exchange scenarios, application-layer data is exchanged by communication partners without coordination with network access providers, for example mobile network operators. Data plans and rates have been rather static and fixed in advance for a longer period of time. Under such contracts, in order to be able to provide sufficient bandwidth for decent download and upload speeds, network access providers have to scale their networks according to the time frames with the highest overall network traffic. The network is then not utilized to its full capacity in off-peak times which makes it more expensive to build and maintain the infrastructure.

Also, sometimes the transmission gets slowed down or less reliable because of peak loads. In the automotive context, this is particularly problematic because of the sensitivity of the data that sometimes needs to be transferred in the automotive environment (e.g. 30 map or system updates) and because of the fact that vehicles are usually off grid with no external power supply.

To optimize their business model and to balance network load better, i.e. reduce maximum bandwidth needs, network access providers think about how to incentivize network use outside of peak times. Accordingly, time-dependent pricing schemes are sometimes proposed, i.e., that network use outside of the peak hours is offered cheaper than during peak hours.

Such a more short-term time-dependent pricing of data transmission is also desired by some customers, in particular customers that have the ability to schedule larger data transfers. In the automotive field, updates like system updates, map updates etc. that require a transfer of a lot of data can easily and most of the times more safely be transmitted via a mobile network over night when most cars are not used and parked and have a stable network connection.

Using time-dependent pricing approaches, prices can be dynamically adjusted to the actual network load by network access providers and allow clients to leverage price fluctuations to optimize data plan usage according to costs.

The problem with known methods, computer-readable storage media and systems is that they do not provide the ability to schedule network traffic in a data

transmission security and cost optimized way.

This leads to the object of providing methods of communicating of a vehicle with a network, methods of subscribing a vehicle to a mobile network operator, computer- readable storage media and systems that allow for faster, more reliable data transmission at cheaper prices.

The objective is solved by a method of communicating of a vehicle with a network according to claim 1 , a method of subscribing a vehicle to a mobile network operator according to independent claim 1 1 , a computer-readable storage medium according to independent claim 12 and a system according to independent claim 14. Further embodiments are described in dependent claims.

In the following, a method of communicating of a vehicle with a network via at least one mobile network access point is described, wherein the mobile network access point is operated by a mobile network operator, wherein the mobile network operator has an established time-dependent pricing scheme provided by a pricing API, wherein a server with a public endpoint accessible for the vehicle receives the time-dependent pricing scheme from the pricing API, wherein the server determines favorable time slots from the time-dependent pricing scheme, wherein said favorable time slots are sent to the vehicle via the public endpoint, wherein data transfer from and/or to the vehicle via the at least one mobile network access point is scheduled according to the favorable time slots.

The method allows a vehicle and an associated server, e.g. a server run by the vehicle manufacturer, to communicate via the public endpoint about favorable time slots at which data transmission with the network through the at least one mobile network access point is best performed. The communication via the public endpoint can be a push communication or a pull communication, i.e. triggered by the server or triggered by the vehicle.

The pricing API of the mobile network operator can provide a static or a dynamic time- dependent pricing scheme. The pricing API can be a table accessible via a network, e.g. the Internet, or it can be another standardized, ideally machine- readable format that associates times with costs. The pricing API can push the information to the server or the server can request the respective pricing

information from the pricing API. The mobile network operator can be a network access provider.

The determination of the favorable time slots through the server can happen in an automated fashion. The server can analyze the time-dependent pricing scheme and extract the times of least costs. This can be done through ordering the times according to costs and selecting the times with the lowest costs and/or through selecting times with costs lower than a threshold. Thereby, the server can take certain criteria into consideration, for example that there needs to be at least a certain amount of hours per day with network access and/or that there needs to be at least one block of time with network access in each of certain periods of the day.

Sending the respective information via the public endpoint allows for a

communication between the server and the vehicle independent of the mobile network operator.

According to a first further embodiment, the data transfer scheduling is performed by the vehicle. The vehicle can apply certain logics, e.g. it can consider typical use times during the day, in order to align data transfers with times when the vehicle is not in use. Also, some data needs to be transmitted instantaneous, irrespective of costs, for example position information of the vehicle or emergency information which could relate to a broken vehicle or an accident.

In another embodiment, the server schedules data transfers to the vehicle according to the favorable time slots. This is useful for schedulable data transfers, e.g. updates from the server or another server to the vehicle or diagnostic data from the vehicle to the or a server.

According to another embodiment, the data to be transferred is categorized according to type and/or urgency, wherein urgent data is transferred via the at least one mobile access point irrespective of favorable time slots, wherein less urgent data is transferred in favorable time slots. According to this embodiment, urgent data can be transmitted instantaneously whereas the overall cost of data transmission can still be minimized. Usually, the highest data volume that needs to be transferred from or to a vehicle is not urgent, e.g. a system update, a map update or the like, so that data transmission in expensive time frames can be reduced significantly.

According to another embodiment, the server negotiates with the mobile network operator and/or subscribes to a time-dependent pricing scheme on behalf of the vehicle.

Respective access information (e.g. carrier information and/or passwords etc.) can be transmitted via the public endpoint. According to this embodiment, the server can leverage the fact that it usually controls data plans for many vehicles. This provides a certain level of business certainty for the mobile network operator which in return usually leads to volume rebates that the owners of the vehicles and/or the car manufacturer can benefit from. This can also be useful when the vehicle travels from one territory to another territory, e.g. another country or an area with bad reception from one mobile network provider, where at least one different mobile network operator is active.

In a further embodiment, the server provides software and/or telematics updates to the vehicle via the at least one mobile network access point.

According to another embodiment, the vehicle connects to the public endpoint via the at least one mobile network access point or via a GSM connection. Using a GSM connection allows for independence of access to the network.

In another embodiment, the server translates the time-dependent pricing scheme into a list containing the favorable time slots. This way, the data can be compressed such that it is transferable via a GSM connection, e.g. using SMS (short messaging services).

In another embodiment, the method as described before is carried out by at least one computer.

A first independent aspect relates to means of communicating of a vehicle with the network via at least one mobile network access point, wherein the mobile network access point is operated by a mobile network operator, wherein the mobile network operator has an established time-dependent pricing scheme provided by a pricing API, wherein the server with the public endpoint accessible for the vehicle has means for receiving the time-dependent pricing scheme from the pricing API, wherein the server has means for determining favorable time slots from the time- dependent pricing scheme, where in the server has means for sending said favorable time slots to the vehicle via the public endpoint, wherein means are provided to schedule data transfer from and/or to the vehicle via the at least one mobile network access point according to the favorable time slots.

A first further embodiment provides for the vehicle having scheduling means to schedule the data transfer.

Another embodiment relates to the server having scheduling means for scheduling data transfers to the vehicle according to the favorable time slots.

In another embodiment, categorization means are provided to categorize the data to be transferred according to type and/or urgency. ln another embodiment, the server has negotiation means to negotiates with the mobile network operator and/or to subscribe to a time-dependent pricing scheme on behalf of the vehicle.

According to a further embodiment, the server has storage means for storing software and/or telematics information and communication means for providing said software and telematics information to the vehicle via the at least one mobile network access point.

According to a further embodiment, the vehicle is communication means for receiving data from the server via the at least one mobile access point.

A further independent aspect relates to a method of subscribing a vehicle to a mobile network operator, wherein the mobile network operator operates at least one mobile network access point, wherein the mobile network operator has an established time- dependent pricing scheme provided by a pricing API, wherein a server with a public endpoint accessible for the vehicle receives the time-dependent pricing scheme, wherein the server signs up to the pricing scheme on behalf of the vehicle, wherein the server determines favorable time slots from the time- dependent pricing scheme, wherein said favorable time slots are sent to the vehicle via the public endpoint for scheduling data transfer from and/or to the vehicle via the at least one mobile network access point according to the favorable time slots.

A further independent aspect relates to the means for subscribing a vehicle to a mobile network operator, wherein the mobile network operator operates at least one mobile network access point, wherein the mobile network operator has an established time- dependent pricing scheme provided by a pricing API, wherein a server with a public endpoint accessible for the vehicle has receiving means for receiving the time-dependent pricing scheme, wherein the server as means for signing up to the pricing scheme on behalf of the vehicle, wherein the server as means for determining favorable time slots from the time-dependent pricing scheme, wherein the server is set up to send said favorable time slots to the vehicle via the public endpoint for scheduling data transfer from and/or to the vehicle via the at least one mobile network access point according to the favorable time slots. Another independent aspect relates to a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to carry out the steps of the methods as described before.

In a first further embodiment, the computer readable storage medium is stored on the server.

According to another independent aspect the system is described comprising at least long vehicle, at least one mobile network access point operated by a mobile network operator, and a server, wherein the vehicle comprises a communication module capable of establishing a data transfer connection with the at least one mobile network access point and to the at least one server, wherein the vehicle further comprises a storage for storing information about favorable time slots for communication via the at least one mobile network access point and a processor connected to said communication module and said storage, wherein the processor is set up to conduct communication at the favorable time slots.

According to a further embodiment, the server and/or the vehicle comprise a computer readable storage medium according to the description before.

Further features and details will be shown in the following description in which - where applicable with reference to the drawings - at least one exemplary embodiment will be described in detail. Described and/or shown features constitute the subject in itself or in any possible and meaningful combination, eventually also independent from the claims. In particular, they can be subject of one or more separate applications. The figures show schematically:

Fig. 1 a system with a vehicle, a server and a mobile network infrastructure;

Fig. 2 a communication diagram within the system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 a time-dependent pricing scheme, and

Fig. 4 a data package with favorable time slots as sent to the vehicle of Fig. 1 Fig. 1 shows an infrastructure 2 with a vehicle 4.

The vehicle 4 comprises a telematics control unit 6. The telematics control unit 6 comprises amongst others a communication module, a processor, storage, GPS and a clock.

Furthermore, a server 8 is provided with a public endpoint 10. The server 8 comprises a computation unit 12. Furthermore, the server 8 comprises a storage 14 that is connected to an internet 17 as well as other typical components of service such as a clock.

A mobile network operator 16 runs a number of mobile network access points 18, 20, 22, 24. The mobile network operator 16 also operates a pricing API 26.

Through its telematics control unit 6, the vehicle 4 is, on the one hand, connected to the public endpoint 10 of the server 8 via a GSM network 28. On the other hand, the vehicle 4 is connected to mobile network access point 18. The telematics control unit 6 comprises a processor 6.1 and a storage 6.2.

As shown in connection with Fig. 2, if the vehicle 4 connects to the server 8 via the GSM network 28, the computation unit 12 of server 8 connects to the pricing API 26 of mobile network operator 16 to get an offer of a time-dependent pricing schedule. The computation unit 12 then calculates favorable time slots that are communicated back via the GSM network 28, e.g., through one or more SMSs.

The vehicle 4 uses the information on the favorable time slots to schedule necessary data transmissions via the mobile network operator 16. Those data transmissions can be, amongst others, map updates, software updates for components of the vehicle 4 and others such as diagnostic data related to the vehicle 4.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary time-dependent pricing schedule as transmitted from the pricing API 26 to the computation unit 12 of server 10. In times of high data traffic, i.e. during working hours and in the early evening’s, bandwidth is rare and a time-dependent pricing schedule comprises higher prices than in low traffic times, usually over night.

The computation unit 12 assesses the schedule and determines that high-volume data should preferably be transferred between 0:00 AM and 6:00 AM.

As shown in Fig. 4, the computation unit 12 generates a list with data tuples comprised of start time, end time and rate per unit. The data tuples are separated by a separator, here a semicolon.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

List of reference numerals

2 infrastructure

4 vehicle

6 telematics control unit

6.1 processor

6.2 Storage

8 Server

10 public endpoint

12 computation unit

14 storage

16 mobile network operator

17 internet

18 - 24 mobile network access point 26 pricing API

28 GSM network

TDP time-dependent pricing