Patent Description:
The invention can be applied in heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and construction equipment. Although the invention will be described with respect to a heavy-duty vehicle, the invention is not restricted to this particular vehicle, but may also be used in other vehicles such as trailers, wheel loaders, articulated haulers, excavators, backhoe loaders, passenger cars, marine vessels, working machines, etc. The term vehicle will be used herein when referring to any of the above types of vehicles.

When a vehicle is at a workshop for service or repair, the technician needs to connect a diagnostics tool to the vehicle to perform the necessary service or repair operations. A separate cable or device is needed to establish a connection between the vehicle and the diagnostics tool. However, a cable has a limited length, and it may be in the way for the technician when he performs his operations. An alternative may be a wireless connection between the vehicle and the diagnostics tool, which is preferred for easy connectivity. However, a wireless connection exposes the vehicle to cyber security threats.

<CIT> discloses a system and method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle.

<CIT> discloses dynamic discovery of vehicle communication interface device.

Therefore, there is a need to at least mitigate or solve this issue.

An object of the invention is to improve handling of connections for a vehicle in a workshop.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method performed by a workshop server for handling connections for a vehicle in a workshop according to claim <NUM>. The workshop server obtains a request for connection to the workshop server from the vehicle. The workshop server establishes a tool connection to at least one diagnostics tool to be used with the vehicle in the workshop. Upon receiving the request from the vehicle, the workshop server establishes a vehicle connection to the vehicle such that the vehicle is connected to the same workshop server as the at least one diagnostics tool and via different connections. The workshop server is known and trusted such that the vehicle connection between the vehicle and the workshop server is secure. The at least one diagnostics tool is connected to the vehicle via the workshop server. By the provision of a method as disclosed herein, the advantage of improving handling of connections for a vehicle in a workshop is provided. Since the vehicle and the diagnostics tool are connected to the same workshop server and via different connections, the risk for security threats is reduced or mitigated as compared to connecting the vehicle directly to the diagnostics tool.

According to one embodiment, the workshop server may initiate at least one of workshop tasks, software updates, calibrations, reading data and tests to be performed on the vehicle using the diagnostics tool. Hereby an improvement is achieved in that a variety of operations may be performed on the vehicle without any or with reduced risk for security threats.

According to a further embodiment, the establishment of the tool connection to the at least one diagnostics tool may be initiated by the workshop server. Since the connection is initiated by the workshop server and not by the diagnostics tool, no unknown or unauthorized diagnostics tool may connect to the workshop server. The trusted and known workshop server is in control of the tools that are connected to it. Thus, the security threat is reduced or mitigated.

According to another embodiment, the tool connection between the workshop server and the at least one diagnostics tool may be a wired or wireless tool communication link. An advantage of this may be that it provides flexibility with respect to which type of communicate link to use. The type of communication link may be tailored to the diagnostics tool that is used.

According to another embodiment, the vehicle connection between the vehicle and the workshop server may be a wired or wireless vehicle communication link. An advantage of this may be that it provides flexibility with respect to which type of communicate link to use. The type of communication link may be tailored to the diagnostics tool that is used.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a workshop server for handling connections for a vehicle in a workshop according to claim <NUM>. The workshop server is adapted to perform a method according to the first aspect. Advantages and effects of the workshop server of the second aspect are largely analogous to the advantages and effects of the method of the first aspect. Further, all embodiments of the method are applicable to and combinable with all embodiments of the workshop server, and vice versa.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method performed by a vehicle device for handling connections to a workshop server according to claim <NUM>. The vehicle device detects that the vehicle is located inside or in close proximity to a workshop. Based on the detection, the vehicle device provides a request for connection to a workshop server associated with the workshop. The vehicle device determines that a vehicle connection to the workshop server has been established. The vehicle is connected to the same workshop server as at least one diagnostics tool to be used with the vehicle in the workshop and via different connections. The workshop server is known and trusted by the vehicle such that the vehicle connection between the vehicle and the workshop server is secure. Advantages and effects of the method of the third aspect are largely analogous to the advantages and effects of the method of the first aspect. Further, all embodiments of the method of the first aspect are applicable to and combinable with all embodiments of the method of the third aspect, and vice versa.

According to an embodiment, the vehicle device may enable at least one of workshop tasks, software updates, calibrations, reading data and tests to be performed on the vehicle using the at least one diagnostics tool that is connected to the same workshop server as the vehicle.

According to a further embodiment, the vehicle connection between the vehicle and the workshop server may be a wired or wireless communication link.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a vehicle device for handling connections to a workshop server according to claim <NUM>. The vehicle device is adapted to perform a method according to the third aspect. Advantages and effects of the method of the fourth aspect are largely analogous to the advantages and effects of the method of the third aspect. Further, all embodiments of the method of the third aspect are applicable to and combinable with all embodiments of the vehicle device of the fourth aspect, and vice versa.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a vehicle according to claim <NUM>. The vehicle comprises a vehicle device of the fourth aspect. Advantages and effects of the vehicle of the fifth aspect are largely analogous to the advantages and effects of the vehicle device of the fourth aspect. Further, all embodiments of the vehicle device of the fourth aspect are applicable to and combinable with all embodiments of the vehicle of the fifth aspect, and vice versa.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a computer program according to claim <NUM>. The computer program comprising program code means for performing the method of the first aspect when the program is run on a computer.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a computer readable medium according to claim <NUM>. The computer readable medium carries a computer program comprising program code means for performing the method of the first aspect when the program product is run on a computer.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a computer program according to claim <NUM>. The computer program comprises program code means for performing the method of the third aspect when the program is run on a computer.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a computer readable medium of claim <NUM>. The computer readable medium carries a computer program comprising program code means for performing the method of the third aspect when the program product is run on a computer.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the dimensions of certain features may have been exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Emphasis is instead placed upon illustrating the principle of the embodiments herein.

<FIG> is a schematic drawing illustrating a vehicle system. The system comprises a vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> may be a heavy-duty vehicle such as for example a truck, bus, construction equipment. The vehicle <NUM> may also be other vehicles such as trailers, wheel loaders, articulated haulers, excavators, backhoe loaders, passenger cars, marine vessels, working machines, etc. For the sake of simplicity, the term vehicle will be used herein when referring to any of the above examples of vehicles.

The vehicle <NUM> comprises a vehicle device <NUM>. The vehicle device <NUM> is located on-board the vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle device <NUM> may be a control unit, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), an Electronic Control Module (ECM), a vehicle computer, etc. The vehicle device <NUM> is adapted to have a connection to a workshop server <NUM>.

The vehicle system comprises the workshop server <NUM>. The workshop server <NUM> may be a workshop computer, a workshop control unit, a workshop hub, a workshop central etc. The workshop server <NUM> is located in a workshop where technicians may perform operations such as service and/or repair on the vehicle <NUM>. The workshop server <NUM> is adapted to handle connections to the vehicle <NUM> via the vehicle device <NUM>.

The workshop server <NUM> is arranged to establish a vehicle connection <NUM> to the vehicle <NUM> via the vehicle device <NUM>. The workshop server <NUM> is arranged to establish a tool connection <NUM> to at least one diagnostics tool <NUM>. The vehicle connection <NUM> may be a wired and/or wireless tool communication link. For example, the vehicle connection <NUM> may be completely wired, or it may be completely wireless, or a first part of the vehicle connection <NUM> may be wired between the workshop server <NUM> and an intermediate unit, a gateway, a hub or similar unit, and a second part of the vehicle connection <NUM> may be wireless between the intermediate unit, a gateway, a hub or similar unit and the vehicle <NUM> and the vehicle device <NUM> (or the other way around). The tool connection <NUM> may be a wired and/or wireless tool communication link. For example, the tool connection <NUM> may be completely wired, or it may be completely wireless, or a first part of the tool connection <NUM> may be wired between the workshop server <NUM> and an intermediate unit, a gateway, a hub or similar unit, and a second part of the tool connection <NUM> may be wireless between the intermediate unit, a gateway, a hub or similar unit and the diagnostics tool <NUM> (or the other way around).

The vehicle system comprises the at least one diagnostics tool <NUM>. Only one diagnostics tool <NUM> is exemplified in <FIG> for the sake of simplicity, but the vehicle system may comprise any suitable number of diagnostics tools <NUM>. The diagnostics tool <NUM> is located at the workshop and may be operated by the technician. The diagnostics tool <NUM> is arranged to perform diagnostics operations on the vehicle <NUM>, for example determining if any component in the vehicle is not functioning properly, determining if the oil in the vehicle <NUM> needs to be refilled or replaced, determining if a software update is necessary etc. The diagnostics tool <NUM> may comprise a user interface, for example in the form of a display, a touch screen etc., through which the technician may obtain information indicating the diagnostics that needs to be performed, the development of ongoing diagnostics, a result of a completed repair or service etc. The diagnostics tool <NUM> may be a table computer, a mobile phone, a stationary computer etc..

The diagnostics tool <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> may be separate units, i.e. separate hardware units. The diagnostics tool <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> may be comprised in the same unit, i.e. they may be co-located in the same hardware unit. If the diagnostics tool <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> are comprised in the same unit, then they may be separate software units running on the same hardware unit.

The method for handling connections for a vehicle <NUM> in a workshop will now be described with reference to the signalling diagram in <FIG>. Prior to step <NUM>, the vehicle <NUM> may have scheduled a visit for performing service or repair at the workshop. However, the visit at the workshop does not necessarily have to be scheduled in advance. The method comprises at least one of the following steps, which steps may as well be carried out in another suitable order than described below:.

The vehicle <NUM> enters the workshop, i.e. it is inside the workshop, or is in close proximity to the workshop. When the vehicle <NUM> is in close proximity to the workshop it may be in a predetermined distance from the workshop, for example outside at the workshop's parking lot. The vehicle device <NUM> comprised in the vehicle <NUM> may detect that it is inside or in close proximity to the workshop by comparing the vehicle position with the workshop position. When the vehicle position and the workshop position are the same, or when the vehicle position is at a maximum distance from the workshop position, then the vehicle device <NUM> may determine that it is inside or in close proximity to the workshop. The workshop position may be known by the vehicle device <NUM> at some earlier instance, for example when the service or repair in the workshop has been ordered. In another example, the vehicle device <NUM> may establish a connection with the workshop servicer <NUM> when they are within a predetermined distance from each other, for example using Bluetooth technology.

The workshop server <NUM> is known and trusted by the vehicle device <NUM>. For example, the vehicle device <NUM> may comprise a workshop server ID which it obtained when the visit to the workshop was ordered, it may be manually entered by the user of the vehicle <NUM> when the vehicle <NUM> enters or is in close proximity to the workshop, or at some other suitable time instance.

When the vehicle <NUM> has entered or is in close proximity to the workshop, the vehicle device <NUM> sends a request for a vehicle connection <NUM> to the workshop server <NUM>. A vehicle ID may be comprised in the request. The request may be initiated by the technician, the user, owner or operator of the vehicle <NUM>, or by the vehicle device <NUM>.

The workshop server <NUM> may comprise or have access to information about the vehicle <NUM> and the operations to be performed on the vehicle <NUM> when it is at the workshop. This information may be in the request that was received in step <NUM>, or it may be provided to the workshop server <NUM> in advance, for example when the visit to the workshop was ordered.

When the request in step <NUM> has been received, the workshop server <NUM> knows that a diagnostics tool <NUM> will be used by a technician when performing the necessary operations on the vehicle <NUM>. The workshop server <NUM> has knowledge of which diagnostics tools <NUM> that are accessible, necessary and suitable for the particular vehicle <NUM>, and establishes a tool connection <NUM> to one or more of these diagnostics tools <NUM>.

The diagnostics tool <NUM> detects that the workshop server <NUM> has established a tool connection <NUM> to it. As mentioned earlier, the tool connection <NUM> may be a wired and/or wireless tool communication link.

Based on the request in step <NUM>, the workshop server <NUM> establishes a vehicle connection <NUM> with the vehicle <NUM> via the vehicle device <NUM>. As mentioned earlier, the vehicle connection <NUM> may be a wired and/or wireless tool communication link.

The establishment of the tool connection <NUM> and the vehicle connection <NUM> may be performed in any suitable order. For example, the tool connection <NUM> may be established first, and then the vehicle connection <NUM> may be established, or the other way around. The tool connection <NUM> and the vehicle connection <NUM> may be established at the same time.

The vehicle device <NUM> determines that the requested vehicle connection <NUM> has been established. The vehicle device <NUM> has now a vehicle connection <NUM> to the workshop server <NUM> which is known and trusted by the vehicle device <NUM>. The vehicle device <NUM> may comprise or have access to a workshop ID through which the workshop server <NUM> is considered to be known and trusted. The vehicle <NUM> is thereby connected to the same workshop server as the diagnostics tool <NUM>, but via different connections.

The workshop server <NUM> determines that all the necessary connections have been established and are up and running, and the diagnostics of the vehicle <NUM> is therefore ready to be performed.

The workshop server <NUM> may initiate the diagnostics to be performed by the diagnostics tool <NUM>.

The diagnostics tool <NUM> performs the diagnostics. The diagnostics is performed via the tool connection <NUM> from the diagnostics tool <NUM> to the workshop server <NUM>, and via the vehicle connection <NUM> between the workshop server <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM>. Thus, the communication between the diagnostics tool <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM> goes via the workshop server <NUM>. There is no direct communication between the diagnostics tool <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM>. In this way, no unauthorized diagnostics tools will have access to the vehicle <NUM>. Thus, security of the connection to the vehicle <NUM> at the workshop is improved.

The method described above will now be described seen from the perspective of the workshop server <NUM>. <FIG> is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by the workshop server <NUM> for handling connections for a vehicle <NUM> in a workshop. The method comprises at least one of the following steps, which steps may be performed in any suitable order than described below:.

This step corresponds to step <NUM> in <FIG>. The workshop server <NUM> obtains a request for connection to the workshop server <NUM> from the vehicle <NUM>.

This step corresponds to step <NUM> in <FIG>. The workshop server <NUM> establishes a tool connection <NUM> to at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> to be used with the vehicle <NUM> in the workshop. The at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> is connected to the vehicle <NUM> via the workshop server <NUM>. The establishment of the tool connection to the at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> may be initiated by the workshop server <NUM>.

The tool connection <NUM> between the workshop server <NUM> and the at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> may be a wired and/or wireless tool communication link.

This step corresponds to step <NUM> in <FIG>. Upon receiving the request from the vehicle <NUM>, the workshop server <NUM> establishes a vehicle connection <NUM> to the vehicle <NUM> such that the vehicle <NUM> is connected to the same workshop server <NUM> as the at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> and via different connections. The workshop server <NUM> is known and trusted such that the vehicle connection between the vehicle <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> is secure.

The vehicle connection <NUM> between the vehicle <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> may be a wired and/or wireless vehicle communication link.

This step corresponds to step <NUM> in <FIG>. The workshop server <NUM> may initiate least one of workshop tasks, software updates, calibrations, reading data and tests to be performed on the vehicle <NUM> using the diagnostics tool <NUM>.

A computer program may comprise program code means for performing the steps of the method described above when the program is run on a computer. A computer readable medium may carry a computer program comprising program code means for performing the method described above when the program product is run on a computer.

The method described above will now be described seen from the perspective of the vehicle device <NUM>. <FIG> is a flow chart illustrating a method performed by the vehicle device <NUM> for handling connections for a vehicle <NUM> in a workshop. The method comprises at least one of the following steps, which steps may be performed in any suitable order than described below:.

This step corresponds to step <NUM> in <FIG>. The vehicle device <NUM> detects that the vehicle <NUM> is located inside or in close proximity to a workshop.

This step corresponds to step <NUM> in <FIG>. Based on the detection, the vehicle device <NUM> provides a request for connection to a workshop server <NUM> associated with the workshop.

This step corresponds to step <NUM> in <FIG>. The vehicle device <NUM> determines that a vehicle connection <NUM> to the workshop server <NUM> has been established. The vehicle <NUM> is connected to the same workshop server <NUM> as at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> to be used with the vehicle <NUM> in the workshop and via different connections. The workshop server <NUM> is known and trusted by the vehicle <NUM> such that the vehicle connection <NUM> between the vehicle <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> is secure.

The vehicle connection <NUM> between the vehicle <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> may be a wired and/or wireless communication link.

This step corresponds to step <NUM> in <FIG>. The vehicle device <NUM> enables at least one of workshop tasks, software updates, calibrations, reading data and tests to be performed on the vehicle <NUM> using the at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> that is connected to the same workshop server <NUM> as the vehicle <NUM>, but via a different connection.

The workshop server <NUM> for handling connections for a vehicle <NUM> in a workshop is adapted to perform the method described herein. To perform the method steps shown in <FIG> the workshop server <NUM> may comprise an arrangement as shown in <FIG> and/or <FIG> depict two different examples of the arrangement that the workshop server <NUM> may comprise.

The present disclosure related to the workshop server <NUM> may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor <NUM> in the workshop server <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions described herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the present disclosure when being loaded into the workshop server <NUM>. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the workshop server <NUM>.

The workshop server <NUM> may comprise a memory <NUM> comprising one or more memory units. The memory <NUM> is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the workshop server <NUM>.

The workshop server <NUM> may receive information and/or data from, e.g. the vehicle <NUM>, the vehicle device <NUM>, the diagnostics tool <NUM>, through a receiving port <NUM>. The receiving port <NUM> may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in workshop server <NUM>. The workshop server <NUM> may receive information from another structure in the system through the receiving port <NUM>. Since the receiving port <NUM> may be in communication with the processor <NUM>, the receiving port <NUM> may then send the received information to the processor <NUM>. The receiving port <NUM> may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor <NUM> in the workshop server <NUM> may be configured to transmit or send information to e.g. the vehicle <NUM>, the vehicle device <NUM>, the diagnostics tool <NUM>, or another structure in the system, through a sending port <NUM>, which may be in communication with the processor <NUM>, and the memory <NUM>.

The workshop server <NUM> may comprise an obtaining module <NUM>, an establishing module <NUM>, an initiating module <NUM>, and other module(s) <NUM> etc..

The workshop server <NUM> is arranged to, e.g. by means of the obtaining module <NUM>, obtain a request for connection to the workshop server <NUM> from the vehicle <NUM>. The obtaining module <NUM> may also be referred to as an obtaining unit, an obtaining means, an obtaining circuit, means for obtaining etc. The obtaining module <NUM> may be a processor <NUM> of the workshop server <NUM> or comprised in the processor <NUM> of the workshop server <NUM>.

The workshop server <NUM> may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the establishing module <NUM>, establish a tool connection <NUM> to at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> to be used with the vehicle <NUM> in the workshop. The establishment of the tool connection to the at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> may be initiated by the workshop server <NUM>. The tool connection <NUM> between the workshop server <NUM> and the at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> may be a wired and/or wireless tool communication link. The establishing module <NUM> may also be referred to as an establishing unit, an establishing means, an establishing circuit, means for establishing etc. The establishing module <NUM> may be a processor <NUM> of the workshop server <NUM> or comprised in the processor <NUM> of the workshop server.

The workshop server <NUM> may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the establishing module <NUM>, upon receiving the request from the vehicle <NUM>, establish a vehicle connection <NUM> to the vehicle <NUM> such that the vehicle <NUM> is connected to the same workshop server <NUM> as the at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> and via different connections. The workshop server <NUM> may be known and trusted such that the vehicle connection <NUM> between the vehicle <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> is secure. The at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> may be connected to the vehicle <NUM> via the workshop server <NUM>. The vehicle connection <NUM> between the vehicle <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> may be a wired and/or wireless vehicle communication link.

The workshop server <NUM> may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the initiating module <NUM>, initiate at least one of workshop tasks, software updates, calibrations, reading data and tests to be performed on the vehicle <NUM> using the diagnostics tool <NUM>. The initiating module <NUM> may also be referred to as an initiating unit, an initiating means, an initiating circuit, means for initiating etc. The initiating module <NUM> may be a processor <NUM> of the workshop server <NUM> or comprised in the processor <NUM> of the workshop server.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the obtaining module <NUM>, the establishing module <NUM>, the initiating module <NUM>, and the other module(s) <NUM> etc. described above may refer to a combination of analogue and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor <NUM>, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be comprised in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

The different units <NUM>-<NUM> described above may be implemented as one or more applications running on one or more processors such as the processor <NUM>.

Thus, the methods described herein for the workshop server <NUM> may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program <NUM> product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor <NUM>, cause the at least one processor <NUM> to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the workshop sever <NUM>. The computer program <NUM> product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium <NUM>. The computer-readable storage medium <NUM>, having stored thereon the computer program <NUM>, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor <NUM>, cause the at least one processor <NUM> to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the workshop server <NUM>. The computer-readable storage medium <NUM> may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. The computer program <NUM> product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program <NUM> just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the first computer-readable storage medium <NUM>, as described above.

The workshop server <NUM> may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate communications between the workshop server <NUM> and other units, systems or devices, e.g., the vehicle <NUM>, the vehicle device <NUM>, the diagnostics tool <NUM> or another structure. The interface may comprise a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

The workshop sever <NUM> may comprise the following arrangement depicted in <FIG>. The workshop server <NUM> may comprise a processing circuitry <NUM>, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor <NUM>, in the workshop sever <NUM> and the memory <NUM>. The workshop server <NUM> may also comprise a radio circuitry <NUM>, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port <NUM> and the sending port <NUM> The processing circuitry <NUM> may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to <FIG>, in a similar manner as that described in relation to <FIG>. The radio circuitry <NUM> may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the workshop server <NUM>. Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

Hence, the present disclosure also relates to the workshop server <NUM> arranged for handling connections for a vehicle <NUM> in a workshop. The workshop server <NUM> may comprise the processing circuitry <NUM> and the memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> comprises instructions executable by said processing circuitry <NUM>. The workshop server <NUM> is operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the workshop server <NUM>, e.g., in <FIG>.

The vehicle device <NUM> for handling connections for a vehicle <NUM> in a workshop is adapted to perform the method described herein. To perform the method steps shown in <FIG> and <FIG> the vehicle device <NUM> may comprise an arrangement as shown in <FIG> and/or <FIG> depict two different examples of the arrangement that the vehicle device <NUM> may comprise.

The present disclosure related to the vehicle device <NUM> may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor <NUM> in the vehicle device <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions described herein. A processor, as used herein, may be understood to be a hardware component. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the present disclosure when being loaded into the workshop server <NUM>. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the vehicle device <NUM>.

The vehicle device <NUM> may comprise a memory <NUM> comprising one or more memory units. The memory <NUM> is arranged to be used to store obtained information, store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications etc. to perform the methods herein when being executed in the vehicle device <NUM>.

The vehicle device <NUM> may receive information and/or data from, e.g. the vehicle <NUM>, the diagnostics tool <NUM>, the workshop server <NUM>, through a receiving port <NUM>. The receiving port <NUM> may be, for example, connected to one or more antennas in the vehicle device <NUM>. The vehicle device <NUM> may receive information from another structure in the system through the receiving port <NUM>. Since the receiving port <NUM> may be in communication with the processor <NUM>, the receiving port <NUM> may then send the received information to the processor <NUM>. The receiving port <NUM> may also be configured to receive other information.

The processor <NUM> in the vehicle device <NUM> may be configured to transmit or send information to e.g. the vehicle <NUM>, the workshop server <NUM>, the diagnostics tool <NUM>, or another structure in the system, through a sending port <NUM>, which may be in communication with the processor <NUM>, and the memory <NUM>.

The vehicle device <NUM> may comprise a detecting module <NUM>, a providing module <NUM>, a determining module <NUM>, an enabling module <NUM> and other module(s) <NUM> etc..

The vehicle device <NUM> is arranged to, e.g. by means of the detecting module <NUM>, detect that the vehicle <NUM> is located inside or in close proximity to a workshop. The detecting module <NUM> may also be referred to as a detecting unit, a detecting means, a detecting circuit, means for detecting etc. The detecting module <NUM> may be a processor <NUM> of the vehicle device <NUM> or comprised in the processor <NUM> of the vehicle device <NUM>.

The vehicle device <NUM> is arranged to, e.g. by means of the providing module <NUM>, based on the detection, provide a request for connection to a workshop server <NUM> associated with the workshop. The providing module <NUM> may also be referred to as a providing unit, a providing means, a providing circuit, means for providing etc. The providing module <NUM> may be a processor <NUM> of the vehicle device <NUM> or comprised in the processor <NUM> of the vehicle device <NUM>.

The vehicle device <NUM> is arranged to, e.g. by means of the determining module <NUM>, determine that a vehicle connection <NUM> to the workshop server <NUM> has been established. The vehicle <NUM> is connected to the same workshop server <NUM> as at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> to be used with the vehicle <NUM> in the workshop and via different connections. The workshop server <NUM> is known and trusted by the vehicle <NUM> such that the vehicle connection <NUM> between the vehicle <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> is secure. The vehicle connection <NUM> between the vehicle <NUM> and the workshop server <NUM> may be a wired and/or wireless communication link. The determining module <NUM> may also be referred to as a determining unit, a determining means, a determining circuit, means for determining etc. The determining module <NUM> may be a processor <NUM> of the vehicle device <NUM> or comprised in the processor <NUM> of the vehicle device <NUM>.

The vehicle device <NUM> may be arranged to, e.g. by means of the enabling module <NUM>, enable at least one of workshop tasks, software updates, calibrations, reading data and tests to be performed on the vehicle <NUM> using the at least one diagnostics tool <NUM> that is connected to the same workshop server <NUM> as the vehicle <NUM>. The enabling module <NUM> may also be referred to as an enabling unit, an enabling means, an enabling circuit, means for enabling etc. The enabling module <NUM> may be a processor <NUM> of the vehicle device <NUM> or comprised in the processor <NUM> of the vehicle device <NUM>.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the detecting module <NUM>, the providing module <NUM>, the determining module <NUM>, the enabling module <NUM> and the other module(s) <NUM> etc. described above may refer to a combination of analogue and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g., stored in memory, that, when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor <NUM>, perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be comprised in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

Thus, the methods described herein for the vehicle device <NUM> may be respectively implemented by means of a computer program <NUM> product, comprising instructions, i.e., software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor <NUM>, cause the at least one processor <NUM> to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the workshop sever <NUM>. The computer program <NUM> product may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium <NUM>. The computer-readable storage medium <NUM>, having stored thereon the computer program <NUM>, may comprise instructions which, when executed on at least one processor <NUM>, cause the at least one processor <NUM> to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the vehicle device <NUM>. The computer-readable storage medium <NUM> may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as a CD ROM disc, or a memory stick. The computer program <NUM> product may be stored on a carrier containing the computer program <NUM> just described, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or the first computer-readable storage medium <NUM>, as described above.

The vehicle device <NUM> may comprise a communication interface configured to facilitate communications between the workshop server <NUM> and other units, systems or devices, e.g., the vehicle <NUM>, the workshop server <NUM>, the diagnostics tool <NUM> or another structure. The interface may comprise a transceiver configured to transmit and receive radio signals over an air interface in accordance with a suitable standard.

The vehicle device <NUM> may comprise the following arrangement depicted in <FIG>. The vehicle device <NUM> may comprise a processing circuitry <NUM>, e.g., one or more processors such as the processor <NUM>, in the vehicle device <NUM> and the memory <NUM>. The vehicle device <NUM> may also comprise a radio circuitry <NUM>, which may comprise e.g., the receiving port <NUM> and the sending port <NUM>. The processing circuitry <NUM> may be configured to, or operable to, perform the method actions according to <FIG> and <FIG>, in a similar manner as that described in relation to <FIG>. The radio circuitry <NUM> may be configured to set up and maintain at least a wireless connection with the vehicle device <NUM>. Circuitry may be understood herein as a hardware component.

Hence, the present disclosure also relates to the vehicle device <NUM> arranged for handling connections for a vehicle <NUM> in a workshop. The vehicle device <NUM> may comprise the processing circuitry <NUM> and the memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> comprises instructions executable by said processing circuitry <NUM>. The vehicle device <NUM> is operative to perform the actions described herein in relation to the workshop server <NUM>, e.g., in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The vehicle <NUM> comprising a vehicle device <NUM> as described above.

Summarized, the vehicle <NUM> is automatically connected to the same workshop server <NUM> as the diagnostics tools <NUM> in the workshop. The vehicle <NUM> connects to a known and trusted network instead of a single tool or device. The technician's diagnostics tools <NUM> are not directly connected to the vehicle <NUM>. The connection is initiated by the vehicle and the network is known. This is more secure than connecting the truck directly to different tools or devices. The secure connection enables not only diagnostics work but other operations and activities in the workshop as well, like software updates, calibrations and tests.

Claim 1:
A method performed by a workshop server (<NUM>) for handling connections for a vehicle (<NUM>) in a workshop, the method comprises:
obtaining (<NUM>, <NUM>) a request for connection to the workshop server (<NUM>) from the vehicle (<NUM>);
establishing (<NUM>, <NUM>) a tool connection (<NUM>) to at least one diagnostics tool (<NUM>) to be used with the vehicle (<NUM>) in the workshop;
upon receiving the request from the vehicle (<NUM>), establishing (<NUM>, <NUM>) a vehicle connection (<NUM>) to the vehicle (<NUM>) such that the vehicle (<NUM>) is connected to the same workshop server (<NUM>) as the at least one diagnostics tool (<NUM>) and via different connections, wherein the workshop server (<NUM>) is known and trusted such that the vehicle connection between the vehicle (<NUM>) and the workshop server (<NUM>) is secure, and
wherein the at least one diagnostics tool (<NUM>) is connected to the vehicle (<NUM>) via the workshop server (<NUM>).