Method and apparatus for assigning profile data to one or more vehicle sub-systems of a vehicle

1. A method, performed in an apparatus for profile control, for assigning profile data to one or more vehicle sub-systems of a vehicle, each vehicle sub-system comprising a vehicle sub-system data storage, the method comprising:

detecting a presence of an occupant in the vehicle;

identifying the occupant in the vehicle;

retrieving from a profile data storage profile data corresponding to the identified occupant;

assigning the retrieved profile data to one or more vehicle sub-systems;

sending the retrieved profile data for storage in the vehicle sub-system data storage of the one or more assigned vehicle sub-systems; and

controlling the one or more vehicle sub-systems according to the stored profile data.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

determining a role of the identified occupant in the vehicle; and

associating the determined role of the identified occupant to the profile data of the identified occupant;

wherein the step of assigning the profile data of the identified occupant to one or more vehicle sub-systems is performed based on the determined role of the identified occupant.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

controlling periodically the vehicle to determine if the vehicle is used; and

if it is determined that the vehicle is not used, transferring the profile data from the vehicle sub-system data storage to the profile data storage.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the occupant in the vehicle further comprises identifying the occupant based on an occupant's physiological and/or behavioral characteristic.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the occupant in the vehicle further comprises identifying the occupant based on a signal received from a device associated with the occupant.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the profile data comprises a Subscriber Identity Module profile, or an embedded Subscriber Identity Module profile.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the profile data comprises an authorization to access user information, a user credential, and a user preference of the occupant.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle sub-system is a communication sub-system, and/or an entertainment sub-system, and/or an insurance monitoring sub-system, and/or a toll payment sub-system, and/or a navigation sub-system.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the vehicle sub-system data storage is comprised in an integrated circuit card.

10. An apparatus for profile control of profile data in one or more vehicle sub-systems of a vehicle, each vehicle sub-system comprising a vehicle sub-system data storage, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a presence of an occupant in the vehicle;

a controller configured to identify the occupant in the vehicle, and to assign a profile data to one or more vehicle sub-systems, and to control the one or more vehicle sub-systems according to the profile data; and

an interface configured to:

retrieve from a profile data storage the profile data corresponding to the identified occupant; and

store the retrieved profile data in the vehicle sub-system data storage of the one or more assigned vehicle sub-system.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine a role of the identified occupant in the vehicle; and

associate the determined role of the identified occupant to the profile data of the identified occupant, wherein

the step of assigning the profile data of the identified occupant to one or more vehicle sub-systems is performed based on the determined role of the identified occupant.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

control periodically the vehicle to determine if the vehicle is used; and

if it is determined that the vehicle is not used, transfer the profile data from the vehicle sub-system data storage to the profile data storage.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the interface is a machine-to-machine communication interface and/or a wireless communication interface.

14. An integrated circuit card configured to perform the method of claim 1 .

15. A non-transitory computer program comprising computer readable code which, when run on a controller of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the method as claimed in claim 1 .

16. A vehicle comprising an apparatus for profile control of profile data in one or more vehicle sub-systems of a vehicle, each vehicle sub-system comprising a vehicle sub-system data storage, the apparatus comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a presence of an occupant in the vehicle;

a controller configured to identify the occupant in the vehicle, and to assign a profile data to one or more vehicle sub-systems, and to control the one or more vehicle sub-systems according to the profile data; and

an interface configured to:

retrieve from a profile data storage the profile data corresponding to the identified occupant; and

store the retrieved profile data in the vehicle sub-system data storage of the one or more assigned vehicle sub-system.