IEC 63246-1:2021

Overview

IEC 63246-1:2021 - Configurable Car Infotainment Services (CCIS) - Part 1: General establishes the foundational concepts for the management and use of car infotainment systems. Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), this international standard defines the system model for CCIS, types of users, client interactions, and associated service flows. As in-vehicle infotainment systems (IVI) become increasingly sophisticated with features such as navigation, audio/video entertainment, and smart device connectivity, harmonized standards are essential for ensuring interoperability, security, and user experience.

This standard supports global efforts to create more integrated, user-friendly, and secure infotainment services in vehicles, whether for car owners, renters, or occasional users.

Key Topics

• CCIS System Model: Describes the overall architecture for managing and controlling in-vehicle devices and transporting content through a centralized master (controller).
• User Types: Defines four primary user categories:
  • Car owner (long-term authority)
  • Temporary owner (authorized short-term user, such as renters)
  • Private client (registered user without ownership, e.g., family members)
  • Public client (unregistered guest)
• Device Management: Outlines the communication and management between the CCIS master and diverse infotainment devices (e.g., headrest displays, speakers, smart thermostats).
• Service Flows: Illustrates how different user types discover, access, and control shared or personal devices within the vehicle, including authentication and permission mechanisms.
• Security Considerations: Details access control, registration requirements, permission levels, and measures for preventing unauthorized use or interference.

Applications

The principles of IEC 63246-1:2021 enable a broad range of automotive infotainment applications:

• Car Owners: Gain centralized control over vehicle-installed devices and content through personal smart devices, supporting seamless multimedia playback, climate control, and integration of new devices or services.
• Rental and Shared Mobility: Enables rental companies and car-sharing services to easily assign and manage temporary user permissions, enhancing user personalization without compromising security or privacy.
• Family and Frequent Passengers: Allows owners to pre-authorize specific users (such as family members) with differing access rights to features and content.
• Guest Users: Supports guest access to permitted devices and content, with car owner oversight to enhance convenience and safety.
• Secure Content and Device Sharing: Establishes permission-based access for shared and personal devices, minimizing risks of unauthorized control or adjustment by unregistered users.

The adoption of IEC 63246-1 facilitates interoperability and future upgrades by providing a modular, user-centric approach to infotainment management.

Related Standards

To realize fully interoperable and secure in-vehicle infotainment ecosystems, IEC 63246-1:2021 is complemented by the following standards and initiatives:

• IEC 63246 Series:
  • Part 2: Requirements (defines functional entities and communication models)
  • Part 3: Framework (information flows and device operations)
  • Part 4: Protocol (messaging and implementation guidelines)
• IEC 63005: Event video data recorder for road vehicle accidents (relevant for device integration)
• ISO/IEC JTC1/SG4: Autonomous and data-rich vehicles
• ITU-R M.2084: Standards for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications
• Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF): Automotive IoT interoperability
• Car Connectivity Consortium: Smartphone-centric connectivity in vehicles

By aligning with these standards, manufacturers, software developers, and mobility providers can deliver robust, upgradeable, and safe infotainment experiences.

Keywords: configurable car infotainment services, CCIS, in-vehicle infotainment, IEC 63246-1:2021, car multimedia management, shared mobility, automotive standards, infotainment security, smart car connectivity, user access control.