DE102017201562A1 - Method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals. In order to provide an improved method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle, it is proposed that first the method be started 100, then the on-board unit receives GNSS signals 110 in that then from the GNSS signals the transmitted GNSS time values are determined 120 that the determined GNSS time values are stored 130, that the steps are repeated from the reception of GNSS signals until the on-board signals Unit determines a situation 140 suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time, and that when the on-board unit determines a situation 140 suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time, the current value of the internal System time of the on-board unit is corrected 170 by being set to a current GNSS time value.

Description

The invention relates to a method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals (GNSS stands for the English term "Global Navigation Satellite System", which can be translated as "Global Navigation Satellite System").

On-board units for motor vehicles record, among other things, the activities of drivers and vehicles in commercial goods or passenger traffic, such as driving and rest periods of, for example, trucks or driving on toll road sections.

The existence of reliable timekeeping is of central importance for the recording of the activities of motor vehicles by means of on-board units.

Deviations and / or jumps of a timer of an on-board unit during a recording of activities can lead to inconsistencies of recording data or also to unusable recording data.

If an on-board unit timer is intentionally or unintentionally set to an incorrect value by an authorized repairer, manipulator, or other means, current on-board units will then operate and record at incorrect time values without receiving or displaying an error message, so you may not initially notice that these values are incorrect.

For reasons of tamper resistance, today's on-board units for motor vehicles may only be adjusted by specially authorized personnel of certain authorized maintenance facilities. If a driver of a motor vehicle noticed that the timer of an on-board unit of the vehicle assumes the wrong values, he could still not correct the values or only too little.

In some cases, other electronic systems of a motor vehicle also use the time values output by the timer of an on-board unit, so that they would also be influenced to the same extent by their possibly incorrect values.

An object of the present method is therefore to provide an improved method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle.

This object is achieved by a method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals according to claim 1. In addition, an on-board unit for a motor vehicle according to claim 14 is proposed. Embodiments and developments of the inventive concept are the subject of dependent claims.

A method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals and an on-board unit for a motor vehicle for carrying out a method for automatically correcting a value of an internal system time of the on-board unit using time values obtained from GNSS signals.

This ensures that the internal system time of an on-board unit can be corrected more frequently - for example whenever needed - even outside of authorized workshops using time values determined from GNSS signals. As a result, manipulations can be made more difficult and / or inconsistencies of recorded data can be better avoided.

By the automatic correction according to the invention of a current time value of an internal system time using time values determined from GNSS signals, it is possible to maximize the current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle in normal operation a few minutes from the actual time.

By the inventive automatic correction of a current time value of an internal system time can be reduced maintenance costs for a procedurally operating on-board unit and / or a vehicle equipped therewith and / or it may possibly even eliminates the need for a trip to the workshop. Furthermore, a time-consuming manual correction of an internal system time can be dispensed with by the method according to the invention.

The automatic correction according to the invention of a current time value of an internal system time makes it possible with little effort to frequently correct. In turn, more frequent corrections may result in a better match of a current time value of an internal system time with the actual time.

On the other hand, the increase in the frequency of correction, as can be made possible by the method according to the invention, the reduction of the requirements, for example, with respect to the accuracy of accuracy, allow an internal system time transmitter of an on-board unit.

In addition, by using time values obtained from GNSS signals, the method of the present invention allows automatic correction of a current time value of internal system time, complicating manipulation of an on-board unit's internal timer and / or the effects minimize manipulation.

The method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals is characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps, namely: the process becomes started, the on-board unit receives GNSS signals, from the GNSS signals, the transmitted GNSS time values are determined, the determined GNSS time values are stored, the steps from the reception of GNSS signals are repeated, until the on-board unit determines a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time when the on-board unit determines a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time, the current value the internal system time of the on-board unit is corrected by setting it to a current GNSS time value.

The on-board unit for a motor vehicle for performing a method for automatically correcting a value of an internal system time of the on-board unit using time values obtained from GNSS signals has at least the following components, namely: a receiving device for receiving of GNSS signals, a processing means for determining GNSS time values from received GNSS signals, a data memory in which detected GNSS time values are stored, an internal system time generator and a detection means for determining a suitable situation for correction the internal system time of the on-board unit.

Particular embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

All types of on-board units for motor vehicles, such as a tachograph, a toll meter or a taximeter, may be used to carry out the present method. Tachographs are to be emphasized because the present method is particularly intended for a version with a tachograph.

An on-board unit can be designed so that all components are housed within a common housing. Furthermore, an on-board unit can be designed so that not all components are accommodated in a common housing, but connected to each other. For example, the receiving means for receiving GNSS signals separately from the rest of the on-board unit, i. outside a housing in which, for example, the remaining components of the on-board unit are located, be arranged. Here, the connection between the receiving device and the other components can be made for example with cables or lines and possibly have plugs and sockets or other connection options. It is also possible that the processing device for determining GNSS time values from received GNSS signals is arranged together with the receiving device separately from the remaining components of the on-board unit. It is also possible for the components of the on-board unit to be arranged in more than two groups, for example by the processing device for determining GNSS time values from received GNSS signals and the receiving device for receiving GNSS signals from one another are spatially separated and also each spatially separate to the rest of the on-board unit, ie outside a housing in which, for example, the remaining components of the on-board unit are located, are arranged. Again, the various components of the on-board unit are interconnected.

An exemplary way to use a memory in a present method is by storing the time values obtained from received GNSS signals directly in a memory. A second possibility is to use two memories, wherein time values determined in a first memory from received GNSS signals and values of the internal system time corresponding to a second memory are respectively stored at the time of receipt of the respective GNSS signals. This makes it possible to provide rows of adjacent time values in the first and in the second memory, which can then be used for comparison purposes.

For example, if both GNSS time values and internal time values are stored in a memory, for example, the GNSS time values may be stored together with the corresponding ones at the time of reception applied internal time values of the on-board unit together. Thus, for example, each pair of GNSS time and internal time can be obtained. An example possibility for a simple plausibility check is, for example, a comparison of the time differences within two pairs: If the time difference of the two GNSS time values does not coincide with the time difference of the two time values of the internal system time encoder, this plausibility test is not passed.

GNSS time values, which are plausibility-checked and found to be implausible, can be, for example, measurement errors or manipulated values.

For example, the on-board unit may log to an internal memory when correcting the value of the internal system time.

The evaluation of whether a situation for correcting a value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle is appropriate also takes into account the current situation of the vehicle and the current situation with respect to detection of driving and rest periods.

According to the present method, while recording about steering and rest times, there are no situations suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time of an on-board unit. A change in the system time could occur abruptly and thus cause jumps and / or inconsistencies in the recording data.

For a method of automatically correcting an internal system time value of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values obtained from GNSS signals, a distinction can be made between appropriate GNSS time values and inappropriate GNSS time values , Unless there is a suitable GNSS time value, it may be desirable not to correct the value of the system time even if there are inappropriate GNSS time values, for example. For example, a GNSS time value may be considered inappropriate if a check has revealed that the value is not plausible. One or several checks can be carried out to determine the plausibility of a value. In addition, a GNSS time value may be considered inappropriate if a continuity check of values has revealed leaps over time or deviations or lack of monotony or other deviations from continuous development. Furthermore, a GNSS time value may be considered inappropriate if a value is not current. Such a case can occur, for example, if the updating of a value has not been successful. However, it may also be possible to define a time limit up to which an update is permitted. In such a case, values would not be updated over a certain period of time, so that they would no longer be up-to-date in certain implementation variants. Thus, for example, it could be ensured that only those values which were obtained by updating from signals received within the time frame determined on the basis of the upper time limit are classified as suitable.

An internal system time of an on-board unit means the time given by an internal timer of the on-board unit in which the on-board unit measures the time, i. determines the passage of time.

A current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit is the time value applied to an internal timer at any given time. So this is the value that an on-board unit assumes as the present, more precisely than the present time. An internal timer specifies the internal system time. For example, a real-time clock may be an internal timer.

A current GNSS time value may be a time value directly derived from a received GNSS signal or a time value derived from a detected GNSS time value. A time value derived from a GNSS time value can be obtained by updating this value based on the progress of an on-board unit's internal system time encoder from the determination of a GNSS time value. In this case, the updating of a GNSS time value can take place analogously to the updating of an internal system time value. That is, the rate of change of the various time values would be dictated by an internal system time encoder; For example, based on a real-time clock or a timer of the internal system time encoder of an on-board unit. An internal timer may include, for example, an oscillator circuit. By updating a derived GNSS time value determined from a determined GNSS signal, it is possible, for example, for a current time value corresponding to this received GNSS signal to be available at any time after receipt of a GNSS signal. If there are multiple GNSS time values, those are the most up-to-date. That is, if, for example, there are several GNSS time values determined from received GNSS signals, then in one embodiment, those GNSS time values are the most recent ones, whose reception time is the shortest. But it is also possible otherwise define which GNSS values are up-to-date. Providing current time values allows for more accurate correction of time values. In addition, the provision of current time values allows one to significantly correct the correction of time values for receiving the GNSS signals from which the time values are determined.

According to the present method, an on-board unit may be continuously tuned to receive GNSS signals during normal operation, for example, during the detection of driving and rest periods, and may continuously store the GNSS time values obtained from received GNSS signals ,

• - Eine geeignete Situation ist beispielsweise dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die On-Board-Unit keine Erfassung von Lenk- und Ruhezeiten durchführt. Durch ein Korrigieren zu einem Zeitpunkt, an dem keine Erfassung von Lenk- und Ruhezeiten erfolgt, können potentielle Sprünge und/oder unstete Stellen in den Aufzeichnungsdaten verhindert werden.
• - Eine geeignete Situation ist beispielsweise dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass kein Datentransfer und/oder Datendownload von einer On-Board-Unit zu einem anderen Gerät stattfindet.
• - Eine geeignete Situation ist beispielsweise dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass keine Aktualisierung der Firmware der On-Board-Unit und keine andere Software-Aktualisierung stattfinden.
• - Eine geeignete Situation ist beispielsweise dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Fahrzeug, in dem sich die On-Board-Unit befindet, nicht im Betrieb befindet. Das kann beispielsweise bedeuten, dass der Zündungschalter des Fahrzeugs ausgeschaltet ist oder dass das Fahrzeug geparkt ist oder dass der Antriebsmotor des Fahrzeugs abgestellt ist.
• - Eine geeignete Situation ist beispielsweise dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die On-Board-Unit gemäß ihrer typischen Spezifikationen für den Regelbetrieb mit elektrischer Energie versorgt wird, d.h. dass die Versorgungsspannungen und Versorgungsströme weder höher noch niedriger sind als der anforderungsgemäße Arbeitsbereich.
• - Eine geeignete Situation ist beispielsweise dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, wenn die On-Board-Unit ein Tachograph oder Fahrtschreiber ist, keine Tachographenkarten, insbesondere keine sogenannte Fahrerkarte, in der On-Board-Unit eingesteckt ist.
• - Eine geeignete Situation ist beispielsweise dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Aufzeichnung oder eine Erfassung von Lenk- und Ruhezeiten soeben abgeschlossen wurde oder dass im Anschluss an eine Aufzeichnung oder eine Erfassung von Lenk- und Ruhezeiten soeben ein Datentransfer und/oder Datendownload von einer On-Board-Unit zu einem anderen Gerät stattgefunden hat und soeben abgeschlossen worden ist.

For example, on the basis of the following exemplary criteria, an on-board unit determines a situation that is suitable for correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit:

• - A suitable situation is characterized, for example, by the fact that the on-board unit does not record any driving and rest times. By correcting at a time when there is no detection of driving and rest periods, potential jumps and / or unsteady spots in the recording data can be prevented.
• A suitable situation is for example characterized in that no data transfer and / or data download takes place from one on-board unit to another device.
• A suitable situation is characterized, for example, by no updating of the firmware of the on-board unit and no other software update taking place.
• A suitable situation is characterized, for example, by the fact that the vehicle in which the on-board unit is located is not in operation. This may mean, for example, that the ignition switch of the vehicle is switched off or that the vehicle is parked or that the drive motor of the vehicle is turned off.
• A suitable situation is characterized, for example, by the fact that the on-board unit is supplied with electrical energy in accordance with its typical specifications for normal operation, ie that the supply voltages and supply currents are neither higher nor lower than the work area required.
• A suitable situation is characterized, for example, in that, when the on-board unit is a tachograph or tachograph, no tachograph cards, in particular no so-called driver card, are plugged into the on-board unit.
• A suitable situation is characterized, for example, by the fact that a recording or recording of driving and resting times has just been completed or that following a recording or recording of driving and resting times, just a data transfer and / or data download from an on-board -Unit to another device has taken place and has just been completed.

This list exemplifies, rather than concludes, possible criteria that may be used individually or in all combinations to determine a situation suitable for correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit.

For example, a situation is not suitable for correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit when no internal system time is available or the internal system time is disturbed.

In a particular embodiment of a present method, a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit is only corrected if there are a certain number of suitable GNSS values, the number being greater than one. Certain forms of validation for GNSS time values may require the use of multiple GNSS time values.

In a particular embodiment of the present method, its execution is uninterrupted for the entire operating time of the on-board unit. The process begins to run again and again as soon as a correction of the value of the internal system time of the on-board unit has taken place.

In a particular embodiment of the present method, the on-board unit classifies any situation as not suitable for correction whenever the on-board unit does not have suitable GNSS time values.

In a particular embodiment of the present method, the method is aborted if the on-board unit has no or too few plausible GNSS time values.

In a particular embodiment of the present method, rates of change of GNSS time values are determined only if at least two of them from the same GNSS source present at different times received GNSS signals.

In a particular embodiment of the present method, in an additional step, which is executed immediately after a situation suitable for correcting a current time value of an internal system time has been performed, it is additionally checked whether the current GNSS time value is within a predetermined tolerance matches the current value of the internal system time of the on-board unit and if there is no match, no correction.

In a particular embodiment variant of the present method, only those current GNSS time values are classified as suitable for correction, which are derived from a determined GNSS time value and updated on the basis of the progress of an internal system time generator of the on-board unit were.

In a particular embodiment of the present method, determined GNSS time values are checked for their suitability for correction, and only when a situation suitable for correcting a value of an internal system time is determined correcting, if there is at least one suitable GNSS time value and if there is no suitable GNSS time value, the method continues with the step of receiving GNSS signals and re-executing the following steps.

In a particular embodiment variant of the present method, the internal system time value applied to the GNSS time values determined at the time of receipt of the GNSS signals from which the respective GNSS time value was determined is the on-board Unit is updated and a current GNSS time value is derived by updating this value based on the progression of an on-board unit's internal system time transmitter as from the determination of the GNSS time value. This can be achieved, for example, by forming the difference between the internal system time and the internal system time value applied to the time of reception at any given time and adding this to the respectively determined GNSS time value. Other variants are possible in which the internal system time value applied at the time of receiving GNSS signals is used to derive current GNSS time values.

According to an embodiment variant of the present method, an automatic correction of a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit is not based on a single time value from a received GNSS signal, but rather on the basis of a series of received signals which precede the Use to correct for consistency and plausibility checks of the series and its values.

An advantage of recording a series of time values in a memory is that the timing of correcting the time value of the on-board unit's internal system time encoder from the time or points of receipt of GNSS signals - and hence GNSS time values - to be able to disconnect. In other words, by correcting independently of the time of reception of time signals, one can unbundle the correcting and the receiving.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, detected GNSS time values are checked to see if they are suitable for correction, and if a situation suitable for correcting a value of an internal system time is determined only then correcting if at least one suitable GNSS time value is present. This makes it particularly advantageous that no inappropriate GNSS time values are used for a correction.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, the suitability of the determined GNSS time values is checked continuously during the operation of the on-board unit. This makes it possible to check the suitability of determined GNSS time values independently of the presence of a suitable situation. Continuous in this context means that a review is consistently possible. However, this does not mean that a value is repeatedly subjected to the same review in the same way. However, it is possible for one value to undergo different checks at a time or at different times.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, a check of the suitability of the determined GNSS time values is checked immediately before a correction, if the on-board unit has determined or determined a suitable situation for correcting the value of the internal system time , The particular advantage here lies in the fact that a check is carried out only in a particularly demand-oriented manner, even if a correction is provided.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, the determined GNSS time values are additionally checked for plausibility, and only plausible GNSS time values are suitable values. Such a review particularly advantageously increases the security of the method against errors, failures and manipulations.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, the determined GNSS time values are additionally checked for plausibility by the time intervals between GNSS time values determined from different reception events and the time intervals of the values of the internal system time present at the reception times compared to the on-board unit. This makes it particularly advantageous to use an internal system time as a reference for a plausibility check and strongly deviate from the course of the internal system time deviating GNSS signals early and with little effort as not plausible.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, the determined GNSS time values are additionally checked for plausibility and determined GNSS time values are marked as not plausible and / or removed from the row and / or deleted from the memory if their Review has resulted in insufficient plausibility. This makes it particularly advantageous to use the findings from a plausibility check directly for the further handling of GNSS time values.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, the determined GNSS time values are checked for continuity. As a result, a common consideration and review of several GNSS time values is particularly advantageously included in the present method. This in turn makes it possible to identify jumps over time.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, the determined GNSS-time values are checked for continuity by evaluating a series of GNSS-time values in total only as continuous, if the values ascend after the reception time determined by means of internal system time generators sorted monotonously rising. This makes it particularly advantageous that, for example, a series of values that has jumps back and forth in time, and thus probably untrustworthy, is assessed as non-continuous. Thus, a suspicious behavior, such as a GNSS signal received later, having an earlier GNSS time value than an earlier received GNSS signal, may be detected.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, only those GNSS time values are classified as suitable whose continuity has satisfied a check. By including continuity in the verification of the suitability of GNSS time values, the security particularly increases the tamper resistance and the error resistance of the present method even further, by possibly including erroneous or manipulated data taken for a single receiving event have withstood the reviews, but nevertheless notice the common continuity check and are subsequently considered ineligible.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, a rate of change of a time value of the GNSS time is determined on the basis of at least two GNSS signals received at different times, and only those GNSS time values are classified as suitable whose rate of change of the time Value within a certain tolerance range coincides with the rate of change of the value of the internal system time of the on-board unit. This advantageously makes it possible to classify possibly faulty or manipulated GNSS time values, which stand out due to their deviating rate of change of the time values, as unsuitable.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, in each case the internal system time value of the on-board unit which is present at the time of receipt is additionally stored for GNSS time values received. The availability of the reception times in the internal system time makes possible particularly advantageous subsequent calculations, such as, for example, determination of rates of change, determination of time differences, sorting of GNSS signal reception events and / or the GNSS time values determined therefrom.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of a present method, a current GNSS time value is derived from a determined GNSS time value in that, starting from the determination of the GNSS time value, this value is determined on the basis of the progress of an internal system time encoder of the on-board -Unit is updated. This makes it possible in a particularly advantageous manner to hold current GNSS time values derived therefrom at arbitrary points in time after the determination of GNSS time values.

• 1 ein Ablaufschema eines Verfahrens zum automatischen Korrigieren eines aktuellen Zeit-Wertes einer internen Systemzeit einer On-Board-Unit für ein Kraftfahrzeug unter Verwendung von aus GNSS-Signalen ermittelten Zeit-Werten,
• 2 ein Ablaufschema eines Verfahrens zum automatischen Korrigieren eines aktuellen Zeit-Wertes einer internen Systemzeit einer On-Board-Unit für ein Kraftfahrzeug unter Verwendung von aus GNSS-Signalen ermittelten Zeit-Werten, bei dem eine Überprüfung der Eignung der ermittelten GNSS-Zeit-Werte kontinuierlich während des Betriebs der On-Board-Unit erfolgt,
• 3 ein Ablaufschema eines Verfahrens zum automatischen Korrigieren eines aktuellen Zeit-Wertes einer internen Systemzeit einer On-Board-Unit für ein Kraftfahrzeug unter Verwendung von aus GNSS-Signalen ermittelten Zeit-Werten, bei dem eine Überprüfung der Eignung der ermittelten GNSS-Zeit-Werte unmittelbar vor einem Korrigieren überprüft wird, wenn die On-Board-Unit eine zum Korrigieren des Wertes der internen System-Zeit geeignete Situation ermittelt hat,
• 4 ein Ablaufschema eines Verfahrens zum automatischen Korrigieren eines aktuellen Zeit-Wertes einer internen Systemzeit einer On-Board-Unit für ein Kraftfahrzeug unter Verwendung von aus GNSS-Signalen ermittelten Zeit-Werten, bei dem zu mehreren Zeitpunkten GNSS-Signale empfangen werden, aktuelle GNSS-Zeit-Werte von den GNSS-Zeit-Werten abgeleitet werden, welche aus den empfangen GNSS-Signalen ermittelt worden sind, eine mögliche Anforderung für ein sofortiges Korrigieren berücksichtigt wurde, GNSS-Zeit-Werte auf Plausibilität und Kontinuität überprüft werden und Änderungsraten von GNSS-Zeit-Werten ermittelt und verglichen werden.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures of the drawing, wherein the same or similar elements are provided with the same reference numerals. It shows:

• 1 1 is a flowchart of a method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals;
• 2 a flowchart of a method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals, wherein a check of the suitability of the determined GNSS time values continuously during operation of the on-board unit,
• 3 a flowchart of a method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals, wherein a check of the suitability of the determined GNSS time values immediately is checked before correcting, if the on-board unit has determined a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time,
• 4 3 is a flow chart of a method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals, in which GNSS signals are received at several times. Time values are derived from the GNSS time values which have been determined from the received GNSS signals, a possible request for immediate correction has been taken into account, GNSS time values are checked for plausibility and continuity, and rates of change of GNSS Time values are determined and compared.

1 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values obtained from GNSS signals. The procedure is first started 100. Thereafter, the on-board unit receives GNSS signals 110 , The transmitted GNSS time values are then determined 120 from the received GNSS signals, and then these determined GNSS time values are stored 130. The method steps from the reception of GNSS signals are repeated until the on-board unit has an on-board unit Situation determines 140, which is suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time. If the on-board unit determines 140 a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time, the current value of the internal system time of the on-board unit is corrected 170 by referring to a current GNSS Time value is set.

The reference character "J" stands in all figures for "yes" as the output of a decision step. Analogously, the reference symbol "N" in all figures stands for "No" as the output of a decision step.

2 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals, which are independent of the occurrence of a situation; which is suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time, a check of the suitability of the determined GNSS time values takes place continuously during the operation of the on-board unit. The procedure is first started 100. Thereafter, the on-board unit receives GNSS signals 110 , The transmitted GNSS time values are then determined 120 from the received GNSS signals, and then these determined GNSS time values are stored 130. The suitability of the determined GNSS time values is continuously checked 135 , If there is no appropriate GNSS time value, the procedure continues with the repetition of the steps beginning with the reception of GNSS signals. If it is determined that there is at least one suitable GNSS time value, it is checked whether there is a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time. If there is no suitable situation, the procedure continues with the repetition of the steps from the reception of GNSS signals. The process steps from the reception of GNSS signals are repeated. If the on-board unit determines 140 a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time, the current value of the internal system time of the on-board unit is corrected 170 by referring to a current GNSS Time value is set. In this case, a check as to whether a value is suitable can take place both directly after determining a GNSS time value and also detached from reception times. The check can then take place in each case for the GNSS time values just determined, for a plurality of, for a series of GNSS time values or for all memory in memory. A review of the suitability of GNSS time values may include one or more of the following checks: plausibility check, continuity check, change rate check, review and / or a check on how current the values are. It is also possible to check the suitability of GNSS time values in the background or in a parallel instance of an on-board unit while it is in operation.

3 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals, in which a check of the suitability of the determined GNSS Time values are checked immediately before a correction, when the on-board unit has determined a suitable situation for correcting the value of the internal system time. The procedure is first started 100. Thereafter, the on-board unit receives GNSS signals 110 , The transmitted GNSS time values are then determined 120 from the received GNSS signals, and then these determined GNSS time values are stored 130. The method steps from the reception of GNSS signals are repeated until the on-board unit has an on-board unit Situation determines 140, which is suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time. If the on-board unit determines 140 a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time, the process continues by checking the suitability of the GNSS time values determined 145 he follows. If the on-board unit has at least one suitable GNSS time value, the current value of the on-board unit's internal system time is corrected 170 by setting it to a current GNSS time value. In this case, a check as to whether a value is suitable can take place both directly after a suitable situation has been determined and detached from the time at which the situation is determined. The check can then take place in each case for the GNSS time values just determined, for a plurality of, for a series of GNSS time values or for all memory in memory. A review of the suitability of GNSS time values may include one or more of the following checks: plausibility check, continuity check, change rate check, review and / or a check on how current the values are. It is also possible to check the suitability of GNSS time values in the background or in a parallel instance of an on-board unit while it is in operation.

4 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example embodiment of a method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals, in which GNSS signals are received at multiple times For example, current GNSS time values will be derived from the GNSS time values determined from the received GNSS signals, a possible request for immediate correction taken into account, GNSS time values checked for plausibility and continuity and rates of change of GNSS time values are determined and compared. The 4 shows in detail an exemplary method with several optional technical features and / or method steps. Further embodiments in which one or more of the optional features and / or method steps are absent represent further variants of the present method. The starting point for this exemplary method is that an on-board unit does not have a suitable GNSS time value 105. In the next step, the on-board unit receives GNSS signals for the first time for this procedure 110 ' , From the GNSS signals received in this first receive event, first GNSS time values are determined and stored. Thereafter, it is checked whether there is a request for an immediate correction of the current time value of the internal system time 139. For example, a method with a request for an immediate correction can be made such that the request is always present when there is no request for a fixed duration Correction is done. For example, a fixed period without a correction from the elapse of which an immediate correction request may be 12 hours, one day, two days, one week, or ten days. The progression of the time by which the exceeding of such a duration is determined is determined by the progression of an on-board unit's internal system time. A step of checking whether there is a request for immediate correction of the current time of internal system time 139 is optional. There are also embodiments without this step and / or its repetitions 139 possible in the further process. If there is a request for immediate correction, the current value of the on-board unit's internal system time is corrected 170 'by setting it to a current GNSS time value. A current GNSS time value may be a time value obtained directly from a GNSS signal received in the previous step. If there is no request for immediate correction, the process continues by deriving current GNSS time values from the first GNSS time values determined 133 'by referring to the progress of an internal system time encoder of the on-going GNSS time value. Board unit to be updated. A step of deriving current GNSS time value from the first detected GNSS time values 133 'is optional. Embodiments without this step and / or its repetitions, for example 133 ", are also possible in the further method In the next step, the on-board unit receives GNSS signals a second time for this method sequence 110 ' , From the second reception event 110 ' received GNSS signals second GNSS time values are determined and stored. Thereafter, in a next step, it is checked whether a first rate of change of the GNSS time values within specified tolerances with the rate of change of the value of the internal system time of the on-board unit is 157 '. For this purpose, for example, the GNSS time values derived from the first GNSS time values determined are compared with the second GNSS time values and it is checked whether they match each other within specified tolerances. Alternatively, GNSS time change rates may be compared to the internal system time change rate, for example, by comparing the differences of second and first GNSS time values with the difference of the time values associated with the second and first receive events on a internal system time donors have been compared with each other; in turn, it may then be checked, for example, whether the GNSS time change rates within specified tolerances match the internal system time change rate. A step of checking whether a first rate of change of the GNSS time values within specified tolerances matches the rate of change of the value of the internal system time of the on-board unit 157 'is optional. Embodiments without this step and / or their repetitions, eg 157 ", are also possible in the further method. If a check of the change rates leads to the result that no GNSS time change rate, taking account of specified tolerances, coincides with the rate of change of the internal system time , the procedure is continued with the step of assuming that the on-board unit is not an appropriate GNSS time value 105, and the subsequent steps are repeated. If a revision of the rate of change results in the result that the GNSS In accordance with set tolerances, if the time change rates match the rate of change of the internal system time, the method continues to recheck if there is a request for immediate correction of the current time of internal system time immediate correction, the aktu The value of the on-board unit's internal system time is corrected 170 'by setting it to a current GNSS time value. If there is no request for immediate correction, the process continues with the GNSS time value derived from the second detected GNSS time values being derived 133 '' by referring to the progress of an internal system time encoder of the On Board unit to be updated. In the next step, the on-board unit receives GNSS signals a third time for this procedure 110 '' , From the third reception event 110 '' received GNSS signals, third GNSS time values are determined and stored. Analogous to the three reception events described for this exemplary method, the procedure also proceeds in possible further, following reception events. After the third reception event 110 '" the determined GNSS time values are checked for plausibility 150. A step for checking the determined GNSS time values for plausibility 150 is optional. Embodiments without this step are also possible. Thereafter, in a next step, it is checked whether a second rate of change of the GNSS time values within specified tolerances agrees with the rate of change of the value of the internal system time of the on-board unit 157 ", for example, from the second detected GNSS time Values are compared with the third GNSS time values and checked to see if they match each other within specified tolerances, or other comparisons can be made to check the rates of change, for example, as in the previous Describing this embodiment, differences of time values are compared with each other 157 ' to the result that no GNSS time rate of change, taking into account specified tolerances, coincides with the rate of change of the internal system time, the method with the step of assuming that the on-board unit does not have a suitable GNSS time value 105 will become , and the subsequent steps are repeated. If a check of the rates of change 157 "leads to the result that the GNSS time change rates agree with the rate of change of the internal system time taking into account specified tolerances, the method continues with the GNSS time values determined in a next step For example, it may be checked whether the first rate of change of the GNSS time values agrees with the second rate of change of the GNSS time values, taking into account specified tolerances, for example GNSS time values are considered to be continuous when the rates of change match.Another exemplary way to check the continuity of GNSS time values or rate of change of GNSS time values is by determining changes in rate of change per elapsed internal one System time possible ch: Here, for example, if there are multiple successively determined rates of change, one can time the rates of change after the time of reception of the most recently received GNSS receive events in internal system time, and only if that ordered set of rates of change has a certain monotonicity within specified tolerances; classify the GNSS time values involved as continuous. In this case, for example, only those rows are classified as continuous, in which increases either with increasing reception time in internal system time, the rate of change or with increasing reception time in internal system time the rate of change decreases. Such a method could account for variations in gait speeds between GNSS time and on-board unit internal system time. It may be desirable to set a minimum amount of internal system time, which must be between two GNSS receive events, if GNSS time values determined from this are to be used to determine and compare rates of change. Such a minimum duration could be, for example, 10 seconds. A step to check the determined GNSS time values for continuity 153 is optional. Embodiments without this step are also possible. After the step of checking for continuity 153 the process continues by deriving current GNSS time values from the third detected GNSS time values 133 ", by updating these values based on the progression of an on-board unit's internal system time encoder the on-board unit determines whether a situation appropriate for correcting the current value of the internal system time has occurred 140. If so, the current value of the on-board unit's internal system time is corrected 170 by If no situation has occurred which is suitable for correcting the current value of the internal system time, a check is made again to see if there is a request for an immediate correction of the current time Value of the internal system time 139 is present. If there is a request for immediate correction, the current value of the on-board unit's internal system time is corrected 170 'by setting it to a current GNSS time value. If there is no request for immediate correction, the procedure continues with the steps from updating 133 '" the current GNSS time values derived from the third determined GNSS time values are continued and the subsequent process steps are repeated.

1. a. Das Verfahren wird gestartet 100,
2. b. die On-Board-Unit empfängt GNSS-Signale 110,
3. c. aus den GNSS-Signalen werden die übertragenen GNSS-Zeit-Werte ermittelt 120,
4. d. die ermittelten GNSS-Zeit-Werte werden gespeichert 130,
5. e. die Schritte ab dem Empfang von GNSS-Signalen werden wiederholt, bis die On-Board-Unit eine Situation ermittelt 140, die zum Korrigieren des Wertes der internen Systemzeit geeignet ist,
6. f. wenn die On-Board-Unit eine Situation ermittelt 140, die zum Korrigieren des Wertes der internen System-Zeit geeignet ist, wird der aktuelle Wert der internen System-Zeit der On-Board-Unit korrigiert 170, indem er auf einen aktuellen GNSS-Zeit-Wert gesetzt wird.

A method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals, as exemplified in FIG 1 has at least the following steps, namely:

1. a. The process is started 100,
2. b. the on-board unit receives GNSS signals 110 .
3. c. from the GNSS signals, the transmitted GNSS time values are determined 120,
4. d. the determined GNSS time values are stored 130,
5. e. the steps from receipt of GNSS signals are repeated until the on-board unit determines 140 a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time,
6. f. if the on-board unit determines 140 a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time, the current value of the on-board unit's internal system time is corrected 170 by referring to a current GNSS Time value is set.

In variants of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, as exemplified in the 2 or 3 are detected GNSS time values are checked to see if they are suitable for correction and, if a situation is determined which is suitable for correcting a value of an internal system time, correction is performed only if at least there is a suitable GNSS time value.

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, as exemplified in 2 is shown, the suitability is checked 135 the determined GNSS time values continuously during operation of the on-board unit.

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, as exemplified in 3 is shown, the suitability of the determined GNSS time values is checked 145 immediately prior to correction, if the on-board unit has identified or determined a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time.

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, the determined GNSS time values are additionally checked for plausibility 150 and only plausible GNSS time values are suitable values. An embodiment of such a method is exemplified in 4 illustrated.

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, the plausibility of the ascertained GNSS time values is checked 150, in that time intervals between GNSS time values determined from different reception events and time intervals of the values of the associated time values of the GNSS internal system time of the on-board unit are compared. An embodiment of such a method is exemplified in 4 illustrated.

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, determined GNSS time values are when their checking 150 has given insufficient plausibility as being not plausibly marked and / or removed from the row and / or deleted from memory (not shown).

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, the determined GNSS time values are checked for continuity 153. An embodiment of such a method is exemplary in FIG 4 illustrated.

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, a number of GNSS time values is evaluated as continuous overall only if the values increase monotonically in ascending order according to the reception time determined by the internal system time transmitter (not shown).

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, only those GNSS time values are judged suitable, the continuity of which is a check 153 has sufficed. An embodiment of such a method is exemplified in 4 illustrated.

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, a rate of change of a time value of the GNSS time is determined 157 based on at least two GNSS signals received at different times, and only those GNSS time values whose rate of change become of the time value within a certain tolerance range coincides with the rate of change of the value of the internal system time of the on-board unit, classified as suitable. An embodiment of such a method is exemplified in 4 illustrated.

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, in each case the internal system time value of the on-board unit present at the time of receipt is additionally stored 131 (not shown) for received GNSS time values.

In a variant of a method for automatically correcting a current time value, a current GNSS time value is derived 133 from a determined GNSS time value, in which, starting from the determination of the GNSS time value, this value is based on the progression of an internal system time The on-board unit is updated. An embodiment of such a method is exemplified in 4 illustrated.

1. a. Eine Empfangseinrichtung zum Empfang von GNSS-Signalen,
2. b. eine Verarbeitungseinrichtung zur Ermittlung von GNSS-Zeit-Werten aus empfangenen GNSS-Signalen,
3. c. einen Datenspeicher, in dem ermittelte GNSS-Zeit-Werte gespeichert werden,
4. d. einen internen Systemzeit-Geber,
5. e. eine Detektionseinrichtung zur Ermittlung einer geeigneten Situation zum Korrigieren der internen System-Zeit der On-Board-Unit.

An on-board unit for a motor vehicle for carrying out a method for automatically correcting a value of an internal system time of the on-board unit using time values (not shown) determined from GNSS signals has at least the following components, namely:

1. a. A receiving device for receiving GNSS signals,
2. b. a processing device for determining GNSS time values from received GNSS signals,
3. c. a data store in which detected GNSS time values are stored,
4. d. an internal system time encoder,
5. e. a detection device for determining a suitable situation for correcting the internal system time of the on-board unit.

Claims (14)

Method for automatically correcting a current time value of an internal system time of an on-board unit for a motor vehicle using time values determined from GNSS signals, having at least the following steps, namely: a. The procedure is started (100), b. the on-board unit receives GNSS signals (110), c. the transmitted GNSS time values are determined from the GNSS signals (120), d. the determined GNSS time values are stored (130), e. the steps from receipt of GNSS signals are repeated until the on-board unit determines (140) a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time, f. if the on-board unit determines (140) a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time, the current value of the internal system time of the on-board unit is corrected (170) by typing a current GNSS time value is set. Method according to Claim 1 wherein checked GNSS time values are checked to see if they are suitable for correction, and wherein if a situation is determined that is suitable for correcting a value of an internal system time, then correcting only if at least there is a suitable GNSS time value. Method according to Claim 2 wherein a check of the suitability (135) of the determined GNSS time values is carried out continuously during the operation of the on-board unit. Method according to Claim 2 wherein a check of the suitability of the determined GNSS time values (145) takes place immediately before a correction, if the on-board unit has determined or determined a situation suitable for correcting the value of the internal system time. Method according to one of Claims 2 to 4 In addition, the determined GNSS time values are additionally checked for plausibility (150) and only plausible GNSS time values are suitable values. Method according to Claim 5 in which the plausibility of the ascertained GNSS time values is checked (150) by determining time intervals between GNSS time values determined from different reception events with time intervals of the values of the internal system time of the on-board signals available at the associated reception times. Unit to be compared. Method one of Claims 5 or 6 wherein determined GNSS time values, if their check (150) has resulted in insufficient plausibility, are marked as not plausible and / or removed from the row and / or deleted from memory. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the determined GNSS time values are checked for continuity (153). Method according to Claim 8 in which a series of GNSS time values is evaluated as continuous overall only if the values increase monotonically in ascending order according to the reception time determined by means of the internal system time transmitter of the on-board unit. Method according to one of Claims 8 or 9 , where only those GNSS-time values are classified as suitable, the continuity of which has satisfied a check (153). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein based on at least two GNSS signals received at different times, a rate of change of a time value of the GNSS time is determined (157) and only those GNSS time values whose rate of change of the time value within a certain tolerance range with the rate of change of the value of the internal system time of the on-board unit, be classified as suitable. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in each case the internal system time value of the on-board unit present at the time of reception is additionally stored (131) for received GNSS time values. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein from a determined GNSS time value, a current GNSS time value is derived (133), starting from the determination of the GNSS time value of this value based on the progress of an internal system time encoder On-board unit is updated. On-board unit for a motor vehicle for carrying out a method for automatically correcting a value of an internal system time of the on-board unit using time values determined from GNSS signals according to one of the preceding claims comprising at least the following components, namely: a. A receiving device for receiving GNSS signals, b. a processing device for determining GNSS time values from received GNSS signals, c. a data store in which detected GNSS time values are stored, d. an internal system time generator, e. a detection device for determining a suitable situation for correcting the internal system time of the on-board unit.

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